obituaries

Jul 15, 2026

SUSAN M. “SUSIE” TELLEZ, age 53, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 28, 1973, to Richard and Ramona (nee Salinas) Tellez. Susie was a graduate of Crown Point Special Education Center and more recently attended the Center for Possibilities, which she loved. Susie was our “Dancing Queen” and...

Jul 14, 2026

Kenneth R. Ewell, age 79, of Lake Station, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026. He was born on April 28, 1947, to the late Glen and Norene Ewell.

Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Navy before dedicating his career to serving his community as a police officer for the Town of New Chicago. He was a proud...

Jul 12, 2026

Rosetta (nee Lucas) Bailey, age 89, of Crown Point and formerly of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026. She was born on August 12, 1936, in Boissevain, Virginia, to the late Samuel and Blanche (nee Grosclose) Lucas.

On May 28, 1955, Rosetta married the love of her life, Thomas E. Bailey. She dedicated many years to working as...

Jul 10, 2026

Sharon A. Gast (née Jackson), age 79, of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was born on January 12, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Jess and Florence Jackson.

Sharon was a proud 1965 graduate of Hobart High School and treasured the lifelong friendships she maintained with her classmates, enjoying every opportunity to gather with them...

Jul 9, 2026

MARILYNN J. PAVESE, age 90, of Peoria, AZ; formerly a resident of Janesville, WI, passed away on July 9, 2026. She was born on May 18, 1936, to the late David and Ora McEwan. She worked for many years on the assembly line at Parker Pen, where she met many lifelong friends. She spent many years volunteering at Mercy Hospital...

Jul 8, 2026

In Loving Memory of Mary Jean Thyen (October 21, 1941 – July 8, 2026)Mary Jean Thyen went home to be with the Lord on July 8, 2026. She is survived by her brother, David Thyen (special friend Bobbi), her niece and nephews Rick (Stacy), Rob, and Sue (Bob Behnke). Great niece and nephews Sam and Alex Thyen and Lauren, Jack,...

Jul 7, 2026

Jul 7, 2026

DANIEL PAUL PANCER, age 43, of Hobart, IN passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family after a brief and courageous fight against an aggressive form of metastatic cancer.

He was born in Valparaiso, IN on June 14, 1983 and was a graduate of Hobart High School. He loved trucks, bonfires, music, movies, Bob Ross, everything to...

Jul 6, 2026

Terry Alan Pappas, of Chesterton formerly of Portage and Gary, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026. He was born to the late Thomas A. Pappas Sr. and Dorothy E. Pappas. Terry served his country in Vietnam in the U.S. Army. He worked for Midwest Steel and was formerly the Union President of Local 6103. Terry enjoyed working around the house...

Jul 4, 2026

Bobby Ray Blair, age 76, of Portage, formerly of LaPorte County, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 3, 1950, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bobby spent his childhood years in Montana, earning the nickname "Montana Bob". 

Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Army during the...

Jul 3, 2026

It is with heavy hearts and profound love that we announce the passing of Viola “Violet” Jackura, who left this world peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 97. Born on November 11, 1928, in Hammond, Indiana. Violet was a cherished daughter of John and Stella Wolendowski.

Violet married, Mike Jackura, on October 28, 1951. Together, they built a...

Jul 1, 2026

Christopher Michael Winicky, age 53, of Hobart passed away Wednesday July 1, 2026, at St Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Chris was born August 30, 1972, in Gary, Indiana to Otto and Renee (Menear) Winicky. He was an auto painter that worked for many local body shops including Damage Auto Werks in Lansing, Illinois. He loved cars and he loved...

Jun 29, 2026

Priest Smith ‘Bull”, age 83, of Lake Station, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 31, 1943, in Prattville, Alabama, to the late Leonard and Corene (nee Mims) Smith.

Priest was one of nine children, growing up with six brothers and two sisters. Along with his...

Jun 29, 2026

PATRICIA L. ADAMCHIK, age 68, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026. She was born on January 8, 1958 in Johnstown, PA. She was a 1976 graduate of Hobart High School. Patricia was formerly a member of Assumption B.V.M. Catholic Church and had been attending mass at the Salvatorian Fathers Monastery. She will be remembered as a loving daughter,...

Jun 28, 2026

James “Jim” H. Bridges, age 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 5, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Maurice V. Bridges and Trula (nee Beeler) Bridges. Jim was a hardworking man who dedicated his life to providing for his family. He was a retired meat cutter...

Jun 27, 2026

In Loving Memory of Djuro Kolundzija

Djuro Kolundzija, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, at the age of 61, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on December 20, 1964, in Glina, Croatia, Djuro was the beloved son of the late Milan and Jelica (née Djankovic) Kolundzija. He carried with him the values of hard work, kindness,...

Jun 26, 2026

Mary Louise Osiel (nee Jones), age 82 of Valparaiso and formerly of Hobart passed away June 26, 2026. She was born on January 17, 1944, in Hopkins, Kentucky to the late J.R. and Dorothy Jones. On June 17, 1969, she married Michael Osiel in Hobart, Indiana. Mary retired from US Steel where she worked in accounting.

She is survived by her...

Jun 23, 2026

Dominick Xavier Ramirez, age 18, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories. He was born on January 3, 2008, in Hobart, Indiana, to Trisha and Anthony Ramirez.

Dom was a cherished son, brother, and friend whose laughter, compassion, and caring heart touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He...

Jun 23, 2026

Lisa Ann Mayer, age 63, of Hobart passed away Tuesday June 23, 2026, at her daughter’s home. She was born August 6, 1962, in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Linda (Clingan) Gavelek. Lisa was an administrative assistant for Meade Electric Company. She is loved by her family and will be missed. Lisa enjoyed traveling, cooking, and crafting. She...

Jun 23, 2026

Owen Henry Held, Jr., age 53, a longtime Portage resident, passed away Monday, June 23, 2026. He was born on November 3, 1972. Owen grew up in Hobart and attended Hobart High School, Class of 1991. He worked as a Concrete Finisher for Local 692. Owen was a member of the Portage VFW Auxiliary and enjoyed hanging out with his...