John Steven Soeka

John Steven Soeka, age 57, Munster, Indiana, passed away on May 2, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife Cheryl (Pool) Soeka, daughter Lauren Soeka, sons Daniel Soeka and Brett Soeka, brothers Nick Soeka, Ted (Sheila) Soeka, Tony (Lorna) Soeka, sisters Cathy (Bob) Malkowski, and Jean Baikauskas, close nephew Jeff (Laurie) Soeka and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents Frank and Catherine Soeka, brothers Frank (Mary) Soeka and Paul Soeka, and sisters Sandy Pelletier, Mary Cox, and Jackie Reppa.

John was born and raised in Lansing, Illinois. He and his twin sister Jeannie were the youngest of 11 children. He was a graduate of St. Ann’s Catholic School in Lansing and TF South High School in Lansing. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Purdue University Calumet. Throughout his career he worked in quality and lean manufacturing fields for Indiana BMT, Purdue TAP, and Nalco in Chicago. In his work for Nalco, he was fortunate to travel to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia.

Although work was important to him, John was most proud of his three children. Throughout the years, John enjoyed watching his kids play soccer, softball, baseball, basketball, and tennis. He enjoyed the family summer vacations to California, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the East Coast. In the last 15 years, he loved spending family time at their summer house in Monticello, IN and boating on Lake Shafer.

For this last college sports season, John enjoyed cheering on IU Hooiser basketball with Lauren and rooting for Purdue Boilermaker football and basketball with Daniel and Brett. He was also an avid Chicago White Sox fan (he was a Sox batboy in his youth) and a die-hard fan of the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack Go!). He enjoyed county music, having visited Nashville, TN frequently with Cheryl and was always up for a good Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, or Keith Urban concert.

Visitation will be Monday, May 8, 2023 at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Rd (one block south of Ridge road) Highland, IN, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm with a funeral service at 5:00pm. Rev. Peter Speckhard from St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

For further information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com.

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