Last Updated on April 4, 2015 by cassnetwork
Dimitar Lazar Nastev, 92 years old, of Logansport, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Thursday, April 2, 2015.
He was born January 1, 1923 in Capari, Macedonia.
A progressive leader, Dimitar fought fearlessly against the oppression of Macedonians and Bulgarians in the former Yugoslavia. Throughout his entire life he was passionate about learning. In Capari, he was a schoolteacher and principal for 22 years. He wanted to open the opportunity of education to children across Macedonia so he spearheaded the construction of the first student dormitories in Capari where children from neighboring villages without schools could live. Dimitar also organized the revival of the cultural theater in Capari, bringing Western cinema and language to his home place.
Dimitar served as a paratrooper for his country in WWII, after which he married his beloved wife of 65 years, Vasilka (1924-2008). Together they left Macedonia with their son, Jone. Dimitar lived in Sydney, Australia for three years before joining his family in the United States in 1970.
Dimitar embodied the American Dream. After arriving in Logansport, he began work at Rockwell and established his own small business, Mahogany, Inc. He was a master carpenter and artist, designing and building custom homes and furniture. A lover of all people, animals and nature, Dimitar enjoyed reading, writing poetry, drawing, calligraphy, gardening, bird watching and woodworking.
He will be remembered with love and respect by his sisters, Viktoria and Luba; son, Jone and daughter-in-law Violeta; six grandchildren, Alekso, Florinka, Marina, Kiril, Kathrine and Viktoria; two great grandchildren, Sophia and Sage, and his extended family, near and far.
He is preceded in death by his son Asparuh; daughter Jordanka; sister Maria; parents Lazar and Menka; and wife Vasilka.
A funeral service will be held at noon on Monday, April 6, 2015, in Fisher Funeral Chapel officiated by the clergy of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church.
Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of the service.
You may light a candle and share words of comfort in his guestbook at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com