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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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The La Porte County
A passion for helping others Family remembers Mark Essling
By MATT FRITZ
Staff writer 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13887 mfritz@heraldargus.com
La PORTE — One of Michael and Stephanie Essling’s fondest memories of their late father Mark is the barn parties he used to throw for the La Porte High School football team in 2006. Whether Michael’s team won or lost, his father would invite the varsity and junior varsity players, their families and coaches down to the two-story barn in back of their La Porte home. Up to 50 cars would sometimes show up, packing the building full of players and sports enthusiasts, giving them plenty of time to eat and talk and share stories. “He just wanted to celebrate the team and the community and its substance,� Michael said. And his love of the community and passion for helping others is something Michael and his sister Stephanie want people to know as they grieve his passing this week. Mark, the president and owner of Essling Funeral Home, passed away at age
61 on Friday. A funeral Mass for Mark will be celebrated at Saint Peter Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Friends may call at Essling Funeral Home from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. A rosary will be recited at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Born and raised in La Porte, Essling was a graduate of Indiana University and the Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He joined his parents in the family business as a funeral director when his studies were completed. Michael and Stephanie said they remember their father most for his deep and abiding concern for people, whether he tended to them at the funeral home or out in the community, comforting them the best he could during their toughest times, often involving the loss of a loved one. Stephanie said this is how she viewed his work at the funeral home. “It was just normal life and it was really touching,� she explained. “I’d help him out
By JESSICA O’BRIEN Staff writer
Photo by Matt Fritz
Michael Essling and his sister Stephanie call attention to a memorable photo of their father pushing them across the carpet in a Pampers diaper box when they were children. during the summer in high school. I was always just so proud of him when I’d see him talking to people.� Michael said the barn in back of their house was of-
ten known as “The HeadHe said his father liked to quarters� among his friends give his time freely and degrowing up, because they velop friendships. knew it was a safe place to “Whether it was an elder go when they had trouble or needed advice. See ESSLING, Page A3
Semi truck accident
Photo by Matt Fritz
LEFT: Firefighters pour oil dry on a diesel fuel spill on U.S. 20 following a truck accident Tuesday afternoon. RIGHT: Rescue workers including HAZMAT, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department and the Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department respond to a semi truck that jackknifed at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Ind. 39 on Tuesday, spilling diesel fuel across the roadway and creating a potential fire hazard. The cab of the truck actually collided with its trailer.
Woman airlifted after accident PORTER COUNTY — A La Porte woman was airlifted from I-94 when she was a passenger in a vehicle that lost control and rolled over at least four times. Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Jack Clute revealed that just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, a 2008 Mazda pick-up was west bound on I-94 in the middle lane at the 20.5 mile marker (this is 1 1/2 miles east of the Portage exit) when the driver, Jeremy Morgan, 33, of Michigan City, lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle went off the roadway and rolled at least four times before coming to rest on its roof into a fence near tree line. Jeremy Morgan was wearing his seat belt and had minor injuries. The passenger, Jessica Ann Morgan, 25, of La Porte, (sister of Jeremy) was also wearing her seat belt and was airlifted from
House votes in support of measure to ban gay marriage INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House of Representatives voted 57-40 on Tuesday in support of House Joint Resolution 3 which aims to constitutionally ban gay marriage in the state. Although gay marriage is already not recognized in Indiana, the addition of this amendment to the state’s constitution could potentially make marriage equality more difficult in the future. The vote in support of HJR 3 came just one day after a bipartisan vote by Representatives of 52-43 to remove a sentence addressing civil unions from this amendment. As it was passed by the House, the amendment reads, “Only a marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana.� The second sentence of this amendment, which was removed by the House vote, read, “A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.� This sentence applies to civil unions and similar arrangements. Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, voted in favor of removing this sentence on Monday and against the constitutional amendment on Monday. “While some may think that the removal of the second sentence of this onerous legislation might be the beginning of the end for this misguided effort, I think it is better to say that it is the end of the beginning,� he said. Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, who authored the amendment, believes it should have been voted on as it was originally drafted. He told the Associated Press, “I believe the HJR 3, as written, is the right public policy for the state of Indiana. The second sentence simply prevents marriage by any other name.� Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, voted in favor of HJR 3 and against Monday’s vote to remove the second sentence. As the vote now moves to the State Senate, however, the sentence could be added back in before the public has a chance to vote on the issue. The process to amend the state constitution requires that the resolution be approved in back-to-back sessions of the General Assembly before it can be voted on by the public. This means that the earliest the issues could be presented to Indiana voters would be during the November 2016 election. “Consider that the measure still must pass through the See MARRIAGE, Page A3
Submitted photo
A La Porte woman was airlifted from I-94 Tuesday when she was a passenger in a vehicle that lost control and rolled over at least four times. the scene and taken to Traffic east and west its take off. Christ Advocate Hospital bound was closed for a Indiana State Police rein Oak Lawn, Ill. with life short time for the landing minds motorists that wind threatening injuries. of the air ambulance and and sub zero temperatures
may cause icy/black ice conditions on the roadways, especially on bridges and ramps.
