A Bridge to the Past
Family
In 1961 Bryon’s Grandparents, John and Alice Mesarch moved from Tolleston to “South Gary,” or “South of Gary,” to the 5300 block of Grant Street. They chose this location to be close to family and built their house next to Alice’s sister and brother-in-law. John worked nearly 40 years for Sears. Alice was a traditional homemaker working for the family and caring for their two children, Ron Mesarch, Bryon’s Dad, and Patty Mesarch, Bryon’s Aunt.
Ron attended Andrean High School and was a part of the first graduating class of 1963. Patty attended Merrillville High School and graduated in 1972.
Ron Mesarch served with distinction in the Army’s 23rd Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Bronze Star twice and also awarded the Army Commendation Medal. After the War, he attended the Worsham School of Mortuary Science where he gained the skills he has used for over 50 years as a Funeral Director. Ron has worked for Geisen Funeral Home since 1972. He has served as Merrillville Jaycees President and also Merrillville Breakfast / Crossroads Kiwanis Club President. He has also served as President of the Northwest Indiana Funeral Directors Association.
Early Years
Bryon grew up in the Miller section of Gary. At this time he attended Nativity of Our Savior Catholic School for 1st through 4th grade. When he was 10, Bryon moved to his Grandmother’s house on Grant Street and attended Edgar Miller Elementary School. He loved playing Little League Baseball for the Geisen Funeral Home sponsored team. Their arch rival, of course, was Pruzin Funeral Home.
Bryon attended Pierce Junior High School and played football as a Pierce Pacer. Harrison Junior High School was the crosstown rival there. While at Pierce, Bryon was a member of many clubs including Chess & Games club. Bryon also served as a Planetarium Assistant at the Merrillville Community Planetarium under Director Gregg Williams. Our Planetarium’s theater has just been renamed for Mr. Williams as a sign of appreciation for his 38 years of devoted teaching.
Bryon then attended Merrillville High School. He is a 4 year Letterman, earning Varsity his Freshman and Sophomore years as a 300 meter Intermediate Hurdler, and as a Junior and Senior he Lettered in Soccer. Bryon was also Basketball Manager under Coach Jim East his Junior and Senior year. He was a photographer on the Journalism staff taking pictures for both newspaper and yearbook. His senior year, he developed and printed over 75% of the pictures that went into the yearbook that year. The other photographers LOVED this. Bryon also made a case to Merrillville Town Counsel to make Earth Day an “officially” recognized holiday in our town. He collected signatures from over 100 seniors at the high school and presented the plea to Town Council.
After high school, Bryon attended Indiana University Northwest studying criminal justice. He joined the Merrillville Police Department’s Cadet program to gain further skills and experience in law enforcement. In this program he received training from various organizations including the FBI. Bryon rose to the rank of sergeant. Officer Jim “Buddha” Guerney was his Field Training Officer.
When Bryon wasn’t in school, he was most likely doing a “ride along” on patrol with FTO Guerney. This experience helped Bryon gain intimate knowledge about all of Merrillville’s nooks and crannies.
Nowadays
Bryon has lives in “High School Heights” (Merrill Heights) for the past 25 years where he owns his home.