Obituary of Kalvin S. Waxman

Kalvin Sheldon Waxman, 81, passed away on July 11, 2022.  Kalvin is loved and remembered by his devoted wife of 57 years, Bonnie Jill Pearson Waxman, his daughters Alisa Waxman, Elayna (Marc) Rathmann, and son Joel (Tammy) Waxman and his six grandchildren: Tyler (Becca), Jacob and Megan Waxman (Jack Kennedy), and Sophie, Matthew and Gabriella Rathmann.  He is survived by his uncle, Elliot Weinberg, and his sister, Diane Voight.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Sol and Marion Waxman, and his brother, Irving Waxman.

Kalvin was born on May 21, 1941, to Sol and Marion Waxman, in Chicago, Illinois.  He grew up surrounded by loving parents, doting grandparents, and caring aunts and uncles.  He assisted in the family grocery business.

Kal spent many formative summers at YMCA Camp Eberhart, in Three Rivers, Michigan.   There he met the love of his life, his wife Bonnie.  Kal was a camper and counselor under his mentor, George A. Cooper, and went on to head various programs, serve as Assistant Camp Director and ultimately, Camp Director, during his 25 years there.  He and Bonnie continued to volunteer and support Camp EB through the Alumni Association activities. 

Kal graduated from Adams High School, in South Bend, Indiana in 1959.  Kal received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and his Master’s Degree from Indiana University. 

Kal began his teaching career at Culver Community High School, in Indiana, where he coached basketball, track and created a wrestling program.  In the Fall of 1969, Kal moved to Penn Harris Madison School Corporation – he taught ninth grade Social Studies, then taught Senior Economics at until his retirement.   He was recognized by Junior Achievement of Michiana on multiple occasions, as their Applied Economics Teacher of the Year.   He was also a lifetime member of the National Education Association.

Kal coached Freshman wrestling at Schmucker Middle School from 1969 to 1989, where his teams won over 80% of their dual meets plus numerous invitational tournaments.  He was recognized by the PHM Wrestling program for 20 years of excellence.  Kal also coached ninth grade track at Schmucker from 1969-1982, when he transferred to Penn as an assistant Coach, where he served until 1989.     

A funeral service will be held at McGann Funeral Home in Granger on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT).  Visitation with the family is planned the hour prior to the service.  A private burial will take place in Chicago immediately after the service, where Kalvin will be interred. Rabbi Jay will be leading the burial service and shiva minyan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to YMCA Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI, Logan Center in South Bend, IN, Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, CO, or Sinai Synagogue in South Bend, IN.