Laddie Leonard Lesnick

LADDIE LEONARD LESNICK Age 73 of Valparaiso, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2003 at the Portage Community Hospital. He was born on July 24, 1929 in Domonovice, Czechoslovakia, the son of Andy and Catherine (Rusnak) Lesnick. He was married to Josephine H. Belovich, on December 2, 1950 and she preceded him in death on April 22, 1960. He was married to Ethel Williams, on January 18, 1961, and she preceded him in death on July 6, 1997. He was employed as a coal miner for 14 years and for Jones and Laughlin in Vestaburg, Pennsylvania. He was employed for United States Steel at Gary Works as a millwright for 20 plus years. Mr. Lesnick was employed by the Portage Township as the Fire Chief of the South Haven Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years. He served in the United States Marines.e served in the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of the South Haven Fire Department for 31 years, served as Emergency Medical Service Coordinator for the South Haven Fire Department, started the first full time ambulance service in Porter County for South Haven. He was the past and present president of the South Haven Organizational Council, helped build the South Haven Fire Station plus two additions, helped build the South Haven Community Building worked with and under the last five Portage Township Trustees, he attended all the Portage Township Advisory Board Meetings. He was a member of the American Legion Post #502, South Haven, 40/8 Porter County 1507 Voiture, Indiana Volunteer Fireman's Association, Indiana Fire Chief's Association, International Association of Fire Chief's, National and State Certified EMT, the Porter County Fire Association, the South Haven Organizational Council and the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. He was awarded for 30 years of Dedicated Service South Haven Volunteer Fire Department, the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, 30 Years Certficate of Appreciation from the State Fire Marshall and Certificate of Leadership and Service from Porter County Sheriff Larry Dembinski. He is survived by his family, 2 sons, Laddie (Charlene) Lesnick Jr. of Rockville, Indiana and Michael (Andrea) Lesnick of Zeeland, Michigan; 2 daughters, Barbara (Robert) Zborowski of Union Township and Jo Lesnick of Valparaiso; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, William (Dorothy) Lesnick of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania and John (Joanne) Lesnick of Mentor, Ohio, many nieces and nephews and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Andy Lesnick and 1 stepson, Billy Williams. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2003 from 2-8 p.m. at the Engel Funeral Home, 2700 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Indiana 46368. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2003 at 9:15 a.m. at the Engel Funeral Home and 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with Father Doug Mayer officiating. Interment in Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Memorials may be made to the Our Lady of Sorrows Building Fund or to the South Haven Fire Department. For information please call 219-762-8595.