obituaries

Sep 20, 2020

Kathleen Michele Ershick, age 52, of Portage, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on October 13, 1967.  She attended the Special Education Learning Facility in Valparaiso, where she participated in Special Olympics.  She graduated from S.E.L.F in 1987.  She enjoyed listening to music, especially Backstreet Boys, Michael...

Sep 20, 2020

Joseph R. Harbison, age 75, of Portage, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2020. He was born on July 21, 1945 in Gary, Indiana to Bertis and Ruby Harbison. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Joe was employed as a carpenter. He was a member of the Carpenter and Millwright local #1005 and the American Legion Post...

Sep 19, 2020

Edward "Eddie" George Simon, age 67, of Portage, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.  He was born in Gary, Indiana on December 19, 1952 to the late Fred and Nancy (nee Fell) Simon.  He was an avid Sox fan and enjoyed spending time with his family. He married the love of his life...

Sep 19, 2020

Kenneth L. Owens, age 91, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2020.  He was born in Johnson City, Illinois on October 4, 1928 to the late Albert and Edna (nee Hardin) Owens. He enjoyed bird watching and fishing.

Kenneth is survived by his daughters, Janet (Sargon) Tamras of Lake Station, Kathleen Krisch of Aurora, IL, Edna...

Sep 18, 2020

Debra Lynn (nee Slavik) Burton, age 69, of Lake Station passed away Friday, September 18, 2020 in St. Mary Medical Center.  Debra was born May 23, 1951 in Gary, Indiana to the late John J. and Joyce (nee Colins) Slavik. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed doing puzzles, cooking and spending time with...

Sep 17, 2020

Eva Reyna was born on June 1, 1959, in East Chicago, Indiana to Ninfa and Pablo Reyna.  She transitioned peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Eva was a hardworking, caring, and honest individual who always valued the love of family and friends. Working through high school as she built her family, Eva was able...

Sep 16, 2020

David W. Griffith, age 72, of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020. He was born on October 10, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late Ermel and  Gwendolyn Griffith. He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelors degree in teaching. Upon graduation, Dave began working for the agriculture department at Purdue University. He taught for many years...

Sep 16, 2020

Maria Auxiliadora Leão Bicalho (Didi), age 90, of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020 in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.  She was born in Oliveira, MG, Brazil on April 22, 1930 to the late Maria Vale Leão and Americo Leão. Ms. Bicalho studied education at Escola Normal in Oliveira, MG, Brazil.  She and her family of three children came...

Sep 15, 2020

Walter J. Kolczak, age 83, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020.  He was born in Gary, Indiana on April 8, 1937 to the late Walter and Stella Kolczak.  He was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church in New Chicago.  He was a member of The National Guard for 15 years.  Walter retired after 37 years of...

Sep 15, 2020

Katherine E. Woodard, age 87 a Hobart resident since 1959, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020.  She was born on August 31, 1933 in Chesterton, Indiana to the late Albert and Elva Brockway.  Katherine worked as an Assembler for Sunbeam Lighting.  She was a member of Barrington Ridge Baptist Church in Hobart.  Katherine enjoyed making decorative pillows, and watching...

Sep 13, 2020

Irene E. Rossi, age 94, of Valparaiso and formerly of Lake Station passed away Sunday September 13, 2020 at the Golden Living Center in Valparaiso.  Irene was born May 9, 1926 in East Chicago, Indiana to the late Adam and Mary Skrzyiarz.  She was a waitress that was a long-time employee of the Cedar Chest Restaurant and several other...

Sep 12, 2020

Edith Odle, age 93, of Portage passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at her daughter's home.  She was born September 14, 1926 in Darmstadt, Germany to the late Heinrich and Marianna (nee Lesnik) Repp. Edith was a Physician Assistant in Germany, travel agent in Gary and a shoemaker at Williams Manufacturing in Portsmouth, Ohio. She will be remembered as...

Sep 12, 2020

Lupe B. Marquez (nee Barraza), age 86 passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020. She was born on September 11, 1934 in Waco, Texas. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend

She is survived by her loving husband,...

Sep 12, 2020

William J. Torres, age 92, of Portage, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 12, 2020. He was born on September 2, 1928 in Arecibo Puerto Rico, to Francisco Jimenez Figuroa and Eloisa Torres Oyola. William retired from US Steel where he worked for 44 years as a heavy equipment operator. He loved his family and dedicated his...

Sep 11, 2020

LYLE RAY DUNIGAN, age 82, of Portage, passed away Friday, September 11, 2020 at St. Mary Medical Center.  He was born on March 17, 1938 to the late William J. and Dorthea Dunigan. Lyle worked as a crane operator for 30 years and retired from US Steel in 1995.  He proudly served his country in the Army and was a...

Sep 10, 2020

Darlene J. "Mum" Lake (Paul), age 80, of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 10, 2020. She was born on March 3, 1940 to Leo and Anne Paul. She met the love of her life, Charles, in the eighth grade and married him on May 2, 1959. Dar and Chuck loved being in the high school...

Sep 9, 2020

Donald V. Burton, Sr., age 79, of Hobart, passed away September 9, 2020 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  He was born in Redbud, Kentucky on August 18, 1941 to the late William and Eva (nee Hamby) Burton.  He enjoyed playing pool, watching birds, but most of all spending time with his grandchildren.

Donald is survived...

Sep 9, 2020

Charles Edward Horn "Chuck", age 66, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2020 following a brief illness. He was born on April 13, 1954 in Gary, Indiana. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Chuck enjoyed family get togethers, traveling on extended road trips, and bowling.  He was an active member...

Sep 7, 2020

Shannon L. Miller, age 66, of Valparaiso passed away Monday September 7, 2020 at The Life Care Center in Valparaiso.  She was born September 3, 1954 in Detroit, MI to the late Joseph E. and Mary A. (Gahara) Smiley. Shannon was a homemaker, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, making jewelry, watching cooking shows and political debates.  She also...

Sep 7, 2020

Carla M. Babich, age 70, of Portage, passed away Monday, September 7, 2020.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on January 31, 1950 to the late Joe and Clara (nee Smith) Strincevich.  Carla enjoyed playing poker and cooking, but most of all she adored her grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Edward...