Remembering Past F.O.P. Members
We pay tribute to our Brothers and Sisters whom we have lost. They will always hold a special place in our hearts and we will keep their memory alive with our future members.
Thomas E. Hosler
August 14, 1940 ~ June 10, 2024 (age 83)
Thomas E. Hosler, 83, of Bristol, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, at Elkhart General Hospital.
Tom was born on August 14, 1940, in Elkhart to the late Lester E. and Mary E. (Goudy) Hosler. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Patricia Kauffman and Carole Cudahy, two brothers, Richard and Robert Hosler and a son-in-law, Ian Morrell.
On February 17, 1962, in Elkhart, Tom married Patricia S. Lantz. She survives along with two daughters, Amanda Morrell of Trabuco Canyon, CA and MaryAnne Hosler of Bristol and three grandsons: Jeffrey Hosler of Miami Beach, FL, Connor Morrell of Indianapolis and Colin Morrell of Pasadena, CA.
Tom graduated from Elkhart High School and served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Jason. He began his working career at the Elkhart Police Department where he was employed from 1966 until 1987. He worked his way up to captain of the uniformed division. He then worked in sales for Haulmark Industries from 1987 until 2007 when he took a position in sales at Look Trailers. He worked at Look Trailers from 2010 until his retirement in 2020.
He was a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, the Elkhart F.O.P. Lodge 52, the Knights of Columbus Council 1043 and was also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus Council 2035. Tom also enjoyed coaching baseball at the F.O.P. park where he coached the Babe Ruth league. He also coached at Harris Little League in Granger and in Bristol.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church 411 W. Vistula St. Bristol. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. The Rev. Robert Van Kempen will officiate and burial will be in St. Vincent Cemetery. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions in memory of Tom may be made to St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church or the Humane Society of Elkhart County 54687 C. R. 19 Bristol, IN 46507.
Carl L. Harrison
November 27, 1947 ~ February 17, 2024 (age 76)
It is with the saddest of hearts, but the fondest of memories, that the family of Carl L. Harrison announce that he passed away at his home in Yuma, Arizona, on Feb. 17, 2024. He was 76.
A native son of Elkhart, Carl was born to Ruth and John (Jack) Harrison on Nov. 27, 1947. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1965.
While still in high school, Carl worked for the Elkhart Truth as a photographer, even capturing aftermath photos of the infamous Palm Sunday Tornado outbreak. Post-graduation he continued with The Truth until enlisting in the Army in August of 1966. He was sent to the Vietnam War after enlistment and captured the war once again through the lens of a camera, as a combat photographer. His time with the Army ended in 1969, and he served with the reserves until he was given an honorable discharge in 1972.
Carl continued his call to service at home, joining the Elkhart Police Department in 1969. As a member of the EPD he was one of the city's motorcycle cops, a member of the SWAT team, and received multiple commendations. Some may remember his time as "Officer Friendly" with the Elkhart Community School System. Carl was especially fond of his time working with young people and students, during a period of sometimes tumultuous social change. He retired from the EPD in 1989. Carl also worked as an auctioneer, locksmith, Methodist lay pastor, and financer at Trailer Town RV.
Carl is survived by his wife, Sharon Harrison (McKinley), also from Elkhart. Carl and Sharon moved to Yuma, Arizona, in 2008 to seek warmer weather. This was an opportunity for Carl once again to serve his country as a "Big Brother in the Sky" for the local Marine Corps base. He lived life to the fullest in Arizona, and with faith continued their mission to serve God and others.
Carl is also survived by his six children, Kurt (Judy) Harrison, Lana (Doug) Stutsman, Sean (Hiroko) Harrison, Adam Harrison, Ryan (Carol) Harrison and Sara (Mohammed) Harrison; grandchildren Carl (Paige) Stutsman, Amanda Harrison, Kyle (Marlana) Stutsman, Megan Harrison, Helen Stutsman, McKailah Harrison, Samuel Harrison, sisters-in-law Judy McKinley and Vicky Miller, niece Nakkia (Justin) Fisher (Miller), nephew Eric (Hillary) Miller, brother Larry Harrison, and two great-granchildren who reside in Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and John(Jack) Harrison, Mae and Robert McKinley, and a grandchild Emily (Kurt and Judy Harrison).
Carl's legacy will forever be the indelible mark he left on the people around him, seeing every interaction as an opportunity to create positive and lasting bonds through humor, empathy, faith and kindness. In a world full of people finding reasons to hate, his life's call was to love.
Memorial services are pending; further announcements will be made through family via social media.
Thomas K Balyeat
November 1, 1945 ~ March 1, 2024 (age 78)
Thomas K. Balyeat, 78, of Granger, formerly of Elkhart, died on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Woodland Manor Nursing Home in Elkhart after a brief illness.
Tom was born November 1, 1945, in Elkhart to the late Elmer and Phyllis (Hart) Balyeat. He was also preceded in death by a son, Kelly Balyeat and a daughter, Kristin Claybrook.
He married Karen J. Atwater on February 17, 1980, in Las Vegas. Karen died on February 22, 1996. He then married Sandra M. Roberts on May 21, 2000. She survives along with sons: Jeffrey R. (Jennifer) Balyeat of Goshen, Casey Balyeat of CO, Josh (Jamie) Balyeat of Elkhart, Chase (Jen) Booth, Neal (Elizabeth) Booth and daughters, Kim Myers of Indianapolis, Heather (Robert) Weber, Holly Dexter and Heidi Booth. Tom is also survived by twelve grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Tom retired from the Elkhart Police Department after a 40-year career, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief at one point. He enjoyed golf and was a member of Bent Oak Golf Club where he played as often as he could. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a door gunner in Viet Nam. He enjoyed dancing at the Brookdale Club and playing Euchre with his friends. He was also a member of the F.O.P. Lodge #52 and enjoyed Notre Dame football and Indiana University basketball.
Graveside services will be held at the Faith Mausoleum at Rice Cemetery on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 1:00 PM. Chaplain Jim Bontrager with the Elkhart Police Department will officiate and military honors will be rendered by the Elkhart Veteran Honor Guard as well as active-duty soldiers with the United States Army. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorial contributions in memory of Tom may be made to Cancer Resources for Elkhart County 23971 US-33 Elkhart, IN 46517.