Harold Fackelman

Harold Fackelman passed from this world to be with Lord Jesus on May 31, 2019.  Harold was born December 24, 1919 in Toledo Ohio to Frederick and Loretta Fackelman. His parents subsequently moved to Elkhart, Indiana where he attended St. Vincent’s Grade School and Jimtown High School. He was one of seven children in a very close, loving family throughout the Great Depression and World War II era.  Harold enlisted himself in the U.S. Army in early 1942 and quickly rose to the rank of Master Sergeant in the 144th Medical Training Battalion and served at Camp Grant in Rockford, Illinois and then Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington until early 1946 when he was honorably discharged.  Harold earned the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and qualified as a Sharpshooter ‘03.

After the war, Harold met the love of his life, Dorothy Mae Ellacott, while attending Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  Shortly after marrying Dorothy, he launched his own company, Fackelman Water Conditioning, in LaPorte.  He subsequently grew the business to become the area’s largest and most trusted, respected providers of residential and small business soft water treatment until his retirement in 1986.  Throughout his life, Harold was a voracious reader and loved photography, fishing, boating, golf, and playing cards on Friday nights at the Knights of Columbus.  He and Dorothy played countless rounds of golf together throughout the years and kept their Friday “date night” sacred.  His love for his wife and children knew no boundaries, all the way to the end.  He was very passionate about his Catholic faith and particularly his adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Many nights, even in his old age, he could be found on bended knees saying his nightly prayers beside his bed.  Harold was a devoted husband and father, a strong and respected role model for his children and all who knew him, and a highly ambitious and honest business man with a passion for his faith.  He truly made the world a better place.

Harold is survived by his wife Dorothy of 69 years of marriage, his eight children including Margaret (Daniel) LaFree of Mishawaka, IN; Kathy (Jerry) Leek of Wanatah, IN; John (Maureen) of Altamonte Springs, Florida; Lisa of Fort Wayne; David (Barbara) of Mount Dora, Florida; Mary of Wanatah, IN; Laura of Valparaiso, IN; and Peter (Elizabeth) of Davidson, North Carolina.  Grandchildren surviving Harold are three children of Margaret (Daniel) LaFree including Jacob (Lyssa) of Elkhart; Kristina of Indianapolis; Jessica of Indianapolis; and five children of Peter (Elizabeth) including Mallory (Zachary) of Burlington, Vermont; Heyden (Annie) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Adam of Atlanta, Georgia; Jay of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Eric of Davidson, North Carolina.  Great grandchildren include Violet Marie of Jacob (Lyssa). Harold was preceded in death by parents Frederick and Loretta, and his six siblings, Robert, Frederick, Thomas, Daniel, Jeanne, and Dolores.

The family wishes to give special recognition to Harold’s daughter Kathy for her selfless devotion and the countless hours of care she provided for her father over the last 7 years, and to daughter Laura for her help and devotion to her father’s care over many years, and also to nurse Nannette Dvorak for her special care and always keeping a close eye out for Harold in his last years.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (CST) Monday, June 10, 2019 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated following the visitation at 11 a.m. (CST) Monday, June 10, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana.  Reverend Ian Williams will officiate. Burial will follow in Pine Lake Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus St. Michael Council #1542, 412 Lincolnway La Porte, Indiana 46350 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350.

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