obituaries

Aug 1, 2019

Margaret B. George, age 91, of Crown Point/LOFS passed away Thursday August 1, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Valparaiso.  Margaret was born April 19, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Martin and Margaretha (Maichel) Heinz.  She graduated from Waller High School in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago and then she attended UCLA.  She was a...

Aug 1, 2019

Donna L. Hunt (nee Boulden), age 75, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019. She was born on February 15, 1944 in Gary, Indiana to the late Robert and Loretta Boulden. Raised on the Southside of Chicago, she was a 1962 graduate of Thornton High School in Harvey, Illinois and then attended Thornton Community College. She married Davey...

Jul 31, 2019

Dennis L. Carr, age 78, of Lake Station passed away Wednesday July 31, 2019.  Dennis was born December 25, 1940 in Pueblo, Colorado to the late Thomas and Frances (Ladd) Carr.  He retired from Illinois Medicar where he was a driver.  He was a member of Faith Mission Church in Portage. Dennis was a former rider with the Spirit...

Jul 31, 2019

Dorothy Hall, age 91 a longtime Hobart resident passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019.  She was born on February 26, 1928 to the late Matthew and Agnes Watson.  Dorothy and her first husband owned and operated Courtney's Barber Shop in Hobart for many years.  She enjoyed gardening, reading, and walking.

She is survived by one sister, Eleanor...

Jul 30, 2019

CAROLE ANN PITLOW, age 75, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2019, with her son by her side.  She was born on January 21, 1944 in Gary, Indiana to the late Walter and Helen Mioduski.  Carole worked as a payroll clerk for the City of Hobart until her retirement in 2007, and prior to that worked as...

Jul 29, 2019

Sharon K. Rushing, age 77, of Portage passed away Monday, July 29, 2019.  She was born on January 31, 1942 in Gary, Indiana to Edward and Wilma (nee DeVaney) Cornwell.  She worked at County Line Orchard in Hobart and was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Portage.  Sharon will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and...

Jul 27, 2019

Patricia L. Fahey (nee Erwin), age 72, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019. She was born on September 25, 1946 in Gary, Indiana to the late Russell and Helen Erwin. She was a 1964 graduate of Hobart High School. On September 10, 1966, she married Richard Fahey at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Hobart.  Trish retired from...

Jul 25, 2019

Daniel L. Keleman, age 24, of Portage, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 25, 2019. He was born on April 3, 1995 in Hobart to Douglas and Annissa Keleman. Dan loved music, liked to play video games and was a huge movie buff. He could tell you anything about any movie. He was also an avid Green Bay Packers...

Jul 25, 2019

Michael Robert Haburjak, age 87 a longtime Portage resident passed away Thursday, July 25, 2019.  He was born on December 8, 1931 to the late Michael and Kathleen Haburjak.  He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.  Mike retired from U.S. Steel with 38 years of service.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and...

Jul 23, 2019

James Leo Grogan, age 76, of Portage passed away Tuesday July 23, 2019 at the Addison Pointe Nursing center in Chesterton.  James was born June 19, 1943 in Gary, Indiana to the late Leo and Marie (Zelenak) Grogan.  He graduated from St. Luke's school in 1957 and Gary Emerson High School in 1961.  He began his career as a...

Jul 22, 2019

GAIL IRENE STOOKEY, age 84, of Hobart, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019.  She was born in Merrill, WI, on October 2, 1934, to the late Roy and Nina Bellin. Gail worked as an RN until she became a mother and homemaker.  She was known as a neighborhood mom to all her children's friends, and always supported her children...

Jul 22, 2019

DOROTHY A. KOLODZIEJ (Nee Pawlus), age 96, of Merrillville, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019.  She was born on April 26, 1923 in East Chicago to the late George and Mary Pawlus.  She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point. Dorothy had a very special devotion to the Blessed Mother and was an active member...

Jul 22, 2019

Robert Allen Stefanovich age 69 a longtime Portage resident passed away Monday, July 22, 2019.  He was born on January 31, 1950 in Gary, Indiana to the late Andrew and Elizabeth Stefanovich.  Robert graduated from Lew Wallace High School, Class of 1968.  He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force.  He...

Jul 21, 2019

Matthew John Fitzpatrick, age 38 a longtime Lake Station resident passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019.  He was born on July 13, 1981 in Evergreen Park, Illinois.  Matthew worked as a Union Millwright for Local 1076.  He was also known as DJ Redmuff and would DJ at He Ain't Here Lounge in Lake Station.

He is survived...

Jul 21, 2019

Billy W Williams, age 74, of Portage, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 7:11am. He was born on May 18, 1945 in Dyersburg, Tennessee to the late Richard and Pearlene (nee Hawks) Williams. On March 25, 1968, in Dyersburg, Tennessee he married the love of his life Mary L. Fowler. Billy retired from Fewer Boiler Inc. in Chicago,...

Jul 21, 2019

Ellen Paulsen, age 95, of Portage passed away Sunday July 21, 2019.  She was born February 5, 1924 in Stavanger, Norway to Nils and Anna Marie Nilsen.  Ellen was a homemaker, mother and grandmother.  She was a devoted member of Hope Lutheran Church in Portage.  She was a member of the Sons of Norway, attended the Bonner Senior Center...

Jul 21, 2019

John Robert Hawkins, age 47, of Chesterton, passed away suddenly Sunday, July 21, 2019 at Addison Pointe where he resided. He was born on January 25, 1972 in Hammond, Indiana to Ginger and Darrell Hawkins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Darrell Hawkins. He leaves behind his mother, Ginger Hawkins; his sisters, Karen Hawkins, Jennifer...

Jul 20, 2019

MARY ANN SMITH, age 80, of Portage, passed away, Saturday, July 20, 2019.  She was born on March 31, 1939, to the late Michael I. and Mary Salopek.  Mary Ann graduated from Gary Edison in 1957 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ball State in 1961.  She was employed by the Portage Schools for 33 years...

Jul 20, 2019

Wayne C. Johnson, age 88, of Leesburg, IN and a long-time Hobart and Wheeler, IN resident, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019.  He was born on July 19, 1931 in Middletown, CT, the son of Joseph A. Johnson and Vera May (Clark) Johnson.   He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1949.  He proudly served his...

Jul 18, 2019

Thelma Rappatta, age 86 of Portage passed away Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Rittenhouse in Portage.  She was born on August 30, 1932 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to the late Murel and Mildred (nee Blacker) Mitchell.  She was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Hobart.  Thelma will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend...