OBITUARY FROM POST-TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 31, 2008:

Joseph John "Butch" Kolczak, Jr., age 68, a longtime resident of Hobart, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2008. He was born on July 14, 1940 in Gary, Indiana, the son of Joseph and Helen Kolczak, Sr. Butch was a 1963 graduate of Purdue University and was married to Barbara Szczepaniak on August 3, 1963 in Hobart. Butch retired from Union Tank Car Company where he had worked as mechanical engineer. He was a member of St. Bridget's Catholic Church and he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and traveling. Butch was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend to all.

Butch is survived by his loving family: wife, Barbara Kolczak, Hobart; son, James (Lori) Kolczak, Carmel, IN; daughter, Amy Kolczak, Schaumberg, IL; grandchildren: Samuel and Sarah Kolczak; brother, Daniel (Grace) Kolczak, Sommerset, KY; sisters Bernadette (William) Hedgepeth, Granbury, TX, and Marylu Bowman, Waynestown, IN; and other loving family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Judy Stevens.

A visitation for Joseph Kolczak will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2009 at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road Hobart. Prayers will be offered at 11:30 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 568 East 2nd Street, Hobart with Father Dominic Bertino, officiating. Burial will be at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville. Memorials in Butch's memory may be made to St. Bridget's Catholic Church. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.

This information was obtained from: http://legacy.post-trib.com/obituaries/posttribune/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-john-kolczak&pid=122003885&fhid=4971.