obituaries

Dec 31, 2024

Desa-Rae Marie Hodge, age 67 of Hobart passed away December 31, 2024, at St. Mary Medical Center. She was born on November 16, 1957, to the late Robert and Joan Pifferitti. She was currently employed as a cook and kitchen manager at Wyndmoor of Portage Assisted Living Facility. Fiercely independent, Desa-Rae truly loved her job and dedicated her life...

Dec 30, 2024

Lori A. Hart, age 63 a longtime Portage resident passed away  Monday, December 30, 2024.  She was born on August 31, 1961 in Buchanan, Michigan to the late Franklin and Maxine Kisner.  Lori worked as a Convenience Store Manager.  She enjoyed bowling at Cressmoor Lanes in the Sunday 4:45 Mixed League.  Lori loved her grandchildren and enjoyed when she...

Dec 30, 2024

Wendy Kegebein

Age 66 of Hobart passed away on December 30, 2024, at Northwest Health in Portage. She was born on November 22, 1958, in Gary, Indiana to the late Clyde E. and Dorothy (nee Cox) Anderson. Wendy worked in Human Resources at Anchor Home Health. She exhibited a strong work ethic and unshakeable commitment to her...

Dec 29, 2024

Janine L. Buckner 70 of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024.

Janine was born in Gary, Indiana to Roy and Fredia Buckner on April 4, 1954. Janine loved her cat Pumpkin who sadly passed in 2022.  She was a member of the Portage First United Methodist Church.  Janine also loved watching westerns.

...

Dec 27, 2024

Kimberly "Kim" Louise Pall (nee Swisher)

Age 55 of Wheatfield passed away December 27, 2024. She was known for her kindness and whimsy, and was the type of person that would give the shirt off of her back to a stranger in need. She loved the outdoors and could be found laying in the sunshine, tending to...

Dec 26, 2024

JOSEPHINE GOINGS, age 86, of Portage, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. She was born on April 5, 1938, in East Chicago, Indiana to the late James E. Turner and Irene (nee Fox) Turner. Josephine grew up in the Brunswick section of Gary and was a 1957 graduate of Edison High School in Gary. She was also a...

Dec 26, 2024

Jamie Lynn Vlamos, of Valparaiso passed away unexpectedly at the age of 45. She was born on February 4, 1979, in Valparaiso to Thomas and Cindy Vlamos. Jamie was quite a character. Her vibrant personality and sense of humor were reflected in her eyes and her smile. She was tough as nails, yet she had a heart of gold....

Dec 25, 2024

Jeffery Corbett Diaz, age 68 of Portage passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on December 27, 1955, in Gary, Indiana to John Sebastian Diaz and Shirley Corbett Diaz. He retired from Bethlehem Steel after many years of service. Jeff attended Ivy Tech College where he received certification in Heating...

Dec 25, 2024

Jeffrey W. Foerg, age 71, of Westville, Indiana and formerly Hobart, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on the morning of Wednesday, December 25, 2024.Jeffrey was born on January 31, 1953 to Betty Button and Robert Foerg in Winamac, Indiana. He was a dedicated and diligent, hard worker who spent many years working for Stewart's Business...

Dec 25, 2024

Michele M. White, age 62 a lifetime Hobart resident passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. She was born on February 13, 1962 to the late Richard and Grace Mary White.  Michele retired from the U.S. Postal Service.  She enjoyed riding her Harley, watching live bands, and going to festivals.  She had a great love for her grandchildren, son,...

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,...