George Walter Skoczylas

George Walter Skoczylas, beloved fiancé, brother, uncle and friend, age 70, of Chesterton, IN, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. George will be sadly missed and cherished by all who knew and loved him.

George was born on August 27, 1954, in Chicago. He is the son of Walter and Zofia Skoczylas, Polish immigrants who met as forced laborers while assigned to a farm in Northern Germany at the start of World War II. They later emigrated to the United States through work sponsorship at a farm in Virginia. Upon completion of their work visa obligation, the Skoczylas family moved to be closer to friends in Chicago, where George was born.

George attended Saint Josaphat School and graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in 1972. He went on to study engineering at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), was a Co-op for two years at U.S. Steel while attending UIC and graduated in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering.

He began his professional employment in 1978 as an engineer with Inland Steel Company in East Chicago, IN. During his Inland Steel career (later Cleveland Cliffs), George was promoted to project and managerial engineering positions with concentration in primary steelmaking. He gained recognition as a mold powder expert and co-authored steel-related technical papers published in scientific journals. His credentials led to a two-month technical exchange program with Nippon Steel in Japan. He was an active member of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST). After a distinguished career, George retired in 2022 as Quality Assurance Manager, Steelmaking, Burns Harbor, with 44 years of service.

For years, George played softball and was an avid tennis player, but later found his true sports passion in golf. He played at George W. Dunne National for several years, until he became a member of Sand Creek Country Club for 15 years, where he scored two hole-in-ones. George competed in too many golf tournaments to count and won an enviable collection of “crystal” (trophies). He played golf courses around the country from Indiana and Illinois to New York, Ohio, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and more. His favorite courses included Sand Creek, Winged Foot, Lost Dunes, Whistling Straights, Inverness, Pinnacle Peak, Lakewood, Kapalua and Rio Secco.

George expertly followed the stock/financial markets, watched professional football and golf tournaments, attended Super Bowls and professional golf tournaments, went on gambling excursions to Vegas, and was a regular player at the local Blue Chip Casino. George and his fiancée, Kathy Hilbrich, enjoyed frequent vacation trips to Las Vegas and travelled to Hawaii, Alaska and Florida, but they never realized their retirement dream vacation.

“Don’t Worry About It!” was George’s favorite motto, a wonderful reminder to lighten up and not take life too seriously.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area in memory of George at www.hospicecalumet.org or (219) 922-2732.

He is survived by beloved fiancée of 36 years, Kathy Hilbrich; loving sister, Martha Warmowski of Lombard, IL; nephew, Stephen Warmowski (Tiffany) of Oakbrook Terrace, IL; niece, Janet Jackson of Lombard; and great-nephews, Benjamin and Joshua Jackson, and Nicholas Warmowski. He is also survived by members of Kathy’s family including uncle, Rev. Justin Robert Kauchak of New Orleans; brother, William Hilbrich (Dawn) of Griffith, IN; brother-in-law, James Garvey of DeMotte, IN; nieces, Jill Garvey Smit (Jared) of Lafayette, IN, and Sydney Hilbrich (fiancé, Andrew) of Griffith; nephews, Jeffry Garvey of Encinitas, CA, and William Hilbrich (Mackenzie) of Munster, IN; and great-nieces, Cora Smit and Isla Hilbrich; and great-nephew, Graham Smit.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Zofia; and brother-in-law, James Warmowski; and Kathy’s parents, John and Lorraine Hilbrich; brother, Michael Hilbrich; and sister, Barbara Garvey.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN 46307, with visitation from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon, a Celebration of Life at 11:30 am, and a Prayer Service at 12:15 pm, with Father Charles Niblick officiating. Burial will take place at 1:00 pm at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Skoczylas and Hilbrich families.