Jack O. O'Conner of Crown Point, IN (formerly of Lansing, IL), a cherished husband, father, papa, great-grandpa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024 after a long term illness with heart disease. Jack was raised in Lansing, IL most of his life where he attended grade school and graduated from T.F. South High School, class of 1961. There, he met his sweetheart and the love of his life, Catherine (Kate) Wise.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Jack joined the United States Marine Corps in which he proudly and humbly served from 1961-64. He felt honored to serve his country, and as he always said, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Jack married Kate on February 27, 1965 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lansing. They resided in Lansing and raised their two children, Jack and Vicky. They happily shared fifty-nine loving years together.

Jack was a Faithful servant of The Lord. He and Kate were longtime active members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hammond, IN, where he lovingly served on the board of Elders for many years, was the Sunday School Superintendent, and was involved in numerous other positions.

Jack was an avid fisherman. He and Kate spent many years fishing at the family cottage on Lake George in Angola, IN. Every year in June, he looked forward to spending a week fishing at Benders Camp in Minnesota with many of his fishing buddies, including Jim Reddel. He enjoyed watching, and was a true fan of Notre Dame football, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, and of course, Jeopardy. He was employed at Republic Steel Corporation (LTV) for twenty-three years, and an insurance representative at Thrivent Financial for ten years. Jack loved The Lord, his family and his country. He always had a smile on his face and a joke for everyone he met.

One of his greatest joys in his life was being a papa to his three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. He loved attending their baseball games and other school activities, and especially enjoyed taking them out for breakfast after they spent the night at papa and grandma's house. He was Blessed to have attended his granddaughter Catherine's graduation from Valparaiso University on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Kate, his beloved daughter, Vicky, (beloved son-in-law, Tom) Fanno, grandchildren Zim (Kylie) Rivas, Catherine and Tyler Fanno, great-granddaughters Lily and Ivy Rivas, his brother Donald (Kookie) O'Conner, his sister-in-laws Mary Wise, Sarah Misdom, Martha Carrabine, Betty Szala, brother-in-law David (Michelle) Wise, and special friend Sue Mansbach. Jack was a loving uncle to many neices and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving sons Jack Freeman and infant son David William, his parents Freeman and June O'Conner, brother Charles (late Karen) O'Connor, sister Sharon (late Tom) Lucietta, his mother and father-in-law Herschel and Arneta Wise, sister and brother-in-laws Lois (Len) Lute, Phyllis and Chuck Eddins, Janet and Charles Schneider, brother-in-laws Jan Wise, Victor Wise, Luke Carrabine, Theodore Misdom and James Szala, and nephews Danny Croy, Jeffrey Lute, and Herschel Wise.

A special thank you to Jack's Cardiologists and special friends Dr. Shashidhar and Anuradha Divakaruni, for their continuous exemplary care throughout Jack's many years of struggling with heart disease.

Friends and family are invited to attend funeral services for Jack on Thursday May 23, 2024. Visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m. with the service immediately following at 11 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 250 South Indiana Ave. Crown Point, Indiana 46307.  Jack will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, Indiana. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Jack's name to Trinity Lutheran Church, Hammond, Indiana, Trinity Lutheran Church, Crown Point, Indiana or a charity of your choice. Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements and care of Mr. O'Conner. Jack was loved by many and he will be truly missed.