obituaries

Oct 18, 2022

Bonita "Bonnie" J. Brunner, age 80, of Valparaiso passed away Tuesday October 18, 2022, in her home.  Bonita was born September 25, 1942, in Chicago, IL to the late Kenneth and Mildred (Olson) Erickson. Bonita was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, and wife. She enjoyed playing Bunco.

Bonita is survived by her loving son, Gerald (Lori) Brunner...

Oct 18, 2022

Maria Cajigas, age 81, of Lake Station, IN passed away on Tuesday, October 18,2022 at home surrounded by her family. Maria was born on August 2,1941 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico to the late Juan Maria and Francisco (nee Gonzales) Molina.  She married the love of her life Domingo German Cajigas in Hoboken, New Jersey and she devoted her life...

Oct 17, 2022

Josephine Candler (nee De Rosa), age 98, of Valparaiso and formerly of Lake Station, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022. She was born on June 9, 1924 in East Chicago, Indiana to the late Salvadore and Carmella De Rosa. On April 4, 1951 she married James E. Candler in Chicago. Josephine retired from the Red Rooster where she worked...

Oct 16, 2022

Dylan T. Childers, age 17, of Portage, IN passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Dylan was born on April 29, 2005, in Valparaiso, IN to Thomas Childers and Heather Pancer.  He was a senior at Portage High School and worked for Reeder's Auto Service Center. He grew up involved with the South Haven's Boy's and Girl's Clubs,...

Oct 15, 2022

Norma Jeanne Heck, age 92, of Portage passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022, in Chesterton. Norma was born January 20,1930, in Gary, IN to the late Edward and Estella (Kacicyak) Crowley. She worked for Sears Roebuck in the receiving department for 10 yrs. Norma was very thrifty, she made it a priority for her and Kenneth to give their...

Oct 14, 2022

James Watson "Spanky" Wilkerson, age 42, of Chesterton, IN, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Spanky was born on August 22, 1980 in Hobart, IN to the late Roy Lucian and Janet Darlene (nee Lewis) Wilkerson.  He was a Union Painter with Local 460 and also worked as a mechanic.

Spanky was a great...

Oct 14, 2022

Timothy "Tim" James Gibbs, age 47, of Portage passed away suddenly Friday October 14, 2022, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Tim was born October 31, 1974, in Hobart, Indiana to Billy and Donna (Clark) Gibbs. Timothy was a steel worker that worked for Cleveland Cliffs Steel. Tim loved camping, fishing, and riding his motorcycle.

Tim is survived by wife,...

Oct 14, 2022

Dorothy A. Shirey, age 97, of Syracuse, formerly of Hobart, Indiana passed away Friday, October 14, 2022.  She was born on April 22, 1925, to the late Harry and Ruth Small.  She worked at Comays Jewelers and Park Pharmacy.  Dorothy was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart.  She enjoyed boating, gardening, bird watching and checking in...

Oct 14, 2022

George Andros, Jr., age 74 of Hobart passed away Friday, October 14, 2022. He was born on December 9, 1947 in Gary, Indiana to the late George and Bessie Lucile Andros. On June 19, 1971, he married Patricia Ann Casey. George worked as an Electrician for US Steel for 32 years. He had a very intelligent mind for making...

Oct 14, 2022

Betty A. Cleek, age 82 a longtime Chesterton/Portage resident, passed away Friday, October 14, 2022.  She was born on July 30, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to the late Manuel and Lottie (Szostek) Ponda.  Betty worked at Chesterton High School as a Cook and also at Continental Can.  She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in...

Oct 13, 2022

Robin L. Durbin, age 67 of Hobart passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 12, 1955 in Gary, Indiana to the late Walter and Margaret Pest. She was a 1973 graduate of Lew Wallace High School. In her free-time, she loved to read and enjoyed gardening. Robin enjoyed all...

Oct 11, 2022

Daryl Charles Gilbert, age 58 a longtime Valparaiso resident passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2022.  He was born on December 9, 1963 in Avon Park, Florida.  He worked as a Truck Driver for Smith Ready Mix in Chesterton.  Daryl loved camping and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Daphne Gilbert...

Oct 10, 2022

Robert Carter Jackson, age 87 of Portage, and formerly Hobart, was called to God on Monday, October 10, 2022. He was born on September 24, 1935 in East Gary, Indiana to the late John B. and Lucille A. Jackson. He proudly served in the United States Navy. He married Mary Elizabeth Christine on June 20, 1957 at St. Bridget...

Oct 10, 2022

Roberta Rose Robinson, age 86, of Portage passed away October 10, 2022, in Valparaiso. Rose was born September 27, 1936, in Gary, IN to the late Robert and Rose (Tarkane) Emerson. She was an educational interpreter that retired from Bailey elementary school. She was a very active member of Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church where she volunteered often....

Oct 10, 2022

JOE ANTHONY PEDROZA, age 46, of Lake Station, passed away Monday, October 10, 2022 at the IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, surrounded by his loving family and friends.  He was born on December 6, 1975 in Chicago, IL. Joe was a lifetime member of St. Francis Xavier Parish and a graduate of River Forest High School, Class of 1995....

Oct 9, 2022

Donna R. Justus, age 48, of Dyer and formerly of Portage passed away Sunday October 9, 2022.  Donna was born September 8, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Donald and Dorothy (Sherman) Justus. Donna was a disabled retail clerk. She will be missed by her family.

Donna is survived by five children, Jonathan Justus, Lance Deeter,...

Oct 8, 2022

Michael Charles Cash, age 69, of Hobart passed away Saturday October 8, 2022. Michael was born May 2, 1953 in Gary, Indiana to the late Joseph John and Ruth Ann (Vallo) Cash, Sr. He was a Crane Operator for LTV Steel until his retirement. Michael was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending his time hunting and fishing with his...

Oct 8, 2022

Marcia J. Tracy (nee Cady), age 79, of Portage, IN, passed away suddenly on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

Marcia was born on April 20, 1943 in Cairo, Illinois to the late Marshall and Eula Cady. On May 29, 1965 she married the love of her life, Richard Tracy, whom she met at Hobart Federal Bank. Marcia worked...

Oct 7, 2022

James C. (Jim) Conn, age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 7, 2022.  Survivors include his wife: Joy (Finchum) Conn;  daughters:  Diana (Phil) LaMere of Carmel and Donna (Jerry) Cleek of Hobart;  daughter-in-law, Lori (Eastwood) Conn of Port St. Lucie, FL;  stepson:  Garry (Dionn) Finchum of Lake Station;  brother:  Leonard "Harlton" (the late, Marie) Conn of Nettleton, MS;  6...

Oct 7, 2022

Wieslawa 'Vivian' Sech, age 86 of Germantown Hills, IL  (formerly of Hobart) passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 13, 1936 in Baranowicze, Poland to the late Konstanty and Janina Grunda. On March 30, 1964 she married Stanislaw Sech in Poland and they came to the United States...