THURSDAY WEATHER HIGH LOW 29 16 SNOW POSSIBLE
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014
LA PORTE COUNTY HERALD-ARGUS
A3
Local OBITUARIES
Kenneth Muckway
August 23, 1977 – January 26, 2014 Kenneth James Muckway, 36, Michigan City, Ind., passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014 in Michigan City. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Wa s h i n g t o n St., Michigan Muckway City, Ind. with Rev. Robert Raby officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel. He was born August 23, 1977, in Michigan City, Ind., to Lonnie and Susan (Troy) Muckway. Surviving are a son, Louis Muckway of La Porte, Ind.; mother, Susan (Bill Martin) Mazur of Michigan City,
Ind.; step-son, Michael Morgan of Fort Meyers, Fla.; step-daughter, Jasmin Beard of Michigan City, Ind.; brother, Brian (Rebecca Huizenga) Strauss of Berrien Springs, Mich.; girlfriend, Jackie Ortiz of Michigan City, Ind.; niece, Heather Strauss; nephew, Christopher Strauss; and great-nephew, Noah Strauss. He was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Muckway. Kenneth was a collector and enjoyed bowling, music, building things, story telling and spending time with his son and step-daughter. Contributions may be made to the Kenneth Muckway family c/o Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN 46360. To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online visit our website at www.otthaverstock. com
MARRIAGE From Page A1
mysterious ways of the Indiana Senate. Just as the second sentence was removed in the Indiana House, it certainly can be put back into HJR 3 by our state senators, which means we will be right back at square one on this issue,� Pelath said.
“But even if the Senate finds favor with the will expressed on Monday by a bipartisan group of House members, there remains one inescapable fact. This disturbing and nationally embarrassing debate will continue to consume our energies,� he said. Some supporters of gay marriage may view the removal of this sentence as a small victory.
If approved, the resolution will only specifically ban same-sex marriage and will not address civil unions, meaning that they could eventually be recognized by the state. Pelath, who has said in the past that this ban is “a terrible waste of time� for Hoosiers, still believes that legislators should be focusing on more important issues, particularly
jobs. “This legislation remains completely unnecessary. As I’ve said from day one, we should be spending our time on Indiana’s real problems,� he said. “There is only one true response to this issue. HJR 3 must be tossed into the trash and never allowed to see the light of day ... now or in any other year.�
Donald Wayne Hart
July 4, 1946 – January 27, 2014 Donald Wayne Hart, 67, of La Porte, passed away on January 27, 2014 at his home. He was born on July 4, 1946 in Evansville, Ind. On April 28, 1967 he married Myrna Hart who survives. Also surviving are his beloved c h i l d r e n , Hart Donny (Lynda Wallace) Hart of Plainfield, Ind., Lorie (Scott) Dittmar of Niles, Mich.; two granddaughters, Alicia and Christine Hart; step granddaughter, Tasha Dittmar; and special cousin, Michael Hart Sr. of La Porte. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beulah Hart Powell and his step-father, Arthur Powell. Donald was very proud of his occupation working as a shipping helper at Bethlehem Steel. In the 1980s he worked as a first responder for the Westville Volunteer Fire De-
partment. He enjoyed fishing, camping and his wood work. He was a member of the Eagles, where he served as former Vice President and Trustee. Donald loved his grandchildren very much. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Rev. Robert Raby officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2014 and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, Ind. Memorial contributions may be directed to the F.O.E. #2439, 190 W. McClung Road, La Porte, IN 46350 or The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome. com
John M. Wildhart
January 27, 1935 – January 26, 2014 John M. Wildhart, 78, Michigan City, Ind., passed away at his home with his loving wife at this side. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1506 Wildhart Wa s h i n g t o n St., Michigan City, Ind. Private family burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Ind., handled the arrangements. John was born on January 27, 1935, in Michigan City, Ind., to the late John and Anna (Jakelski) Wildhart. Also preceding John in death are his brothers, Joseph, Harry and sister, Alice; On October 3, 1953, John married, Janice Nelson at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Chesterton, Ind. Together they shared a beautiful life of 60 years. They have three daughters, Becky (John) Tiedeman, Mary (Tom Bryant) Wildhardt, and Elizabeth (Mackey) Nichols Richardson; along with seven grandchildren, Jonathan, Kathryn, Abigail, Claire, Meredith, Ian and Mallory; two great-grandchildren, Andrew
