Elmer E. Burkus

Elmer Emery (Al) Burkus of Schererville, IN passed away peacefully on December 27, 2015. He was raised in Hammond and graduated from Hammond High School, Class of 1943. Elmer enlisted in the U. S. Navy after graduation. He served proudly in WWII in the Pacific as a Seaman 2nd Class for three years after Naval Training School (Radio), University of Wisconsin. While in training he made a perfect copy of Fox Schedule Code Messages which consisted of 2000 characters. After returning home from his naval duties, he met and married Dorothy Ann Szentesy Burkus who passed away in March of 1993. They were married almost 47 years and together had three children – Stephen (Elizabeth) Burkus of Sterling Heights, MI, Robert A. (Deborah) Burkus of Crown Point and Patricia Ann (Thomas) Skaltsas of Crown Point. Al was also preceded in death by his parents, Marcella and Stephen Burkus and brother Frank Kontor. Elmer worked for Monumental Life and Allstate Insurance until his retirement in 1985. He and Dorothy enjoyed the winters in Bradenton, FL, golfing, fishing and enjoying friendships. After the death of his beloved Dorothy, he was blessed to find happiness in a second marriage in 1994, for over 21 years, to Barbara Hilbrich Burkus of Schererville, who survives. In addition to a new wife, Al gained four stepchildren and eleven grandchildren, joining his three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Grandchildren include Robert Burkus, Cory (Beth) Burkus, Daniel Burkus, Jennifer Burkus, Stephen Burkus, Christian Skaltsas, Katie Skaltsas; great-grandchildren include Emmet Burkus, Riot Skaltsas, Bentley Skaltsas and Emma Jazak; Barbara’s children include Holly (Steve) Bennett, Linda (John) O’Connell, Mary (Timothy) Vassar and Richard (Barbara) Hilbrich. When Al’s health began to fail he was supported by the love of both families. Elmer was a member of the American Legion Post #485, Schererville and the V.F.W. St. John Chapter. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Michael Church, 1 W. Wilhelm St., Schererville at 10:30 a.m. on December 31, 2015, Rev. Martin Dobrzynski officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends are invited to visit with Al’s family on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. www.burnsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Elmer’s Burkus’ name to St. Michael Legacy Fund, Alzheimer Research, Bright Focus Foundation, or the American Heart Assn.

Elmer E. Burkus

January 25, 1925 - December 27, 2015