Louis E. "Lou" Staak

Louis E. "Lou" Staak, 84, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL.

He was born in Fort Wayne, IN and was Vice President of Manufacturing at Franklin Electric for 11 years and formerly worked for General Electric for 29 years.

He was a graduate of North Side High School and Purdue University earning an MS is engineering.

He enjoyed traveling to over 100 countries, including expeditions to the North Pole, Amazon, Africa and Antarctica.

He served in the United States Army during WWII. Survivors include his sons, Thomas (Sharon) Staak of Fort Wayne, Edward (Sheri) Staak of Burr Ridge, IL; three grandchildren; Allison Dettore, Emma Staak, Spencer Staak; and one great grandchild; Montana Dettore.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen in 1997.

Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Avenue, Fort Wayne with Pastor Richard Pagan officiating.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8p.m. Tuesday and after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Entombment in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

Memorials can be sent to the American Heart Association.