obituaries

Apr 22, 2024

Darryl Keith Heine, 74, of Hobart, passed away suddenly on April 22, 2024.  He was born July 8, 1949, in Valparaiso to the late Harold and Mary (Kelly) Heine.

Darryl lived his whole life in northwest Indiana.  He was a coach for Pop Warner football for several years while his children played, and then stayed on after...

Apr 22, 2024

John J. "Bulldog" Ruff, age 69 of Hobart, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024. He was surrounded by his loved ones. John was born on June 7, 1954, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. John was a proud veteran of the US Navy, where he served as a cook and he loved to share those skills with his family and friends....

Apr 20, 2024

Sandra Otero, age 62, of Lake Station passed away Saturday April 20, 2024. She was born on July 18, 1961, in ­­Gary, Indiana to the late Amelio Sr and Liduvina Gonzalez.

Sandra married her loving husband Robert Otero in 1981 and spent 42 years of marriage together and raised three beautiful children. She was a member of...

Apr 18, 2024

Melanie Ann Miller- Walker

Age 60, of Portage passed away Thursday, April 18,2024 at St. Mary's Medical Center. She was born on July 22, 1963, in Gary, Indiana to Samuel W. and Susan M (nee Shone) Miller. She worked as a cashier at Strack & Van Til for many years. Melanie attended Bethel Church Hobart/Portage and enjoyed...

Apr 17, 2024

Allen Dewayne Horner

Age 68, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his sister's home. He was born on October 11, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana to Robert Eugene and Jane (nee Schelke) Horner. He was a 1973 Portage High School graduate, he then attended Indiana college of Business and Technology where he earned an Associate...

Apr 17, 2024

Vickie Sue Herrera (nee Tincher), age 74, of Hobart passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was born on September 10, 1949, in Gary, Indiana to the late Mearl and Agnes (nee Caffin) Tincher.

Vickie married the love of her life, a Vietnam Veteran, David Herrera, in 1967. They raised two beautiful sons together and spent...

Apr 16, 2024

LYNETTE MARGARET O'BRIEN, age 70, of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  She was born on January 3, 1954 to the late Frank and Laurel Stickels. Lynette worked for many years as a nurse in Labor and Delivery and was happiest when she was holding a baby.  She finished her nursing career in home healthcare, where she went...

Apr 15, 2024

Lisa Marie McGushion (nee Leonard), age 61 of Hobart, passed away Monday, April 15, 2024. She was born on April 9, 1963, in Gary, Indiana to the late Thomas and Judy Leonard. Lisa was a 1981 graduate of Hobart High School and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in education from Ball State and a master's degree in...

Apr 13, 2024

James David Lee, 61, of Portage, Indiana, passed away Saturday, April 13.  He was born February 2, 1963, in Crossville, Tennessee to James Lee and Doris Whitmire.

David's father moved the family to Indiana while David was a child.  He lived in several areas of Indiana, and just a few years ago moved to Portage.  He briefly...

Apr 11, 2024

Maria Elena Vasquez, age 78, passed away Thursday April 11, 2024, in her home in Portage. Maria was born July 19, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ventura and Vita (Madeleno) Rodriguez. She retired as a presser who worked for several dry cleaners in the area including Coolwood Cleaners and Dresswell Cleaners.  Maria was a devoted member of...

Apr 11, 2024

Karen L. Wyderski, age 74 of Portage, Indiana passed away Thursday April 11, 2024, at Northwest Health Porter in Valparaiso. Karen was born December 16, 1949, in Friendsville, Maryland to the late Junior Harvey and Gertrude (Hoffman) Teets. Karen was a graphics artist that worked for Gem Business Forms. She was much loved and will be deeply missed by...

Apr 10, 2024

Thomas P. O'Keefe

Age 76 passed away Wednesday, April 10,2024 at Advocate Christ Medical in Illinois. He was born October 25, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to the late James and Ruth (nee Massom) O'Keefe. In his younger years he loved to run and participated in many marathons. Thomas enjoyed reading and working with tools, he liked tinkering...

Apr 10, 2024

Delphine M. Ketchem (nee Stewart), age 87, a lifelong resident of Hobart passed away on April 10, 2024. She was born on June 19, 1936, in Gary Indiana to the late George Stewart and Patricia (nee Esse) Stewart.

She was married to the late Curtiss Ketchem for 56 years and raised two beautiful children together. Delphine and...

Apr 9, 2024

Catherine Zieba

Age 91, of Hobart, In., passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at her residence as those were her final wishes. She was born on October 4, 1932, to the late Francis and Mary Staver. Catherine was a member of St. Bridget Church, Silver Bell Club Lodge 2365 of the PNA, and the American Legion Auxiliary...

Apr 6, 2024

Gail L. Koch (nee Ehrenfeld), age 76 of Hobart, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 6, 2024. She was born on November 14, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to Richard and Miriam Ehrenfeld. Gail was a 1966 graduate of Hobart High School. She worked as a real estate agent for Ginter Realty for 27 years. She formerly served...

Apr 5, 2024

Betty L. Carns, 97, of Portage passed away at home surrounded by her family on April 5, 2024.  She was born September 30, 1926, in Cuzco, Indiana to the late Levi and Olive Wineinger.

Betty married her love, Roy Carns, on June 6, 1946, and together they raised four children and spent 46 years side-by-side until his...

Apr 3, 2024

Walter Povlinski Jr.

Age 86, of Portage passed away April 3, 2024, at his home. He was born March 3,1938 to the late Walter Sr. and Ann (Romanov) Povlinski. In his youth he lived in Tolleston, a section of Gary and graduated from Tolleston High School in 1956. He enlisted in the United States Navy reserves in...

Apr 3, 2024

Robert Oscar Johnson "R.O."

Age 100, a lifelong resident of Lake and Porter County, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Rittenhouse Senior Living of Portage. He was born on a farm on April 23, 1923, in Jasper Co. to the late John Henry and Versa P. (nee Watson) Johnson. He proudly served his country in the...

Apr 3, 2024

Frederick Albin Swantko "Dad the Hammer"

Age 78, of Hobart passed away April 3, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 24,1946, in East Chicago, IN to the late Albin and Margaret (nee Gyemont) Swantko. He was a 1965 Hammond High School graduate. Frederick married the love of his life Theresa Pietrzak...

Apr 2, 2024

Connie L. Wirick (nee Thompson), age 68 of Portage passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. She was born on March 21, 1956, in Lake City, Tennessee to the late Clyde and Betty Thompson. She was a 1974 graduate of River Forest High School. She liked to collect precious moments and angels. In her free time, she enjoyed...