"Dearest Mary Ann: I was saddened to read the obituary for your husband, Jack, but was happy to finally have a chance to see the man whom my father called 'friend'. My parents were Bob and Marita Schafer. Often, they spoke of you and Jack and recounted such fond memories and love. Dad has been gone for almost 26 years and Mother died 5 years ago. Please know that my prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with you and your family. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.Lovingly, Marianne Schafer RiesBob and Marita's oldest daughter"
In loving memory of
John Lauck
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Col. John "Jack" H. Lauck USMC - Ret. 84, Indianapolis, lost a final quiet battle and passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2007. He was born in Indianapolis on March 3, 1923. A graduate of Cathedral High School, Jack completed his bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and received both his master's degree in business administration and doctorate's degree from George Washington University. Jack served proudly in the United States Marine Corps for twenty six years. He left the University of Notre Dame prematurely through the Navy's V-12 program which was designed to accelerate the number of junior officers serving in the Pacific Theater. Graduating with the celebrated Special Officer Candidate School class in September 1944, Jack entered the Second World War with his fellow Marines in the newly formed Fifth Marine Division, landing within an hour of the invasion of Iwo Jima and subsequently surviving 36 days thereupon. Jack's service in WWII continued with the occupation of Japan and he was recalled to serve in the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Commendation Medal (both with Combat V), four Purple Hearts, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Navy Unit Citation, among others, for his heroic and brave service. Jack's early Marine Corps experience with the SOCS was featured in the book "We Few" by James R. Dickenson. After retiring from the military as a Colonel, he taught business policy and other courses at Brown University, George Washington University and for the final sixteen years of his academic career at Ball State University. Upon retirement as a professor, he researched and wrote the book "Katyn Killings: In the Record," a historic look at the15,000 Polish prisoners of war during World War II. He also lectured on the topic. He was also the longtime editor of the SOCS Newsletter. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony P. and Marie E. (Habig) Lauck; his three brothers, Father Anthony Lauck, Leo, and Frank; and a sister Marie T. Lauck. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Ann (Bush) Lauck; seven children, Carole (Lauck) Clark (John W.), John A. (Lura), James G. (Kathy), Joseph M. (Julie), Paul M. (Carol S.) Lauck, Mary Gerard (Lauck) Barr (Don), and Anne (Lauck) Mills (Joe IV); nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Agnes Lauck Darko. He was an active member and leader at the Service Club of Indianapolis, the Notre Dame Club of Indianapolis, and the Fifth Marine Division Association. He is also a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Jack will be remembered as a gracious and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend with a grand sense of humor and storytelling who shared his values of education, American freedom, and religious faith. Family and friends will gather on Sunday, April 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2007. You are invited to visit the web site www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of John, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to the Service Club of Indianapolis.
Tributes
"It was an enormous blessing to share in the life and stories of the Service Club of Indianapolis with Colonel Jack Lauck. He was the epitome of a Marine and a gentleman. Those of us who have served our country in close combat share a unique bond, one I shared with Jack. Nonetheless, we are always cognizant of the relative nature of combat operations. Jack resided in the Pantheon of heroes who served in the most legendary of American battles: Iwo Jima, Normandy, Bastogne. I always deferred to him because of his extraordinary service and because he was a gentleman to emulate.May God welcome him to Heaven with a special acknowledgment for his faithful service to God and Country.Semper Fi Jack!Dick ChegarMajor GeneralUSA (ret)"
"Jack Lauck was the personification of the military leader that I learned as a young Cpl in 1948. He accomplished the mission, he took care of his men, and he was not afraid to bend the rules when necessary to get it done.I have always counted myself fortunate to have served with him twice. He was my company commander in Korea and he was my boss when I taught at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.My world is the poorer for his passing.Semper Fi, Colonel,Dale"
"It is with great sorrow for this nice family I send my condolences. I never met Jack, but being a good friend of John and Lura's I heard many great stories of him and the rest of the family. I am sure he will be missed by all. Be assured you will be in my prayers."
"I sat next to Jack for our year at The Indiana College of Mortuary Science (1948-1949) in the class room. He was so well liked and respected by all of us that he was elected class president. I liked him imensely, and laughed with him when he would say "I'm off to see my honey-bunch" which was his bride to be. I last saw him at our 40th class reunion in Indianapolis in 1989, he had just finished his book about the Katelyn killings, and I immediately purchased it. He was a class act in every way. My sympathy to the family. Sincerely, Ryan Bond"
"all my sympathies to the family."
"I had the priviledge of having two classes with Dr. Lauck,1972 and 1973. He was the best teacher that I had at Ball State. May he rest in the peace of Christ."
