obituaries

Jun 3, 2021

BETTY J. KERNS, age 84, a longtime Portage resident, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021.  She was born in her grandmother's home in Medaryville, IN on November 22, 1936 to the late Raymond and Lillie Kuehnle.  Betty was a faithful and active member of Portage United Methodist Church.  She was a huge advocate for M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)...

Jun 3, 2021

Nettie A. Dickerson, age 87, of Lake Station passed away Thursday June 3, 2021 at her home.  Nettie was born September 22, 1933 in Marion, Kentucky to the late Henry L. and Esther A.B. (Knight) Murray. She was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother, and wife.  She enjoyed crocheting, reading, and watching westerns on the TV.  She will be deeply...

Jun 3, 2021

Mary "Ellen" Askren (nee Bridges), age 60, of Portage passed away Thursday June 3, 2021 at Northwest Health, Porter. Ellen was born October 14, 1960 in Gary, Indiana to Maurice & Mary (Holsapple) Bridges, Jr.  Ellen was a transportation coordinator with Portage Township School System for many years and will be deeply missed by her colleagues. She was a...

Jun 2, 2021

Paul G. Ciminillo, age 55, of Lake Station, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, June 2,2021. He is employed by Saunders Midwest where he worked as a manufacturer. Paul was a friend to all animals and an avid Cubs fan.  He was a natural with plants and enjoyed fishing. He loved spending time with his family. He...

Jun 2, 2021

Milton W. Hope, age 57, of Dyer, was called home on the evening of June 2, 2021.  He fought a long battle to live life to the fullest while struggling with a serious heart condition.  He was given extra years through a life-saving LVAD heart pump.  He never let it slow him down.  He enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, and...

Jun 2, 2021

Jane S. McDaniel (nee Woodruff), passed away June 2, 2021.  She was born in Gary, Indiana on March 25, 1951 to the late LeRoy and Ruby (nee Nolen) Woodruff.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul (Dorothy) Woodruff.  Jane is survived by her sister, Ellen (Woodruff) Anderson; nephew, Jeff (Melissa) Anderson; niece, Jennifer (David) Lucas; along with...

Jun 2, 2021

Doug "BIG DUG" Reese, age 45, of Portage passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday June 2, 2021.  Doug was born August 12, 1975 in Valparaiso, Indiana to the late Larry and Cathleen (Brown) Reese.  He was an Operating Engineer working out of Local #150.  Doug was a member of the NRA and was an avid gun enthusiast, he...

May 31, 2021

Bonnie Alexander of Portage, Indiana

Age 71 passed away Monday, May 31,2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born June 1,1949 in Gary, Indiana to the late Frank and Geraldine (nee McGee) Lentner.  Bonnie retired from U.S. Steel where she worked as a chemist. Bonnie had a great passion for children's ministry, home improvements,...

May 30, 2021

George Richard Mullin, age 59, of Portage, IN, born on August 22, 1961 in Chicago Heights, IL to the late Edward and Alberta Mullin, passed away suddenly, surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

George was a one-of-a-kind man.  One that would give you his shirt of his back; the pocket would be full of...

May 30, 2021

Norman E. Moon, age 88, of DeMotte passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021 at home. He was born on May 5, 1933 to the late Ewing and Eva Moon. At the age of eighteen, he joined the United States Air Force. Norman was employed as an Electrician for US Steel for 44 years. He was a Mason and a...

May 30, 2021

Douglas D. Dunning, age 72 of Hobart, formerly a 17-year resident of Australia, passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021. Douglas was born on March 14, 1949, in Gary, Indiana to the late Elwood and Ann (nee Suckey) Dunning.  He was a retired millwright for U.S.S Sheet and Tin Mill and was a Hobart High School class of 1968 graduate....

May 30, 2021

John Jeffrey Wozniak "Jeff", age 50, of Mitchell, Indiana and formerly of Hobart passed away Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Indianapolis. He was born on January 25, 1971 in Gary, Indiana to Phillip and Diana Wozniak. Jeff played golf and enjoyed fishing, camping and gardening. He loved his friends and his dogs.

He is survived by his...

May 29, 2021

Lucille M. Hall, age 95, of Valparaiso, passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021.  She was born in Onarga Township, Illinois on November 3, 1925 to the late Alva and Mini (nee Brigger) Burnett.  Lucille worked in a factory in Chicago that made bugles for World War II.  She later worked at US Steel as a secretary where she met...

May 28, 2021

Stephen G. Sochran, Jr., age 57, of Merrillville and formerly of East Chicago in the Harbor, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Steve was born on March 25, 1964 in Hammond to Stephen Sr. and the late Marsha (nee Segovia) Sochran.  He owned his own landscaping and lawncare  company, Kingdom Kutts, and was a very...

May 28, 2021

Billy "Red" J. Sanders, Sr., age 82, of Portage, passed away May 28, 2021 at home surrounded by his family.  He was born in Sullivan, Indiana on July 15, 1938 to the late Benjamin and Mary (nee Barnes) Sanders.  He retired from US Steel after 41 ½ years of service.  He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in...

May 28, 2021

Frank J. Caruso Jr, age 63, of Hobart, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021. Frank was born on December 15, 1957, in Gary, IN to Frank and Laura Caruso.  He was a graduate of Wirt High School, Class of 1976 and worked for US Steel Gary Works, RJ Corman, State of Indiana and Ozinga Concrete. Frank will be...

May 28, 2021

Marcella May Dallas "Marcie", age 46, of Paris, Tennessee and formerly of Hobart passed away Friday, May 28, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on January 3, 1975 in Hobart, Indiana to Roy and Vivian Dallas. A 1993 graduate of Hobart High School, Marcie went on to graduate from Sawyer College to become a Registered...

May 24, 2021

Edith L. Borst (nee Smith), age 84, of Portage and formerly of Park Rapid, MN passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021.

Edith was born on Jul 29, 1936 in Grand Rapids, MN to the late Everett and Hazel Smith.  She married the love of her life Donald Borst in June 1956 and spent 54 years together...

May 23, 2021

Ricky A. Paul age 63, of Hobart passed away Sunday, May 23, 2021 at home. He was born on September 8, 1957 in Gary, Indiana to the late Charles Paul and Shirley Wates. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He loved muscle cars and had a passion for music and his drums....

May 23, 2021

James A. "Jim" Johnson, age 70, of Hobart and formerly of Burns Harbor, passed away suddenly on Sunday. May 23, 2021.

Jim was born on January 26, 1951 in Michigan City, IN to the late Herbert and Velma Grace Johnson.  He was a graduate of Chesterton High School, Class of 1969 and worked as a Millwright at...