Harry died at Riley Hospice of the Calumet Area, Munster, IN. He resided at Briar Ridge in Schererville. His wife Margaret survives him with his four daughters, Patricia (Bob) Danowski, of Windlake, WI, Suzanne Scott of Darien, IL, Nan Crepeau, of St John, IN and Lisa (Scott) McAlister of Flossmoor, IL. He had five grandchildren, Kristen (Eric), Michelle (Aaron), Scott (Kyleigh), Mike (Rachel) and Elizabeth and four great-grandchildren. Harry was preceded in death by his first wife, Madeline, his son, William Smiddy, his daughter, Maureen, and his three grandchildren.

Harry was born in Hammond, IN, and attended the Hammond School system. Following graduation from high school, he was one of the first 18 year olds to be drafted from Hammond in World War II. In high school, he obtained an Amateur Radio License with issued, “Call letters” of W9OAP. He built his own transmitter and communicated with amateurs around the world. Having been an amateur radio operator, he was assigned to the Army Signal Corp for his basic training. After his basic training, he asked for and transferred to the Army Air Corp for pilot training.

Following graduation from pilot training, he was assigned to a squadron with the 436th Troop Carrier Group and traveled to Memberry, England. He carried Paratroopers into Chourborg, France on D-Day and was a participant in seven major Glider Landing, including the “Battle of the Bulge”, in Holland. After the War, he returned to complete his education, at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, where he received a Business Law degree and an LLB. He was admitted to the Indiana Bar, in 1951.

Returning to Hammond, he was employed by the Mercantile Bank, as an Assistant Trust Officer. While at the bank, he was promoted to senior vice president and managed the trust department for over 35 years. After the First National Bank of Lansing was opened, he set up and managed the trust department for several years. He also participated in the organization of the trust department for the Home State Bank of Illinois.

During his tenure at the bank, he assisted in writing the statute to “codify” the “Land trust Law” for Indiana. He testified before the “Banking Committee” of the Indiana Legislature and lobbied for its passage. It passed and, although it has been modified several times, it continues as the law today.

He participated in many charitable activities and was president of the Hammond Jaycees and District Governor, president of the Hammond Rotary Club and the Lake County Crippled Children Society (known as the trade Winds) and the Indiana Alumni Association. As president of the Society, he negotiated the purchase of the Trade Winds property from the New York Central RR which is now the location of it’s main office and work center.
The Indiana Governor appointed him a member of the Lake County Reorganization Committee for the purpose to consolidate school districts to improve education of school children in Lake County. He served for eight years.

The Mayor of Hammond appointed him a member of the Hammond Bond Bank Commission which was created for the purpose to issue bonds to finance the construction of schools in the city of Hammond. He served for six years. At present, he served as Treasurer of the Indiana Sailing Corporation for many years. (Indiana Sailing Corp teachers sailing to the disadvantaged children in Lake and Porter County.)

His hobbies were tennis, golf, bowling and sailing. He belonged to Woodmar Country Club and Briar Ridge Country Club for participation in the sports he loved.

Visitation will be at Burns-Kish Funeral Home, at 8415 Calumet Ave., in Munster, on Sun. Nov. 17, from 3:00-7:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be at First United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hammond, 6705 Hohman Ave., on Mon, Nov. 18, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The First United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hammond or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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