Elmer Spisak

CRYSTAL FALLS - Elmer G. Spisak, 91, of Crystal Falls, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls. He was born on Feb. 11, 1919 in Chicago, son of the late George and Christine (Mensik) Spisak. Elmer was raised in Indiana and in 1938 he was the Indiana state wrestling champ. After high school, Elmer joined the Navy during World War II as a physical education instructor. He also completed four years of college; two years at Purdue University and two years at Northwestern Police Academy. He was the president of St. Michael's Police Guild for 20 years. Elmer was shift commander for the Hammond, Indiana Police Department for 24 years, retiring in 1968. He then took a position at Union Tank Co. in Hammond for 10 years. Elmer's favorite occupation was being a professional Santa in the Chicago area for many years. On May 26, 1984, Elmer married Geraldine Brewer and they moved to Crystal Falls in 1989. Elmer was a member of the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls, where he was an usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post 87 in Crystal Falls and the Fraternal Order of Police. Elmer was a volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul for over 17 years. He loved to bowl and was an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan. In addition to his parents, Elmer was preceded in death by two sisters, Jeanette and Gloria. He is survived and greatly missed by his wife of over 25 years, Geraldine; 3 stepchildren, James (Cissie) Clower, of Cleveland, OH, Richard Clower of Kenosha, WI, and Gary (Tammy) Clower of Tacoma, WA; one brother, Gilbert Spisak of Portage, IN; and two sisters, Georgene Michko of Denver, CO and Geraldine Zamarocy of Orlando, FL. Also surviving are step-grandchildren Amanda Clower, Jason Clower and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls. The Eastside Veterans Council will conduct a pass-in-review at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will take place Tuesday at noon at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. Father Jeffrey Kurtz will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial with military graveside honors will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls in the spring. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Elmer Spisak online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.

Elmer Spisak

March 19, 1919 - March 19, 2010