Victor L. Leal Jr.

Victor L. Leal Jr., age 72, of Griffith, IN passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nilsa (nee Cabrera); daughter, Lyzette (Roland) Austen of Chicago, IL; two grandsons: Hunter and Holden Austen both of Chicago, IL; sister, Rachel Vargas of Schererville, IN; nephew, Jason (Monica) Vargas of Chicago, IL; and niece, Leslie (Stewart) Simon of San Diego, CA. Dr. Leal was preceded in death by his parents: Victor Sr. and Clara Leal; and brother, Ignacio Leal. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3510 Deodar, East Chicago, IN with Rev. Juan Gonzalez CPPS officiating. Cremation to follow service. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Kuiper Funeral Home. Dr. Leal was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Griffith and was a lifelong educator for the School City of East Chicago. He was a former deputy prosecuter in the Gary court system and was a member of the American Bar Association. Dr. Leal was a graduate of John Marshall Law School and a proud alumnus of Indiana University (Bloomington Campus). He was also a member of Lake & Porter Chapters of Phi Delta Kappa. Victor enjoyed writing and was a self-taught musician.