obituaries

Oct 28, 2025

Maria G. Jackson, age 77, of Lake Station passed away Tuesday October 28, 2025. Maria was born March 10, 1948, in Noicattaro, Italy to the late Pasquale and Santa (Borracci) Didonna. Maria was a steelworker that retired from Cleveland Cliffs Steel Company. Maria was a member of St. Francis-Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Station. She was a member of...

Oct 28, 2025

JOSEPH W. HANENKRATT, age 57, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Joseph was a veteran of the US Army and proud to be an American. He married the love of his life, Ginger (nee Clary) on October 7, 2000, in Hobart, Indiana.  Joe was a member of Steelworkers Local 1010 and had 20+ years of service with...

Oct 28, 2025

Gerald "Jerry" Phillip Clough, age 72 of Portage passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025.  He was born on June 9, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Phillip and Dorothy Clough (nee Streg).

He is survived by his wife, Marcy Clough (nee Schwab), four children, Adam (Eric Fisher) Clough, Jordan (Laura) Clough, Marlisa (Britton) Clough-Bartz, Dennis Helwig...

Oct 28, 2025

Wilda LaRue Sawaski (nee Mills), age 80 a longtime Portage resident passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on December 13, 1944, to the late Edwin and Audre Mills.  She worked as a Health Caregiver at Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso.  She enjoyed sewing, crafts, art, drawing, and waterfalls.

She is survived...

Oct 28, 2025

Catherine Marie Klekot, age 75, of Portage passed away Tuesday October 28, 2025, at Northwest Health-Porter Hospital. Catherine was born August 23, 1950, in Hammond, Indiana to the late Sigmund and Genevieve (Barlog) Lesniewski. She was a homemaker, mother and wife. She loved playing BINGO, baking, and cooking. Catherine was a Den Mother while Nicholas was in Boy Scouts....

Oct 27, 2025

Ruth Joy Throne, most beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ on Monday, October 27, 2025. Ruth was born April 25, 1927 in Montgomery, Michigan to the late Rev. Lyle M. Owen and Luzene Belle Owen (Scoville). Ruth met the love of her life, Paul Throne, when her family moved to...

Oct 27, 2025

Carolyn Jean Lenburg (nee Bergren), age 95, a longtime Portage resident passed away Monday, October 27, 2025.  She was born on June 30, 1930, in Gary Indiana to the late Clarence and Viola Bergren.  Carolyn graduated from Chesterton High School, Class of 1948.  She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso and her master's degree at...

Oct 26, 2025

Shirley Ann Morales

Age 71, of Downers Grove, Illinois formerly of Hobart passed away Sunday, October 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 29, 1954, in Gary, Indiana to the late Nicholas and Julie (nee O'Keefe) Badovinac. On October 29, 1977, Shirley married the love of her life Donald Morales at St....

Oct 26, 2025

Houston Stevens

Age 67, of Hobart passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on October 25, 1958, in Glasgow, Scotland to the late Ray and Maureen (nee Mackay) Stevens. Houston was a proud father to his daughter, Taylor Stevens, and cherished grandfather to Kane Boswell and Piper Cottrell, he also...

Oct 24, 2025

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, David stayed true to his roots throughout his life. He graduated from Calumet High School in 1985 and soon after began a lifelong career and passion as an auto mechanic, working alongside his father and uncle. Over the decades, he built his skills in shops across the Gary area, earning respect for his...

Oct 23, 2025

Theodore "Teddy" Choucalas age 29, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2025. He was born on January 18, 1996, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Angela Choucalas and Tito Caudillo Jr.  Teddy was a loving and devoted family member who brought energy, humor and curiosity into everything he did. A hardworking mechanic, he had a natural gift for understanding how things worked...

Oct 23, 2025

Velma K. "Sis" "GG" Schramm (nee Bubik) , age 93 a longtime Merrillville/Hobart resident passed away Thursday, October 23, 2025.  She was born on July 4, 1932 in Gary, Indiana to the late James and Pauline Bubik.  Velma worked at St. Anthony's Family Daycare Center as a Daycare Aid retiring in March 1990 and also at John Wood Elementary...

Oct 23, 2025

Patricia Ann Campano, age 76, of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away Thursday October 23, 2025, at the University of Chicago Hospital. Patricia was born August 13, 1949, in Gary, Indiana to the late Salvatore "Sam" and Emily (Peksenak) Campano. She was a steelworker that retired from Midwest Steel-U S Steel. Patricia was a former member of the VFW Auxiliary. She...

Oct 23, 2025

Tina Centifanto

Age 63 of Valparaiso passed away Thursday, October 23,2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 8, 1962, in Gary, Indiana to Emma (nee Benge) Ring and the late Howard Eugene Ring. Tina had a bright and outgoing personality that made everyone around her feel welcomed and appreciated. She loved the ocean...

Oct 22, 2025

DEREK JASON SMITH, SR., age 61, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025. He was born in Anderson, IN on October 11, 1964 to the late Jerry Smith and Lois Smith (Poole). Derek was an active member of the Sons of AMVETS, Post 98, in Holiday Florida for 27 years.

He is survived by his 4...

Oct 22, 2025

Lucille J. Sternberg, age 78, of Portage passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at St. Mary Medical Center. Lucille was born on July 17, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to the late Charles and Selma (nee Zelkae) Hicks. Lucille was a devoted homemaker who treasured caring for her family. She enjoyed scrapbooking, attending family events, and especially spending time with...

Oct 20, 2025

Robert Dean Jones II "Bobby", age 56 of Portage passed away unexpectedly Monday, October 20, 2025. He was born on February 2, 1969, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Robert and Ruth Jones. Bobby graduated from Portage High School class of 1987 and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in building construction from Purdue University. While at Purdue, he was...

Oct 20, 2025

Mary Beth Ahlders, age 68, of Crown Point passed away Monday October 20, 2025, at the AMG Specialty Hospital in Crown Point. Mary was born July 5, 1957, in Gary, Indiana to the late William and Agnes (Malayter) McCall. She was a server that worked at several different restaurants during her career. Mary loved her family, Arts and Crafts,...

Oct 17, 2025

Charles W. Andrews Age 50, of Hobart passed away Friday, October 17, 2025. He was born on May 13, 1975, to the late Charles and Christine (nee Archer) Andrews Sr. In Gary, Indiana. Charles was a devoted father, a hard worker and a loyal friend. He worked as a manager at McDonalds. Charles had a love for Star Trek,...

Oct 14, 2025

Helen Ann Grochowski

Age 84 a longtime Portage resident passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 14, 2025. She was born on May 7, 1941, in Gary, Indiana to the late Gregorio and Jessie (nee Vasquez) Castro. On April 6,1968 she married the love of her life Anthony Grochowski. Helen was a devoted homemaker whose love and warmth filled...