Alfred J. Pivarnik, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Alfred J. Pivarnik
JUDGE AND MRS. ALFRED J. PIVARNIK
Judge and Mrs. Alfred J. Pivarnik were both born in Porter County.
He was the son of John and Josephine Pivarnik who moved to a farm in Center Township on Smoke Road from Lake County in 1919. His maternal grandparents, Valentime and Rose Blastic moved to Porter County a few years earlier and settled in Morgan Township a few miles south. They migrated to this country from Poland to Whiting, Indiana, before coming to this area. His paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Mager) Pivarnik also immigrated from Southern Europe and settled in central Pennsylvania before moving to Lake County, Indiana in the late 1800's.
Brothers and sisters are a twin brother, Robert, William John, and two sisters, Irene Mitchell of Valparaiso and Florence Kelly of Chesterton. Judge Pivarnik was graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1943. He saw active duty with the 15th Airforce of the Army Air Corp during World War II stationed in Foggia, Italy. Upon his return he attended Valparaiso University. He received his LLB degree from that Law School in January, 1951. He later received the Degree of Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University Law School. He was Deputy Prosecutor in 1952 serving under Attorney Clarence Wood and later under Attorney Fred Crumpacker. He served as Prosecuting Attorney from 1959 to 1963. He was elected to the office of the Porter Circuit Court in 1962, taking office in January 1, 1963. He is presently serving in his third term.
On June 19, 1949 he married Catherine Alyea at the Boone Grove Christian Church where they are members. Her parents were Pearl (Sawyer) and Earl Alyea. She has one sister, Ruth Hall of Valparaiso. Her paternal grandparents were Catherine (Quinn) and Fremont Sawyer. Catherine and Fremont Sawyer built the beautiful country home in 1906 now occupied by Catherine and Al Pivarnik. The farm is known as "The Maples" and is situated six and one-half miles from Valparaiso. It has been in the family for seven generations. Part of it was home steaded. Fremont Sawyer was born in 1856, the year in which John C. Fremont was the first presidential standardbearer of the Republican party. Mr. Sawyer cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield, and the family has supported Republican policies ever since. Her paternal grandparents were Mary (Smith) and George Washington Alyea of Boone Township. They came from Ohio.
Judge and Mrs. Pivarnik have five children. Daniel Earl, who married Vicki Beatty and has one son, Chad Daniel. They now reside in Morgan Township. Vicki is attending Valparaiso University. Dan attended Valparaiso University and is a salesman with Indiana Home Improvement. He is also half owner of the Burlington Bait Shop.
Alana Catherine died in infancy.
Edward John is a Certified Recording Engineer having attended the Recording Institute in Chicago. He also attended Purdue University.
Timothy Alfred is attending Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Laura Vicki is a student at Boone Grove School. All her brothers and sister-in-law graduated from Boone Grove High School as did her mother and grandmother.
Mrs. Catherine Pivarnik received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education and the degree of Master of Education from Valparaiso University. She teaches at Parkview School in Valparaiso. The family represent the qualities which constitute the truest citizenship and contribute the best elements to the welfare of Porter County.
Source: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County. 1976. A Biographical History of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County, Inc. 180 p.
Page(s) in Source: 144-145
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook