obituaries

Dec 25, 2024

Randy J. Roth, age 73 of Portage, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024. He was born on January 6, 1951, in Gary, Indiana to the late Charles and Clara Roth. Randy was a 1970 graduate of William A. Wirt High School and married Joan Buhring on June 30, 1973. He retired from US Steel where he worked for 38...

Dec 24, 2024

George R Falk Jr age 61, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2024. He was born May 5, 1963 to his late parents Mary (Sotak) Falk and George Falk Sr.  He grew up in Whiting, IN the youngest of seven children. He often said that he raised himself, learned from his brothers and never remembered not smoking. He told...

Dec 22, 2024

Keith Allan Stowell, age 75, of Hobart passed away Sunday December 22, 2024, in his home. Keith was born October 31, 1949, in Gary, Indiana to the late Francis and Betty (Harms) Stowell. He was a retired Millwright. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and watching the birds and squirrels that he fed. He was a US Naval...

Dec 22, 2024

Barbara L. Pyles, age 85, of Portage passed away December 22, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on September 12, 1939, in Virginia to the late James and Margaret Smith. On December 19, 1980, she married Johnnie B. Plyes in East Gary, Indiana. Barb retired from Gary Hobart Water Company where she worked as a...

Dec 21, 2024

Elizabeth Blanco

Age 106, passed away peacefully at Life Care Nursing Home in Valparaiso.

She was born on June 15, 1918, in Gary Indiana. Elizabeth demonstrated extraordinary strength, losing her mom at a tender age and assuming responsibilities for her siblings. Her life was a testament to devotion, as she spent 58 years in a...

Dec 20, 2024

Ronald Gildersleeve, age 57, of Lake Station passed away in his home Friday, December 20, 2024. Ronald was born May 2, 1967, in Gary, Indiana to the late Roy and Dorothy (Bledsoe) Gildersleeve. Ron was a retired Diesel Mechanic and a man of faith. He was very patriotic and a member of the Sons of the American legion. Ron...

Dec 20, 2024

KEVIN JAY FREEMAN, age 65, of Hobart, died unexpectedly Friday, December 20, 2024. He was born on May 10, 1959 to the late Bobby Neal and Rebecca Grace Freeman. Kevin was a 1977 graduate of River Forest High School, and went on to marry his sweetheart, Lori Castillo, on June 19, 1982. He worked for over 24 years at...

Dec 20, 2024

Octavio Ruiz, Jr., age 68 of Merrillville passed away December 20, 2024, at Community Hospital in Munster. He was born on January 21, 1956. Octavio worked as a sound tech for many musicians over the years.

He is survived by his sister, Theresa Perez; brother, Beto Ruiz; and close friend, Jose Sanyet.

He was preceded...

Dec 19, 2024

Linda Reynolds, 83 of Portage, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024.

Linda was born May 25, 1941, to the late Arthur C. & Ruth E. (Luther) Reynolds in Chicago, IL. Linda spent the last 25 years of her career working for the federal government, including the Department of Defense.She loved to say, "when you have...

Dec 17, 2024

Wilfred A. Burrows, age 79 of Porter, Indiana passed away at home on December 17, 2024. He was born on March 24, 1945, in Wells, Nevada to the late Fred E. and Betty C. Burrows. He proudly served his country as military police in the Air Force during Vietnam. Will held many different positions with National Railway Equipment Company,...

Dec 16, 2024

Jose Luis Alvarez, Jr., age 20, of Hobart passed away Monday December 16, 2024. Jose was born June 24, 2004, in Merrillville, Indiana. He was a correctional officer at the Westville Correctional Facility. He also had recently enlisted in the Indiana National Guard. Jose loved working out, football, and listening to music.

He is survived by his...

Dec 15, 2024

Danny R. Ragon

Age 72, of Hobart passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Hammond, Indiana to the late Charles and Mildred (nee Loudermilk) Ragon. He was a member of Hobart Presbyterian Church in Hobart and retired from USX, where he worked as an electrician. He was deeply devoted...

Dec 15, 2024

Julian "Rock-A-Bye" Gonzales, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 15, 2024. A quiet strength within his family, he formerly resided in Hammond and later in Hobart, Indiana. Born in East Chicago, Indiana, to Claro and Marina (Alviso) Gonzales, Julian dedicated 42 years to Inland Steel as an overhead crane operator before retiring. He proudly served his...

Dec 12, 2024

Michael P. Barrett

Age 69 passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Brickyard nursing home in Portage. He was born on August 8, 1955, to the late William "Bill" Barrett and Barbara (nee Russell) Stephenson in Gary, Indiana. Michael was a true original, he retired from Com Ed electrical company and later pursued his passion as the...

Dec 11, 2024

Irene Stella (Gabrysiak) Puckett

Age 71 passed away Wednesday December 11th, 2024. She was born on September 20th, 1953, in Gary, Indiana. Irene retired from Porter Memorial after nearly 33 years. Irene enjoyed staying active and working out. She was a natural caretaker and put everything into caring for her family. She loved listening to music and...

Dec 10, 2024

DAVID L. FLOYD, age 73, of Gary, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1951 to the late Buell and Irene Floyd. David worked for many years as a custodian for the Merrillville Schools. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Glen Park Chapter. David will be remembered as a loving...

Dec 10, 2024

Wynona L. Alt (nee Hinchley), age 73 of Lake Station passed away December 10, 2024. She was born on December 15, 1950, to the late Thomas and Helen Hinchley. She loved to cook and enjoyed canning. She was a talented oil painter and a member of the Women of the Moose for over ten years. Wynona will always be...

Dec 9, 2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Barbara Schuler, age 71 of Valparaiso, who left this world on December 9th, 2024. She was an adoring mother, a talented florist, a homemaker, and a woman of steadfast faith.

Born on October 2, 1953 in Gary, Indiana, Barbara spent her life caring for her family...

Dec 8, 2024

Delphine Marie Ross (nee Hedger) age 88, of Wabash and formerly of Lake Station, passed away December 8, 2024. She was born on September 28, 1936, in Harco, Illinois to the late Cleatis and Geneva Hedger. Delphine was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother with a heart of gold. She loved working in the garden, cooking and baking for...

Dec 7, 2024

Kathleen L. Ford

Age 88, of Portage passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. Mary Medical Center. She was born on October 20, 1936, in Hobart, Indiana, the daughter of the late Walter and Kathleen (nee Nealon) Alexander. She was a 1954 Hobart High School graduate, the loving wife of the late George Ford and a...