obituaries

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...

Oct 13, 2025

Sanda Faye Farley (nee Fields), age 71 of Hobart passed away October 13, 2025, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 14, 1954, in Gary, Indiana to the late Leroy and Velma Fields. On October 21, 1976, she married Donald Farley in Valparaiso. Sanda retired from Bethlehem Steel where she worked as a machine...

Oct 12, 2025

Michael P. Beckham, age 74 of Portage, Indiana passed away October 12, 2025. Mike was born on October 8, 1951, to Bernard and Elizabeth Beckham. He proudly served as a military police officer in the United States Army for 2 years. On April 27, 1987, he married Nancy Kolbus in Las Vegas, Nevada. They enjoyed 38 ½ years of...

Oct 11, 2025

At age 98, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family, Bob was called home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born the son of Walter and Emma (nee Andersen) Johnson on December 25, 1926, in Gary, Indiana.  Bob retired from Southern California Edison where he worked as an Electrical Engineer...

Oct 10, 2025

Nannette Marie Swing, age 66 of Lake Station passed away at her home on October 10, 2025. She was born on November 12, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois. On March 19, 1988, she married the love of her life, Charles Swing.  As a housewife, she dedicated herself to taking care of her family. She had a vibrant personality and always...

Oct 9, 2025

James Richard Nichols, age 92, of Hobart passed away on October 9, 2025. Jim was born June 5, 1933, to Virgil and Edna Nichols in Gary, Indiana. He graduated from Hobart High School, class of 1951. Jim attended Indiana State College and was employed at Lake Wholesalers/ Reserve Supply for 37 years.  He retired from Pioneer Lumber after 10...

Oct 9, 2025

Louis Ray Nowakowski, age 60 of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025.  He was born on January 14, 1965, in Gary, Indiana to the late Eugene and Mary Nowakowski.

He was the youngest of three brothers, Bob Nowakowski, Eugene Nowakowski of Hobart, IN; Mike Nowakowski of Fort Worth, TX and two sisters Jenni (John)...

Oct 2, 2025

Randal N. Ford

Age 66, Portage passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025. He was born on July 23, 1959, in Marion Kentucky to Hazel (nee Myers) Ford and the late Otis Ford. Randy worked as a carpenter for R&W Builders. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a diligent worker and a great provider who willingly...

Oct 1, 2025

Rose Ellen Wibanks, age 68, of Portage passed away Wednesday October 1, 2025, at Northwest Health-Porter Hospital in Valparaiso.  Rose was born December 29, 1956, in Gary, Indiana to the late Thomas and Doris (Williams) Bradley. Rose was a homemaker, mother, sister, and wife. She loved spending time with her family at home.

She is survived by...

Sep 28, 2025

Gertrude Tallent (nee Adams), age 92 of Lake Station, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, one day shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born on September 29, 1932, in London, Kentucky to the late Andrew and Alta Adams. On September 26, 1953, she married Cecil Tallent. Gertrude was a voracious reader and enjoyed baking and knitting, but her...

Sep 25, 2025

William James Hawkins, Jr. "Jim", age 71, of Hobart passed away Thursday September 25, 2025, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Jim was born October 10, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Willliam and Margaret (Handy) Hawkins, Sr.. He retired from the US Navy with twenty-one years of service as a boatswain's mate. He then worked as...