obituaries

Jul 26, 2018

Norman Lee "Swampy" Haskell, age 73, of Portage, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Golden Living in Portage.  He was born in East Chicago, Indiana on July 23, 1945 to the late Henry and Margaret (nee Fuerst) Haskell. Norman proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a diesel mechanic at Haskell Trucking in Portage...

Jul 26, 2018

James Patrick Fraley Jr. (Jay, JP) , age 33, of Las Vegas and formerly of Lake Station, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018. He was born on December 2, 1984 in Merrillville, Indiana to James Patrick and Amanda Fraley. James worked for Frontier Airlines as a flight attendant and enjoyed bowling. He will be remembered as a loving partner,...

Jul 25, 2018

Theodore "Ted" Rokicki, age 70, of Lake Station, passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018. He was born on August 25, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late Romuald and Estelle Rokicki. On May 11, 1974, he married Marilyn Scasny at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Station. He proudly served his country as a member of the United...

Jul 24, 2018

Margaret M. "Peggy" Klenk, age 70, of Chesterton, passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2018. She was born on September 30, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late Ben and Mildred Doxtater. Margaret was a 1965 graduate of River Forest High School. She was dedicated member of Fairhaven Baptist Church of Chesterton.

Margaret is survived by her daughter,...

Jul 24, 2018

Francine G. Prusinski-Nowak, age 70, of Hebron passed away Tuesday July 24, 2018 at her daughter's home in Downers Grove, IL with her family by her side.  She was born November 17, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late Stanley and Frances (Guzik) Prusinski.  She worked for Montgomery Ward Repair Service for over 33 years as a HR specialist. ...

Jul 23, 2018

Thomas D. Dixon, age 80, of Portage, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018. He was born on July 10, 1938 to the late Dale and Ruth Dixon. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. Tom was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Indiana University.

Jul 23, 2018

Larry Joe Denta, age 65, of Hobart, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at home. He was born in Gary, Indiana on July 13, 1953 to Joseph P. Helen (nee Biedulewicz) Denta. Larry was an avid Cubs fan and will be dearly missed.

Larry is survived by his daughter, Sherese Denta; sister, Barbara Dipert brother, Kenneth Denta;...

Jul 22, 2018

Alice Petro, age 91, of Lake Station and Kissimmee. Florida passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018. She was born on September 6, 1926 to the late Paul and Anna (nee Lichvon) Shudick. In 1989, Alice retired from Anderson Company in Michigan City; she was a member of St. Francis Xavier in Lake Station. She was a past member of...

Jul 21, 2018

Eleanor C. Pall, age 89, passed on Sunday, July 21st, 2018. She is preceded in death by loving husband, Peter S. Pall; Mother, Angeline Mroczek; Father, Joseph Krasoczka; and Dearest Friend, Pauline Burton. Survived by: Brothers, Edward Kray (JoAnn), Eugene Krasoczka (Libby), Charles Mroczek (Roberta); Children, Peter Pall III, Daniel Pall (Ann), Debra Dembowski (Mike), Phillip Pall (Kim), Lori...

Jul 19, 2018

Susan C. Arce, age 61, of Portage, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2018 at home.  She was born in Wisconsin on June 1, 1957 to the late George and Carla (nee Fredrick) Lahm.  She will be remembered as a mother to all and will be missed by many.

Susan is survived by her husband of 41 years,...

Jul 16, 2018

John Charles Poague "Charlie", age 55, of Portage, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018. He was born on September 12, 1962 in Valparaiso to the late John and Elberta Poague. Charlie was employed as a truckdriver for AAAction Transport. He was an avid racecar driver and enjoyed deer hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Dena Poague;...

Jul 16, 2018

Betty Jo Peek "BJ", age 88, of Wanatah passed away Monday, July 16, 2018. She was born August 1, 1929 in Attica, Indiana to the late Harry and Edna (nee Lamme) Ritchie. Betty was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Wanatah and was a past member of Royal Neighbors of America and CHI. She will be remembered...

Jul 16, 2018

Edna G. Neace, age 91, of Hobart, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018. She was born on August 18, 1926 in Hazard, KY to the late Manuel and Cora Gwin. Edna was a dedicated member of Barrington Ridge Baptist Church. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing and working in her garden. Above all, she loved her family...

Jul 14, 2018

Margaret M. Raiha (nee Sullivan), age 88, of Valparaiso, passed away July 14, 2018 at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.  She was born in South Range, Michigan on July 20, 1929 to the late Philip Gerard and Rose (nee Gauthier) Sullivan.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Michele (Burton) Dauncey; grandchildren, Angela Thomas, Andy Thomas, Sara...

Jul 13, 2018

RODNEY ALLEN JONES, age 53, of Gas, KS, and formerly of Wheeler, IN, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 13, 2018.  He was born in Omaha, NE on June 27, 1965.  Rodney was employed as a truck driver for Carthage Marine Transport, Inc.  He was a member of OOIDA, ABATE of Kansas, and New Life Church of God in Wheeler. ...

Jul 12, 2018

Sandra Jean Arnold (nee Wright), age 73, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the University of Chicago.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on March 7, 1945.  She was a past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, Post 454, current member of the American Legion, Post 54, and a member of the Moose Lodge in Portage.

Jul 12, 2018

Gruja "George" Stanisic

Gruja Stanisic, age 92, of Hobart passed at home on Thursday, July 12, 2018. He was born on May 25, 1926 in Mole, Yugoslavia to the late Alexander and Krista Stanisic. George retired from the Bud Company after 30yrs and Dinners Choice after 20 yrs. He enjoyed camping at Yogi Bear in Pierceton, Indiana....

Jul 10, 2018

Russell O. Fife, Sr., age 91, of Portage, formerly of Lady Lake, Florida and Hobart, passed away July 10, 2018.  He was born on February 3, 1927 in Gary, IN to the late Elbert and Florence Fife.

He is survived by his children, Ralph (Marie) Pyle of Belleville, IL, Lynn Smith of Valparaiso, Cheryl (Jim Candler) Austin...

Jul 8, 2018

Dorothy Agnes (Bakalski) Kolakowski, age 89, of Portage passed away Sunday July 8, 2018 at Porter Hospital, Portage Campus.  Dorothy was born August 23, 1928 in Gary, Indiana to the late Arthur and Agnes (Malek) Bakalski.  Dorothy was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and wife.  She worked at the Gary Sheet and Tin Mill for several years prior to...

Jul 6, 2018

On Friday morning, July 6, 2018, Susan Elizabeth Dubach, age 60, passed away peacefully in her home after her second battle with cancer.

Susan was born on August 20, 1957, in Gary, Indiana to her loving parents, Sarah A. and the late Charles L. Smith. She and her brother Michael (Jill) Smith grew up in Hobart and...