James M. Gasvoda

James M. Gasvoda, age 61, of Schererville, passed away April 24, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; daughter: Amy(Dave) Lopatkiewicz of Crown point; stepchildren: Doug(Mary) Van Ramshorst of Chicago and Amy(Keith) Wilkening of Schererville; grandchildren: A.J., Laney, and Grant. Also surviving is one brother: Jerry(Shirley) Gasvoda of Schererville; two sisters: Connie(late Bobby) Parkerson of Missouri and Judy(Ron) Bartnicki of Griffith;sister-in-law: Elaine (Tom) Crary of Missouri; half brother: Mick Gordon of Hammond; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Louis Gasvoda and Anne Gordon Gasvoda, brother: David Gasvoda and sister: Ruth Gorney. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Rd.(2 blocks south of Ridge Rd.), Highland, Indiana. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Indiana. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 2-8 PM at Kuiper Funeral Home. Jim was a 1966 graduate of Morton High School and all around athlete, including member of the of the 1965 State Championship football team. He earned a football scholarship from Purdue University, graduating in 1970. He was honored to be inducted into the Hammond Sportsman Hall of Fame in 2002. Jim was a local Certified Real Estate Appraiser and Real Estate Broker for 37 years, starting with Price Realty in 1973. He went on to open his own company, Region Realty, then franchised with Coldwell Banker Region Realty , and partnered in Coldwell Banker 1st American. He was currently with Coldwell Banker Residential in Schererville. Jim served on numerous boards in all capacities for local and state Board of Realtors and also for the Hammond Optimist Club, supporting youth programs in the area. Jim thrived at his work, and helped generations of people with their homes. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and loyal friend to so many. He will be remembered dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations to local Humane Society, Hammond Optimist would be appreciated. Please visit www.mem.com.