Edward Gottschling age 91, a longtime Portage resident, passed away on Monday, May 7, 2018. He was born January 18, 1927 in Gary, IN.

He is survived by son Dr. Daniel (Dr. Barbara Berg) Gottschling; daughter Dr. Laura (Robert) Buthod; two grandsons: Mitchell (Erica) Buthod and Stuart Buthod; companion Marge Shery; sister-in-law Mary (late John) Andros; brother-in-law Tom (Mary) Chakos; and many nieces and nephews.

Edward is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years Nina; brother Wilfred Frank; sisters Elizabeth Barnett and Susanna Sanders.

Edward was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, serving as elder and on other committees. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School and Tolleston High School, where he was an outstanding pitcher and a four-year letter winner in baseball. Edward enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on his 18th birthday and served in the Asiatic Pacific during WW II. He worked as a machinist assistant for the EJ Railroad.

Edward married Nina Chakos in 1951 and together they had two children who survive. He received a degree in electrical technology from Purdue, 1954. Edward worked for Illinois Bell Telephone from 1954 until 1985 in many capacities, including supervisor. He assisted with communication needs for three presidential visits…presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. He served as Great Lakes Regional Communication Coordinator for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Edward moved to Portage in 1967. He served with Portage Police Commission, as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Porter County Liquor Board, and Porter County Solid Waste District. He was Campaign Coordinator for U.S. Congressional race. Edward served as precinct committeeman for 14 years and served sixteen years as City Councilman, ten of which he was council president.

Edward was a member and past president of Portage AARP chapter. He was a member and past commander of Tolleston V.F.W. Post 6310 and served as District Commander. He was a life-time member of the Portage American Legion and the Gary Sportsman’s Club. Edward was an active member of Portage Democratic Club, the Portage Exchange Club for 24 years and the Saxon Lodge since the age of 16. He was a member of the Porter County Aging and Community Service Corporation. Edward served on the State Legislative Committee for AARP and the Governor’s Commission on Aging. He was presented with the Key to the City of Portage on July 3, 2012. Edward was named one of “Northwest Indiana’s Most Distinguished Citizens by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, November 2014.

Friends and family may call at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service (2700 Willowcreek Rd, Portage) on Thursday May 10, 2018 from 2:00-8:00 PM. AHEPA service at 6:00 pm followed by American Legion/V.F.W. services at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (6540 Central Ave, Portage) on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to service. Rev. Ben Ahlersmeyer will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.