"I knew of Mr. Lauck only through his son Joe and daughter Mary, both of whom I remember as intelligent, kind and admirable people, and I can only attribute that to their parents. Joe and I were close friends at Burris School here in Muncie, and after all these years I still remember him recounting tales of his dad with amusement, love and awe. I'm sad to hear of his passing, and truly amazed to read of his life. My sincere condolences to Joe, Mary and of Mr. Lauck's children, and especially to his wife. Bless you all.-Mark K. King"
"We Are New Residents Of Lake Maxinhall And Wish To Offer Our Sincere Sympathy To Your Family. "
"I read the obituary in the 3/31/07 Indy Star. Mr. Lauck epitomized the phrase "warrior scholar" and reading about his life made me proud to be an American and a USMC vet. How a Jr. Marine officer could survive 36 days on Iwo Jima is truely epic. I wish I could have met this fabulous man from the "greatest generation."Semper Fi Col. Lauck when you get to heaven you will be in good company. God bless you and god bless America.Ken Lewis USMC 1982 "
"My condolences to the Lauck family for the loss of your loving husband and father Jack. Mr. Lauck was one of the kindest people I ever had the good fortune of meeting in my life. From the early days as an elemetary school kid at St. Mary's in Muncie, Indiana, I remember how generous and patient both Jack and Mary Ann were with me and all the school kid friends of the Lauck children. The times spent playing with the Lauck kids on the "Manning trail" are some of the happiest memories for me. Later, as a college student buddy of Paul, I enjoyed listening to Jack's many great stories. Most of them taught a lesson, but all contained a good dose of humor. Please take comfort in knowing that Jack's sprit still shines on in each of his stories and acts of kindness which have touched so many of us over his remarkable life.The thoughts and prayers of the Dooley family are with you.Mike Dooley"
"My thoughts and prayers are with your family.I am the daughter of Larry and Rosemary (Lauck) Beckham. Jack was my mom's godfather, and he will be missed."
"Dear Mary Ann and family. My sympathy in your loss. Jack and I met at Camp Lejeune in 1944 in the SOCS, shared a tent with Tom Lahood, Ed Leach, Harry Lamport and Lou Lepore at Camp Pendleton, and both survived Iwo, where Leach and Lamport were KIA.Next time I saw Jack was at Ed's funeral in Chicago, when his body was brought bck to the States. Jack drove up from Indianapolis and was a great help to Ed's family in coping with their grief. That must have ben about 1949. I saw Jack and Mary Ann at some of the SOCS reunions in the 1990s. I always enjoyed Jack. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a warm personality, and an idealism and strength of character thatg I admired. He did a wonderful service to all of us survivors by editing his great newsletter.I shall always remember him with pleasure, and I know he has left you with wonderful memories. Craig B. Lemanin the 1990s."
"I knew and respected Jack as a fellow faculty member in the Ball State University College of Business. So full of energy and so willing to share happy greeting. Jack was truely an scholar, an officer, and a gentleman. My condolences to the family."
"I take comfort in knowing that my grandfather, Happy Jack, is now my guardian angel. I hope that my own little military family will make him proud every day. Thank you for your perfect example...Thank you for everything...Thinking of you always, and "May we all meet in heaven"ANDREA"
"I am proud to have known him as a fellow Marine, Service Club member, bowler of some repute, and friend. We enjoyed most Service Club luncheons together and I will truly miss him. Semper Fi Jack!!"
"Although Joy & I knew Jack's cousin George Lauck for many years through the Indianapolis Exchange Club, we didn't meet Jack and Mary Ann until the nineties, when Fred Heckman suggested to me that Col. Lauck would be an excellent source for a history project that our youngest daughter Elizabeth, then a fourth-grader, was working on.Dr. Lauck did far more far better than he had to, and he made an excellent talk to the fourth grade class at Allisonville Elementary School. The children instantly liked and trusted him.His generosity, good humor, erudition and gentle firmness won us all. We have kept in touch since then, and hope that his many fine qualities may be memorialized through their emulation by those who knew him; he left us much to live up to, and he will be sorely missed.May God guard, guide, and bless Mary Ann & the family. Alan Hyde"
" Just now learning of Dr. Lauck's passing, and although quite late, I still need to express my sympathies to his family. I dated one of his sons several years during and after my years at Burris. The day I was to be "formally" introduced to the colonel and Paul's siblings I was all but sick with apprehension. Because of his military bearing and reputation I was quite expecting I wouldn't "pass muster" and to then be unceremoniously dismissed. Imagine my relief at finding a soft spoken gentleman (in every sense of the word) who immediately tried to put me to ease in the front hall. I still remember him chuckling softly and telling me to "