Edmund Charles Mesterharm

Edmund Charles Mesterharm, 67 of Indianapolis, IN passed away August 22, 2009 at his home of natural causes. He was born September 3, 1941 in Hammond, IN to Edmund Herman and Marian Elizabeth Nau Mesterharm, Ed was the oldest of eight children. He is preceded in death by his parents. Ed is survived by his oldest son Dennis Mesterharm, daughter-in-law Kelley Wilson Mersterharm , his two grandchildren, Samantha and Toben, all of Indianapolis, and his youngest son Patrick Mesterharm, of Los Angeles, CA. He is survived by his siblings and other family members including, Charles and Marilyn Mesterharm of Crown Point, IN, Dean and Mary Carolyn of Waynesville, NC, ElizabethBetsyand Larry Schuster of Port Orchard, WA, James Mesterharm of Highland, IN, Felix and Mary of Chicago, IL, Mary Alice and Richard Knuck of Tucson, AZ, and Alan Mesterharm of Houston, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. Also, by his foster son and family, John Maison of Atlanta, GA. His will missed by his good friends Robert Wyse of Indianapolis, IN and Dennis Underwood of New Albany, IN. After enjoying a childhood in Highland, IN, Ed graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago and St. Edward's University in Austin, TX. He was a passionate humanitarian who found a special calling with the Indiana Army National Guard as an award-winning career counsler with a reputation for enabling higher-educational opportunities for many young men and women. After retiring, as Guard Sergeant, First Class, he was asked to lead the effort to establish a Registered Apprenticeship for both Army and Air Guard members. As the Guard's military apprenticeship coordinator, Ed worked closely with the Indiana OATELS staff and created the nationally recognize Indiana Military Apprenticeship ProgramINMAP. Ed was a member of Knights of Columbus and as a devout Catholic, attended a variety of churches including his cherished Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY. He loved to read and was especially interested in and knowledgeable about history. He enjoyed traveling, camping, kayaking, cycling and spending time with his grandchildren. On Thursday, August 27, 2009, St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, IN will host a Visitation from 10am-12noonCST with a service at noon. Burial will follow directly at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Shererville, IN. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Abby of Gethsemani 3642 Monks Rd., Trappist, KY 40051.