Illustrious Sir Denis E. Ribordy, PP

July 20, 1929 - September 4, 2012

Potentate of Orak Shrine - Michigan City, Indiana in 1979

Illus. Sir Denis E. Ribordy, PP, of Naples, FL passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Denis was born in East Chicago, IN on July 20, 1929. He was the son of Myrel I. and Lela (Hunsley) Ribordy, who preceded him in death.

He graduated from Griffith High School in 1947 and attended Butler University, receiving a B.S. degree from the Butler University College of Pharmacy in June 1952.

Surviving are: his wife, Carolyn (McClurg) whom he married on June 20, 1954; daughters: Cheryl (Paul) Blakey of Deerfield, IL and Nancy Ribordy of Chicago, IL; sons: Scott (Nadine) Ribordy and Mark (Kay) Ribordy all of Valparaiso, IN; grandchildren: Kevin, Kyle, and Denis Ribordy, Mark and Meghan Blakey, and Nick, Luke, and Leah Ribordy; also surviving is a niece, Lori (Richard) Wallington; and nephews: Brian Weyhe all of Alabama and Bruce (Kara) Weyhe of Georgia. His sister, Marilyn (Ribordy) Weyhe; and nephew, Gregory Weyhe preceded him in death. Compassionately cared for by Linn and Donna Richmond.

Denis served in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps from 1952-1954 at Camp Gordon, GA. He became a partner in the Hill Drug Co. in Augusta, GA and in 1955, had the opportunity to buy into a drugstore at 6th and Broadway in Gary, IN. He became the founder and president of Ribordy Drugs Inc., a 26-store retail drug chain that was sold to Walgreen Company in 1985. He then became president and chief executive officer of Ribordy Enterprises that held eight Hallmark shops, which were sold in 1992. Denis was a director emeritus of the AAA Chicago Motor Club and had served on the AAA Chicago Board since 1980. He was a former chairman of the American Red Cross, Gary Chapter, the Northwest Indiana Forum, and the Affiliated Drug Stores, New York City. Denis was a former president of the Gary Junior Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Indiana Association of Commerce and Industry, Gary Methodist Hospital Board of Trustees, the Town Board of Ogden Dunes, the Lake County Pharmaceutical Association, the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Indiana.

He also was involved in the Indiana Pharmaceutical Association, and the National Association of Retail Druggists and Southern Drug Store Association. He was also a director of the Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Butler University Board of Trustees, Hunter Corporation, Gainer Bank, Mercantile National Bank, Northwest Indiana Forum, Indiana State Board of Pharmacy, City Methodist Church and Trade Winds Rehabilitation Center. He was a non-resident Vice-president of the Indiana Society of Chicago, and a member of the Ogden Dunes Presbyterian Church. Denis received the Gary Jaycees Outstanding Young Man Award, 1962, Listed in Outstanding Young Men in America 1965, Pharmacist of the Year Award, Lake County Pharmacist Association, 1966, Boss of the Year Award, American Business Women's Association, 1966, A.H. Robins Bowl of Hygeia Award (Indiana's Pharmacist of the Year), 1967, U.S. Navy League Man of the Year Award, 1983, SBDC Lifetime Entrepreneur Award, 1992, and the 1997 Trade Winds Man of the Year Service Award, Butler University Trustee Medal of Distinction, 1999. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Robert Orr. In 2008, he was honored to be included in the inaugural selection of the Times Business and Industry Hall of Fame.

In 2009, Denis and Carolyn were awarded the Butler Medal of Distinguished Services. Denis was involved in many civic affiliations including the Indiana Retirement Communities Inc., Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Nature Conservancy, and served as a member of the Post-Tribune Advisory Board 1979-1980. He was also a 50 year member of the Griffith Masonic Lodge #735. Denis served in the Orak Shrine Temple Divan, serving as Potentate in 1979. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, the York Rite and advanced to the 33rd degree in 1981. Denis also served as President of the Great Lakes Shrine Association in 1987. He received the order of De Molay, the Royal Order of Jesters, the Red Cross of Constantine and the Sovereign Grand Commander's Distinguished Service Medal in 2010. Denis and Carolyn established the Denis Ribordy Endowed Scholarship for pharmacy students interested in community pharmacy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denis Ribordy Scholarship in care of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208 or the 32nd degree Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc., P.O. Box 55881, Boston, MA 02205-5881. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, September 7, 2012 from 12:00 to 8:00 PM with a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM at Geisen Funeral and Cremation Services, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, IN. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at Geisen Funeral and Cremation Services in Merrillville, IN. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Geisen Funeral and Cremation Services in Merrillville, IN with Rev. Nancy Becker officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.

Sign guestbook or view directions at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com. (219) 769-3322 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?pid=159675704#sthash.kQ8mg3sh.dpuf

Illustrious Sir William 'Bill' Petrocy, PP

August 20, 1935 - November 7, 2012

Potentate of Moslem Shrine - Detroit, Michigan in 1988

Illus. Sir William 'Bill' Petrocy, William 'Bill' Petrocy, age 77, died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on November 7, 2012 in Mellette, South Dakota.

Bill was the Proprietor of Nick's Jewelry, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Past Potentate Moslem Shrine Center, life member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge #553 F&AM, and Director Shrine Circus, Board of Governor Emeritus Shriner's Hospital for Children, Erie, Penn.

Beloved life partner of Janiece Stahl. Loving father of Alice Petrocy and Susan (David) Pendy. Dearest grandfather of Nicky and Isabelle Pendy. Dear brother -in-law of Ruth Wilson Fain, Brenda Wilson, and Cathy (Paul) Gray. Favorite uncle of Robert, Matthew (Renee), William, Julie and Aya Petrocy. Bill's extended loving family includes uncles, aunts, cousins and so many who considered him a father, uncle, brother and friend. Remington, Bill's loving companion was also killed in the accident and will be interred with his master.

Bill was predeceased in death by his parents, Nicholas and Alice (nee Gloss) Petrocy; brother Robert Petrocy; and former wife, Wanda (nee Wilson) Petrocy.

Memorial visitation Wednesday 3-9 p.m. and Thursday from 3 p.m. until time of Shrine and Masonic services at 7 p.m. at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield, Clinton Township. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Shriner's Hospital Fund for Children, Erie, Pa or Fifth Third Bank for benefit of Tom Thorngate.

Please share a memory of Bill at www.kaulfuneralhome.com. So mote it be - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/macombdaily/obituary.aspx?pid=160977791#sthash.hJQh0PUs.dpuf