obituaries

Aug 1, 2022

James Adom Collins, age 40, of Lake Station passed away Monday August 1, 2022.  He was born March 10, 1982, in Hobart, Indiana to the late Rickie Ray Collins and Deborah (Hugueley) Collins. He worked laying Asphalt for several companies. He was a loving son, brother, and father.

He is survived by his two sons, Andrew and...

Jul 31, 2022

LeRoy "Roy" Rappatta, age 90, of Portage and formerly of Lake Station, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Roy was born on January 11, 1932 in Gary, IN to the late Benedict Rappatta and Ruth (nee Hutchinson) Seymour.  He served as a member of the National Guard.  Roy worked as a furnace heater at US Steel...

Jul 28, 2022

Dr. Michael Peter Livovich, Jr. of South Haven, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 28, his 71st birthday, due to complications of cancer. Born to Michael Sr. and Loycene Livovich in Gary, Indiana, in 1951, he grew up quickly in responsibility, assisting his parents–his father, a disabled veteran, and his mother, deaf. He graduated from Portage High School in...

Jul 28, 2022

Carolyn R. Andersen, age 83, of Portage passed away Thursday July 28, 2022, in her home. She was born April 21, 1939, in New Port, Rhode Island to the late Ezra and Ellen (Dunbar) Hearson. Carolyn worked as a spark tester for Screw and Bolt a Division of Modulus Corp. She also worked for Eagle Services in Burns Harbor. ...

Jul 27, 2022

James Norman Shore Age 67, of Portage passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022, after battling cancer and heart disease for over 12 yrs. He was born in Gary, Indiana to the late Glenn Norman and Anna (nee Bogdanich) Shore. He retired from Local 81 where he worked as a Laborer. On February 16, 2002, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee Jim married his...

Jul 26, 2022

Daniel M. Lustgarten, "Dan", age 61, living in Valparaiso, IN and having grown up in Portage, IN, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Dan was born on April 10, 1961 in Gary, IN to the late Raymond and Norma (nee Allen) Lustgarten.  He was a graduate of Portage High School, Class of 1980 and still...

Jul 26, 2022

DAVID MICHAEL "MIKE" NORDYKE, age 64, of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at Northwest Health.  He was born on September 10, 1957, in East Chicago, IN.  Mike was a veteran of the US Navy and a retiree of Inland Steel. He enjoyed going to Michigan a lot, as well as drumming, camping and riding his motorcycle. Mike...

Jul 24, 2022

Elizabeth "Betty" Zunich passed away peacefully on Sunday morning July 24th. Born and raised in Hobart she moved to southern California to be with her high school sweetheart, Edwin Matovich, after meeting again at their 30th high school reunion. They had many years of traveling and living life together. Betty was blessed in life to have traveled to many foreign...

Jul 24, 2022

Mark A. Roman, Sr., age 42 a lifetime Portage resident passed away Sunday, July 24, 2022.  He was born on December 4, 1979, in Merrillville, Indiana.  Mark worked as a Plant Manager for ITR Solutions.  He was a member of the Bloodline Church in Lake Station. Mark enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his children,...

Jul 22, 2022

Betty A. Johnson, age 94, of Portage passed away suddenly Friday July 22, 2022, at Northwest Health Portage Hospital. She was born October 4, 1927, in Hammond, Indiana to the late Martin and Anna (Valuch) Smith. She was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.  Betty was an award winning seamstress and a fifty year member...

Jul 22, 2022

James Gregory Wilson "Greg", age 67, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 22, 2022.

Greg was born on January 30, 1955 in Gary, IN to the late Dan L. Wilson and Grace LaFern (nee Mandrell) Subartowicz.  He worked for many years as a welder in the steel industry.  He married the love of his...

Jul 20, 2022

Shirley F. Johnson, age 86, of Chesterton passed away Wednesday July 20, 2022, at Northwest Health, Porter.  Shirley was born November 24, 1935, in Bemis, Tennessee to the late John and Mabel (Elrod) Hollaway.  She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Shirley loved to read and to color.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband...

Jul 19, 2022

Sharon Rae (née Bell) Binder, age 86, of Hobart, IN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, surrounded by family. Sharon was born on August 19, 1935 in Gary, Indiana to the late Eldo and Louise M. (née Niksch) Bell. She married William Henry (Bill) Binder on September 18, 1955 in Hobart...

Jul 19, 2022

Ronald Semper Age 93, of Hobart passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at his home. He was born on February 20, 1929, to the late Theodore and Isabell (nee Kramer) Semper in Chicago, Illinois. Ronald was a 1949 Lew Wallace graduate and a past member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and St. Peter and Paul of Portage. On May...

Jul 19, 2022

Howard Gearhart, age 74, of Portage, IN, passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Howard was born on July 24,1947 in Knox, IN to the late Alton and Welma (nee Smith) Gearhart.  He retired from US Steel where he worked as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. He proudly served in the United States Army. On November 3,1993 he...

Jul 17, 2022

Opal (Rogers) Wright, age 97 of Hobart passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022. She was born on March 8, 1925 in Shannon, Mississippi to the late Rufus and Nora Rogers. On April 10, 1943 she married Paul Wright in Lucedale, Mississippi. She was a dedicated member of Bible Baptist Church in Portage. Opal regularly donated funds to retired police...

Jul 15, 2022

Laura Kathleen (Knight, Hopper, Kauffman) Boyd "Kat" , age 71, of Lake Station passed away Friday July 15, 2022 at her home. Kat was born September 29, 1950 in East Chicago, Indiana to the Late Nolan and Mary (Gordon) Knight. She was a machine operator at Allied Tubing Company in Harvey, Illinois. She will be deeply missed by her...

Jul 14, 2022

Patricia A. Curiel, age 74, of Portage, Indiana passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Patricia was born July 12, 1948, in East Chicago, Indiana to the late Joseph and Stella (Kaczmierski) Miller. Patricia was a care provider for children and adults with special needs.  She was a long-time member of Nativity of Our Savior Parish. She also...

Jul 13, 2022

Lauro Cerda, Jr., age 85, of Hobart, passed away July 13, 2022.  He was born on July 18, 1936 in Gary, Indiana. Lauro proudly served his country in the US Army National Guard.  He worked for many years as a crane operator at US Steel until his retirement. Lauro had faithfully attended mass at St. Mark Catholic Church. He...

Jul 13, 2022

JANET GROLLA, age 84, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2022.  She was born on February 16, 1938 to the late Attice and Edna Thomas.  Janet worked for 37 years at Gary National Bank in the Commercial Loan Department.

She is survived by her sister, Judy; nephews, Brian (Laura) Schimnel of NC and Bill (Kitty) Groza...