Lawrence P. “Larry” Kocal, age 78, of Munster, IN, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2015, surrounded by loving family and friends. Larry was born on May 16, 1936 in Hammond, IN to Peter and Lorraine Kocal. Larry is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Ruth (nee Barrett); three daughters, Kristi (Michael) Johnson, Kimberly Eisha, and Jennifer Costello; five grandchildren, Steven Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Kaitlyn Costello, Emily Eisha, and Katherine Eisha; sister, Annette Kocal of Naples, FL; sister in law Joyce (Gerald) Walker of Aurora, IL. He was preceded in death by his parent, Peter and Lorraine Kocal, and son in law, Michael Eisha. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm., and again at the church, on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St.Paul’s Lutheran Church 8601 Harrison Ave. Munster, IN, with Rev. Peter Speckhard, officiating. Interment will follow at Concordia Cemetery Hammond, IN. Larry was a graduate of Hammond High School, received a B.S., M.S. and many additional graduate hours from Indiana University Bloomington, IN. While at I.U., Larry was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and the Singing Hoosiers. He was in ROTC and was a Captain in the United States Army Reserve. Larry began his career teaching and coaching at Munster Junior High School, now known as Wilbur Wright Middle School. He was a Guidance Counselor at Gavit High School, then moved to Morton High School in Hammond to be Director of the Guidance Department. He relocated to Naples, FL to be a Guidance Counselor at Lely High, Gulfview Middle and Palmetto Ridge High Schools, where he finally retired. During his years in Munster, Larry was a long time swimming coach in the Munster Age Group Program, served four terms on the Munster School Board and was past president. He was also a licensed real estate broker. Larry enjoyed singing with the nationally ranked Great American Barbershop Chorus out of Gurnee, IL. They came in 3rd at Nationals and the chorus was invited to St. Petersburg, Russia for the opportunity to sing there. He ran the Chicago Marathon 3 times. He has been on numerous cruises with his wife and family all over the world. He was always a strong role model and positive influence as the head of the Kocal family. Memorials may be made in Larry’s name to the St. Paul’s Christian School and the Beckman Scholarship Fund at St. Paul’s.