obituaries

Jul 29, 2021

L.J. Vittetoe II (Lester James Vittetoe II) age 40, of Valparaiso passed away Thursday July 29, 2021. L.J. was born December 1, 1980, in Hobart, Indiana to Paulette Jacob and Lester James Vittetoe Sr.  He worked for the United States Postal Service in Michigan City, Indiana. He treasured time with his children and his family. He enjoyed fishing, video...

Jul 29, 2021

Willie D. Anderson, age 90, of Portage, IN and formerly of Gibbs, KY, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Willie was born on July 23, 1931 in Gibbs, KY to the late Hershel and Minnie (nee Cobb) Anderson.  Willie was a US Army Veteran who served during the Korean War.  He...

Jul 28, 2021

Judith A. Kiraly (nee Hoekstra), age 83, of Hobart passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at home. She was born on July 20, 1938 in Gary, Indiana to James and Elizabeth Hoekstra. On June 21, 1956 she married the love of her life at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Merrillville.  She truly enjoyed the time she spent traveling with her...

Jul 26, 2021

Maerene V. Smith, age 92, of Portage, IN, passed away in the evening of Monday, July 26, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Maerene was born on October 10,1928 in Tennessee to the late Elbert and Elector (nee Cash) Essary.  She retired from the Anderson Company as a machine operator and was a self-employed CNA.  She was a loving...

Jul 24, 2021

BARBARA A. GROSS (nee ROSTA)

BORN MARCH 31, 1945 IN GARY, INDIANA TO PARENTS, LOUIS (MARGARET) ROSTA. BARBARA HAS BEEN A LIFE-LONG HOBART RESIDENT AND A 1963 GRADUATE OF HOBART HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WORK.ED FOR THE SCHOOL CITY OF HOBART FOR 35 YEARS AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

SHE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER SON...

Jul 24, 2021

Debra D. Cicillian Gorigus (nee Carter), age 69, of Hobart, passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021. She was born on July 9, 1952 in Valparaiso, Indiana to the late John and Katherine Carter. Debra worked for 15 years as an afterschool care provider at the Hobart YMCA. She had a wonderful sense of humor and will always be remembered...

Jul 21, 2021

William "Bill" W. Trapp, age 61, of Coldwater MI and formerly of Hobart, IN, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Bill was born on July 15, 1960 in Gary, IN to the late William and Therese (nee Rearick) Trapp.  Bill was a machinist who worked at WheelTek in Freemont, IN.  He was a proud member of...

Jul 20, 2021

Howard Rix

Age 49 of Hobart passed away Tuesday, July 20 , 2021, at Munster Community. He was born November 29,1971 to the late John Henry and Helen Marie (nee McGuire) Rix in Valparaiso, Indiana. Howard worked as a night stocker at Strack and Van Til on US 6 in Hobart. He was an avid fisherman and...

Jul 18, 2021

Judith Ann Morgan, age 81, of Portage, IN, passed away in the morning of Sunday, July 18, 2021. Judith was born on April 2, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to the late Richard Morris and Pauline Marcella (nee Lesenyie).  She worked for the State of Indiana at the Employment Office for 30 yrs. She was a loving and devoted sister,...

Jul 17, 2021

Sharron K. Tarbutton (Millsap), age 84, of Lake Station, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021 at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.  She was born and raised in Menlo, Kansas on November 3, 1936 to the late Melvin and Marie Moss.  She retired from Republic Steel as a crane operator after 23 years of employment, then worked as a...

Jul 17, 2021

Melvyn Lee Kaczmarek, age 78, of Hobart passed away Saturday July 17, 2021 at his home.  Mel was born September 30, 1942 , to the late Marty and Eleanore ( Bartos) Kaczmarek in New Chicago, Indiana.  Mel was a retired school teacher for the School City of Hobart.  Following his retirement from teaching he worked as a projectionist at...

Jul 17, 2021

Carol A. Duncan, age 77, of Portage, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021.  She was born in Bessemer, Alabama on April 13, 1944 to the late Clarence and Doris (nee Martin) Brown.  She enjoyed playing BINGO and listening to country music.  She loved giving Christmas gifts to all her grandchildren and will be remembered as Miss Santa.

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Jul 16, 2021

DANIEL BOGDANICH, age 71, of Hobart, passed away Friday, July 16, 2021, at his home. He was born to Frank and Dolores (Daege) Bogdanich.  He was a graduate of Wheeler High School.  He proudly served in the United States Navy for 21 years.  Then he moved back to the family farm with his family.  Went to work for US...

Jul 16, 2021

Darlene C. Marovich (nee Szwedo), age 65, of Westville passed away Friday, July 16, 2021. She was born on August 31, 1955 in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Mildred Szwedo. On February 14, 1984, she married Thomas Marovich in Valparaiso. She retired last September from CVS where she worked as a shift supervisor for 17 years. Darlene...

Jul 14, 2021

Joseph Daniel Fallon of Hobart and formerly Chicago, retired Chicago Police Department, Cook County State's Attorney Office, and Security Officer at Community Savings Bank, past International Vice President of the International Association of Marble, Slate, and Stone Polishers, Rubbers and Sawyers, Tile and Marble Setters Helpers Union, and United States Air Force veteran, passed away on July 14, 2021...

Jul 11, 2021

Jane M. Williams, age 97, of Portage, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2021.  She was born in Remington, Indiana on June 2, 1924 to the late John and Gertrude (nee Payne) Shuey.  She was a United States Cadet Nurse in World War II. Jane was a Jehovah's Witness and was said to be spiritually and emotional supportive.  She taught...

Jul 10, 2021

Irma Santiago, age 72, of Portage, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021.  She was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on September 22, 1948.

Irma is survived by her daughters, Nancy Torres, Enid Torres, Yadira Torres; son, George Torres; 23 grandchildren including Elizabeth Torres; and 7 great grandchildren.

Cremation has been entrusted to Rees Funeral Home,...

Jul 9, 2021

Viola Elizabeth Wagner, age 75, of Portage passed away Friday, July 9, 2021. She was born on March 16, 1946 in the Bronx, New York. Viola proudly served her country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. She graduated with an Associate's degree from the Salvation Army where she formerly served as a Pastor. A devout believer...

Jul 9, 2021

Modesto Candelaria, age 106, of Crown Point/Lakes of the Four Seasons and formerly of Valparaiso and Lake Station passed away Friday July 9, 2021 at his home with his family at his side. Modesto was born June 20, 1915 in Utuado, Puerto Rico to the late Bernardo and Juana (Santiago) Candelaria and raised by stepmother Carmen Candelaria.  He was...

Jul 7, 2021

Perla Del Rocio Barajas, age 35, of Fort Wayne, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021.  She was born in Colima, Mexico on September 2, 1985, to Jose and Eltsa (nee Anguiano) Barajas Sr.  Perla cherished the time she spent with her children. She enjoyed her time at Ravenscroft Beauty School in Forte Wayne, Indiana where she attended classes to...