George Topitges

Rev. George J. Topitges, age 85, of 1109 Scott St., La Porte, Ind., died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 11:30 p.m. at his home in La Porte, Ind. He was born Nov. 24, 1919 in Michigan City, IN. to the late James Topitges and the late Angeline Orphanos Topitges, and has lived in this area for 65 years coming from Athens, Greese. At age 7 Father George was sent to live with relatives in Athens Greece. He received his primary, secondary and business college education in Athens. He returned to the USA just prior to WW II. He attended the Chicago Technical College for Radio Engineering for two years. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. for 4 ½ years in the South Pacific. Father George retired from Allis Chalmers Corp. in June1977 after 30 years. In his early 50s he entered a diocesan Seminary program for those in advanced years. He studied material from St. Vladimir theological seminary, Holy Cross theological seminary and the Brotherhood of Theologians "ZOE" in Athens. In Dec. 1977 he was raised to the Holy Diaconate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by his Grace Bishop Andrei. He served as an assistant pastor at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church until Dec. 10, 1988 when he was elevated to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Vsevolod, Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America and was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity. He retired from the Church in July of 1999. Father George being bilingual has served many Greek Orthodox Churches in N.W., Indiana and Chicago. He is an ardent defender of His orthodoxy. He was quoted to say "The Holy Priesthood is part of the natural growth within me? I have grown slowly into this role? I am not a product of an institutional Church, I was secularly trained?" Father George loved people of all faiths and walks of life. He is known as a Pastor of all people. On Feb. 22, 1948 in Chicago, IL he married Helen Skouras who preceded him in death on April 24, 2004. He is survived by One Daughter, Miss Olga Topitges of Oak Park, IL.; One Son, Mr. James Topitges of La Porte, Ind. Arrangements are being handled by Haverstock Funeral Home, Inc., 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, Ind., where the family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 & 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Trisigon Service will be held at 7:00 PM Tuesday at the Haverstock Funeral Home. The Funeral service will be at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of Michigan City at 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 25, 2005 , Right Reverend Archimandrite Lev officiating. Interment will be at Pine Lake Cemetery in LaPorte, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 7396 W. Johnson Rd., Michigan City, IN. 46360. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of George J. Topitges please visit our Sympathy Store.