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and Charlotte. John will be remembered as a respectful business owner, Wildhart Siding and Windows for 35 years, his famous red truck with the logo, “Wildhart Saves you NRG� will be missed by many. The family wishes to thank the Michigan City Fire Department, Michigan City Street Department, Angelic Paramedics, Franciscan Alliance Staff, Dr. Dali, Dr. Fielder, Dr. Ogundipe and Dr. LeMay along with their dedicated staff for excellent care and kindness. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 462786005. To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online visit our website at www.otthaver stock.com
Submitted photos
LEFT: Stephanie Essling dances with her father Mark during the wedding of his godson Matt Swanson. RIGHT: Michael and Stephanie Essling stand with their father Mark at Whittaker Woods in New Buffalo, Mich.
ESSLING From Page A1
person he met for the first time or a little 13-year-old kid,� he said, “he enjoyed forming these friendships and following those people through their lives.� Stephanie said their trips to the grocery store would often develop into three hour reunions because of all the people Mark would stop and talk with. He didn’t like to brush them off. And he liked his children to know who they were. “It was very important to him that we knew the people in the community,� Michael added. “He liked to make sure he taught his kids how important the community was.� And he was all about having fun when appropriate. Stephanie and Michael both remember times as children when he would slide them across the carpet in big Pampers diaper boxes. “It was a lot of fun,� Michael said. And they would watch sports games together, either
at their house or in the funeral home. He was an avid fan of local, Chicago and Indiana University sports. Michael, who was a strong safety on the high school football team during his senior year, said his father always supported the players, even in middle school when he’d drive teammates to and from practice. And he didn’t mind if Michael lost a game. He just wanted his son to work hard, and show up early and be there late. “He didn’t play a lot of sports growing up,� Michael said, “and one of the reasons why I wanted to perform so well and work so hard was because I knew he didn’t have that opportunity. He had to work at the (funeral home) his parents started. But he gave me that opportunity.� “If you are going to do it, you do it 110 percent,� Stephanie added, noting it was like a motto with their father. “You didn’t have to be the best. You had to be the hardest working and give it everything you have.� When the Essling children went to college, they both chose Indiana University
in Bloomington, which they said pleased their father to no end. Michael even joined his father’s old fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. Stephanie joined the sorority Alpha Chi Omega. And he would visit them during “father� weekends. Pledges who didn’t have fathers would be invited to come to dinner with them. “And he would talk to guys I didn’t know and he could just relate to everyone,� Michael said. Sometimes after dinner he would vanish and they would eventually locate him talking to the kitchen staff. “He genuinely wanted to help everyone,� Stephanie said. “I’m a teacher in Chicago and there’s a lot of kids who weren’t as fortunate as us and I’d tell him about it and he would say ‘What can I do to help them?’�
More recently Michael and Stephanie bought their father tickets to a Chicago Blackhawks game, enough for him to go with his friends and family. It was on Jan. 12. Stephanie said it was her father’s first Blackhawks game and he was like a kid at Christmas. Michael said it was a touching moment. “Just seeing the twinkle in his eyes when he opened that gift,� Michael said. “Being a Chicago fan his whole life, our last memory (together) was not me swinging through La Porte and catching him for five minutes.� It was being at a sports game. “He wasn’t just the best dad,� Stephanie added. “He was our best friend.� Follow Matt Fritz on Twitter @matt_fritzHA.
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