obituaries

Feb 2, 2022

Husband. Dad. Papa. Coach. Yohan. Batman. And the Lord's faithful servant.

Steve D. Balash went by many names over the span of 72 years before he was called home to heaven on February 2. Each name shared a different shade of the same man, devoutly dedicated to his wife, his family, his school, his community, and his...

Feb 1, 2022

Paul Edward Throne, Jr., most beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Paul was born April 12, 1927, in Pioneer, Ohio to the late Paul E. Throne, Sr. and Edna Mae Throne (Grimm). Paul met the love of his life, Ruth...

Feb 1, 2022

Lilly M. Oates (nee Cobb), age 85 of Lake Station passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at home. She was born on December 29, 1936 in Greenville, Kentucky to the late Fasco and Vadie Cobb. On September 4, 1954 she married Carol E. Oates in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Lilly was a very dedicated member of the Order of the...

Feb 1, 2022

Robert "Bob" J. Medlik, age 76, of Lake Station, IN and formerly of Burbank and Chicago, IL, passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Bob was born on March 1, 1945 in Chicago, IL to the late George and Ann (nee Baksinskis) Medlik.  He was a graduate of Gage Park High School, Class of 1962.  Bob proudly...

Feb 1, 2022

Victoria Thompson, age 90 of Hobart passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022. She was born on May 8, 1931 to the late Salvatore and Concetta Chiarelli. On May 28, 1955 she married Charles Thompson in Philadelphia. She retired in 1994 from the School City of Hobart where she worked as a teacher. She spent five years making a mural...

Jan 30, 2022

Mona Gifford, age 88, of Lake Station passed away Sunday January 30, 2022, in her home with her family at her side. Mona was born January 27, 1934, in Harco, Illinois to the late Cleatis and Geneva (Wiley) Hedger. Mona retired from UG Mag; she then worked as a bartender at the Hobart Fraternal Oder of Eagles for many...

Jan 30, 2022

EUGENE H."GENE" WILSON, age 94, of Portage, Indiana, and formerly of Hobart, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.  Gene was born on August 15, 1927, in Blainesburg, Pennsylvania. He proudly served his country in the US Navy in 1945 and 1946.   He worked as Superintendent of Coke Works at US...

Jan 30, 2022

Martin P. DeBray, age 80  of Hobart and formerly a longtime Lake Station resident passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022.  He was born on July 21, 1941 in Redding, California to the late Martin and Bernice DeBray.  Martin served his country in the U.S. Marines.  He had worked as an independent Truck Driver.

He is survived by...

Jan 30, 2022

John R. Torres, age 74, of Hobart, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart after a severe injury.  He was born in Gary, Indiana on September 4, 1947 to the late Juan and Margie (nee Stringer) Torres.  He was a longtime employee of Westmont Steel.

John is survived by...

Jan 30, 2022

Johnnie Leon Hall, Sr., age 58, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022.  He was born in Hammond, Indiana on January 19, 1964 to the late Jimmy and Judy Hall.  He loved fishing, music and was a movie buff.

Johnnie is survived by the mother of four of his children: Patricia Hall; children, Johnnie (Dana) L. Hall, Jr.,...

Jan 30, 2022

Helen M. Breitsprecher (nee Spoor), age 95 of LaPorte formerly of Hobart passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022.  She was born on February 23, 1926 to the late Vernon and Carrie Spoor.  Helen was a member of the Michigan Avenue United Methodist Church of Hobart, the New Chicago Post 454 American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Hobart VFW Post...

Jan 29, 2022

Elaine M. Erickson, age 90 of Crown Point, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022. She was born on January 1, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Ranard and Florence Erickson. She proudly served her country as a member of the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1955.  Elaine had a love for dogs and enjoyed breeding and raising...

Jan 28, 2022

Juan Manuel Duron "John" (Papa, Meme), of Portage, was called to be with the Lord on January 28th, 2022 at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. We will continue to celebrate his life and the truly incredible example of love that he showed us always. John was born on November 3rd,...

Jan 27, 2022

Henry Russell Kettwig, age 73, of Portage passed away Thursday January 27, 2022, in his home.  Henry was born March 9, 1948, in Gary, Indiana to the late Henry "Hank" and Doris (Hill) Kettwig.  Henry was a retired truck driver that worked for Illiana Waste Transfer Services.  He loved drag racing, fishing and a good meal with friends.

Jan 25, 2022

Kristina M. Kopanski (nee Golumbeck), age 60 of Hobart passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022. She was born on March 8, 1961 in Gary, Indiana to Leslie and Charlene Golumbeck. On January 28, 2000, she married Timothy Kopanski in Portage, Indiana. Kristina enjoyed listening to music. Above all, she loved her grandkids and cherished the time she spent with...

Jan 25, 2022

Daniel J. Bernier, age 55, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

Dan was born on September 7, 1966 in Chicago, IL to the late Joe Bernier and Barbara (nee Pipp) Lindich.  Daniel worked as a carpenter for Smith Family Services and Union Local #1.

He was known by many names: Danny,...

Jan 23, 2022

Poochie (Wilma) Steele, age 76, of Hobart, passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. She was born in Gary, Indiana on October 4, 1945 to the late George and Leslie (nee Evans) Parnell.  She had special memories with her husband driving racecars and motorcycles, dancing, and going camping.  She loved spending the holidays...

Jan 22, 2022

Norman Dale Ohlschlager, age 93 of Portage, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  He retired from US Steel where he worked as a crane operator.

Norman is survived by his three daughters: Kimberly (Terry) Hunt of Portage, IN, Evelyn (John) Marthakis of FL, Pamela Wheeler of Everett, WA; five grandchildren:...

Jan 22, 2022

SHIRLEY A. WIGGINS, age 84, of Hobart, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 22, 2022.  She was born in Gary to the late Roy and Nell Keele on February 12, 1937.  Shirley was a para educator for the Title I Program with River Forest School District.  The school was a home away from home where she was...

Jan 20, 2022

Eloise A. Rodriguez, age 56, of Valparaiso, passed away January 20,2022 at her home.  She was born in East Chicago, Indiana on October 29,1965 to the Xavier and the late Cecelia S. (nee Espinosa) Rodriguez. She was a Crown Point High school graduate and worked at Dollar General as a cashier. Eloise loved the time she spent with her...