obituaries

Nov 1, 2024

Carol Royal Phelan, age 70 a longtime Hobart resident formerly of Hammond passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 1, 2024.  She was born on December 18, 1953, in Gary, Indiana to the late Roy and Catherine Steele. On May 14, 1973, she married Corwin "Mike" Phelan in Chicago, IL. She was a devout Christian.

Carol...

Oct 30, 2024

Roberta Snowdy

Age 88 of Lake Sation, Indiana passed away Wednesday, October 30. 2024. She was born on August 2, 1936, to the late Nolan Robert and Hellen C. (nee McGlone) Parr in Chicago, Illinois. Roberta radiated hospitality and flair beautifully decorating and catering Jewish temple and house parties. She delighted in water aerobics, collecting treasured dolls,...

Oct 30, 2024

Shareen Barnack:

Shareen Barnack (Crocker), age 84, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024. She was a loving sister, aunt, stepmother and 2nd mom to many.Shareen is survived by her brother Charles Crocker (Eileen) and sister Linda Palmateer (Willard).

Shareen was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Barnack, her father and mother (Charles and Catherine),...

Oct 29, 2024

Kenneth Allen Handley

Age 71 of Lake Station, Indiana passed away on October 29, 2024. Ken to all but his mother, was born on August 7th, 1953, the third of four boisterous sons to Walter and Violet (Waggle) Handley. Ken was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and wore his pride on his sleeve -...

Oct 27, 2024

Gregory Christopher Smith (60) was the first of 4 boys born to MaryAnn and Stephen Smith (both deceased) in Gary, Indiana sharing the birthday with his dad, November 8. Greg has been a caring big brother to Joseph of Portage, Andrew of Portage, and Eric of Kokomo. He passed in Kokomo, Indiana, on Eric's birthday October 27, 2024.  Greg...

Oct 27, 2024

Marlene J. Uhles, age 85 of Hobart passed away Sunday, October 27, 2024. She was born on September 3, 1939, in Evergreen Park, Illinois to the late Alfred and Gladys F.  (nee Gorley) Graham. Marlene, a dedicated postal career retiree from the U.S. Postal Service, inspires with her legacy of love warmth and kindness, a cherished member of Hobart...

Oct 26, 2024

Peter Cyprian, age 67 a longtime Portage resident passed away Saturday, October 26, 2024.  He was born on October 29, 1956 in Kansas City, Kansas to the late Phil and Della Cyprian.  He worked for Minteq technologies as a Service Specialist.  Peter enjoyed hunting, fishing, his mustang and riding his motorcycle.

He is survived by his wife...

Oct 23, 2024

Mary Kay France

(aka Nai Nai)

March 25, 1940 - October 23, 2024

Mary Kay (Brazeau) France, age 84 of Valparaiso, IN passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, at Broadway Methodist Southlake Hospital. She was born on March 25, 1940, in Lafayette IN.

Mary is survived by three children, Marlene...

Oct 22, 2024

Scott Thomas Jones, 33, of Winamac, IN sadly left us on October 22, 2024. Scott leaves behind his father, Thomas Jones, brothers Eric Jones and Brian (Heather) Freeman, one sister Rachel Freeman, and two bonus brothers/best friends Christopher Fadely and Ryan Rauch, as well as many other family members and friends. Scott was preceded in death by his mother,...

Oct 21, 2024

Victoria "Vicki" Lee Goff (nee Antonini)

Age 82, of Portage, Indiana passed away on October 21, 2024, at her home with her husband by her side. Vicki was born on March 27, 1942, in Clinton, Indiana to the late Fred and Martha (nee Hayes) Antonini. She married her husband Martin on July 12, 1975 in Clinton, Indiana...

Oct 21, 2024

Matthew "Sobel" James Sobel,

Age 41, a Valparaiso resident, passed away October 21, 2024. Matt inspired those around him with his passion for fishing, tireless dedication as a Local 597 pipefitter, and unwavering loyalty to the Bears, leaving an enduring legacy through his remarkable spirit and commitment to excellence, evident in his high school football and baseball...

Oct 20, 2024

John  "J.R." Raasch, age 62, of Merrillville passed away Sunday October 20, 2024. He was a laborer at the Steel Mills and a Volunteer Firefighter in Merrillville, IN. There will be no services. Cremation was entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Hobart, Chapel.

Oct 20, 2024

John G. "JR" Raasch, age 62, of Hobart, passed away on October 20, 2024, in Merrillville. He was born on June 9, 1962, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Harold and Pauline Raasch. JR worked as a laborer in the steel industry and proudly served on the Ainsworth Deep River Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by...

Oct 17, 2024

Kerry Scott Williams, age 62, of Hobart passed away in his home suddenly on October 17, 2024. Kerry was born September 08, 1962, in LaPorte, Indiana to William and Sandra Williams. He was a retired grocery stocker for Strack's Grocery Stores. Kerry loved cycling and was an avid Pez collector. He will be dearly missed by his loving family....

Oct 14, 2024

Chistopher M. Swider, age 53, of Lake Station passed away Monday October 15, 2024, at the St Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Christopher was born June 7, 1971, in Gary, Indiana to Henry and Connie (Myers) Swider. He was a welder for Steel Transport, Inc. Christopher was loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Oct 12, 2024

Sean Michael Campbell

Age 31, of Portage passed away on October 12, 2024. He was born March 12, 1993, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Donald Campbell and Diana (nee Perez) Campbell. In his early days, Sean enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing paintball. Sean worked as a water blaster for Northern Plant Services. His tireless work ethic and pride...

Oct 11, 2024

Jorge A. Rocha, age 69, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 11, 2024. He was born on July 25, 1955, in East Chicago, Indiana to Jesus and Maria Rocha. Jorge retired from Inland Steel where he worked as a steelworker for 31 years. He dedicated his life to the service of others and will always be remembered for his generosity.  ...

Oct 9, 2024

Kenneth Raymond Ballard, Jr. of Merrillville passed away Wednesday October 9, 2024, at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Kenneth was born November 18, 1972, in Gary, Indiana to Kenneth Raymond and Donna (Lengyel) Ballard, Sr..   Kenneth worked for ASC Industries in East Hazel Crest, Illinois. Kenneth was a member of Gracepoint Church and Valparaiso Porter Lodge #137 F&AM....

Oct 9, 2024

Wayne Paschal Simmons, age 90 of Portage passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1934, in Nashville, Tennessee to Paschal L. and Euanelle Simmons. Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Army. He retired from Lever Brothers where he worked as a general foreman. Wayne was an avid sports fan, and he...

Oct 9, 2024

It is with great sadness that the children of Danny Albert McDowell announce his passing on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the age of 80.

Danny will be lovingly remembered by his surviving children, Timothy McDowell, Sandra Glass and Danielle (Aaron Stout) McDowell; grandchildren, Marcus (Brynn) McDowell, Matthew (Jessica) McDowell, Damian (Sandra) Glass and Crystal Glass; great-grandchildren,...