Sam (The Fireman) Flitar, age 68, of Hammond, IN passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte (nee Hopp); 2 sons, Nick (Judy Jarosz) Flitar and Allen Flitar; sister, Marianne Woods; mother-in-law, Dottie Hopp; grandchildren, Samantha Flitar, Rose Spencer, Liam and Taylor Collins; step-daughter, Tina (Lance) Collins; Son-in-law, Dean Varshall; sisters-in-law, Doris Schultz and Mary Moore; Brother-in-law, Russ (Connie) Duke; nieces, Kathy (Dan) Piekarski, Patricia (Dick) Smith, and Tracy Moore; nephews, Jim (Sue) Woods, John (Patty) Woods, Jack Woods, David Moore, Rich Moore, and David Duke; numerous cousins, including Lee (Terry) Mount; best friend from childhood, Dennis Williams; and special friends at the Hammond Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 41 years, Carol Moore Flitar, parents, Sam and Mary Flitar, daughter, Diane Varshall, brothers-in-law, Al Schultz, James Woods, and Gordon Moore, and sister-in-law, Patty Duke. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 10 AM directly from Concordia Lutheran Church, 7441 Grand Ave., Hammond, IN with Rev. Ronald E. Saatkamp officiating. Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 3-8 PM at LaHayne Funeral Home, 6955 Southeastern Ave., Hammond, IN and Thursday morning at the church from 9:30 AM until time of services. Those wishing to honor Sam's memory can make a donation to the Hammond Firefighters Union Local # 556 Burn Victims Fund, c/o Ed Lomelli, Pres., P.O. Box 207, Hammond, IN 46320. Sam was a lifetime resident of this area, a retired Sr. Captain from the Hammond Fire Department with 37 years of service (1967-2004) and a member of I. A. F. F. Local #556. He was a lifetime member of the Retired Firefighter Breakfast Club, a graduate of Morton High School (class of 1959), and a decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy (1959-1965). Sam loved his brother firefighters, alive and dead and believed that one should "never let a day go by without making someone smile." For information, call LaHayne Funeral Home at 219-845-3600 or visit www.lahaynefuneralhome.com.