David Gerard

David Gerard

On December 10^th, 1959 at 4:44am in East Chicago, IN, God loaned David Gerard Mysliewiec to his parents Lorraine & Theodore.  He returned home on the morning of April 11^th, 2024.

He leaves behind the sorrowful hearts of his many chosen friends & family, including Earl Eby, Bubba,Charlie, Linda, JP,  Jarett, Nathan, Heidi & Joyce, and countless others whose lives were made just a bit more special by knowing David.

Raised in Hammond, Indiana, David became a magician at an early age while in grammar school. After graduating from Gavit HS, he went to Clown College and literally ran away with the circus. 

He took up ‘Clowning Around’ professionally for Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus’ Red Tour, where he entertained thousands as Pockets the Clown. David toured the country on the rails for 11 months out of the year for several seasons alongside over 300 other performers and crew.  

Pockets is known the world over for his Comedic Presence, and his unique unicycle riding & juggling skills.  He left the circus after a 2 year tour in Japan, where as an official of the US Government, his name was shortened and changed.

Upon his arrival back home in Chicagoland, he successfully interviewed with McDonalds Corp., and became Ronald for over 20 years.  The secret of TOM was known to few, and he lived by that code while educating & entertaining students, teachers, and parents throughout NWI and Chicagoland.  His most cherished memories were with the special needs kids of the Ronald McDonald House Charity and Special Olympics.

David loved to garden. He never could cook for one, and loved to cook and bake for others.  His hands were instrumental in feedings hundreds of thousands of people over many years of volunteering with St. Stan’s festivals, Lenten Fish Frys, and 500 Turkeys.

Organizations and Individuals across NWI could rely on David always being ready to help, with time or money, when someone needed it, even if he was hurting himself.  

He was an officer and member of the EC KofC 1700, where he found his way back on stage as a BINGO caller, and although he was probably boo’ed more than applauded while calling, he will be dearly missed by his Bingo Family.

Those friends wishing to celebrate David’s life will gather on Friday, April 26^th from 4-8PM at Acevez Funeral Home.  4918 Magoun Ave. East Chicago, IN 46312.  A prayer service will be held at 7pm by his Brother Knights.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. John Siekierski at 10:30AM on Saturday April 27^th directly at St. Stan’s Church located at 808 W. 150^th St. in East Chicago, IN. 

A private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery will follow.