obituaries

Dec 31, 2023

Elmer E. Nagy

Age 78, of Portage, Indiana passed away Sunday, December 31, 2023, at home. He was born on August 10, 1945, in Gary Indiana to the late Frank J. and Hazel I. Nagy. A lifelong Portage resident, he graduated from Portage High School in 1963. He proudly served his country in the United States Army....

Dec 30, 2023

Sharon L. Novak, age 68 of Portage, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was born on February 4, 1955, in Gary, Indiana to the late Jay and Betty Hassett. Sharon loved shopping and collected clothes, shoes, and teddy bears of any kind. Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren, and talked about them whenever she had the...

Dec 26, 2023

John A. Hamady, age 80 of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023. He was born on May 20, 1943, in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Cecelia Hamady. He was a 1963 graduate of River Forest High School and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. John retired from NIPSCO where he...

Dec 24, 2023

Charles D. Adams, age 74 of Valparaiso, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at home. He was born on December 27, 1948, in Gary, Indiana. Charles was a skilled mechanic and owned and operated Family Auto Service. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of the American Legion Post #502 in South...

Dec 23, 2023

Linda Y. Woudema (nee Stamper), of Chesterton, 71, passed away December 23, 2023, in Valparaiso, Indiana.  She was born April 12, 1952, to the late Vernon and Lena (nee Caudill) Stamper.

Linda married her love Gary Woudema on December 26, 1970, and together they raised one son, Gary "Bucky" Jr.  Linda was a lifelong homemaker who loved...

Dec 23, 2023

On December 23, 2023, Lidia Méndez, a loving wife, mother, and sister to many, went home to be with our Lord. She was the kindest soul anyone could ever meet. Her caring spirit touched the lives of so many. Caring for and helping others gave her great purpose, and she always did so with a happy heart, never asking...

Dec 23, 2023

Donna Jean "Beanie" (Utley) Fazekas, 54, of Portage, Indiana passed away December 23, 2023.  She entered the world on November 11, 1969, born in Gary, Indiana to the late Donald and Barbara (Hurt) Utley.

Beanie is the mother of three children and grandmother to seven grandchildren.  She was a free spirit that lived life in her own...

Dec 21, 2023

Carl H. Miller Jr.

Age 75, of Portage passed away on December 21, 2023. He was born in Gary, Indiana on December 20, 1948, to the late Carl H. Miller Sr. and Jean (nee Urdesu) Miller. He was a 1967 graduate from East Gary High School. Carl married the love of his life, Anna M. (Patton) Miller...

Dec 20, 2023

Reynaldo Herrera

Age 65, of Portage passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023. He was born in Gary, Indiana on November 19,1958 to the late Eulalio and Sylvia (nee Tellez) Herrera.  Reynaldo was a very talented carpenter who enjoyed fixing things. He was known for his legendary holiday parties; he loved loud music and karaoke. His biggest treasure...

Dec 19, 2023

Kathleen A. Barlog, age 74, of Hobart was called home while surrounded by her family and close friends. Kathleen earned her wings on Tuesday December 19, 2023. On 12/21/2023 Kathleen took her Honor walk to be an organ donor.  Kathleen was born with a heart of gold on June 16, 1949, in East Chicago, Indiana to the late Norbert...

Dec 18, 2023

Joanne Catherine Troutman (nee Fitzsimmons), age 86, of Hobart passed away Monday, December 18, 2023. She was born on October 22, 1937, in Gary, Indiana to the late James and Mary Fitzsimmons. On May 25, 1957, she married Terry Troutman and together they raised four children. She was a kind and loving person who truly never met a stranger....

Dec 16, 2023

Randy Wayne Trover, age 64, of Hobart passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023. He was born on March 7, 1959, in St. Charles, Kentucky. Randy proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy. He retired from The Times Newspaper, where he worked as a press operator. He was a BBC movie buff and really enjoyed...

Dec 16, 2023

Thomas "Tommy" Gonzales, age 68, of Miller Beach Indiana, passed away on December 16, 2023. He is survived by his two children Dawn (Johnny) Martinez of Crown Point IN and Michael (Elizabeth) Gonzales of Munster IN; the loves of his life, five grandchildren Johnny & Dominic Martinez and Ayden, Julian & Madelyn Gonzales; eight siblings and a plethora of...

Dec 15, 2023

James E. Osika, age 76, of Portage, Indiana, passed away with his loving wife by his side on Friday, December 15, 2023.

He was born on October 16, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late Barney and Ann Osika.  He was a member of the Portage Missionary Baptist Church and attended the men's Monday night bible study.  ...

Dec 15, 2023

Shandra Morris, age 61, of Lake Station passed away on Friday December 15, 2023. She was born on January 25, 1962, in Sutton, West Virginia to the late Garry Allen and Evelyn W. Morris. She worked at Arman's as a customer service associate for many years. Shandra was a very kind, supportive soul and would help anyone she could....

Dec 15, 2023

Nancy L. Zazado (nee Vereb), age 84, of Portage, IN, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Nancy was born on August 21, 1939 in Grindstone, PA to the late William and Irene (nee Totin) Vereb.  She was a graduate of Red Stone Township High School, Class of 1957.  Nancy married William C. Zazado, "Bill", on June...

Dec 14, 2023

In Loving Memory of Michael D Benka

April 5, 1948 - December 14, 2023

Michael D Benka, a dedicated husband, father, and cherished friend, peacefully passed away on December 14, 2023. Born on April 5, 1948, Michael's life was characterized by service, love, and a deep commitment to those closest to him.

A...

Dec 14, 2023

MaryAnn Bearss, 88, of Portage, was called home to be with the Lord Thursday, December 14, 2023.  She was born October 7, 1935, in Gary, Indiana to the late Gilbert D. and Dallas I. (Monahan) Tucker.

MaryAnn married the love of her life, Kim Bearss, in September of 1958 and they were together for 60 years until...

Dec 13, 2023

Aletria "Kay" Mardis-Storkman, age 66, of Hobart passed away Wednesday December 13, 2023, at St Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Kay was born November 20, 1957, in Gary, Indiana to the late Richard and Martha (Alvey) Mardis. Kay was a Certified Nursing Assistant for over thirty years and worked for many local nursing centers ending at Addison Pointe Health...

Dec 13, 2023

Thomas E. Coates, age 78, of Hobart passed away Wednesday December 13, 2023, in his home with his family by his side. Thomas was born April 10, 1945, in Gary, Indiana to the late Milton and Alfreda (Kossow) Coates. He worked for 19 years as a respiratory therapist for St Mary Medical Center, he also worked for Buy Low...