obituaries

Jan 14, 2020

Stephen C. Kurzdorfer, age 64, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020. He was born on May 19, 1955 in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Marian Kurzdorfer. A lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, Steve graduated 3 rd in his class in 1973 from Lake Station Edison High School. He excelled at wrestling, weight-lifting and swimming and was an...

Jan 13, 2020

John L. Carlotta-

Age 83, of Lake Station passed away January 13, 2020 at his daughters' home. He was born on October 10, 1936 to the late John S. and Wava (nee Johnson) Carlotta in Hammond, Indiana. John retired from LTV where he worked as a foreman and proudly served his country in the United States Army....

Jan 12, 2020

Betty Jane Smith Lenaburg, age 94, of Portage, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Beverly Sheets (Jim) Lakomek of Portage, daughter Patricia Hagen of Clearwater, Florida, Sons Dennis Lenaburg of Portage and Ronald (Bette) Lenaburg of Portland, Tennessee, 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by...

Jan 12, 2020

Ronda Lee Worden (nee Henning), age 60, of Portage, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on November 11, 1959.  Ronda practiced dental hygiene for many years and taught at Indiana University Northwest.  She was active and influenced many in the Indiana Dental Hygiene Association where she served as the President, Speaker of the...

Jan 11, 2020

Sharon Kay Salyers (nee Bolen), age 72, of Michigan City, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020. She was born on May 4, 1947 in Rhodell, West Virginia to the late Basil and Osie Bolen. On August 31, 1969, she married her husband, Robert Salyers who preceded her in death in 2009. She was a dedicated member of the Pentecostal...

Jan 11, 2020

CHRISTINE A. FROMAN, age 54, of Portage, passed away, Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Porter Regional Hospital. She was born on June 12, 1965 in Gary, IN.  Christine enjoyed her cats, but above all, she loved her family.  She will be dearly missed.

Christine is survived by her 3 children, Alyssa (Tyler) Zilz, Meagan (Robert) Froman-Rodriguez, and...

Jan 11, 2020

Elaine Duncan, age 89 a longtime Portage resident passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020.  She was born on September 10, 1930 in Crittendon County Kentucky to the late Tom and Beulah McKinney.  In 1947 she married Larnie J. Duncan whom precedes her in death. She enjoyed going for long walks on the beach and in the woods as well...

Jan 11, 2020

Cora Jeanne Adams "Punky", age 76, of Lake Station, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020.  She was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on March 15, 1943 to the late Lawrence and Cora (nee Elman) Adams.

Cora is survived by her special loving partner, Veronica "Vera" Emhof; son, Robert (Gina) Ozelie, Jr.; grandchildren, Stephanie, Ryan, and Briana Ozelie;...

Jan 9, 2020

David L. Giotte, age 86, of Portage and formerly of Hessville passed away Thursday January 9, 2020 at his son's home in Portage.  David was born March 30, 1933 in The Jackson Park Neighborhood of Chicago to the late Fred and Mary (Lee) Giotti.  David was a retired Mail Carrier with over thirty-five years of service. He carried routes...

Jan 9, 2020

Sylvia Pratt, 76, of Hammond, Indiana, entered heaven's gates on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at her youngest daughter's residence, with her loving family by her side. She fought a courageous battle with cancer.  Sylvia was born on September 26, 1943, in Monterrey, Mexico, to the late Guillermo and Emma Hernandez. The family moved to the United States in 1948. ...

Jan 8, 2020

Gerald "Steve" Mantta, age 62, of Lake Station passed away Wednesday January 8, 2020 in his home.  He was born August 1,1957 in Gary, Indiana to the late Gerald D. and Ruth (Suojanen) Mantta. Steve was a retired heavy equipment operator working out of Local Union #150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.  He loved his time spent...

Jan 7, 2020

James R. Hallman

Age 61, of Hobart passed away on January 7, 2020. He was born in Fayette, Alabama on September 26, 1958. He was loved by all that knew him. He will be remembered as a loving brother, uncle and friend.

He is survived by his father, Jerry Bunch of Hobart; brothers, Danny Hallman...

Jan 7, 2020

Merle Quigley

Our much-loved brother has passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 into the hands of God. He was married for over 60 yrs. to his wife, Charmaine (Nee Kennedy) Quigley. He suffered a stroke in April of 2016 and a year later became a resident of Symphony of Chesterton. He and his wife moved to...

Jan 6, 2020

Shirley Elizabeth Stozek (nee Mundell), age 94, passed away Monday, January 6, 2020.  She was born in Hobart, Indiana on April 17, 1925 to the late Joseph and Ethel (nee Gerhart) Mundell.  She enjoyed crocheting, ceramics, crosswords, and was an avid reader and a Chicago Cubs fan.

Shirley is survived by daughters, Debra Stozek, Deidra (Vern) Rhodes;...

Jan 5, 2020

Diane Lynn Wilson, age 71, of Hobart, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020. She was born on March 10, 1948 in Gary, Indiana to the late Harold and Margaret Hanaway. Diane was a 1966 graduate of Emerson High School. She was a dedicated member of the Hobart Church of Christ. She enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles. Diane spent...

Jan 5, 2020

Billy Lee Paceley Sr., age 70, of Hobart IN, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020. He was born on November 22, 1949 in Evansville, In. Bill proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Bill was a loving husband, father and Papas. He was a Steelworker for many years.He was known for his...

Jan 4, 2020

CATHERINE J. "CATHY" RIFFLE, age 74, of Lake Station, passed away January 4, 2020.  She was born in Hobart on November 17, 1945 to the late James J. and Doris E. Riffle.  Cathy worked for many years as a dispatcher for the Lake County Highway Dept.  She enjoyed being outdoors camping or gardening.  Cathy also loved music and traveling,...

Jan 4, 2020

Doris A. Bessigano, age 79, of Lake Station, passed away suddenly at home on January 4, 2020.  She was born in Shell Lake, Wisconsin on January 15, 1940 to the late Joseph and Alice Novotny.  Doris graduated from Hobart High School in 1958 alongside her high school sweetheart and husband of 46 years, Leonard, who passed away in 2007. ...

Jan 4, 2020

Saturnino "Nino" Perez Jr.

Age 71, of Crown Point passed away Saturday, January 4, 2020, in the early morning at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. He was born on September 26, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Saturnino Robert and Esperanza "Hope" (nee Gill) Perez Sr. On June 27, 1970, he married the love of...

Jan 3, 2020

Loving, beautiful mother, Angeline (Albano) Race of Hobart, passed away Friday January 3, 2020.  Angeline was born January 10, 1945 to Dominic and Theresa (Italia) Albano.  She was a long time North West Indiana resident.  Angeline had a penchant for her decorating skills, her sense of humor, a good Yahtzee game, crab legs at the casino boats, a nice...