Violette Bundalo

December 24, 1927 - February 11, 2016

Violette Bundalo age 88, a lifetime area resident, passed away Friday February 12, 2016. She was born December 24, 1927 in Hegewisch, IL to Serbian pioneers Sam and Ella Panayotovich. She graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City. She worked for NIPSCO in Hammond. Violette met her late husband (Milan) at a SNF Bowling Tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She twas a professional bowler and bowled at SNF Tournaments regularly. Violette still holds the all-time high scoring record at 286 pins. Violetete and Milan, were then married and together for 58 years. The couple worked together in business in Hobart. Milan was very well known as a wholesale meat dealer and preparer of roasted lamb and pork for numerous occasions from the former Bundalo Picnic Grove. They worked together side by side, and Violette was the entrepreneur of the business. Violette was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. She was also a member of “Karageorge” Choir, and S.N.F Lodge #16- “King Petar II” Her passion for singing and playing the piano led her to join in and sing with numerous “Tamburitza” groups. Violette was also a member of the Indiana Symphony choir. She also worked the Hobart City School System as a bus driver for over 20 years. Violette is survived by her son, David (Pamela) Bundalo; daughter, Dawn Z. Bundalo; grandsons - Zachary David Bundalo and Larry W. Shotwell; many nieces, nephews and Kumovi. Funeral service Wednesday February 17, 2016 at 10 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. with Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Entombment in Calumet Park Cemetery mausoleum. Friends are invited to meet with Voilet's family on Tuesday February 16, 2016 from 2.00-9.00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. A pomen service will be offered at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to Dr. Barbara Fuller, Dr. Eric Shulte and Dr. Donald Phillips. Memorials in Violette's memory to The Leukemia Foundation orbSt. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.