obituaries

Jun 22, 2025

Paul Michael Dec, age 81, a longtime Portage resident  passed away  Sunday, June 22, 2025.  He was born on December 27, 1943 to the late Albert R. and Pauline V. Dec.  Paul graduated from Wirt High School in 1962.  He went on to serve his country in Vietnam in 1965 to 1966.  On April 14, 1973 he married Catherine...

Jun 22, 2025

Donagene (Sturtz) Breshock, age 93 of Hobart passed away Sunday June 22, 2025, at the Brentwood of Hobart surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 11, 1932, in Lanark, IL to the late Cloyd and Elsie (Helder) Sturtz. She was a teacher at the Nathan Hale School in Lansing, Illinois and she worked many years as a...

Jun 22, 2025

Rozanne Horn

Age 89 of Hobart passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Valparaiso Care and Rehab. She was born on December 5, 1935, in Hammond, Indiana to the late Michael and Elizabeth (nee Gottschling) Wolucka. Rozanne was a member of United Methodist Church and maintained a fulfilling role as a stay-at-home mother, prioritizing her family's well-being....

Jun 20, 2025

James E. Wilshire, age 76, of Lake Station passed away Friday June 20, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Northwest Health-Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. James was born March 17, 1949, in Clinton, Tennessee to the late Homer and Offie (Kennedy) Wilshire. He retired from LTV Burns Harbor Plant 84inch roll mill. James was a proud member of the...

Jun 19, 2025

Ricardo Javier Tejeda, age 56, of Hobart passed away unexpectedly on Thursday June19, 2025. Ricardo was born December 17, 1968, in East Chicago, Indiana to Alfonso and Maria (Quiroga) Tejeda. Ricardo was an intermodal equipment operator for the BNSF Railroad. Ricardo loved spending time with his family, fine cigars, going for rides with his dogs in his Tahoe, grilling...

Jun 17, 2025

Nancy M. Pahr

Age 61 of Hobart passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. She was born on May 7, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Stephen Sr. and Kathleen (nee Carroll) Farley. Nancy was a member of the Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Crown Point, Indiana.as a devoted...

Jun 17, 2025

Renate Caimens "Oma" (nee Grotz), age 91 of Portage passed away June 17, 2025. She was born on October 2, 1933, in Wangen im Allgäu, Germany to the late Josef and Aloisia Grotz.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Edward) Skaggs; sons, Peter Mauch, Kenneth (Julie) Rackow, Richard Mauch; 8 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.

Jun 16, 2025

James A. Smith "Jimmy", age 40 a lifelong resident of Portage passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born on September 12, 1984, in Merrillville, Indiana. He worked as a diesel mechanic for Old School Refrigeration. Jimmy enjoyed fishing and classic rock music. He was an animal lover and cherished his family.

He is survived by...

Jun 16, 2025

Allen Anthony Varga, age 51 a longtime Valparaiso resident passed away Monday, June 16, 2025.  He was born on December 6, 1973 in Valparaiso, IN. Allen was an avid reader who also enjoyed camping and painting acrylic on canvas.

He is survived by his father, Bert Varga of Lake Station, IN; one sister, Tina (John) Varga-Jones of...

Jun 15, 2025

Fred Olivarri, age 65 of Hobart, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025. He was born on July 22, 1959, in Gary, Indiana. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Olivarri; son, Freddie Olivarri; daughter-in-law, Rhondi (Johnathon Prince) Garrigues; grandchildren, Korbin, Logan, Landon, Austin, Olivia,...

Jun 15, 2025

Dennis R Johnston, 70, passed away peacefully at home June 15 surrounded by family and friends after a brief battle with Esophageal Cancer. Denny was born on December 17, 1954, in Elkhart to George (Ramon) and Betty (Dryden) Johnston. He grew up in Lake Station (East Gary), graduating in 1973 from Edison High School where he was most proud...

Jun 13, 2025

Barbara A. Garrard Crowe, age 88, of Sun City, Arizona and formerly of Portage passed away June 13, 2025. She was born on January 5, 1937, in Oblong, Illinois to the late Ray and Reba Calvert. Barbara retired from Myers Elementary where she worked as a librarian. She was a talented seamstress and loved to quilt. When she was...

Jun 12, 2025

Alma Ruth Jadrnak

age 85 , passed away on June 5, 2025 in Hobart, Indiana. A  Froebel High School graduate. She attended Purdue University and worked as a registered nurse at St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point, Indiana.

Alma is survived by her sister Elizabeth and her husband, Aniceto Camarena.

She was preceded...

Jun 10, 2025

Marilyn Jane Locke Finan Was born May 25, 1925 and passed away June 10, 2025 at her beloved home, known simply as "232" where she lived independently. She was 100 yrs and 17 days. Marilyn outlived nearly everyone from her generation! She was preceded in death by her parents, Anne and Elmo Locke, sister Marjorie Locke Kosnoff, her grandson...

Jun 10, 2025

Robert M. "Wayne" Croft, age 95 of Hobart passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at home. Wayne was born on September 12, 1929, in Rosiclare, IL to the late Earl and Ina (nee Threkled) Croft. He retired from Inland Steel. Wayne loved the St. Louis Cardinals and his grandchildren. He was a member of the Nazarene Church.

Jun 8, 2025

SUSAN CAROL WRABL, age 72, of Hobart, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025 at St. Mary Medical Center. She was born on May 10, 1953 in Hobart. Susan was a Hobart High School graduate and worked as a medical transcriptionist for many years. She married Ewald "Butch" Wrabl at Augustana Lutheran Church, where she was a member. Susan was...

Jun 7, 2025

Preston O. Johnson

Age 74 of Lake Station passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home.

He was born on November 19, 1950, in Albany, Ky to the late Dewey and Lily (nee Goodman) Johnson. On August 31, 1974, Preston married the love of his life, Kathy Johnson, in Portage, Indiana. He retired...

Jun 6, 2025

Thomas J. "Pops" Beyster

Age 78, of Valparaiso passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 6. 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Joseph and Charlotte (nee Skomurski) Beyster. He was a 1965 Fenger High School graduate and proudly served his country in the United States Navy, where he worked...

Jun 6, 2025

Paul E. Sojka

Age 61 passed away Friday, June 6, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 17, 1963 in Hammond, Indiana to Carolyn (nee Fetsch) and the late Edmond Sojka. As a retired Local 41 laborer, he was a diligent worker who enjoyed gardening and took immense pride in caring for his...

Jun 6, 2025

James Rocha, age 53 of Lake Station passed away surrounded by loved ones on Friday, June 6, 2025. He was born on December 8, 1971, in Gary, Indiana to Jesus and Maria Rocha. He was a 1990 graduate of Edison High School and worked at Strack and Van Til, Key Markets and Central Markets for many years.  Jay liked...