Leon J. Fizel

Leon J. Fizel, 95 passed away January 27, 2024 at home surrounded by his family in Lafayette, Indiana. Leon was born March 21, 1928 in Menomonie, Wisconsin to Joseph and Anna (Yamirska) Fizel. He was the seventh out of eleven children. Leon and his siblings worked the family dairy farm. One year after crops were harvested Leon accompanied his father to visit his eldest sister, Ethel who was living in Lansing, Illinois. Leon enjoyed seeing city life and decided he would have to find a job or return home to the farm. In three days Leon was hired and began training the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). Leon worked daily at NIPSCO for 42 years.
Leon enlisted in the Army in December 1952 and honorably discharged in November 1956. He was trained at Fort Hood and stationed in Germany for 18 months at the end of the Korean Conflict. He drove a military jeep and transported his sergeant while abroad. Leon was a Corporal when he left the Army and returned to his employment at NIPSCO. He began his career at NIPSCO as a serviceman helper in Hammond, advanced to various positions, and was a general customer service supervisor at the time of his retirement in 1988. Leon stated what he liked best about working at NIPSCO was “helping people” and he always did his best to aid others.
Leon was married October 1954 to Jo-Ann Evans and they settled in Calumet City, Illinois until 1961 when Leon was promoted and transferred to Monticello, Indiana. The couple raised four children: Lonnette, Laura, Lydia and John during their marriage.
Leon engaged in Real Estate by selling houses and properties for McKnight Reality in Monticello during the 1970’s. After his retirement he would renovate houses for resale as a hobby. Leon was active with the Masonic Lodge with over fifty years of service and several awards. He served as White County Shrine Club President in 1974. He often chaperoned buses of school children to attend the annual Shriner’s Circus in Indianapolis and was pleased to engage in acts of service. Leon moved to Lafayette, in 1991 and remained active in the local Masonic Chapter. He also participated in the Lafayette and Monticello American Legion
Leon was a family orientated man. He and his siblings would often engage in several hands of pinochle and would dance the polka at family gatherings. He loved to dance and could lead his dance partner to perfection. Cadillacs were his car of choice and he was an excellent driver exampled by the many family car trips throughout the United
States. On any given day, he would be outside tending his immaculate lawn and maintaining his flower beds. At age 68 he dug a koi pond in his front yard. He enjoyed watching TV which included daily news and sports, especially Purdue basketball. He loved his pet schnauzers Dutchess and Lady and Calie the cat. Leon spent the last eleven years of his life enjoying the company of Lois Jo Curtis-Bamberga. Leon and Jo were active with Eagles and enjoyed spending time with their friends. Leon was a man of good character and strong mind and body. He was logical, caring, honest, thoughtful, and fair and he will be dearly missed.
Leon is survived by his loving companion Jo Bamberga, his daughters, Lonnette Voris (Bryan), Laura Fizel, Lydia Fizel (Helen), his son John Fizel, his three grandsons: Taylor Voris (Catherine), Joseph Fizel, and Jacob Fizel and his step grandson Chris Armour (Katelyn). Also survived by his youngest sibling Robert Fizel. He is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings, Ethel, Lowell, Elvy Koloff, Leona Peterech, Zella Anderson, Julie Wold, Martha Amundson, Melvin Fizel, John Fizel, and Betty Ann Graff.
Visitation and entombment with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, February 1 st , 2024 with a visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 PM with funeral services beginning at 3:00 PM at Tippecanoe Funeral &Cremation Services, 3631 Morehouse, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906. In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to Shriner’s Hospital or St. Jude’s Hospital