Thomas D. Sallwasser, 91, of La Porte, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Settlers Place in La Porte.
Thomas was born in Laporte, IN, on January 3, 1925 to Norman H. Sallwasser and Thelma Droege Sallwasser.
On August 21, 1948 in La Porte, he married Marilyn Garwood who passed away on May 19, 2006. Surviving are his beloved children, daughter, Patricia Sallwasser Warner (Ted F.) of La Porte, Peggy Sallwasser Wolf (Charles E.) of Michigan City; grandsons, Chandler T. Parkhouse (Teresa) of La Porte and James T. Wolf of Michigan City; great-granddaughter, Aubrey Caroline Parkhouse; brother, James N. Sallwasser of Indianapolis; nephew, Alan Sallwasser of Houston, TX, nieces, Deborah Oleskowicz of Naperville, IL, and Lisa Sallwasser of Glen Ellyn, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Marilyn Sallwasser of 58 years.
Thomas was a 1943 graduate of La Porte High School, then went on to receive his B.S. Degree from Indiana University School of Business in 1948, he then received his J.D. Degree from Indiana University School of Law in 1951. Thomas practiced law in La Porte for 50 years. He was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1959-1963 and also served as Judge in La Porte City Court from 1969-1977. Thomas served honorably in the US Army as Infantryman during WWII.
Thomas was a lifetime member of Indiana State Bar Association, La Porte County Bar Association, Lifetime member and past Commander of Hamon Gray Post #83 of the American Legion, American Legion Post Drum and Bugle Corps "Lancers" in Nationally Competitive, Hubner-Swanson Post #1150 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Johns Lutheran Church, Twice served as Chairman of the Congregation, St. Johns Lutheran Church Trustee, St. Johns Lutheran School Board, Past Chairman of La Porte City Board of Aviation Commissioners, Past President of La Porte Kiwanis Club, Vice President of La Porte Hospital Board of Directors during the period of reorganization and contraction of the new hospital, La Porte Hospital Foundation, Past President of La Porte Chapter of American Red Cross, former Trustee of La Porte Savings Bank, Chairman of the La Porte Civic Auditorium Advisory Board since 1972.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 PM (CST) on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at St. Johns Lutheran Church with Pastor Ronald Brauer officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Thursday, March 10th at St. Johns Lutheran Church in the Chapel. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors at Pine Lake Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John Lutheran School, 111 Kingsbury Ave., La Porte, IN 46350.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.