Ernest B. Buczek

Ernest B. â€œErnieâ€ Buczek, Age 79, passed away, June 2, 2008. He was born November 2, 1928 in Gary, IN. He attended St. Hedwigâ€™s Grade School and Horace Mann High School where he graduated in 1946. Ernest was a United States Army Veteran. He enlisted and served in 1947 in the Occupation Forces in Korea in the 6th Infantry Division. Ernest was drafted in 1950 and finished his tour of duty in Alaska at Ladd Air Force Base with the first infantry Polar Bear Division, as a Staff Sergeant. Ernie married Ann (Kelchak) on June 9, 1956 at Holy Trinity Church in Gary, IN. He graduated from the Purdue School of Pharmacy in 1959. He opened Ernieâ€™s Rexall Drugs in the Glen Park/Gary area and served the NW Indiana area community for over 45 years as a respected Registered Pharmacist. Ernest was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, where he was a Lector and member of the Holy Name Society, where he acted as Treasurer. He was a member of the Keenagers Club in Lakes of the Four Seasons and Seton Seniors. Ernie was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Crown Point, where he was an Usher. His funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Valparaiso, where he was a member. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno (Hattie Romanowski) Buczek. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Buczek, of Hobart and they would have celebrated 52 years of marriage in June. Also, survived by two children, Ellen Korhel (Joseph), St. Peters, Missouri and Joseph Buczek (Suzy), Valparaiso, 2 grandchildren, Amanda Korhel and Blake Buczek, sister, Balbina (Balby) Buczek, Highland, brothers and sisters-in-laws; Rev. Joseph Kelchak, Crown Point, George Kelchak (Betty), Porter, Dr. Michael Kelchak (Sandi), Chandler, AZ, John Simko (Margaret), Hebron and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ernie and Ann loved to travel and toured, Egypt, Israel, Rome, Yugoslavia, Canada, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and many US states. Their most recent trip was visiting Hawaii on their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. Ernie will be dearly missed by his loved ones. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 W. Division Road, Valparaiso, IN with Rev. Joseph Kelchak and Rev. David Gosnell, concelebrating. Interment will be at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday, June 4,2008 from 2 â€“ 8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point and also from 9 â€“ 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Church. www.burnsfuneral.com

Ernest B. Buczek

November 2, 1928 - June 2, 2008