Lester W. Radke

Lester W. Radke

February 29, 1932 - February 18, 2017

Lester W. Radke, 84, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 7:30 pm in Symphony of Chesterton, Chesterton, IN.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm, Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1237 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan City, IN with Rev. David Solum, Rev. Thomas Sabel, and Dr. David Albertin officiating. Private burial will take place in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm -8:00 pm, Wednesday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.

He was born February 29, 1932 in Michigan City, Indiana to the late Lester N. and Hilda (Miller) Radke. On September 18, 1964 in Michigan City, IN he married Doris Cox who preceded him on August 11, 1982.

Surviving are a daughter, Denise (Steven) Shallcross of Bloomington, IL; son, David (Susan) Radke of Michigan City, IN; granddaughter, Gretchen Krumrie of Michigan City, IN; sister, Betty (James) Fisher of LaPorte, IN; niece, Lisa Radke; nephew, Dana Radke; and his sister-in-law, Dolores Radke of Michigan City, IN.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, Earl Radke.

Lester retired as a state auditor for the State of Indiana. He made a positive difference in many lives in Michigan City and all of LaPorte County. He devoted most of is life to helping others in spite of his own physical handicaps. He did not stand by with a heavy heart when confronted with problems concerning people afflicted with handicaps or abuse. Instead, he consistently tried to make the world a better place for the abused and the physically and mentally handicapped.

In 1973, he received the Governor's Rehabilitation Award in recognition of his outstanding achievement in promoting the employment of the handicapped. He served as a founding and long time board member, and past president, of Michiana Resources, formerly the LaPorte County Sheltered Workshop, LaPorte County's rehabilitation program for the disabled. He served as president of the county's March of Dimes. As past president and long-time member of the Michigan City Exchange Club, he was instrumental in steering the club, both locally and statewide, toward providing monetary assistance for projects to better the lives of the physically and mentally disabled persons.

Lester served as president of the board of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and was influential in resolving many difficult issues during the merger of the Michigan Cit and LaPorte chapters into one LaPorte County chapter. He also worked as a volunteer for many years for each of the following: United Way, Open Door Health Center, American Cancer Society, Miss Indiana Pageant and the Humane Society. He was a active member and officer of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Otis, Indiana. Besides serving as president and treasurer, he was the youth leader and Sunday school teacher over a very long period. He was the founder and board member of the Coolspring Township Little League Association for youth baseball.

Lester was also a founder, first president and long time member of the LaPorte County Child Abuse Prevention Council, which operates the Dunebrook Child Abuse Prevention Center on Johnson Road. He received the "Outstanding Leadership" Award from the Indiana Chapter of the national Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, a statewide award.

Other recognition awards Lester received were: the Liberty Bell Award, the Governor's Voluntary Action Program Award, J.C. Penney's Golden Rule Award, the Golden Book of Deeds Award, and the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, a statewide recognition of his service to his community. He received the Michigan City Humanitarian Award for 2010 for his lifelong body of work in helping handicapped and abused citizens of all ages in his community and county. He was also the first recipient of two distinguished awards in the county: the Paul J. Alinsky Excellence Award and the Lester W. Radke award for outstanding service to prevention of abused children in LaPorte County.

As a devoted son, husband, father, brother, friend and advocate for all in need, Lester Radke lived his entire life as a true humanitarian.

Contributions may be made to Dunebrook, 7451 W. Johnson Rd., Michigan City, IN 46360 or to Michiana Resources, Inc., 4315 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN 46360.

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