Edward Joseph Smosna, RPh

March 16, 1941- May 4th, 2024

Schererville, Indiana – It is with profound sadness, yet great joy for a life well lived, that we announce Edward Joseph Smosna passed away on May 4, 2024.

Edward Smosna was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 16, 1941 to Helen and Stanley Smosna. He attended St. Mark’s and Holy Family Catholic Schools in Gary, Indiana, and graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1958. Upon graduation, he attended Purdue University and later became the first college graduate in his family. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1963. He worked full time in various pharmacy capacities over 53 years, and was recognized by the Indiana Pharmacists Alliance in 2013 for this accomplishment. During his career, he worked for Haney’s, Dickerson Drugs, Pampalone Pharmacy, and eventually owned and operated Broad-Ridge Pharmacy in the Glen Park neighborhood of Gary, Indiana.

The last 21 years of his long career was in the employ of Walgreens. His last store was located in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood of East Chicago, Indiana. During his professional career, he was a member and elected officer for the National Pharmacists Association/USW Local 1969, and served as their Treasurer. During his tenure on this Board, he helped negotiate three contracts resulting in robust compensation packages for the membership. In addition to his career as a pharmacist, he was also the co-owner of Munster Liquors for 15 years.

Edward was an avid Chicago sports fan. He was a Chicago Bears season ticket holder for over 50 years, a life long Chicago Cubs fan, and was amongst the earliest golf members of Briar Ridge Country Club. His greatest pride and joy came from celebrating his children and grandchildren’s academic achievements and accomplishments in competitive sports.

Edward is survived by his wife Diane (Vance), and their five children and seven grandchildren: Brian (Cindy) and their son Matthew of Chicago, Illinois, Jeffrey Smosna of Naperville, Illinois, Mark (Lori) Smosna and their children Max, Stella, and Charli of West Lafayette, Indiana, Kevin (Jessica) Smosna and their children Anna, Teagan, and Reed of Dyer, Indiana, and Meghan Smosna of Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving is his brother James Smosna of Munster, Indiana, and sisters-in-law Barbara Wojcikiewicz of Crete, Illinois, and Patricia (Nael) Hamadeh of Orland Park, Illinois. Ed leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by parents, Stanley and Helen (Sokol) Smosna, and his brothers John Smosna and William Smosna. Edward was a longstanding parishioner of St. Thomas More Church. Visitation with the family will take place on Friday, May 10th, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Kish Funeral Home, located at 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321. A prayer service will take place at 5:00 PM. On Saturday, May 11th, a Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Church, located at 8501 Calumet Avenue Munster, Indiana 46321.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Edward’s requests, he wished to recognize two outstanding institutions that figured in his life: Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy – Pharmacy Scholarships ( http://www.pharmacy.purdue.edu/alumni-friends/how-you-can-get-involved/give-pharmacy), for his excellent education, as well as Rush University – Lung Cancer Research Fund(https://rushgiving.com/lungcancertribute) for its outstanding care and modern medicine.

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