Louis B. MACAKANJA

2 NOV 1939 - 2 NOV 2014

• BIRTH: 2 NOV 1939, Lackawanna, New York
• BURIAL: 2014, St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Granger, IN
• DEATH: 2 NOV 2014, Granger, Medina, Ohio, USA

• MARRIAGE: 25 MAY 1963

INDEX

[N11950] Louis B. Macakanja
Nov. 2, 1939 - Nov. 2, 2014

GRANGER - Louis B. Macakanja passed away on his 75th birthday, Sunday, November 2, 2014, following a great party the day before at which he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Lou was born November 2, 1939, to Louis and Milka (nee Bakich) Macakanja in Lacka-wanna, New York, where he developed his passion for farm life and the outdoors. He entered the U.S. Army as a teenager and served honorably in the Infantry and Signal Corps until 1977, when he retired with the rank of Captain. While in the service he received numerous decorations including the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, as well as a long list of other commendations, decorations and honors as well as the Combat Infantryman Badge. Lou was a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and competed on an international level, winning the German Bundesmeister-schaft for pistol in 1976. Lou married Caroline Lafko on May 25, 1963, and saw the world with her, living on military bases in the United States and Germany. After his military retirement they settled in Granger, Indiana, where he worked for Johnson Controls, NIBCO, and Modineer as a Quality Control Engineer. Following the passing of his beloved wife Caroline in 2009, he relocated to live with family near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He continued to enjoy many hobbies including hunting and fishing, HAM radio, gardening, trapshooting, reading, and service in the Masonic Lodge. In his lifetime Lou hunted around the world and was a fine woodsman, with his happiest days in deer camp or watching a bird dog work a field as he carried his Merkel. He was always ready to share his expertise with others, had a great sense of humor, and never said no to a good joke or a bowl of chocolate ice cream. Lou was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother, Paul, and his dear wife, Caroline. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Crandall of Gowanda, NY; brothers, Rudy Zeman and Robert (Laurie) Zeman of Sarasota, FL; his children, Ann (Chris) Hilger of St. Paul, MN, Karen (Trans) Amador of Hickory Hills, IL, Michael (Stephanie) Macakanja of Glencoe, IL, Peter (Jennifer) Macakanja of New Berlin, WI; grandchildren, Andrew, Angela, Julia, Joseph, Elizabeth, Katherine, Bella, Megan, Emily and Nicholas; and several nieces and nephews. Viewing is scheduled for Thursday evening, November 6, at the McGann Hay Funeral Home from 4-7 pm. Visitation will take place at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Granger, Indiana at 10:30 am Friday, November 7, with a funeral Mass to follow at 11:30 am. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend or to The Wounded Warrior Project. Published in South Bend Tribune from Nov. 5 to Nov. 6, 2014