Nicholas J. Holzmer, Jr., age 90 a lifelong Hobart resident passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016. He was born on October 13, 1925 in Gary, Indiana to the late Nicholas J. and Eva A. Holzmer, Sr. He graduated from Hobart High School with the class of 1943. Nic was employed at Kellen's Florist in 1943 and went on to be a partner and owner. He loved music and was a member of the Rusty Pipes and the German Band playing the Clarinet. Nic was a lifelong member of St. Bridget Catholic Church. He was a member of the Society of American Florists. Nic volunteered his time with the St.Vincent DePaul Society where he had served as a past President and also with the Hobart Food Pantry. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Purdue fan and he enjoyed gardening.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Joan Holzmer (nee Sutherlin) of Hobart, IN; four children, Sister Anita Holzmer, OSF of Fort Wayne, IN; Mark (Christine) Holzmer of Idaho Falls, ID; Lucy (Steve) Blakey of Fort Wayne, IN; Maureen (James) Ross of Wyoming, MI; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Gregory, and Emily Holzmer, Katie and Lauren Blakey, and Michael and Claire-Anne Ross, two-great-grandchildren, Michael and Nicholas Holzmer.
He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters, Marie Kellen, Eva Thyen, Florence Hahn, Helen Hopkins, Anna Holzmer, Sister Evelyn Holzmer, Colette Holzmer, Robert Holzmer, William Holzmer, and Jane Holzmer, and one grandson, Luke Holzmer.
Funeral services are Monday, January 25, 2016 at 10 a.m. directly at St. Bridget Church, corner of Front and Center street, Hobart with Rev. Dominic V. Bertino officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Portage. Visitation is Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart. Callers are invited to bring non-perishable food items for the Hobart Food Pantry when they come to the funeral home for visitation. Additional visitation will be at St. Bridget Church Monday January 25, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.. Call (219) 942-2109 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.