obituaries

Dec 14, 2025

Esther Marie Plevo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Esther Marie Plevo, age 64, of Portage, Indiana on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Esther was born on May 12, 1961, to the late Incarnation and Esther Vega Perez in East Chicago, Indiana. She married the love of her life John "Jack"...

Dec 12, 2025

Carolyn Sue (Bjerkness) Freeman, 82, of Hobart, Indiana, passed away on December 12, 2025, in Central City, Kentucky. She was born on September 10, 1943, in Gary, Indiana, to Clarence and Martha Bjerkness and was raised alongside her siblings in a close-knit family. She retired from RB&W in Blue Island, Illinois and had also worked at Screw and Bolt...

Dec 11, 2025

Michael Clifford Kitchen, age 60, of Lake Station, passed away unexpectedly December 11, 2025. He was born on March 22, 1965, in North Carolina to Clifford and Marcella Kitchen.  Mike was a 1983 graduate of River Forest High School where he was the captain of the wrestling team. In 1985, he graduated from ITT in Fort Wayne with a...

Dec 7, 2025

Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Patton

Age 79 of Lake Station passed away on Sunday, December 7,2025 at Northwest Health. She was born on November 22, 1946, in Lebanon, Tennessee to the late Helen (nee Collier) and Jack Patton. She graduated from East Gary Edison High School class of 1966. Betty retired from U.S Steel where she worked in...

Dec 7, 2025

Angela Faye Purcell "Angie" passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 7, 2025. She was born on February 24, 1972, in Valparaiso to Franklin D. Westmoreland and Thelma J. (nee Oakley) Denton. Angela was a fun-loving spirit who enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and spending time around a warm campfire. She loved going to car races with her late husband...

Dec 7, 2025

LINDA LOU WESLEY, age 73, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2025. She was born on April 15, 1952, to the late Jack and Della (nee Wanless) Hedger. Linda married the love of her life, Walter Wesley, Jr., on November 3, 1972.

Linda's happiest days were spent with her family, going out to eat...

Dec 6, 2025

Gail M. Travis, 72, of Portage, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Born on October 13, 1953, to the late Robert and Wanda (Schoonover) Travis, Gail spent many years working as a laborer at U.S. Steel. She was a devoted daughter who lovingly cared for her parents in their final years. A true nature lover, she found joy...

Dec 4, 2025

Debra L. Arteaga, age 71, of Chesterton passed away Thursday December 4, 2025, at the University of Chicago Hospitals in Hyde Park. Debra was born February 24, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Louis and Deloris (Flores) Arteaga. Debra worked as a long-distance operator for AT&T prior to her retirement. She enjoyed working puzzles, Card games, and board...

Dec 4, 2025

Kelly John Donald

Age 63, of Portage passed away on December 4, 2025, at his home in Portage. Kelly was born on November 10, 1962, in Gary. Indiana. Kelly worked for many years as a Frozen Food Manager at Strack & Van Til, where he was known for his strong work ethic. A man of many passions,...

Dec 4, 2025

James L. Spence, age 84 of Hobart passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 31, 1941, in LaPorte, Indiana to the late Leo and Caroline Spence. On September 24, 1966, he married Judith Roberts. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army. He went on to...

Dec 2, 2025

Kathleen "Kay" Rae Ruchti (née Gallagher), a life-long resident of Hobart, IN, died on December 2, 2025, at the age of 88.

Kay is survived by her loving husband, Frederick "Fritz" L. Ruchti, III; daughter Becky (Chip) Ruchti-Greenberg; grandchildren Kay (Justin) Tennison, Megan (Christian) Hayden, Justin (Laura) Paris, and Amanda (Leon) Hein; great-grandchildren Jacob, Noah, Ammerie, Cullen,...

Nov 30, 2025

Betty A. Smith (nee Walker), age 93, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025. She was born on October 22, 1932, in Gibson County, Tennessee to the late Lester and Ola Lee Walker. Betty was a school bus driver in Hammond and Gary since 1969. She was a member of Liverpool Baptist Church. Betty enjoyed going to Las Vegas, woodworking...

Nov 30, 2025

Jeralyn Marie Regan, age 70, of Hebron passed away November 30, 2025, in Crown Point. She was born on December 27, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Howard and Florence (Sikirica) Rehn. Jeralyn worked as a housekeeper for several local nursing homes. She loved her family dearly and will be missed.

She is survived by her...

Nov 29, 2025

Janice S. Sausman

Age 88 passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025. She was born on November 19, 1937, in Gary, Indiana to the late Anthony E. and Sigrid A. (nee Matson) Zula. Janice married the love of her life Terry D. Sausman at St. Frances Church in Lake Station. Janice was a devoted and hardworking woman who...

Nov 29, 2025

Angela Camille Marr Howe, was born February 4, 1979, to Willie James Marr, Sr. and Rosetta Marr at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois. Angela was united in holy matrimony to Verria Howe II on October 15, 2015. To this union, a puppy named Poopie joined. Angela accepted Christ into her life at a young age and continued to...

Nov 27, 2025

Lester F. Detterline, age 95, of Deltona, Florida—formerly of Hobart, Indiana—passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025. Les was born on November 13, 1930, in Hobart, Indiana, to the late Cyrus and Loretta (Born) Detterline. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1949.

Les proudly served his country as a member of the 82nd...

Nov 26, 2025

Austin Matthew Palmateer, age 24, passed away suddenly Wednesday November 26, 2025, the tragic result of a car accident. Austin was born October 23, 2001, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Terry and Jennifer (Richardson) Palmateer, Jr. He worked as a cook at Coopers Hawk Restaurant. Austin was a lifelong northwest Indiana resident. He enjoyed playing football and wagering on football...

Nov 26, 2025

Bonnie Lou Tompkins, (nee Deliman) age 77, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025.  She was born on September 17, 1948, in Gary, Indiana to the late George and Nina Mae Deliman.  She was a longtime former Miller/Gary resident. Bonnie worked at numerous restaurants over the years including, Miller Pizza, the Stepping Stone, and McDuffy's.  She also worked...

Nov 25, 2025

Darlyne Kathryn (Andrews) Coffman (January 20, 1935 – November 25, 2025)

Darlyne Kathryn Coffman was born to Kathryn (Tabaka) and Walter Andrews in Outing, Minnesota, on January 20, 1935. She graduated from Remer High School in 1952. While George Coffman and his family were vacationing in Minnesota, Darlyne met the love of her life. They were married...

Nov 23, 2025

A Life of Dedication and Community Service

We sadly announce the passing of Joseph Matthew Mrak, born April 2, 1926, in Gary, Indiana. He was a first-generation American, born of Croatian immigrant parents Anton and Marica (Haraminac) Mrak.

"Joe" was a devoted educator, business owner, community leader, and beloved family member.

A proud...