obituaries

Jun 19, 2019

Ruby J. Fortenberry (nee Putman), age 83, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019. She was born on October 1, 1935 in Alabama to the late Alton and Ida Putman.

Ruby is survived by her children, Jack Fortenberry, Patricia Sanchez, Terry Fortenberry; grandchildren, Carlos Sanchez, Jessica Fortenberry, Savannah Fortenberry; sister, Evelyn Putman.

She was...

Jun 19, 2019

Estelle A. Wojcehowski (nee Sokol), age 94, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at St Mary's Medical Center.  She was born on February 15, 1925 to the late Joseph and Kunegenda Sokol. She retired from St. Mary's Medical Center as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of Assumption BVM Church and enjoyed playing Bingo with her...

Jun 19, 2019

Brenda C. Harmon, age 74 a longtime Lake Station resident passed away, Wednesday, June 19, 2019.  She was born on February 7, 1945 to the late Louis Earl and Clarice Virginia Barnhart.  She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Portage.  Brenda loved flowers and worked for Kellen's Florist for 10 years and then later opened Brenda's Flower...

Jun 19, 2019

Ivan G. Pustik, age77, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village. He was born on May 21, 1942 in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Nettie (Nee Kissel) Pustik. On October 20, 1967, he married the love of his life, Evelyn "Dee" Goll. Ivan was a member of Masonic M.L. McClelland...

Jun 18, 2019

Dennis A. Ryba, age 70, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. He was born on May 30, 1949 in Gary, Indiana to the late Al and Laverne Ryba. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the...

Jun 18, 2019

Donald Wayne Duncan, age 62, of Lexington, Tennessee, formerly of Northwest Indiana passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019. He was born on October 23, 1956 in Gary, Indiana to the late William and Catherine (nee Smith) Duncan. He retired from the United States Postal Service, where he worked as an Electronic Technician.  Prior to the Postal Service, Donald served...

Jun 15, 2019

Shirley Ann Judd, age 73 of Portage passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019.  She was born in Arkansas on November 14, 1945 to the late Charlie and Ethel Earls.  Shirley loved taking care of her children and also loved cooking.

She is survived by five children, Doyle (Tamey) Judd of Henderson, NV; Rebecca Ann Horak of Portage,...

Jun 15, 2019

James W. Gorigus, age 75, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019. He was born on April 20, 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jim proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He retired in 2003 from Bethlehem Steel where he worked as a Roll Builder.

He is survived by his wife, Debra...

Jun 13, 2019

*PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN THE SERVICE TIME FOR DIETER*

DIETER J. "OPA" KEDZIORA, age 73, of Grovertown, and formerly a longtime resident of Portage, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019.  He was born on September 20, 1945 in Germany and came to the United States when he was 9. Dieter served in the US Army and...

Jun 12, 2019

Dora Moore (nee Alsip), age 74, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at home surrounded by her family.  She was born on June 21, 1944 to Frazier and Amanda (nee Adams) Alsip.    She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Dora is survived by her son, Edward (Michele) Moore Sr.;...

Jun 11, 2019

Michael R. Brownfield, age 50, of Gary, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. He was born on June 20, 1968 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Troy and Martha Brownfield.  Michael loved his job working as a wrecker operator for Brownfield's Towing. In his free-time, he enjoyed fishing, camping and being on the...

Jun 11, 2019

Leonard M. Ciesielski, age 84, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital. He was born on August 1, 1934 to the late Leon and Mary (nee Radomski) Ciesielski in South Bend, Indiana. On July 2, 1960 Leonard married Alice Koszyk in South Bend. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force...

Jun 11, 2019

Leonor Cano, age 89, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2019.  She was born on November 5, 1929 in Laredo, Texas to the late Concepcion and Maria (nee Gomez) Escobedo. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her loving children, Angie (Marciano) Martinez, Hortencia...

Jun 8, 2019

Stewart, Frankie Jean (nee Bayor), age 83, passed away on June 8, 2019, at Symphony of Chesterton Rehabilitation Facility.  Born on March 24, 1936, Frankie was a lifelong Hobart resident.  She was an ardent dog lover and a loyal supporter of the Hobart Humane Society.  She was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald L. Stewart, parents Hosea...

Jun 8, 2019

JEFFREY L. GIBSON, age 64, of Dyer and formerly a longtime resident of Lake Station and Hobart, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019.  He was born in Hawaii on April 25, 1955 to the late Joseph and Dorothy Gibson. Jeffrey was a mechanic at Stardust Bowl II for many years.  He was an avid bowler and lifelong San Francisco...

Jun 5, 2019

Joseph A. Scuch, age 75, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was born on February 12, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Louis and Ann Scuch. On August 20, 1966, he married the love of his life, Nancy Kurnat in Chicago, Illinois. Joseph was an attendee of Nativity of Our...

Jun 5, 2019

Phyllis J. Lyttle, age 77, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019. She was born on July 25, 1941 in Harlan, Kentucky to the late Earl and Katherine Rountree. On May 19, 1959, in Jonesville, PA, she married the love of her life, Bill Lyttle. In her free-time, she enjoyed listening to Bill Anderson and going to concerts...

Jun 5, 2019

JOSHUA D. RIEGER, age 41, of Valparaiso, passed away on June 5, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital.  He was born on December 2, 1977 in Valparaiso, Indiana.  Joshua worked cutting trees and was studying to be an arborist.  He will be remembered as a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.

He is survived by his stepfather,...

Jun 5, 2019

ANTHONY KEVIN KIMBRO, age 53, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Willow Crest Pavilion.  He was born on December 27, 1965 to William and Linda (Smith) Kimbro.  Anthony worked for Seattle Sutton as a delivery man.  He will be remembered as a loving son, father, brother, uncle and friend.

He is survived by...

Jun 4, 2019

Mildred Pauline Ragon (nee Loudermilk), age 90, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born on June 1, 1929 in Decker Township, Indiana to the late Joseph and Bessie Loudermilk. She graduated from Purdue University in 1976 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She worked at St. Mary Medical Center for 22...