John Matthew Hayduk

Valparaiso, IN—JOHN MATTHEW HAYDUK age 71, passed away on February 6, 2025, in Valparaiso, Indiana.  He had battled various health conditions for the last decade to which he finally succumbed.

        John was born on October 2, 1953, in Gary, Indiana to Mike and Dorothy (née Shinners) Hayduk who preceded him in death.  He graduated from Holy Angels Grade School, attended Gary Horace Mann High School and graduated from Chesterton High School in 1971.  From there John attended Marquette University and graduated from Indiana University with a BS and MS in Education.  For approximately 10 years he was an electrician at US Steel Gary Works before pivoting midlife to a career in secondary education.

        John taught English and Journalism at Calumet, East Chicago Central and finally for 27 years at Chesterton High School (CHS).  CHS was a rewarding and enriching experience for both him and his students. John was an honored educator, nine times receiving an Apple award as an influential educator at the Top 5% graduation banquet.  John established a successful and decorated journalism program, serving as faculty advisor for The Sandscript (newspaper) and The Singing Sands (yearbook).  Both publications received countless awards and distinctions at the local and state level for their excellence. Many of his students went on to study Journalism at the college level and several went on to find positions in the national media.

        In November 1977, John married his true love Patricia (Patti) Cook. She preceded him in death in November 2003 after a brave fight against ovarian cancer.

        John truly enjoyed teaching. Many of his students remained lifelong friends, and he was proud to have been helpful in their success. 

        John is survived by brother Michael (Trish) of Munster, sister Elizabeth of Chicago, sister-in-law Mary Lynn Cook Kinsel (Phil) of North Salt Lake City, UT; brother-in-law Dan Miller (Kathy) of Marietta, GA; nephew Marc Miller of Woodstock, GA; niece Carolyn Miller Huresky (Gary) of Crested Butte, CO and many first and second cousins from the Hayduk/Shinners families.  As a true regionite, John faithfully followed the fortunes of Indiana University sports and The Chicago White Sox.

        There will be a Celebration of Life visitation at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Road in Chesterton, on February 14, 2025, at approximately 9:15am.  A Mass of Christian burial will follow with Father Gerald Schweitzer celebrating. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery, 300 E. Porter Avenue immediately following.

        Arrangements are being coordinated by WHITE-LOVE FUNERAL HOME, 219-926-1309 and online memories with John can be shared at whitelovefuneralhome.com.

        In lieu of flowers, John respectfully asked for donations to the Patricia A. Hayduk Dental Hygiene Scholarship at Indiana University Fort Wayne School of Dental Hygiene, fwfinaid@iufw.edu, 260-257-6760.

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