James C. Conlon

James C. Conlon age 83, of Crown Point, IN passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at home. He was born March 30, 1925, in Union Mills, Indiana, to Charles and Mary Sheviak Conlon. Mr. Conlon graduated from Clinton Township High School in LaPorte County in 1943. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1949 and a Masters of Education from Pennsylvania State University in 1959. On September 13, 1952, he married Janice Winters, who survives. Mr. Conlon served in the United States Navy during World War II, aboard the USS Casablanca CVE 55 and the USS LCS 108 as XO and commanding officer. In 1952-53 he served in the Navy's Communications Office in Washington, D.C. He remained on inactive duty as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve Div 9-37 from 1961-1963. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 26 years. Mr. Conlon was a retired science and math teacher, having taught at Dyer High School, 1949-1952; Crown Point High School, 1954-1956; Lew Wallace High School, 1956-1978; and Harrison Junior High School, 1978-1984. Mr. Conlon was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, where he served as a lector for over 25 years. Mr. Conlon was very active in politics. He was on the Crown Point City Council from 1980-1991. He also served on the Board of Public Works and Safety, 1985-1991, and the Plan Commission, 1984-1991. He then was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives 19th District. He served from 1991-1996 and was Deputy Speaker Pro Tem in 1995-96. He was also a precinct committeeman, vice-committeeman and delegate to the state convention several times. Mr. Conlon was a member of the Crown Point Community Library Board from 1995-2008; a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Cardinal Stritch Council 4620; and a volunteer with the St. Anthony Auxiliary. He is survived by wife, Janice of Crown Point; 3 sons: Paul Debbie of Weslaco, Texas Charles Denise of Valparaiso and Patrick Jennifer of Cedar Lake 4 daughters: Mary Lou Donald Vaccarello of LaGrange, IL Elizabeth Daniel Danner of Wheaton, IL Theresa Mark Tanner of Evanston, IL Kate Roger Bieker of Crown Point 13 grandchildren: Maya, Alex Katy, Nicole, Natalie, Adam, Sean and Nathan Conlon, Lisa, Christine and Paul Vaccarello, Bryn Tanner, and Christopher and Abbey Bieker 2 sisters: Jean Clem Trytko of Granger and Marguerite late John Boyer of Columbus, New Jersey 1 sister-in-law: Geraldine late Dave Conlon of Union Mills, IN many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother: David Conlon 1 sister: Geraldine Mickow 2 nephews: Stephen Conlon and Michael Mickow Funeral Prayers will be said at the Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, Crown Point on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:15 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church 312 E. Joliet St. Crown Point, IN with Rev. Pat Kalich officiating. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery in Crown Point, IN. Visitation will be held at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre NOTE: NEW LOCATION at 606 E. 113th Ave. Crown Point, IN 2 Blocks East of Broadway on Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Gibault Inc. Home for Boys, PO Box 2316, Terre Haute, IN 47802-0316. To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, please visit the guest book section on the obituary page at www.geisenfuneralhome.com. For information call 219-663-2500.