Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Celebration of Life Sunday, May 17 for Donald J. Karp

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Donald J. Karp of Chesterton, a graduate of Tolleston High School, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at his home.

He was born in Gary, IN, in 1929 to Stanley J. and Katherine J. Sitar Karp, who preceded him in death.

Donald is survived by one son, Robert Karp of Chesterton, daughter Wendy O’Brien of Lakewood, Colorado and two grandchildren, Chad O’Brien of Oregon, WI, and Alan Daily of Indianapolis, as well as by his great-grandson Levi Daily, and his sister Audrey (Robert) McClure, of Crown Point.

He is also preceded in death by his wife Adeline L. Marker Karp, who passed away on February 27, 1981, his son, James D. Karp and his brother, Raymond R. Karp. Donald was rich with many good friends, including The Duneland Ding-a-lings.

At age 17, Donald needed his parent’s signature to enlist in the United States Air Force, and was enlisted for three years. He was held over an extra year for the Korean Conflict, making him in the military four years, from 1947 to 1951.

Donald was schooled by the Air Force to service remote control turrets on B-29 and B-50 heavy bombers. He was stationed at North AFB in Guam as a turrets gunner and remote control turret specialist during WWII occupation forces and the Korean Conflict.

He held a private pilot’s license and had his own plane since 1982 and eventually sold it in 1995. He worked in civil service at Wright/Patterson Air Force Base servicing experimental remote control turrets on B-17, B-29, B-50 and B-36. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft as Chief Electronic Technician refurbishing B-29 remote control turrets during the Korean Conflict.

He also worked at United States Steel (Sheet and Tin Mill) as Chief Electronic Technician on Automated Mills and worked for Gary Community School Corporation in the Audio Visual Department. There, he repaired audio visual equipment, computers and maintained the Gary community school corporation FM radio. He also taught and trained administrators, teachers and secretaries in computer literacy technology.

Donald retired from Gary Community School Corporation on May 1, 1992 after working there for twenty-eight years.

He did part-time work repairing computers and related for North West Educational Service Center in Highland.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from 2 until 4 p.m,. at The Water Bird, 556 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN, 46383.

Arrangements are under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.whitelovefuneralhome.com.

 

 

Posted 5/14/2015

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

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