obituaries

Dec 7, 2024

DORIS J. WRIGHT, age 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2024. She was born at home on May 15, 1930, in Griffith, Indiana. She was a lifelong resident of Lake Station and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was married to Gene A. Wright for almost 36 years who preceded her in death in 1984.

Dec 4, 2024

Angeline Gonzales (née Hernandez), a radiant soul and beloved matriarch, peacefully departed this world on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the age of 95. A former resident of Hammond, she spent her later years in Hobart, Indiana.

Born in Asherton, Texas, to Ramon and Flora Hernandez, Angeline's life was a testament to love, family, and unwavering faith....

Dec 4, 2024

Daniel E. Williamson, Sr. passed away December 4, 2024, in the same house he was born in on August 24, 1949, at the age of 75. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. On March 14, 1968, he married Patricia Harvey in Chicago, Illinois.  He was a member of the Portage Moose Lodge. With his booming...

Dec 1, 2024

Mable Nelson age 76, passed on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Northwest Indiana Health surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 28, 1948, to the late John K. and Marion (nee Mathis) Bisset in Chicago, Illinois. With a lifelong passion for caregiving, she spent many years supporting those in need. As one of nine siblings, she...

Dec 1, 2024

Linda Lee Gary, a beloved mother of the Hobart community, passed away peacefully in her sleep December 1, 2024, at the age of 76. Born on September 14, 1948, in Hammond, Indiana to Ferdinand and Mary Lea Giotte, Linda was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was the youngest in her family and was a...

Nov 30, 2024

Tina M. Frost (née Govorchin), age 64, of Valparaiso passed unexpectedly on Saturday, November 30, 2024, after a severe stroke.

She leaves behind her devoted partner of 21 years, Ron Venhuizen; her children, Elizabeth (David Roberts) Frost and David (Debra Brannon) Frost Jr.; her beloved grandchildren, Corwin, Eliah, and Fiona; and her sister, Susan (Van) Thompson.

Nov 29, 2024

With deep sorrow we announce the passing of Larry "Joe" Wendrickx, who departed this life twelve days after losing the love of his life, Moe.

Joe is survived by two children, Lori Oates, and Kristie (Doug) Powell; three grandchildren, Sean Oates, Daniel Oates, and Kayla Powell; siblings, Victor (Debbie) Wendrickx, Margaret (Butch) Riley, Jim (Robbie) Wendrickx, Debbie...

Nov 29, 2024

Irma M. Sheets

Age 94 of Portage passed away peacefully at Millers Merry Manor. She was born on April 28, 1930, in Gary, Indiana to the late Charles and Irma (nee Penke) Grennes. She was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church in Portage. Irma was employed as a bookkeeper at Comays Jewelers for several years and also...

Nov 28, 2024

ROSEMARY E. THYEN, age 94, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024. She was born on July 26, 1930, in Winchester, Indiana. She was a longtime Hobart resident and member of Evergreen Baptist Church. She was married to Robert Thyen, who preceded her in death in 1997. Rose worked as a CNA in the nursery holding...

Nov 27, 2024

Stephen T. Shultz Sr, age 64 of Portage passed away November 27, 2024, at home. He was born on September 6, 1960, in Gary, Indiana to the late Charles and Beverly Shultz. He was a retired station operator for NIPSCO. Stephen possessed a commanding presence and was a gifted storyteller with a keen eye for detail. He was undoubtedly...

Nov 27, 2024

John A. Vayo II, age 62 of Lake Station passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024.  He was born on June 16, 1962 in Warrick, Rhode Island.  John worked as a Machine Operator at Merit Steel.  He loved hunting and fishing.

John is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Lori Vayo (nee Biron) of Lake Station,...

Nov 26, 2024

Margaret E. Edwards (nee Boatright), age 95 of Portage passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2024. She was born on September 28, 1929, in Lynnville, Tennessee to the late Algie and Hattie Mae Boatright. On September 29, 1950, she married Stanley Edwards in Gary, Indiana. Margaret worked as a bookkeeper at various auto dealerships. She was a member of Kappa...

Nov 23, 2024

Bruce Earl Wilkinson, age 80 of Hobart passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024.  He was born November 10, 1944. He was the only child of Ernest Earl Wilkinson and Dorothy June Wilcox Wilkinson.

Bruce graduated from Hobart High School class of 1963. After graduation he started working at Sears until 1968 when he joined the Hobart Fire...

Nov 22, 2024

Melissa M. Rhein, age 40 of LaPorte and formerly of Portage passed away Friday, November 22, 2024. She was born on December 30, 1983, in Palos Heights, Illinois to Timothy and Linda Rhein. She was a 2002 graduate of Portage High School. She worked in customer service and enjoyed fishing. Her greatest joy in life was her family and...

Nov 19, 2024

Agnes (nee Horvath) Wozniak

Age 85 passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Life Care Center in Michigan City. Agnes was born on March 7, 1939, Lynch, Kentucky to the late Louis and Susan (nee Kiss) Horvath. Agnes enjoyed various leisure activities, including bird watching, reading, baking, gardening and enjoying the company of cats.

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Nov 17, 2024

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Maureen Wendrickx, who departed this life in Portage, Indiana on November 17, 2024, leaving an irreplaceable void in her family's hearts.

Survived by: Husband Larry "Joe" Wendrickx, two children Lori Oates and Kristie (Doug) Powell who she loved dearly. Three grandchildren that were the loves of her life: Sean...

Nov 16, 2024

Dr. Kenneth A. Black, M.D., age 77, a 40-year resident of Valparaiso passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the VNA Hospice Center.  He was born on October 11, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to the late Richard and Betty Black.  Ken grew up in Hobart and graduated from Hobart High School in 1965.   After high school, Ken attended Indiana...

Nov 13, 2024

Ralph Mose Vandergriff

10/03/1940 – 11/13/2024

Passed away peacefully while in the care of the Visiting Nurses Association of Valparaiso. He lived a long, full life on his own terms and made many good friends along the way. As an avid gardener he provided a steady supply of peppers and tomatoes to friends and neighbors....

Nov 12, 2024

Chester J. "Butch" Ochwat, age 75, of Portage passed away Wednesday November 12, 2024, at St Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Indiana. Butch was born April 7, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Chester and Rose (Slowikowski) Ochwat. Butch was a retired Machinist who retired from Solo Cup, Inc. He enjoyed fishing, loved nature and watching deer.

Nov 11, 2024

Deanna L. Jones-Walker, age 61 of Gary passed away Monday, November 11, 2024.  She was born on March 27,1963 in Gary, Indiana.  She was a longtime Gary resident.

Deanna is survived by her husband, Benjamin Strunk of Gary, IN; three children, Jason Jones of Lake Station, IN,  Heather Campbell of Madisonville, KY, Anita (Tyler) Walker of Madisonville,...