obituaries

Aug 22, 2022

Junior E.  Burton, age 74, of Lake Station passed away Monday, August 22, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center. He was born January 28,1948 in Helena, Arkansas to the late Frank Earl and Clara Ophelia Burton. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He retired from Union Tank where he worked as a welder and...

Aug 22, 2022

Emma Jean Pavolich-Hughes, age 90 of Hobart passed away Monday, August 22, 2022 at home. She was born on March 1, 1932 in Bloomington, Illinois to the late James and Mary Embry.  Emma was employed as a Registered Nurse at Miller's Merry Manor. She was a dedicated member of Crown of Life Church in Hobart. Emma was a former...

Aug 22, 2022

Richard Varella Sr., age 82 of Hobart, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2022 at home.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Varella; son, Richard Varella Jr.; grandsons, Jacob (Jen) Varella, Alec Nesmith and Nathan Betz; great grandchildren, Bailey and Jacob Varella; brother, Dan Varella; and loving nieces and nephews.

He...

Aug 22, 2022

Robert E. Scobee, age 85 a lifetime Hobart resident passed away Monday, August 22, 2022 at the William Riley Hospice Center in Munster.  He was born on June 24, 1937 in Gary, Indiana to the late Ely and Elsie Scobee.  Robert worked for Nipsco as a Special Projects Coordinator, retiring in 1993 after over 35 years of service.  He...

Aug 21, 2022

Carl L. Spurrier, age 67, of Portage, IN and formerly of Owensboro, KY, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 21, 2022.

Carl was born on November 26, 1954 in Owensboro, KY to Carl F. and Mildred Spurrier.  He was a graduate of Calumet High School. He was a steelworker and Safety Chairman for the Local 1011 for...

Aug 19, 2022

Gerald "Skip" Norman Reese, age 84, of Valparaiso, IN, went peacefully home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 19, 2022. Skip was born on 1/6/1938 in Gary, IN to Gerald and Mildred Reese. He graduated from Hobart High School in 1957, was an Army veteran, a 20 year veteran of the Hobart Police Department, and went on to...

Aug 19, 2022

LEONA M. BECKER, age 98, of Salem, OR, and formerly a longtime Hobart, IN, resident, passed away Friday, August 19, 2022.  She was born in Bicknell, IN on July 2, 1924 to the late Paul and Adele Freville. She was a graduate of Clinton High School Class of 1942.  Leona married her husband of 43 years, Carl Becker on...

Aug 18, 2022

Ray Martin, age 84, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2022, at home. He was born on June 22, 1938, in Gary, Indiana to the late Dolph and Susan Martin. He retired from Republic Steel, where he worked as a roto test operator. Ray enjoyed watching sports, he was an avid Bears and Cubs fan and loved spending...

Aug 16, 2022

Kenneth Wayne David, age 71 of Hobart, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. He was born on August 12, 1951 in Gary, Indiana to the late Kenneth and Lennie David. Ken owned and managed several auto body repair shops during his career. He had a passion for cars and enjoyed restoring them.  He...

Aug 14, 2022

Nicholas A. Kaminski, age 31, of Portage, IN passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Nick was born on September 20, 1990 in Valparaiso, IN to Larry and Debbie (nee Kaminski) Lee.  He  worked as a carpenter with his father's business Decks by Design.  Nick enjoyed woodworking and built things for his family and friends.  He liked...

Aug 14, 2022

Jacqueline "Jackie" Servaty, age 75 of Portage passed away Sunday August 14, 2022, at the Rittenhouse Village in Portage. She was born April 3, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to the late Stanley Wayne and Annabel Underwood. Jackie was retired from Porter Memorial Portage Hospital where she worked in many positions through the years. Her main focus in life was...

Aug 13, 2022

HAZEL JEAN HARKINS, age 92 of Portage, and formerly a longtime Hobart resident, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2022.  She was born in Dawson, PA on May 23, 1930 to the late Clarence Edward and Maria Belle Keffer. Jean married Robert Jack Harkins on August 15, 1946 in Dawson, PA. They later moved to Hobart in 1962. Jean had...

Aug 12, 2022

Peter J. Zarantonello, age 88 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully Friday, August 12, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center after a valiant fight. Peter was born into a large family as the youngest of five children on September 3, 1933 in Michigan City, Indiana to the late John and Regina Zarantonello. Peter was raised in the Catholic Church serving...

Aug 12, 2022

Michael James Smith, age 53, of Hobart passed away Friday August 12, 2022. He was born November 23, 1968, to the late William and Darlene (Thorsky) Smith. Mike was a Union Carpenter working out of Local Union #272. Michael loved Bass Lake where he enjoyed Barefooting, Wake boarding, grilling, and listening to music (the louder the better). He loved...

Aug 12, 2022

On Friday, August 12, 2022, Myra Ruth Schafer (née Weeks), loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away in Valparaiso, Indiana at the age of 72. Myra was born in Gadsden, Alabama, on March 29, 1950.  Professionally, she excelled as one of the first female real estate appraisers in the State of Indiana. In her 45-year career, Myra was known...

Aug 12, 2022

Stanley Czaja Jr., age 71, of Hobart, IN, passed away on Friday, August 12,2022 with his family by his side. Stanley was born on May 29,1951, in Gary, Indiana to Stanley and Irene Ann (nee Gemeinhart) Czaja Sr.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 260 in...

Aug 9, 2022

William L. Balogh "Billy", age 57 of New Chicago passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at home. He was born on December 14, 1964 in Lorain, Ohio. He was employed as a machine operator. Billy had a passion for hot rods and classic cars. Above all he was a family man and he loved his grandchildren.  He will be...

Aug 9, 2022

George Albert Durko, age 81, a longtime Hobart resident passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at the Towne Centre Assisted Living.  He was born on July 16, 1941 to the late Albert M. and Helen Durko.  He served his country in the U.S. Army. George was the owner and operator of Video Palace for more than 25 years.  He...

Aug 8, 2022

Thomas N. King, "Tom", age 63, a lifelong resident of Hobart, IN, passed away suddenly on Monday, August 8, 2022.

Tom was born on January 31, 1959 in Gary, IN to the late Duane and Marie (nee Kellen) King.  He was a graduate of Hobart High School, Class of 1977.  Tom worked as a crane operator with...

Aug 8, 2022

Jack Stafford, age 64, of Lake Station, passed away Monday, August 8, 2022. He was born on January 7, 1958, in East Chicago, Indiana to the late Bennie and Donna (nee Hankins) Stafford. On October 10, 1997, in Lake Station, Indiana, he married the love of his life, the late Kathern "Kathy" (nee MacKenzie) Stafford. He retired from Snapple...