obituaries

Sep 19, 2021

Bernard L James Jr., 82, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side September 19, 2021.  He was born July 13, 1939.  Bud worked at Valley Mould & Iron until it closed, then worked at Acme Steel until his retirement in 1999.  He loved the water and would love taking his boat out on Lake Michigan with...

Sep 19, 2021

John "Jack" S. Erickson

At the age of 93 the Lord called Jack home on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Born February 10, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved to Hobart, Indiana in 1935. Graduated from Hobart High School in 1947. Married Lois Mummery in 1948.

Preceded in death, father, Irving Erickson; mother,...

Sep 19, 2021

Diana L. Hale, age 67 of Hobart passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021.  She was born on November 5, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Edward and Dolores Preuss.  Diana was a resident of Justice, Illinois for many years.  She worked as a Cosmetologist and managing restaurants.  Diana was the matriarch and rock of the family.  She loved...

Sep 19, 2021

Mary Christina Massa, age 93, of Portage passed away Sunday September 19, 2021, at the Miller's Merry Manor in Portage. Mary was born September 22, 1927, in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late William and Martha (Vestal) Dunkley. She worked thirty-five years for Artistic Cleaners in Lake Station.

She is survived by her four children, Geraldine Fessler,...

Sep 18, 2021

Cliffton P. Blankenship, age 69 of Hobart passed away Saturday, September 18, 2021.  He was born on September 4, 1952 in North Judson, Indiana to the late Delbert and Hazel Blankesnhip.  He served his country in the U.S. Army.   Cliff was the owner and operator of Bob's Tree Service.  He was a self-made man who enjoyed helping others.  Cliff...

Sep 17, 2021

Thomas Edward Davison, age 77, of Portage, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021.  He was born in Gary, Indiana on April 8, 1944 to the late Thomas Evan and Maybel E. (nee Hayes) Davison.  He was a veteran of The United States Army, a member of the American Legion, Post 260, and past member of the VFW in Portage....

Sep 17, 2021

Laurene D. Mills age 94 a lifetime Hobart resident passed away passed away Friday, September 17, 2021. She was born on August 29, 1927 to the late Edward and Lea Owens.  She had worked for the salvation army before her retirement.  Laurene loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed poetry, crafts, and doing needle work projects....

Sep 16, 2021

David W. Albrecht, age 73, of Hobart, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021, while surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on September 15, 1948 in Amboy, Illinois to the late Floyd and Doris Albrecht.  Dave married Nancy (nee Oehlman) on February 1, 1975 in Kouts, IN. He was an electrical engineer and owned operated A&M Engineering.  Dave...

Sep 16, 2021

Randolph "Randy" Vasquez, age 74, of Lake Station passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Saint Mary Medical Center. He was born November 9, 1946 in Gary, Indiana to the late Rudolph and Esther (nee Gomez) Vasquez.  Randy retired in November 2011 from Union Local 399 where he worked as a Stationary Engineer. Randy was a member of St....

Sep 15, 2021

Barbara "Barbie" Lorraine Broks-Gaskin, age 47, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021.  She was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin on August 23, 1974.  She worked at various domestic abuse shelters in Wisconsin, as a paralegal, then as an assistant at Entertainment Magazine.

Barbie is survived by her son, Brian Andersen; daughter, Natasja Gaskin and her father, David Gaskin;...

Sep 15, 2021

Katherine "Katie" Mary Haviza, age 63, of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Northwest Health-Porter in Valparaiso.  Katie was born in Gary, Indiana on May 6, 1958 to the late Roy Edward and Patricia Rae (nee Camp) Haviza.  She enjoyed quilting. Katie is survived by her siblings, Sharon Webb, Joseph (Pamela) Haviza, Margaret Haviza, Therese "Terry" Haviza, Bridget...

Sep 15, 2021

Eugene J. Tylicki, age 80, of Hobart passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at home. He was born on October 3, 1940 in Gary, Indiana to the late Theodore and Eugenia Tylicki. He served as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On July 15, 1972 he married Jo Ann Cross in Miller Beach. He...

Sep 14, 2021

Eleanor Sulcer, age 80 of Gary, Indiana passed away Tuesday, September 14,2021. She was born January 6,1941 in Michigan to the late Charles and Evelyn Deloe.

She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her son, Patrick (Mary Cayton) Sulcer; two daughters, Julie (Mike...

Sep 14, 2021

David L. Hamel, age 80 of Valparaiso passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at home. He was born on April 24, 1941 in Marion, Illinois to the late Goldman and Neva Hamel. Dave was a 1960 graduate of Whiting High School. On November 24, 1961, he married Donna Preston in Hammond, Indiana. Dave retired from Inland Steel where he...

Sep 14, 2021

Lisa Marie Wright

Age 34, of Gary, Indiana passed away September 14,2021. She was born on January 22,1991 in Hobart, Indiana to Gerri Wright and the late Robbie Gilland. She was an 2009 Edison Highschool graduate, an outstanding McDonald's manager, radiating warmth and kindness. Always smiling, she maintained a close relationship with her family and took pleasure...

Sep 14, 2021

Sam Lafata, age 94 of Hobart, IN, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 6,1927 in Gary, Indiana to the late Paul and Pauline Lafata. He married Mae on July 16, 1953 and shared 62 and a half loving years with her. He was a US Steel retiree where he...

Sep 13, 2021

Robert Bruce Garbutt, 86, passed away peacefully in his home in Miller Beach, Gary, Indiana on Monday, September 13 of natural causes.

Rob was born September 29, 1934 in Ferndale Michigan to Mildred (O'Camb) Garbutt and Bruce D Garbutt. Rob had an idyllic childhood where he excelled at speed skating and playing the...

Sep 12, 2021

Florence "Florie" Koselke (nee Pustelnik), died Sunday,  September 12, 2021 at her home in Hobart, IN just 3 days shy of her 89 th birthday.  She was born on September 15, 1932 the youngest daughter of Charles and Helen (Kalemba) Pustelnik. She is survived by her children: Kathy (John) Nassios of Joliet, IL; Matt (Pam) Koselke of Union, MO;...

Sep 11, 2021

James Gordon McKinley, age 90 of Portage, Indiana, passed away on September 11, 2021.  He was born in Limestone, Pensylvania, on June 26, 1931, to James and Viola McKinley.

James is survived by twin sons Jay (Bari-Tennette) McKinley and Jon (Cindy Finley) McKinley; daughter Michelle (JR) Williams; 5 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death...

Sep 9, 2021

Roger Dale Cox, age 62, of Lake Station, IN, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021. Roger was born on June 26,1959 in Gary, Indiana to Rosalie and the late Bobby Joe Cox.  He retired from Quick Pack in Indianapolis where he worked as a warehouse manager. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.  He enjoyed...