Robert Ignas, 77, of Winamac, formerly of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  Bob was born January 6, 1933 in East Chicago, IN, to the late Walter and Josephine (Strzalka) Ignas, and grew up in a family of 10 children.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a graduate of the Chicago Firefighters Academy and the Great Lakes Navy Firefighters School.  He was a firefighter for the City of Hammond for 31 years, retiring as Senior Captain, and was a member of Professional Firefighters Union Local 556.  Bob was also a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church; the Eagles Lodge, a life member of VFW Post 988, and a member of the American Legion Post 369. 
His wife of 42 years, Florence, preceded him in death in 1996.  They were married on October 23, 1955 in Hammond.  Survivors include four children:  Valerie (Mike) Ellis of Valparaiso, Raymond (Deirdre) Ignas of Valparaiso, Holly (James) Liesenfelt of Melbourne, Florida, and Robert (Sara) Ignas of Hendersonville, NC; 8 grandchildren: Holly, Irene, Tracy, Kelly, John, Jamie, Peter, and Zach; two sisters, Lilly (late Joe) Dahlstrom of Chicago, Irene (Joe) Urbanczyk of Hammond; four brothers: Frank (Patricia) Ignas of Schererville, Leonard (Teresa) Ignas of Houston, TX, Raymond (Rose) Ignas of Schererville and Larry (Dr. Rosa) Ignas of Maui, HI.  He was preceded in death by two brothers: John and Richie, and one sister, Carol Coursel.
Funeral services will be Monday beginning at 9:30 AM from Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, to St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church for 10:30 AM mass, the Rev. Kevin McCarthy officiating.  Burial will follow at Angelcrest Cemetery.  Visitation is Sunday, 1-5 PM at the funeral home.