obituaries

Dec 30, 2017

Jack L. Mattull, age 90 of Valparaiso passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017.  He was born on July 22, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Henry and Elsie Mattull.  Jack was a longtime Hobart resident and retired from Inland Steel in 1990. He was an avid Cubs and Bears fan and he enjoyed bowling and golf.

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Dec 28, 2017

Michael S. Austin, age 45, of Valparaiso, IN passed away December 28, 2017.  Michael was born May 5, 1972 in Gary, Indiana to Jim and Cheryl (Fife) Austin.  Michael was a 1990 graduate of Wheeler High School.  Michael loved music. He was the host of Earworm Soup on WVLP 103.1 in Valparaiso on Tuesday mornings. Michael also liked doing...

Dec 26, 2017

Agnes R. Sielski (nee Bulot), age 88, of Lake Station and formerly of Merrillville, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.  She was born on February 28, 1929 in Lucerne, PA to the late Anthony and Catherine Bulot. Agnes enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting and hosting family gatherings. She loved her family and cherished the time she...

Dec 26, 2017

Leona R. Shepard, age 67, of Hebron passed away Tuesday December 26, 2017 at St Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  Leona was born May 28, 1950 in Detroit, MI.  She was a former waitress.  Leona loved her grandchildren and spending time with them.  She enjoyed playing BINGO and her trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  Leona loved her...

Dec 22, 2017

Floyd Ray Watkins, age 66 of Portage passed away Friday, December 22, 2017. He was the owner and operator of Main Street Salon in Hobart.

He is survived by his mother, Irene Watkins, three children, Ryan Watkins, Devon Petillon, Jessica Watkins, five sisters, Patricia (Ken) Gertz, Donna (Frank) Bell, Debbie Bitikoffer, Carolyn Katz, Brenda (Marvin) Maupin, three...

Dec 21, 2017

GAYLA D. BOLINT, age 73, of Portage, passed away Thursday, December 21, 2017.  She was born on July 12, 1944 to the late Gaylord and Billie Roy.  She was a member at Nativity of Our Savior as well as an employee of the church office and as a caterer for the church hall.  Gayla had also worked at NIPSCO...

Dec 20, 2017

Sandra Lee Jakum, age 71, of Hobart passed away December 20, 2017 at her daughter's home in Battle Ground.  She was born November 21, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Frederick and Florence (Hybert) Hull.  She retired from the House Keeping Department of Valparaiso University.  She was a member of the American Legion Post #502 Auxiliary.

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Dec 19, 2017

Carolyn McWhirter, age 68, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on July 6, 1949 to the late Carl and Helen (nee Carrel) Gilmore. Carolyn was a retired self-employed beautician and also worked for many years at Sherri's Main Attraction in Portage. Carolyn will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother,...

Dec 19, 2017

Thomas Eldridge Woodward, III, age 37 of DeMotte, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at VNA Hospice.  Thomas was born on February 7, 1980 in Valparaiso, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Else Woodward on December 2, 2017.

Thomas is survived by  4 children, Sabrina Woodward, John Woodward, Thomas Woodward, IV,  Trista...

Dec 19, 2017

Frances F. Hildebrandt, age 92, of Portage passed away Tuesday December 19, 2017 at the Rittenhouse in Portage.  Frances was born June 25, 1925 in Hammond, IN to the late Valentine and Victoria (Kowalski) Fary.  She attended the Bonner Senior Center and truly enjoyed using her computer. She also attended the Crossroads Community Church in Aurora, IL with her...

Dec 18, 2017

Bernard J. Hoffman, age 90, of Hobart, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017. He was born on August 1, 1927 in Elmhurst, Illinois to the late Bernard and Edith Hoffman. He was a retired engineer with NIPSCO. He served six years in the U.S. Merchant Marines and two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was...

Dec 18, 2017

Roberto Rivera, age 81, of Lake Station, IN, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family in Tampa, FL. Roberto was born on June 21, 1936 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. He was a 40-year resident of East Chicago, IN and was a retiree of LTV Steel.  In his spare time, Roberto was a carpenter, he...

Dec 18, 2017

Mary Rejon (nee Cooke), age 77, of Dallas, Texas and formerly of Hobart, passed away peacefully Monday, December 18,2017. She was born on August 15, 1940 in Gary, Indiana to the late Robert and Irene (nee Parker) Cooke. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family.  She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend.

Mary...

Dec 18, 2017

Leann Rene Vargas, age 37 of Westville, Indiana passed away Monday, December 18, 2017 at Porter Regional Hospital. She was born on November 28, 1980 in Valparaiso, Indiana. She graduated from Edison High School in Lake Station. Leann enjoyed crafts, going for walks on the beach, and spending time with family and...

Dec 17, 2017

Joseph P. Jancaric, age 90, of Hobart IN, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2017 at Brentwood of Hobart. He was born in Gary, IN to the late Mato and Anna (Srbelj) Jancarich. Joe graduated from Emerson High School in 1946 and subsequently enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Whittier, Alaska where he served as a longshoreman....

Dec 17, 2017

Tammy Lynn Lane (nee Fleming), age 55, of Lake Station, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on April 2, 1962 to the late Fred and Adabell (nee Drake) Fleming.  Tammy was an adventurous woman who enjoyed fishing, flowers, traveling, refurbishing and salvaging antiques, and most of all, spending...

Dec 15, 2017

Carmella P. "Fritzi" Helton (nee Montorsi), age 80 a longtime Gary resident passed away Friday, December 15, 2017.  She was born on November 8, 1937 in Gary, Indiana to the late Herman and Jennie Montorsi.  Carmella was a bookkeeper by trade for many years.  She was a member of the Italian Ladies Benevelont Society.  Carmella volunteered her time on...

Dec 15, 2017

Donald F. Underdahl, age 69, of Hobart, passed away on December 15, 2017.  He was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on October 1, 1948 to the late Glenn and Anne Underdahl. Don was the founder and owner of All American Tire in Hobart.  He enjoyed fishing during his family trips to Canada. He will be remembered as a caring...

Dec 15, 2017

Roy Warren Imboden of Hobart passed away Friday, December 15, 2017. He was born on November 16, 1931 in Gary, Indiana to Clyde L. and Eleanor (nee Wright) Imboden. Roy graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1949 and proudly served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954.  He graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor degree in 1957,...

Dec 14, 2017

Malena Finney, age 25, of South Haven, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2017.  She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on April 10, 1992.

Malena is survived by her son, Jonah; mother, Donna Hale; dad, Don Hale; father, Rocky Finney; maternal grandmother, Alice Smith; paternal grandparents, Norma and Gary Finney, Donald and Geraldine Hale; sisters, Krystal (Nathan), Kelliann...