Morfee, Jack W. Obituary

Morfee, Jack W. attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Morfee, Jack W..

Graduation Year	Class of 1936
Date of Passing	Sep 08, 2013
About	Jack W. Morfee 94, of Indianapolis, IN, dear husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, died in his home on Sunday, September 8, 2013. He was born on April 15, 1919 in Gary, Indiana, to the late James J. and Edith Walsh Morfee. On May 3, 1941, he married Wilma Adank in Crown Point, Indiana. They had three children: Thomas Morfee (Susan) of Marco Island, FL, Barbara Shull of Indianapolis, IN, and Janice (Jim) Wark of Indianapolis, IN. He is survived by his children, brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Evelyn Morfee of Sarasota, FL, seven grandchildren, Julie Morfee, Amy Shull, Matthew Shull, Kelly Shull, Michael Klotz, Christine Klotz, and Natalie Klotz, two great grandchildren, Lydia Feeney and Calvin Feeney, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Wilma, his wife of 62 years, in June, 2002, his parents, and sister, Gladys Eklund. Jack graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN in 1936, began his career as a messenger with Gary State Bank, married Wilma, and started his family. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII and assigned to the 14th Armored Division where his leadership skills and training resulted in rapid promotion. After earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 87th Infantry Battalion and saw immediate military action in the European Theatre following the Battle of the Bulge. While leading his platoon in a major engagement against a heavily armed position known as Goldbrick Hill in Germany, Jack was wounded in action. He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars for gallantry and heroism and the Purple Heart, along with his most cherished personal award--the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war, Jack returned to Gary State Bank, where he eventually advanced to President and Chairman of the Board. During his tenure, the bank grew from a single office with 70 employees and $7 million in assets to 42 offices in three counties with 1000 employees and $1.5 billion in assets. The bank became Gary National Bank, merged progressively with larger banks, and eventually became part of JPMorgan Chase. He was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking and the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. In addition to his exemplary career in banking, Jack was an active civic leader in Lake County, Indiana. He served as president of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, Gary Kiwanis Club, and Gary Country Club, and Chairman of the Merrillville School Board. He was a Vice Chairman of International Courier Corporation in Chicago and was active in the Indiana Bankers Association and a member of Merrillville United Methodist Church. After he retired, Jack and Wilma moved to Carmel, where he became active in Golden "K" Kiwanis, the Service Club, and St. Mark's United Methodist Church. In 1976 they purchased a condo on Marco Island, FL, where he and the family have enjoyed wintering for many years. Jack was an avid golfer, handball and racquetball player, competing in tournaments well into his eighties. He loved travel, music, geography, crossword puzzles, scrabble, trees and flowers, coins and currency, weather reports, current events, and the Chicago Cubs. He delighted in giving $2 bills and silver dollars to family members as well as total strangers. Above all, he loved being surrounded by his family and friends. Jack was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the devoted caregivers, especially Pam, who cared for him during the last weeks of his life. They would also like to thank his nephew, John Draper, who lit up Jack's last days by arranging a personal phone call from General Petraeus, thanking him for his military service. Visitation will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Carmel, IN on Friday, September 13, at 1:00, followed by funeral services at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity at 17767 Sun Park Dr., Westfield, IN, 46074 or 11145 Tamiani Trail E., Naples, FL, 34113.