Donald Kopach, age 81, of DeMotte, passed away with loved ones at his side at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. He was born June 3, 1929, one of nine children to Stanley and Mary Kopach and raised in Gary, Ind. He was a 1948 graduate of Tolleston High School and a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana. Donald was a retired member of Teamsters Local #142, and retired from Ispat-Inland Steel (now Arcellor-Mittal) and was especially proud that he helped build the Notre Dame Law School. Donald was an avid "Fightin' Irish sports fan, as well as a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He was elected and served as a precinct committeeman in Hobart.

Donald enjoyed fishing, dancing, tamburitza music, playing pinochle and bunco with his grandchildren, feeding birds and squirrels, having fun with friends and telling old stories and funny jokes. Donald was a caring and devoted husband, father and grandfather, who will be deeply missed.

Donald is survived by his loving wife, Marleen Kopach (nee Howell); children: Debra Kopach of Indianapolis, Sandi Kopach of Saint Joseph, Mich., Donna Kopach of Indianapolis, Karen Moore of Hobart, Mary Loeffler of LaPorte, Donald (Julie) Kopach of Bloomington, IN, Robert Searer of Los Angeles, Calif., James (Michelle) Searer of Wheatfield, John Searer of Portage; grandchildren: Karissa Kopach, Christopher Moore, John, Joe, Kaitlyn, Ashlee, Matthew, Emily and Lukas Searer; sister, Marianne Browne of Chesterton; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Mary, former spouse Evelyn; brothers, Edward, John, George, Emil and Daniel Kopach; and sisters, Mildred Churilla and Dorothy Sayka.

Donald touched the lives of many people with his smile, laughter and generous spirit. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating his life on Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Visitation preceding at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church Chapel, 900 Luther Drive, Hobart, Ind. 46392.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Donald's name to Shriners Hospitals for Children – Chicago (http://support.shrinershospitals.org/donatenow) or Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Indiana, 22 Tyler St., Hobart, Ind. 46342-1099.

Cremation will be handled by Rees Funeral Home. For information visit www.reesfuneralhomes.com.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------