obituaries

Jun 2, 2019

Casimiro G. Lara, age 77, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019. He was born on October 22, 1941 in Big Spring, Texas to the late Juan and Inez Lara. He was retired from Local# 81 Laborers Union. He was a dedicated member of Defenders Faith Center in Lake Station.

He is survived by his beloved...

Jun 2, 2019

William Earl Jackson, age 80, of Portage, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019. He was born on October 2, 1938 to the late L.E. and Katherine (nee Scott) Jackson in Manila, Arkansas. On April 13, 1985, he married Diane Neloff. William retired from Inland Steel and proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  He will be remembered...

May 31, 2019

Betty Jane Sullivan, age 91, of San Pierre, Indiana passed away Friday May 31, 2019 in her home.  Betty was born January 25, 1928 in Clay City, Indiana to the late Roy and Juanita (Miller) Everwine.  She was a former waitress for Bellas Drugstore in Gary.  On January 10, 1950 she was married to Lewis Sullivan.  She was a...

May 29, 2019

Sarah E. Hopper, age 40, of Lake Station, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on December 22, 1978 to the late Lecil and Donna (nee Laskowski) Hopper.  She worked as a receptionist for Healthy Kids at Community Hospital.  She enjoyed giving back by doing cancer walks...

May 29, 2019

Dianne Marie Durko, age 74 a longtime Hobart resident passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019.  She was born on July 10, 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Steve and Olga Cvetetic.   She was a member of Assumption BVM Catholic Church in New Chicago for many years. Dianne excelled at track and field at Emerson High School in Gary...

May 25, 2019

Shirley Teresa Massey was called home to God on Saturday, May 25, 2019. She was born to the late Anthony and Anna (Garber) Parthun on March 20 th 1936. She was preceded in death by her two sisters: Anne Aydelotte and Madeline Lesch.

She was a wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. Shirley graduated from Emerson High School...

May 23, 2019

Brian K. Lennex

Age 62, of Porter passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019. He was born on January 11, 1957 in Rushville, Indiana to Richard and Marie (nee Shafer) Lennex. On June 25, 2014, he married Hellen R. Lennex at Dunes State Park. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and...

May 23, 2019

Terry Dale Hunt, age 61, of Portage, Indiana passed away at his home on Thursday May 23, 2019.  Terry was born June 9, 1957 in Gary, Indiana to the late Glendle Allen and Zelma (Karnes) Hunt.  He was a disabled construction worker that had worked for Harvey Concrete.  Terry was a life-long area resident.

Terry is survived...

May 20, 2019

Joan Will, age 87 of Demotte, IN. and formerly of Portage passed away Monday, May 20, 2019 at Oak Grove Christian Village in Demotte. She was born on July 11, 1931 in Gary, Indiana to the late Reynold & Dorothy Allen. She married the love of her life the late Earl Louis Will on August 19, 1950 at Garyton...

May 20, 2019

Pamela K. O'Connor, age 61, of Portage, passed away Monday, May 20, 2019. She was born on March 11, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to the late Harold and Mary Rosendaul.  She formerly worked as a Blackjack Dealer at Trump Casino and was a member of the American Legion. In her free-time, she enjoyed BINGO, Bunco, going to the Casino,...

May 19, 2019

Amelio Gonzalez, Jr., age 66, of Lake Station passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019 at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on April 6, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to Amelio and Liduvina Gonzalez. Amelio formerly worked as a supervisor for Area Transportation. In his free-time, he enjoyed fishing, woodcarving and camping. He will always be remembered...

May 19, 2019

Eugenia E. "Genie" (Pfister) Hewitt Somers age 85 of Westville, IN, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Genie was a dispatcher and self-employed for many years.  She was a member of ABATE Region 2 and former member of the Calumet Yacht Club.  She loved her family, friends, playing cards and hosting parties.  Genie is survived by her loving...

May 14, 2019

Donald R. Griffith, age 82, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.  He was born in Gary, Indiana on May 27, 1936 to the late Raymond and Margaret (nee Binkley) Griffith.  He retired after 39 years of employment from US Steel.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 63...

May 12, 2019

JOAN MILDRED MILLER, age 89, of Valparaiso and formerly of Villa Park, IL passed away May 14, 2019, at Avalon Springs.  She was born in St. Petersburg, FL on November 19, 1929, to the late R. Frank and Susan Miller. Joan made headlines in 2011 when, at age 81, broke her ankle after fulfilling an item on her...

May 11, 2019

William L. Roop, age 59, of Lake Station, passed away suddenly Saturday, May 11, 2019. He was born at home on March 30, 1960 in Wheeler, Indiana to Billy Joe and Shirley Roop. Willie proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army.  He was employed as a route driver for Able Janitorial Supply. In his...

May 10, 2019

Christopher Loda, 57, died on May 10, 2019 at his Hobart, Indiana home. Christopher was born on August 4, 1961 and raised in Merrillville, Indiana by his mother, Marguerite "June" Loda and father, Alex J. Loda. Christopher will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Monika Loda (Jardine) and his children, Alexander Loda and Ambour Loda. He will also be...

May 10, 2019

Peggy Delores DeGaetano, age 88, of Portage, passed away Friday, May 10, 2019. She was born on November 18, 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Marvin and Ethel Lawson. Peggy was a member of Hope Lutheran Church as well as the VFW Post# 9323 Auxilliary, the American Legion War Mothers, and the Hobart Elks. She volunteered her time...

May 9, 2019

Helen Brincko, age 95, of Ogden Dunes, passed away at home on Thursday, May 9, 2019.  She was born in Sagamore, Pennsylvania on August 30, 1923 to the late Gustoff and Barbara (nee Hydee) Burinda.  She was a devoted member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Station.  Helen was a skilled artist, excellent seamstress, and enjoyed gardening. ...

May 8, 2019

Carl F. Waters Sr., age 87 a longtime Merrillville resident passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019. He was born on June 26, 1931 in Gary, Indiana to the late Herman and Mary Waters. Carl served his country in the U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict. He retired from U.S. Steel where he worked as a Chemical Technician. Carl was...

May 6, 2019

Rhonda H. Forst, age 54, of Portage passed away Monday, May 6, 2019. She was born on December 26, 1964. Rhonda was a great person; she enjoyed music, her cats and her friends.

She is survived by significant other, Dennis Cummings and ex-husband, Ralph Forst.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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