Remembering region business leaders

Whether a small business owner, a grant facilitator, politician, emergency medical services trainer or a volunteer helping raise funds for the community, their presence and contributions will be greatly missed.

In 2011, Northwest Indiana lost many prominent community leaders. We pause to remember their lives and the impact they had on their communities.

Dick A. Becker, 78, of Crown Point, left behind a legacy of service.

A retired Purdue Extension agent, his passion was 4-H. During his retirement, it was preserving the historic Lake County Courthouse. Becker was also on the original committee raising funds to build St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, where he volunteered as a red coat.

Becker, who encouraged his children to do their best and help others, worked with many 4-H groups especially in poorer urban areas.

"He touched a lot of lives trying to help as many kids as possible," his daughter Sarah Paraday said. "He kept them going in the right direction."

Becker handled publicity for the Lake County Fair and volunteered on the Lake Courthouse Foundation board for 15 years, keeping regular office hours as president. He was a driving force in raising funds and restoring the Maki ballroom and old courtroom to their original beauty.

A. D. "Bud" Luers, who grew up on a 200–acre farm near Rensselaer, started his Christmas tree farm to create fond memories for generations of families. He served as administrator of the Purdue University staff of the Cooperation Extension staff for 32 years. A Rotary Club member for 50 years, Luers also served on many boards.

His daughter Jan Sallee said Luers was instrumental in organizing an annual Northwest Indiana migrant workers' Mass. The liturgy was in Spanish and afterwards the Gary Diocese hosted a pot luck supper.

Sallee said Luers encouraged family involvement in the Lake County Fair both in 4-H and working at the family's corn stand, where sandwiches and apple cider were sold.

Catherine Stasinos, 91, of South Holland, owner of Lincoln's Sandwich Shop in Highland, was known for her welcoming smile. She and her husband George opened their first restaurant in 1946 at the Gary bus station and later expanded to the Hammond bus station. In 1950, they took over the coffee shop in the Southmoor Hotel; opening their first Lincoln's in 1963 in Gary.

Roen "Betty" Speroff, 81, was a founding member and three–time president of the Community Hospital Auxiliary. Speroff helped establish Munster's Center for Visual & Performing Arts. She volunteered many hours in the hospital's Red Garter Gift Shoppe

"What we will remember about Roen was her unwavering support of projects that contributed greatly towards improving the quality of life in Munster," said Donald Fesko, CEO of Community Hospital.

Cara Spicer, 57, of Miller, was the program officer at Legacy Foundation in Merrillville. In her position, Spicer managed the nonprofit group's grant and convening activities. Retired Executive Director and President of Legacy Foundation Nancy Johnson said Spicer had the respect of the nonprofit community.

"She was passionate about their endeavors and she transformed that passion to the grants committee and our board of directors when they made funding decisions," Johnson said.

Emergency Medical Services Trainer Donald Hess, 53, of Merrillville, loved to share his knowledge and was always there to help the people he trained, Schererville Assistant Fire Chief Rob Dowling said.

Hess was a manager for Franciscan Alliance St. Anthony Crown Point Emergency Medical Services Academy.

"Don's career was saving lives and teaching others to save lives," Dowling says. "Don started his career as a dispatcher; his goal was always to become an educator and pass on the knowledge he gained from the field," Dowling said.

A versatile instructor, Hess's training included lay persons in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and, on a higher level, physicians and nurses.

Hess was always there for the people he trained. Dowling said Hess would listen to his scanner and show up at a fire scene to help, especially aiding firefighters suffering from heat exposure.

William C. Isakson, 85, of Hobart, was the owner and president of Isakson Motors. He was a member of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, Hobart Pool Association, Hobart Rotary, Hobart Lions Club and former member and chairman for Hobart Savings and Loan. Isakson took over the family business in the mid 1960's.

Vyto J. Damasius, 66, who had a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue University, opened Vyto's Pharmacy in 1989. The pharmacy has locations in Highland and Hammond. Damasius received the Sperandio award from Purdue as distinguished Indiana pharmacist. Damasius was a Community Pharmacist of Indiana Board member, United Drugs of Indiana board member and served on the board for Mental Health America of Lake County.

On the political front, Hammond lost both former and current city council members. A Hammond City Councilman for 32 years, George W. Carlson, 98, served the longest term of any public official in the city's history.

A staunch Democrat, in 2007 Carlson was awarded the Key to the city of Hammond. Four days after Carlson's death, a street was dedicated in his honor as Carlson Drive.

Hammond City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik, 47, was also a lifetime Hammond resident, Pucalik was committed to her community and to altruistic organizations, City Court Judge Jeffrey Harkin said. She was a lifetime girl scout and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 30 years.

Although not from Northwest Indiana, Don Barden impacted the region by opening Majestic Star Casino in Gary in 1993. Barden was a prominent businessman with a variety of interests ranging from casinos to cable television, and real estate. Barden was the first black casino owner in the country.

Bishop Frank M. Munsey Jr., 80, founded Family Christian Center 58 years ago in Hammond's Hessville neighborhood. His impact is felt in Northwest Indiana and around the world with his missionary work, Pastor David Jordan Allen said. The church was originally named Evangelistic Temple. Currently between 15,000 and 17.000 people attend weekly services. The church in Munster is listed as the 15th largest in America in Outreach Magazine.

In 1985, Bishop Munsey passed the leadership torch of his church to his son Dr. Rev. Stephan K. Munsey Sr. and became a full time missionary with his wife Ruth, traveling around the world and settling in Bulgaria.

WiseWay founder Marvin "Mickey" Weiss, 89, left a legacy of hard work, fairness, integrity and generosity, his son Donald Weiss said.

In 1937, at age 15, Weiss immigrated to Gary from Komoro, Hungary with no money. At age 17, he opened his first grocery store in Gary using a few hundred dollars scraped together with the aid of family members.

In 1951, Weiss opened his fourth store, his first modern 7,000 square-foot WiseWay Supermarket, laying the foundation for a company which now has eight stores and 800 employees.