Juozas “Joe” Janusaitis of Porter passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 26, 2011. He was 97.

Juozas was born in Lithuania on Oct. 24, 1913 to the late Juozas and Puizyte Janusaitis. He worked in the steel mill as a Roll Finisher for Blaw-Knox for 30 years and retired in 1979. He served in the Lithuanian Army from 1935 until 1939. He was taken by force by the Germans during WWII in. He was able to come to the United States in 1949 to start his life again, from scratch. Here he met his wife, Ona, whom he married on Oct. 15, 1951 in Crown Point. He was a former member of St. Casimer Catholic Church, the Lithuanian Fishing and Hunting Club as well as Lithuanian Alliances of America and the Lithuanian/American Political Club.

He is survived by his son, Rich (wife Jeanine) Janusaitis of Porter; daughters, Jane Urycki of Lake Station and Irene (husband Richard) Macys of South Bend; grandchildren, Chrissy, Joe, Steve, Bob, Diana, Rich, Debbie and Lenny; and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ona.

Cremation will take place. A Memorial Mass will be held at the Lithuanian Culture Center, 14911 127th St., Lemont, IL 60439 at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 3. Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home of Chesterton assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.ee-fh.com

Posted 3/29/2011