obituaries

Oct 8, 2023

Larry A. Pruitt, age 76, of Portage passed away Sunday October 8, 2023, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Larry was born January 4, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Eugene and Martha (Herrin) Pruitt. He was a steelworker that retired from Inland Steel Company in 2009 with over thirty years of service. He was veteran of...

Oct 8, 2023

Tammy J. Costley, age 63 of Portage passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023.  She was born on June 5, 1960 in Gary Indiana to the late William C. and Julie Costley Sr..  Tammy grew up in Gary and graduated from Wirt High School in 1978.  She was also a former Hobart resident but currently resided in Portage for the...

Oct 7, 2023

Catherine M. Meakisz, age 74, of Griffith passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023. She was born on August 20, 1949, in Parker, Pennsylvania to the late Thomas and Florence Bester. She loved her family and dedicated her life to taking care of them. She always kept herself busy, whether she was making blankets, repairing holes in clothing, decorating cakes...

Oct 7, 2023

Sheryl Lynn Schmeler was called home to be with her Savior on October 7 after a journey with metastatic breast cancer that had begun over a year ago.  Sherry, age 62, lived in Hobart, Indiana.

Sherry is survived by her parents, Dave & Dottie Leonard of Hobart, daughter Jamie (and Doug) Arambula of Crown Point, daughter Carrie...

Oct 7, 2023

Clarence Edward "Ed" Cable, 78, of Lake Station passed away October 7, 2023, at St. Mary's hospital.  He was born May 13, 1945, in Kentucky to the late James and Myrtle (Coons) Cable.

Ed married Sylvia Louise Wyller on July 18, 1964, and together they raised three children.  He worked as a crane man at Inland Steel...

Oct 6, 2023

SPC David Jose Claudio, age 21, of Fort Carson, Colorado and formerly of Hobart, Indiana passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 6, 2023. He was born on November 24, 2001, in Merrillville, Indiana to Jose and Deliah Claudio. A 2020 Portage High School graduate, he was currently an active-duty service member of the United States Army stationed in Fort Carson,...

Oct 5, 2023

Mary Jane Wiegand, age 78, of Chesterton, formerly of Valparaiso passed away on October 5, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born September 23, 1945, in Rensselaer, Indiana to the late William and Della (nee Snow) Ferrell.  Mary was an amazing mother who lived her wonderful life for her family, she will be missed greatly. Her family...

Oct 4, 2023

Shirley Jo Murphy, age 72, of Hobart passed away Wednesday October 4, 2023, at home with her family and cats by her side. Shirley was born August 27, 1951, in Gary, Indiana to the late William and Ruth (Clay) Belsha. She was a loan officer and account manager with several banks including Hobart Federal Savings Bank. Shirley loved her...

Oct 4, 2023

Jack R. Way, age 69, of Portage, IN and formerly of Cedar Lake, IN, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Jack was born on December 6, 1953 in Gary, IN to the late Clarence and Virginia (nee Thurnhill) Way.  He worked as a mechanic for many years with...

Oct 2, 2023

Patricia "Pat" Watts (nee Wilding), age 76, of Valparaiso, IN and formerly of Navarre, FL, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Pat was born on February 14, 1947 in South Bend, IN to the late James and Rose (nee Moss) Wilding.  She proudly worked for over 40 years as a Registered Nurse with Gary Methodist Hospital,...

Oct 1, 2023

We mourn the loss of Bruce St. Julien, who passed away surrounded by his family on October 1, 2023, at the age of 74. Bruce's life was a remarkable blend of dedicated service, professional achievement, culinary artistry, intellectual curiosity, and abiding love for his family. He was born on March 23, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Robert...

Sep 30, 2023

Arthur (Art) Kenneth Mathas, age 79 of Hobart, beloved husband, father, brother, cousin, friend, and of course Poppa passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023, after a full blessed life.  He was born on August 29, 1944, in Gary, IN to the late Kenneth Arthur Mathas and Frances Sobczak Mathas (Pawlik).   Art married Gail Mathas (Cooper) on December 12,...

Sep 29, 2023

Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Jackie (nee Karner) Brickley both passed away in September of 2023. Jackie was born on July 26, 1951, in Elgin, Illinois to the late George and Florence Brasich. Carl was born on September 4, 1949, in Gary, Indiana to the late Norris and Edith Brickley. On November 21, 1970, they got married at the...

Sep 29, 2023

Rhea Laramie, 95, of Portage passed away Friday, September 29, 2023, in Chesterton, Indiana. She was born Agatha Rhea Brooks on April 28, 1928, in Casey, Illinois to the late Homer and Ethel Brooks.

Rhea married Robert Laramie on May 29, 1967, and together they raised 7 children. Rhea was a devoted homemaker - cooking, canning, baking,...

Sep 27, 2023

Herminia "Miriam" Ortiz, age 75, of Portage, IN, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Miriam was born on April 28, 1948 in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico to the late Rafaela Sanchez and Santana Vallejo Sanchez. She was a graduate of Gary Edison High School.  Miriam met her husband Ruben Ortiz through church and married two years...

Sep 26, 2023

Alan Donald Beckler, age 81, of Portage passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at his home. He was born on June 3, 1942, in Washington D.C. Donald proudly served his country for 35 years in the United States Airforce. Later in life he worked in the produce department at Wise Way in Hobart until he retired. He will be...

Sep 26, 2023

James Ralph Ingram, age 78 of Crown Point, Indiana passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023.  James was born on February 2, 1945, to the late Willie and Alice Ingram.  He worked for Pace Bus Company, CLP Trucking, and Merit Freight as a truck driver for over 40 years.  He loved driving, reading maps, and fellowshipping with others.  James loved...

Sep 25, 2023

Billie Jo (nee Larkins) Evans age 91, of Portage formerly of Crown Point passed away Monday, September 25, 2023, at home. She was born on July 6,1932, in Gravette, Arkansas to the late Kenneth and Irene (nee Carter) Larkins. On March 2,1952, she married Benjamin B. Evans in Reno, Nevada and together they raised three children. She retired from...

Sep 25, 2023

Joseph Rivera, age 63 of Gary, passed away Monday, September 25, 2023. He was born on September 9, 1960, in Gary, Indiana to the late Juan and Maria Rivera. Joe was an electrician by trade and retired due to a disability. He then worked as a security guard for Allied Universal at the GE plant in Munster. He was...

Sep 24, 2023

Thomas David Cahillane age 36, of Knox, passed away suddenly on September 24,2023.  Thomas was a loving father to his children and everyone that knew him said he was the smartest person they knew. He was a skilled tradesman and a hard and loyal worker. Tom was passionate about current events and politics and was a critical thinker. He...