Raymond Palasz, age 78, of Lansing, passed away on Wednesday May 8, 2002. Beloved husband of Cecilia, nee Cieszkiewicz; loving father of Cathy Palasz of Nashville, TN, Richard of Lansing, Robert (Jean) of Naperville and the late Raymond John (Barbara) of Lansing; dear grandfather of Stephanie Palasz of St. John, IN, Raymond Adam Palasz of Lansing, James and Gina Palasz of Naperville; fond brother of Dorothy (the late Jim) Nichols of Jacksonville, FL and Irene (the late Ted) Kaplon of Knoxville, TN; fond brother-in-law of Edward (Michalene) Cieszkiewicz of Chicago and Frances (the late Ray) Wasilewicz of Hammond; he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; he was preceded in death by his parents Sophia and Kasper Palasz and an infant daughter Mary. Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 11 at 11 a.m. directly at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Munster, IN. Interment St. Nicholas Cemetery in Hammond. Friends may call at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Panachida service Friday at 4 p.m. Raymond was born in Pittsburg, PA and raised in Gary, IN. He attended Emerson High School and the University of Indiana in Gary. He served his country in WWII in the Pacific Theater while in the U.S. Marines from 1942 to 1945. He worked as a Tool & Die Maker and Plastic Mold Maker until his 1990 retirement from Illinois Tool WorksDeltar Division. Ray had been active in his community and church, as well as the plastic industry professional societies to which he belonged. He was supportive of higher education, serving as a college counseling representative in local community high schools. He was a proud member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church and the Lansing Knights of Columbus Council #3540, The Polish National Alliance, American Legion Post #207, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, The American Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers, and The Modern Plastic Management Advisory Panel. In lieu of flowers memorials may be to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607-2980, c/o Fr. Jim Close. Info 708-474-0024.
