Mitchell R. Sawochka

Mitchell Robert Sawochka, age 55, peacefully passed away while surrounded by his family and friends on January 12, 2017 after losing the hardest battle of his life to esophageal cancer. Mitchell was born October 18 in Gary, IN to parents Robert and Rose (Nemtuda) Sawochka. He attended St. Bridget school and graduated from Hobart High School, Class of 1980. A Brickie football player, Mitch was a gifted athlete. Football fans remember him for his game ending quarterback sack in the “biggest game ever played in Brickie Bowl…..The Hobart v. Penn semi-state championship”. In 1985, like his father Bob and grandfather, Andy, Mitchell became the third generation of Sawochkas to serve the International Brotherhood of Teamsters local 142. His work in the organization proved to be more than a job to Mitch, it became his life’s calling. He served faithfully for over 30 years proudly as the Local’s President and Business Agent; Director of the Construction Division; a Joint Council 25 Delegate; an Organizer; Trustee of all four funds: Pension, Health and Welfare, Training and Apprenticeship, and the Annuity Fund. He was also the Vice President of the Northwest Indiana Building Trades for over 15 years. Throughout his career, Mitchell fought fiercely for the benefits of the members. His efforts were instrumental in securing one of the best economic construction agreements in the country. On May 7, 1988 Mitchell married his best friend and love of his life of 28 years Lisa (nee Hedger). They shared everything together and raised their beloved daughter Tiffany. Mitchell was a devoted family man and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his two girls. He worked hard to keep his family safe, happy, and secure. He was never more proud than when his only daughter graduated from Ball State University and immediately accepted her dream job as a landscape architect at one of the World’s most respected engineering firms. His hobbies included hunting, shooting, and fast cars – especially his 1971 Nova. He loved to golf and was proud of scoring two holes in one. He was a good man, reliable, and solid. He willingly shouldered big responsibilities and he never assumed any obligation in his life he didn’t fulfill. For all of these reasons he will be missed beyond words. Mitchell was preceded in death by his father- Robert Andrew Sawochka; grandparents- Andrew and Mary Jane Sawochka, and John and Mary Nemtuda. He is survived by his loving wife- Lisa; daughter- Tiffany; mother- Rose; brother- Daniel “Danny” (Melissa Cohen) Sawochka; sister- Cathy (Pat) Rigdon; father and mother in-law -Dave and Karole Hedger; sister-in-law -Brenda Bailey; nieces- Alisha (Shawn) Robb, Alizabeth (Brian Sohaney) Bailey, great niece and nephews – Evan, Braden, Avrie, and Abraham Mitchell (his namesake). Funeral service for Mitchell will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. Services will terminate at the funeral home. Friends may visit with Mitchell’s family on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 2 pm – 8 pm at Burns. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation. www.salgi.org. www.burnsfuneral.com

Mitchell R. Sawochka

October 18, 1961 - January 12, 2017