Donald John “Don” Klawitter, 79, of Syracuse, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015, at his home.  He was born on Feb. 29, 1936 in Hammond, to Joseph F. & Martha (Mikolajczak) Klawitter.

Don was a graduate of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Elementary School and a 1953 graduate of Thornton Fractional North High School, both in Calumet City, Ill. On Sept. 22, 1956, he married his childhood sweetheart Carole M. “Caro” Koontz of 58 years who survives.  He was a Supervisor of System Operations at Inland Steel (Arcelor Mittal) in East Chicago, for 38 years, and then moved to Lake Wawasee in 1992 from Highland, to fulfill a dream of living on a lake.

Don enjoyed being the captain of the boat; providing many memorable rides and fishing with the family and grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church where he was an usher, choir member and head money counter; volunteered for the Knights of Columbus Council 6323, Syracuse, where he was a Third Degree Knight and quite active with the Saturday night charity BINGO. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 4511, Warsaw, where he was a  Fourth Degree Knight; Sons of the American Legion Post 253 in North Webster; Eagles Lodge in Syracuse where he served as auditor for the auxiliary, and a volunteer at Syracuse Food Pantry.

Music was always a part of Don’s life.  At the age of 8, he started playing drums and was a dedicated drummer (percussionist) his entire life; forming a group with his brothers known as the Klawitter Combo.  He was a member of the Touch of Class music group, a 25 year charter member of the Lake Area Community Band and a guest percussionist with Grace College Wind Ensemble.  Don loved to listen to Polka bands and could never resist dancing the Polka with his honey and kids.  He never missed an opportunity to play instruments with his grandchildren and was so proud when they participated in playing with the Lake Area Community Band. He was a self-taught organist and enjoyed playing for fun and at holidays.  His signature song was “Drifting and Dreaming”.

Don enjoyed a good round of golf whether with family or in a league. He was an avid bowler and was a ringer in backyard horseshoes.  Don will be remembered as loving, selfless and forever giving to others.  He was a role model, mentor and inspiration to those around him.

Above all this, his family was first and foremost as he truly loved them beyond his own needs.  For this he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife: Caro Klawitter, Syracuse; son: Kenneth (Paulette) Klawitter, Valparaiso; two daughters: Kathleen Klawitter, Maggie Valley, N.C.; and Kim Klawitter, Valparaiso; two grandchildren: Benjamin Klawitter; and Cayla Klawitter, both of Valparaiso; twin brother: Ronald (Delores) Klawitter, Syracuse; and special nieces, nephews; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Martha; and brother: Joseph Klawitter Jr.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Owen Family Funeral Home, Syracuse. There will be a rosary service at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Parish, Syracuse, with Father Richard Hire officiating. Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, Warsaw.

Memorial bequest may be given to IU Goshen Home Care and Hospice, Goshen, or Black Pine Animal Sanctuary (http://www.blackpine.org/), Albion.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. To send condolences in memory of Donald Klawitter, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com

Join the family to remember a life lived to it’s fullest, from noon until 7 p.m. Sunday, July 19, at Kim Klawitter’s residence, 1309 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso.