obituaries

Sep 1, 2024

Marie E. Meza, age 72, of Hobart passed away Sunday September 1, 2024, at Colonial Nursing and Rehab Center in Crown Point. She was born October 12, 1951, in Gary, Indiana to the late Joseph and Anna (Chappey) Laich, Sr. She was a medical biller coder working for several hospitals throughout her career. Marie loved her family and playing...

Aug 31, 2024

Norma Paige, age 84 of Portage passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024.  She was born on March 20, 1940 in Dwale, Kentucky to the late Garlie and Ruth Paige.  Norma's life centered around gardening and her pets.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Ron) Buchfuehrer, sister and one brother-in-law, Jackie and Glen Brechner, brother, Cecil Paige,...

Aug 30, 2024

Clint A. Keene, age 73, of Hobart passed away in his home with his family at his side on Friday August 30, 2024. Clint was born February 28, 1951, in Gary, Indiana to the late Louis and Vera (Coffman) Keene. He retired from Cleveland Cliffs Steel after fifty-three years of service in 2023. Clint was a US Air Force...

Aug 29, 2024

Bertha Viramontes "Cookie", age 79 of Valparaiso passed away August 29, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born on July 4, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Cookie worked as a tax auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. She was a talented seamstress and could mend any clothing. She enjoyed crafting things for her family and her fur babies. Cookie was...

Aug 28, 2024

Diane Maldonado a 71-year-old resident of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, August 28, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on September 12, 1952, to the late Clarence and Wayma (nee Hayes) White in Memphis, Tennessee.  She held a diploma in computer technology and retired from her role as an administrative assistant at Ivy Tech. She had...

Aug 28, 2024

Sheila Ann Ellis, age 71, of Portage, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 28th, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on December 31, 1952, in Utica, NY to George and Jane Follmer. Sheila was a local elementary school teacher in River Forest for over 35 years and a dedicated member of Augustana Lutheran Church where she frequently volunteered...

Aug 28, 2024

Dessie A. Gross (Bickett), age 63 of Lake Station passed away suddenly on August 28, 2024. She was born on May 22, 1961, in Camp Pendleton, California. She worked as a CNA for VNA Hospice for more than twenty years. Dee could best be described as an animal lover. She particularly liked cats and dedicated most of her free...

Aug 27, 2024

Max Anthony Smith III

Age 45, passed away suddenly Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at his home. He was born on September 3, 1978, in Hobart Indiana to Judy (nee Ward) Smith and the late Max Smith II. Max will be remembered as a loving son, father, brother, uncle and friend.

Max is survived by his...

Aug 27, 2024

John Fredrick Rans, 81 of Hobart, Indiana passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024.  John was born on April 14, 1943 to Henry and Ethel Rans.  John was a lifelong resident of Hobart and was a 1961 graduate of Hobart High School.  After graduation John went to earn his certification as a mechanic specializing in German cars, Porsche and...

Aug 26, 2024

Johannah Elizabeth Rees, age 94, of St. Joseph, Michigan went to be with the Lord Monday August 26, 2024. Johannah was born April 10, 1930, in Hobart, Indiana to the late Howard and Ann (O'Connor) Rees. She was preceded in death by her brother Gerald Rees.

Johannah received a master's degree in education from Ball State University.  ...

Aug 26, 2024

Tammy I. Berg, age 59 of Portage passed away Monday, August 26, 2024, at home. She was born on July 29, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois. Tammy was an excellent cook. She had a vibrant personality and loved to spoil the children in her family.

She is survived by her sisters, Glenda Hensley, Vicky Erbes, Colleen (Rod) Couillard;...

Aug 25, 2024

Norma Kaye Varga, age 72, a longtime Lake County resident peacefully passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, amongst her family. She was born November 11,1951 in Palestine, Illinois to the late Ernest and Annabelle Patten. Her family was her everything. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandma and great grandma. Norma enjoyed Bingo, painting landscapes and caring for...

Aug 25, 2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Richard Albert Cleveland, age 72, born 11/7/1951, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Richard peacefully passed away at home in Lake Station on Saturday evening, August 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Richard's undying love for his family was the guiding force of his...

Aug 24, 2024

Debra Lee Bordelon "Debbie", age 64, passed away suddenly on Saturday August 24, 2024, at Franciscan Health Care-Crown Point. She was born March 25, 1960, in Gary, Indiana to the late Luther and Hazel (Trusky) Schwager. She was a manager of the Food Services Department for Valparaiso University. She loved her family, bowling, and her job.

Debbie...

Aug 24, 2024

Leonor Laviena, a 73-year-old resident of Portage, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024. She was born in East Chicago, Indiana on July 11, 1951, to the late Perdro and Ada (nee Ramos) Maldonado. On November 22, 1969, she married the love of her life Nelson Laviena Sr., and they spent 42 loving years together until his passing in 2011....

Aug 24, 2024

Andrew Saul DeJesus, age 42 a lifetime Lake Station resident passed away August 24, 2024.  He was born in Merrillville Indiana on June 7, 1982.  Andrew enjoyed baseball, basketball, and football and was a loyal Chicago White Sox fan.

He is survived by his parents, Carlos and Angelita DeJesus of Portage, IN; two daughters, Tatiana and Sophia...

Aug 23, 2024

Sha'Terry Denise Bell, age 19 of Lake Station passed away Friday, August 23, 2024.  She was born on December 27, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. Sha'Terry was currently employed as a waitress. She loved cats and her siblings. Her cats were like her children. She is survived by her two mothers, Sharon (Danny Adams) Pressley of Lake Station IN; Brandi...

Aug 23, 2024

Renetta K. (Cauley) Grutsch, age 85 of Portage passed away Friday, August 23, 2024. She was born on January 11, 1939, in Owensboro, Kentucky to the late Walker and Doris Cauley. Nettie was a 1957 graduate of Gary Edison High School. Shortly after finishing school, she married her high school sweetheart and very best friend, Richard Grutsch, Sr. Together...

Aug 22, 2024

Mary C. Trail, 90, of Hobart, passed away on August 22,2024. A proud alumna of Hobart High School's class of 1951, she pursued further education at Moody Bible Institute, obtaining a nursing degree. Her professional journey included a stint at Lutheran Hospital until its closure, and a remarkable 28-year tenure at Visiting Nurses of Chicago, where she ultimately retired....

Aug 18, 2024

On Sunday, August 18, 2024 the lord took the most sweetest angel home with him.  Alex Leland Wilson-Sayre passed away in his sleep at age 5, leaving behind loving parents, Alex "Mitch" (Amber Nicole) Wilson-Sayre of Valparaiso, IN; Jessica Harris of Valparaiso, IN; loving sisters,  Alexis Nicole Wilson-Sayre of Valparaiso, IN and Hannah Ann Harris of Valparaiso, IN; two...