Stephen Anthony Blahunka 84 of Whiting passed away Sunday, February 24, 2013 at St. Catherine Hospital, East Chicago. He is survived by his beloved wife of 15 years, Jeannette “Jean” Stefanich Blahunka (nee Lopacki); loving father of Steve (Jo) Blahunka of Pinehurst, ID, Jeff Blahunka of St. John and Ted (Debbie) Blahunka of Hebron; cherished grandfather of Garrett Blahunka of Whiting, Arlyn (David) Eaglebarger of New Haven, IN, Vincent (Meg) Blahunka of Hebron, Paul Blahunka of Indianapolis and Laura Blahunka of Schererville; dearest brother of Alfred (Mary) Blahunka of Highland; dear step-father of Dorothy Hart of Whiting, Sandy (Jerry) Kreevich of Schererville, Joseph (Linda) Stefanich of Griffith and Thomas (Anita) Stefanich of Schererville; dear step-grandpa of Christina Hart of California and Patti (Benjamin) Francis of Whiting; fond brother-in-law of Arlene Blahunka of Highland, Edward (Wilma) Skopiec of Griffith, Matthew Skopiec of Holland, MI and Dorothy (Raymond) Hojnicky of Hammond; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Sophie A. (Szkopiec) Blahunka on January 22, 1994; grandson, Shane Blahunka and brother, Ted Blahunka.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013, 9:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting; a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00am at St. Adalbert Church, Whiting with the Rev. Kevin M. Scalf, C.PP.S., officiating; entombment, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville; visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00pm.

Steve Blahunka was born on January 31, 1929 in Whiting, Indiana to Stephen J. and Apollonia (Fasiang) Blahunka and was a lifelong resident of the Whiting-Robertsdale Community. He was a graduate of Immaculate Conception School, Class of 1942, George Rogers Clark High School, Class of 1946 and attended Purdue University Calumet, studying architectural technology. Steve was a former brickmason supervisor for BMPIV Local #6. As a brickmason apprentice in 1951, he was a contestant in the Indiana Apprentice Contest at the Indiana State Fair. He was an employee of the JM Foster Co. of Gary with a service of 20 years and was the City of Whiting Water Commissioner with a service of 6 years.  Steve enjoyed all sports, fishing, creating stained glass designs, woodworking, traveling and gardening. Following his retirement, he spent many hours researching and documenting ten generations of his family history and heritage. Steve was known for his sense of humor and his ability to tell a great joke. He loved people and made many friends at the St. Catherine Hospital Cardio Rehab program and at his second home, Poppen’s Auto Service, Whiting, where he spent many hours since 1935. Devoted to his family, Steve will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Danville, PA or to the Whiting Fire Dept. would be appreciated.

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