obituaries

Feb 22, 2019

Dorothy M. Rzepczynski (nee Rogala), age 90, of Portage, passed away Friday, February 22, 2019 at Chesterton Manor.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on July 11, 1928 to the late Edward and Anna (nee Knapp) Rogala.  Dorothy enjoyed quilting and was a talented embroiderer.  She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother who will be missed...

Feb 21, 2019

Joshua Montain Lewis, age 34, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019.  He was born in Merrillville, IN on September 5, 1984.

Josh is survived by his mother, Kimberly Jean (nee Manns) Taylor; son, Jaden Joshua Lewis; grandmother, Karen Collins; siblings, Joseph Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Harbin; and uncle, Steve (Linda) Lewis.

He was...

Feb 19, 2019

Federico (Freddy) B. Ortiz, age 76, of Portage, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday February 19, 2019. He was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on August 24, 1942 to the late Jesus and Encarnacion (Nee Gutierrez) Ortiz.

After moving to Indiana in 1969 he worked for EJ&E railroad in addition to running a successful business,...

Feb 19, 2019

Mary Kathryn Steerman, age 80, of Lake Station, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 19, 2019 with her daughter by her side. She was born on February 7, 1939 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mary worked as a forklift driver and was a proud member of the Teamsters Union. She loved her family and cherished the time she spent taking care of...

Feb 18, 2019

Theresa Jill Torres, age 60, of Hobart, passed away Monday, February 18, 2019. She was born on December 5, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to William J. and Angela H. Torres. Theresa Jill was employed as a unit secretary for Methodist Hospitals in Merrillville and Gary. She loved her profession because it offered her an opportunity to help people. Theresa...

Feb 14, 2019

Linda K. Ferrell (Nee Bailey), age 70, of Valparaiso passed away Thursday, February 14, 2019 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  Linda was born March 10, 1948 in Fayetteville, West Virginia to the late Aubrey and Julia (Godby) Bailey.  Linda was a former Registered Nurse at Howard County Hospital in Kokomo.  She was a 1966 graduate of River...

Feb 14, 2019

Minnie M. Rodrick, age 90, of Ft Wayne and formerly of Lake Station passed away Thursday February 14, 2019 at her home.  She was born December 28, 1928 in New Plymouth, Ohio to the late Louis and Mabel (Allen) Davis.  Minnie was a homemaker, loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Minnie is survived by her son, Stephen (Donna...

Feb 14, 2019

George R. Tallant "Pete", age 85, of Portage passed away Thursday February 14, 2019.  George was born June 17 1933 to the late Rector and Beatrice (Graves) Tallant in Murfreesboro, Arkansas.  George was a retired carpenter who worked out of Carpenters Local Union #1005.  He was a U S Army veteran who served in Korea.  George loved the outdoors...

Feb 12, 2019

Armando Bahena, age 42, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2019.  He was born in Guerrero, Mexico on August 18, 1976.  Armando enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his children, Stephanie Bahena, Armando Jesus Bahena; father, Miguel Bahena; mother, Lourdes (nee Ledesma) Bahena; grandmother, Oliva Calderon; siblings, Alejandro...

Feb 12, 2019

Walter E. Cisowski Sr., age 87, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2019.  He was born on September 5, 1931 to the late Walter E. and Lillian Cisowski.  Walter was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church and he belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #1347. Walter proudly served his country in the United States Army during...

Feb 12, 2019

Daryl Lester Bateman, age 64, was born August 29, 1954 in Valparaiso, IN and entered eternal life on February 12, 2019 in Hobart, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen (Scott) Bateman-Coleman, Ivan Bateman; step-father, Ralph Coleman; and grandson, Alexander (Bateman) Corbeille.

He is survived by his daughter, Tamera Bateman; grandchildren, Ashley Corbeille, Summer...

Feb 10, 2019

Kathleen M. Spielmann, age 80, of Crown Point, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019 at Brentwood of Hobart Assisted Living Facility with family by her side.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 18, 1938 to the late Laurence and Josephine (nee Sheridan) Masterson.  She attended Aquinas High School.  In October 1958 she married her beloved husband of...

Feb 10, 2019

Edward V. Cosner, Sr., age 82, of Portage, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019. He was born on July 21, 1936 in Wildale, West Virginia to the late Harold and Glenna Cosner. On April 25, 1956, he married Shirley (nee Atkins) Cosner in Osage, WV. Edward was employed as a vending machine repairman. He was a great athlete, a...

Feb 6, 2019

Ronald Graziani, age 58, of Valparaiso passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.  Ronald was born July 2, 1960 in Hammond, Indiana to the late Mario and Dorothy (Udowski) Graziani.  Ron will be deeply missed by his family.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Ronald is survived by one brother, David (Carol) Graziani...

Feb 6, 2019

Mary Dristas, age 88, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019.  She was born on July 16, 1930 to the late Milford and Mary (nee Meloy) Murray.  Mary was a member of St. Bridget Church where she belonged to the St. Anne Confraternity and the St Mary's Auxiliary for 25 yrs. Mary will be remembered as a loving...

Feb 5, 2019

RAMONA R. PFEIFER, age 100, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019.  She was born on October 30, 1918 to the late Stephen and Valentine Marie Flott.  Ramona was a member of St. Bridget Church where she belonged to the St. Anne Confraternity. She retired in 1989 from JC Penney after working for 17 years as a seamstress. ...

Feb 5, 2019

Thomas L. Beird

Age 80, of Hammond, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Munster Community. Thomas proudly served his country as a sharpshooter in the United States Army. On February 19, 1966 Thomas married the love of his life Rita Del Castillo at Holy Name in Cedar Lake. Thomas was a member of St. Thomas More...

Feb 5, 2019

Sandy Haberichter arrived in the world on October 12, 1945 in Burlington, Iowa – a gift to her parents, Lloyd and Roberta Haberichter. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1963 and went on to attend Burlington Community College between 1964 and 1966. She married Jerry Ashmore on April 8, 1972, and they made a home in Lake Station...

Feb 5, 2019

Barbara G. (nee Rader) Burkhart, age 72, of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019. She was born on January 11, 1947 in Richwood, West Virginia to the late Lewis and Ruth Rader. On April 28, 1966, she married Ronald J. Burkhart in Smithers, West Virginia. Together they moved to Northwest Indiana in 1972. She was a dedicated...

Feb 5, 2019

HARRY R. LUKE, age 90, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at VNA Hospice.  He was born in Hobart on December 25, 1928 to the late Raymond and Martha Luke.  Harry was a 1947 graduate of Hobart High School and a retiree of NIPSCO.  He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart.  In his...