Donald I. Kopenec

January 25, 1944 - December 30, 2020

service

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date due to the virus restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus charity fund will be appreciated.

Donald I. Kopenec, 76, of Munster, IN passed peacefully on December 30, 2020 from Covid-19 complications. He was born in Chicago on January 25, 1944 to Irwin & Rita Kopenec. Don graduated from Quincy College (University) where he met and married his college sweetheart Carol. Together, they spent 54 wonderful years of marriage. Don is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Cindy (Fred) McCraw, sons Steven (Erin) Kopenec and Rob (Angela) Kopenec and by five grandchildren, Matthew and Joey McCraw, Clara Kopenec, Connor and Maksim Kopenec. He is also survived by 5 brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Don taught English at Gavit MS/HS for 41 years and developed the Study of Film as Literature course. He also sponsored the yearbook and school newspaper for many years. He loved teaching and inspiring students with his creativity and dedication. Don was a founding member of the Msgr. Weis Knights of Columbus and cherished the many members and their families he got to know. He also was a 4th degree member of the Abraham Lincoln Assembly. He was an active member of St. Thomas More parish and took pride in volunteering whenever possible. He always had his camera ready and was active in the church and festival committee. Don was a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, photographer, videographer, film collector, Laurel & Hardy enthusiast and friend to all. He loved sharing L&H memorabilia and films with the newly formed “Another Fine Mess” tent. He also belonged to the NEA, NCTE, IRTA, AFT, and the Retiree Chapter of the Hammond Teachers’ Federation. He loved to travel and explore many countries. He enjoyed theater, concerts, and live performances. He was a life-long White Sox and Chicago Bears fan.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date due to the virus restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus charity fund will be appreciated.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date due to the virus restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus charity fund will be appreciated.

What to Say?See Condolences

Jane and I express our heartfelt sympathy to Carol and the entire Kopenec family. Don was a friend and valued colleague at Gavit. Don was a leader who could be counted on at all times to go the extra mile for his students and the school staff. Don was an outstanding teacher who had a positive influence on the lives of so many young people. God Bless you, Don. May you rest in peace.

Carol and family, My deepest sympathy in the loss of Don. I have many fond memories of the times we spent together on our bus trips to Washington DC and New York City. Please know that you are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

My deepest Sympathy to Carol and family. Have fond memories of Don with the knight’s.You will be missed.

Sending my deepest sympathy and prayers on the loss of Don. My best memory is I never saw him without a smile on his face! May God bring you comfort, especially during this difficult time. God Bless Susan Rousseau

Rest in peace Mr. K.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

In memory of Donald I. Kopenec, Ken Kolar lit a candle

My heart aches for your family at the loss of your husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was one of the greatest influences of my youth. Always a smile on his face and a kind word. I pray you feel God’s presence surround you, giving you peace and comfort as you fondly remember Don. He will always be in our hearts. God bless.

At this time we are a loss for our words what to say to the family our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family at this time he will truly be missed

Best English teacher I had !

Sending deepest condolences and prayers to the family.

I am sorry to hear this. Mr. Kopenec was a wonderful teacher and such a great person. He used to let me and my now husband sit next to each other 37 years ago! RIP.

My condolences & prayers go out to Carol & family. I was a student at Gavit & Mr K would record our Gladettes routines for us. Always so supportive. Then I became a co-worker with him from 83-86. Such a fun guy & dedicated teacher. I got to see he & Carol when they traveled with the Gavit band to Hawaii. I looked forward to seeing him at the St Thomas More festival every summer selling tip boards. I missed seeing him this past summer 2020 since CoVID cancelled the fest. Now CoVID took his life. I’m sad to see you go but I know you will watch over all of us & be telling jokes in heaven. Much aloha RIP

He was a great guy and a wonderful. RIP sorry gor the loss

We are so sorry to about Don. Carol you and your family are kin our prayers . We are things all of you.

Dear Mrs. McCraw, I join your many friends in extending my condolences for the loss of your father. Interestingly I became acquainted with your father mostly through Facebook. He and I graduated from Quincy College the same year. I was a chemistry major and commuted – so we did not interact at Quincy. Once we learned of our common Quincy College experience we exchanged the occasional message on Facebook. I learned some grammar from him which I use frequently – you can probably understand that. I really loved his Laura & Hardy post and I will miss them and the other interactions that we had. Sincerely, Matt Eichor

Carol and Family. I'm so sorry to hear about Cousin Don.My thoughts and prayers for the Family. Love Joyce

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Mr.K~ You were the Most kind and caring Teacher and We all Loved You. You will be missed~ Thankyou for Your Yearbook You gave me when You heard mine had been destroyed. It meant alot because that was a Great Yearbook We all Made with You & Mr. Mullins~ Tell Mr. Gibson & Mr. Mahmet I said Hello~ ?? Liz Hrapek

Thinking of you today. So sorry for your loss.❤

Carol, Cindy, and family, We are so very sorry to hear about your loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was such an amazing man in our lives. The things that we learned from him during our time that we were going through our precana classes were beyond our expectations. The memories that he and Carol instilled in our lives will forever remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences to the family. He will always be remembered by us! Michael and Carole Mackey

I'm so sorry to learn of Don's passing. I will always think fondly of this kind and gentle man. I knew Don through the Fun Days festival. As chairman I held him and Carol in the highest of esteem and respect for their unparalleled wisdom and devotion to a cause.

Prayers for the family. I had him as a teacher and he was a good person. He will be missed.

I had the privilege of teaching with Don at Gavit. What a wonderful friend!He and Carol were a devoted couple. They were active inHammond and Munster. He will be missed!

Rest In Peace, Don. It was a pleasure and a privilege to know you.

My sincere condolences to the Kopenec family. I also lost my father to Covid this past November. Mr. Kopenec was by far one of my favorite high school teachers at Gavit (1987-1990). I had him for English and film. I loved his media/film courses. I recall his kind, fun nature and his love for movies which resonated with me at the time. My prayers to the entire family during this difficult time. Justin Kozubal

I had Mr. Kopenec for newspaper and yearbook all 4 years of high school. He taught me so much while allowing us to have fun. He was a good teacher and kind man.

Our deepest condolences, we will keep all of you in our prayers. Don is going to be deeply missed by many but especially by Penelope and I. He was always so sweet to my daughter, his kindness was very much appreciated. Heaven gained an amazing Angel. Peace and Many Hugs, Patricia and Penelope

I first met Don & Carol at Purdue Calumet taking Apple IIe programming classes back in my days of early teaching. Remained friends later in life as he photographed various IRTA dinners at Teibel's Restaurant. What a "Renaissance" man he was!

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.