Sherry Lynn Jorczak

Sherry Lynn Jorczak (nèe Hochstedler), born August 10, 1953, in Knox, Indiana, passed away on January 1, 2023, at 69 years of age. Sherry grew up in Denham, and lived just outside of Toto in North Judson, since 1974. She lived and died a life-long North Judson Blue Jay. Sherry passed into eternal life peacefully in the loving arms of her family and extremely gracious colleagues, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac, Indiana, where she worked for the last ten years. Sherry is the daughter of John Albert Hochstedler and Leatrice Hochstedler (nèe Minix), of Denham, Indiana. Sherry graduated from North Judson High School in 1971. She started her career as a factory worker and eventually worked her way into office administration for a number of years, including at North Judson-San Pierre Junior High School. In the mid-90’s Sherry landed her dream job as Human Resources Director at Our Lady of Holy Cross Long-Term Care Facility in San Pierre, Indiana. She worked for many years in the Trinity Health Network as Human Resources Director—ultimately at St. Paul’s Retirement Community in South Bend—before finishing her career as Human Resources Director at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac. Sherry was a servant leader, and modeled servant leadership in everything that she did and in everyone she encountered. She was an avowed believer in, and implemented, Just Culture principles everywhere she went. When you talked with Sherry, she was always present and you knew that you were the most important person to her at that moment. She also devoted her time and talents to various charitable and educational causes, having a special devotion to the Junior Achievement program, whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. Sherry wanted everyone to be their best and to succeed. Despite these professional accomplishments, Sherry is most proud of her boys. She always said that she prayed for daughters and God blessed her with sons. If you knew Sherry, you knew about her boys and how proud she was of them and all their accomplishments. She pushed them, as she pushed everyone, to be the best and to never give up. She loved watching them play sports through high school and loved the Blue Jays. She was the official scorekeeper for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for many years and loved doing it and loved being a part of the action. She always had a word of encouragement for the players as they checked into the game and cheered them on and wished for their success just as if they were one of her own children. She was a radiant, shining, light—a beacon of goodwill and charity to everyone she encountered. She was also a tremendous cook and loved to host and feed everyone that came over to her house. Her kołaczkis were stuff of legend; lasagna the envy of any Florentine; omelets that rivaled any French café; and her St. Patrick’s Day parties, where corned-beef and cabbage was on the menu, attracted family and friends from many miles around. If you attended one of her parties you felt the spirit, heart, and warmth that exuded from her soul. Sherry married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Thomas Alan Jorczak, on August 30, 1974, and they were married for more than 48 years. They have been parishioners of Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson since their marriage in 1974. Sherry is preceded in death by her father, John Hochstedler, and is survived by her husband Thomas of North Judson, her three sons, Thomas Eric Jorczak (Adrianne Ray) of Valparaiso, Indiana, Timothy Alan Jorczak (Jamie Henselmeier) of Normal, Illinois, and Robert Aaron Louis Jorczak (Christin Cunningham) of Noblesville, Indiana, and twelve grandchildren, Sabrina, Mitchell, Benjamin, Samantha, Donovan, Abigail, Rebecca, Carter, Oliver, Emily, Elliot, and Cecilia. She is also survived by her mother, Leatrice Hochstedler, aunts Loretta Craft and Edna Mae Richie, five siblings, Francine Shepherd, Russell Hochstedler, Rhonda McGowen-Adams, Robert Hochstedler, and Ronald Hochstedler, and scores of nieces, nephews, cousins and second cousins, and in-laws. Sherry is dearly loved and will be dearly missed. The viewing will be at O’Donnell Funeral Home at 302 Lane St, North Judson, IN 46366, Friday January 6, 2023 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. C.S.T. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. C.S.T. Saturday January 7, 2023 at Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 303 Keller Avenue, North Judson, IN 46366. The Rite of Committal will take place immediately following the Mass, at St. Jacob’s Catholic Cemetery. A reception and luncheon will follow the Rite of Committal and will take place at North Judson-San Pierre High School, #1 Blue Jay Drive, North Judson, IN 46366. All mourners are welcome and encouraged to attend the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana at the weblink below. You can dedicate your gift to Sherry Jorczak, and under the “Choose Area to Support” button, Sherry would appreciate any gifts be directed to either Starke or Pulaski Counties. https://northernindiana.ja.org/donate/index

Sherry Lynn Jorczak

August 10, 1953 - January 1, 2023