Lubo J Chelich

Chelich, Lubo (Lou) passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 26, 2023 due to complications of Covid. Born on November 30, 1923 in Gary, Indiana, Lou celebrated his 100th birthday in good health with family and friends only weeks before his death.

Lou was a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, residing in Glen Park and Crown Point. He graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1942 and from Rose Polytechnic Institute (Rose-Hulman) with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1945. He spent his career at Inland Steel Company, galvanize department for 35 years.

In retirement, Lou volunteered more than 10,500 hours at Saint Anthony's Hospital of Crown Point and countless hours at Saint Matthias Church.

Proud of his Croatian heritage, Lou was a life-long member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 170, serving in leadership roles and helping in all ways. He was honored to be named lodge man of the year in 2012. A charter member of Hoosier Hrvati Adult Tamburitza Orchestra, he played with his colleagues until his final retirement to Albuquerque. There he was an active resident of Paloma Landing.

A devout Catholic, Lou was a member of Saint Mark Church of Gary and Saint Matthias Church of Crown Point, Indiana.

Beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Lou was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Bernadette Nosko Chelich. He is survived by his son, Reverend James Chelich of Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughters Karen Chelich Wright and her husband, Richard of Louisville, Kentucky, Mary Ann Chelich West and her partner, Jeff Meyers of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was devoted to his five grandchildren, James Wright, Brenton Wright, Taylor Wright Gehring (Ryan), Jordan West Blueher (Taylor) and Aaron West (Karri), and two great grandsons, Warren and Wells Gehring. Burial will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan.