Edward C. (Jr.) Dernulc

Edward C. Dernulc, 92, passed away September 18, 2024.  He was born October 7, 1931, in Joliet, Illinois.  He is survived by the love of his life, Julie (Danculovich) to whom he was married for 67 years; his five children:  Monica (Branko) Sajn; Edward (Donna); state senator Daniel (Cynthia); Leslie (Michael Kaim); George (Agnes).  He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with a future baby due in March of 2025.  He is also survived by his siblings:  Leroy (Becky) Dernulc; Gerrie (Marvin) Hays; Eugene (Donna) Dernulc; Larry (Charlotte) Dernulc; Leonard (Jane) Dernulc; and Ellen (James) Kranz;  In addition, Edward was an uncle and godfather to a host of over 50 nieces and nephews and many more great nieces and nephews.   Edward was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Anna (Golob) Dernulc, and sisters:  Anna (William) Rivich; Joann (Stan) Zurek; Betty (Chester) Soltis; and Dawn Dernulc.

Edward attended St. John Cantius and Assumption School and was a 1949 graduate of EC Washington High School in Indiana Harbor and a 1959 graduate of the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington.

Edward was a man of faith who lived a full life giving of himself by serving others’ needs.  He worked tirelessly on various boards including Bethany Home in Hammond, Trade Winds of Northwest Indiana, and the Highland Redevelopment Commission,   He served diligently at Our Lady of Grace in Highland ministering in many different capacities while always maintaining dignity, strength, and humility.

In the area of civic organizations, Edward served as  president of the Hammond Jaycees, CEO of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce, was an active member of the Optimist Club of Hammond, the Private Industry Council and Rotary Club, to name a few. In addition,  Edward worked in the banking industry in Northwest Indiana beginning at Calumet National Bank becoming president and CEO of Merrillville Bank and Trust working with the Merrillville community for many years.

Edward served our country in the naval air reserves for eight years and was a proud supporter of our country and our flag.  He was also a Master Gardener tending to his beautiful flowers and vegetables in his Highland home.  But mostly Edward will be remembered for his love of family and youth.  He coached basketball for many years at Our Lady of Grace and still had many of his team members come up to him to share their lives.  That and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play ball were his greatest joy.  Nothing could rile him up more than a tense ball game or a bad ref or ump.  Thus, he was a staunch Cubs fan relishing their 2016 World Series win.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 2-6 pm at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 2828 Highway Ave., Highland, IN, with a prayer service at 3:00 pm .  A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 and will begin with prayers at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home at 10:00 am with a Mass officiated by Rev. Brian Chadwick at Our Lady of Grace Church, 3025 Highway Ave. Highland, IN, at 10:30 am. Burial to follow at St. John/St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond.

Donations may be made in Edward’s memory  to Our Lady of Grace School or to NWI Parkinson’s.

The family would like to thank the whole 2nd floor of Franciscan Hospital in Munster.  They showed care, dignity, compassion, love, and much humor to Ed in his last weeks.  For that, we will be forever grateful.

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