He was born on February 25th, 1947 at St Catherine Hosp. in East Chicago, IN to his loving parents Stephen & Bernice Kozlowski.
He went to Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, IN where he excelled in academics, football and most of all baseball. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball League. It was around this time his surname changed from Kozlowski to Koslow. He then attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN where he played baseball and was a member of Chi Rho Chi fraternity. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves receiving an honorable discharge in 1970 and was an active member of American Legion Post 369 in East Chicago, IN where his father, Stephen, was active chaplain for over 20 years. He was employed at Youngstown Sheet & Tube, J&L Steel and LTV Steel for 34 years; followed by a career as an independent sales consultant for various companies. He was well respected for his professionalism and intelligence. Because of his position at the mill, he was responsible for keeping many people employed and many area companies prosperous throughout his years.
Born the eldest of 8 children he had numerous memories in and around his childhood neighborhood of Roxanna in East Chicago, IN. He and his brothers monopolized the paper routes, played pick up baseball and had many adventures renown to this day. He was a proud member of Club Coloma where he made many memories and lifelong friends. JB excelled in baseball and later softball. He was a power hitter for the East Chicago Roosevelt High School Rough Riders. He was a pitcher who could throw the screwball. Later, he was known as a “ringer” on Keck’s Clowns who were often the championship team of The International Beer League. He was always ambitious and very independent as the oldest child. He resided in Northwest Indiana for the majority of his life. JB Koslow was first and foremost a great father, family man and friend to so many people. He had a gregarious personality and penchant for joking around and pulling pranks. With his energy he earned his lifelong nickname, “JB”, for dancing the Jitterbug. He and his friends made having fun a professional hobby. For many years they were known for epic snowmobiling trips to Ludington, MI; the annual pilgrimage to the Indianapolis 500; vacationing down in Florida; and the weekly meetings to catch up on life and industry at various Region watering holes!
While he was the life of the party, he was well known to be behind the camera capturing the happiness he built. He’d video tape all family events, holidays, his kids sporting events and the family vacations. Known as “Chief Chuck” he created countless family memories for the annual summer trips to Ludington and the annual theme park trips (Kings Island and Cedar Point). He’d invite all of his siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. He could make a planning list like an inventory accountant and execute packing a van full of provisions and loved ones like a Nasa engineer. The memories, fun, lessons and adventures from these trips live in lore to all who were blessed to be apart of them. He loved attending sporting events and was generous in inviting friends and family to take part in many Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox and Bulls games. He was an industrious man who built a home in Schererville and later built out another in Crown Point. He was a craftsman who single handedly could accomplish and DIY project he put his engineering mind to.
He loved boating, going to the beach, family vacations, and attending to his kids and grandkids life’s events and activities. He was known for throwing great backyard pool parties and had an infectious personality that will forever be missed yet never forgotten. He exuded many positive qualities: loving, adventurous, dedicated, loyal, gregarious, generosity, passion, intelligent, and so many more. He was a great father and grandfather and showed his love in many ways. His legacy lives on through his 5 children, 2 granddaughters, family and friends. He was truly “one of a kind”!
He was formerly married to Julieann (Slivka) Dilling of Sawyer, MI and Pamela (Butkus) Koslow of St. John, IN.
He is survived by his children Jason Erik (Nancy) Koslow of West Chester, OH; Ryan Gregory Koslow of Chicago, IL; Kelly Erin Koslow of Sawyer, MI; Brett Gregory Koslow of Crown Point, IN; and Rebecca Marie Koslow of Crown Point, IN. He loved and cherished his granddaughters Amelia and Chiara. His siblings Kathy Ward, Dennis (Gail) Kozlowski, Celeste (Michael Chirich) Murday, Gerarld/Gerry Kozlowski, Geoff Kozlowski, and Sandy (Joe) Bishop. His sister-in-law Rae (Jolink) Kozlowski. His nieces and nephews Jamie, Mark, Korinne, Derrick, Ryan, Derrick, Dana, Nick, Gina, Michele, Geoffrey, Justin, Jake, and Jenna. His legacy will live also through his many living friends and extended relatives!
He was preceded in death by his daughters Amy (1978) and Megan (1990), his parents Stephen and Bernice Kozlowski, brother Timothy Kozlowski, brothers-in-law Richard Ward and Ned Murday, sister-in-law Lori Kozlowski and nephew Michael Kozlowski.
His service and celebration will take place at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home located at 8178 Cline Ave., Crown Point, IN, 46307 on Friday, April 12th, 2019. The wake will take place between the hours of 3:30-7:30pm followed by a vigil at 7:30pm officiated by his cousin Sister Gloria Kozlowski of St. Stanislaus Parish (East Chicago, IN). Feel free to wear a splash of color for this colorful gentleman. And please feel free to post pictures to his Facebook account to share with the family by tagging @GregKoslow. Any donations will be used by the family for services and charitable causes he would have loved.
