Ike G. Batalis, 70, Bluffton, S.C., formerly of Carmel and Noblesville, died Jan. 23. He was born Oct. 17, 1946, in South Bend to the late George C. and Efthalia (Lambrou) Batalis.
On Jan. 18, 1970, he married Sarah E. (Bartle) Batalis, who survives along with sons George C. Batalis (Carla) of Tampa, Fla., and Nicholas I. Batalis, M.D. (Gretchen) of Charleston, S.C., grandchildren Dennis Batalis, Jack Batalis, Ike V. Batalis and Ella Batalis. Brother Chris G. Batalis and sister Bessie M. Reimnitz predeceased him.
A native of South Bend, Ike was a graduate of Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. He commenced a career in the banking industry in Michigan, rising to become the president and CEO of First National Bank of Cassopolis. In 1983, he was named president of the former Wainwright Bank in Noblesville. He was the founder of MetroBank (the first de novo chartered bank in Indiana in many decades) in Carmel in 1988 and served as its president until its merger with First Indiana Bank in 2003. Upon his retirement from the banking industry, Ike served Krieg DeVault LLP as a financial consultant. He was a member of the board of directors of numerous organizations, including USA Funds, where he served as chairman from 2013 to 2016, Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center and Healthcare Initiatives, Inc. He served the Hamilton County community as a member of the board of trustees of Riverview Hospital for 24 years, retiring as its chairman in 2014, as well as volunteer positions with the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville and the Carmel and Noblesville chambers of commerce.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Gastric Cancer Foundation, c/o The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Pkwy., Cary, NC 27513. Please notate “Gastric Cancer Foundation in honor of Ike G. Batalis” on the memo line.
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