Stephen L. Franko
Oct 2, 2026
Stephen L. “Spike” Franko, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Northwest Health – Porter. Stephen was born on November 16, 1939, in Gary, IN., to the late Stephen and Lenora, Franko.
Stephen was a proud United States Navy veteran and a retired automotive parts salesman. Throughout his career, he worked for McAnary Ford, D & M...
Russ Fife, Jr.
Sep 29, 2026
Russell Owen Fife, Jr., 67, passed away suddenly on September 29, 2026. He was born May 23, 1959, in Gary, IN to Russell, Sr. and Theola Fife. He was a 1978 graduate of Hobart High School.
On September 12, 2015, Russ married the love of his life, Karen. During their years together, they were not only husband and wife, but each...
Linda Sue Butler
Oct 5, 2026
Linda Sue Butler, age 74, of Valparaiso passed away Monday October 5, 2026, at the Life Care Center of Valparaiso. Linda was born July 21, 1952, in Gary, Indiana to the late Wilfred “Bill” (Owner of Bill’s Heating and Cooling) and Ruth (Crussen) Butler. She was a retired teamster that drove vans for Tri-State Bus Company. She also was an...
Gerald V. Hall
Oct 4, 2026
Gerald V. Hall, age 78, of Portage passed away Sunday October 4, 2026, in the Northwest Health-Porter in Valparaiso, Indiana. Gerald was born November 15, 1947, in Gary, Indiana to the late Harry and Cora Bell (Koehler) Hall. Gerald was a retired Steel Worker that worked for LTV Steel. Gerald was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ...
Julianna "Julie" Fitzgerald
Sep 30, 2026
Julianna “Julie” Fitzgerald, age 71, of Westville, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
She was born September 21, 1955, in Gary, Indiana to the late Raymond and Hilda “Connie” (Leath) Bliss.
Julianna is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Grover “Skip” of Westville, two daughters, Melissa (Rich) Harley of Portage, and Rachel Woodside...
Phillip G. Mesarch
Oct 1, 2026
Phillip George Mesarch, age 88, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 1, 2026. He was born on August 9, 1938, in Gary, Indiana, to the late George and Mary Mesarch.
Phillip was a 1956 graduate of Tolleston High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer. He proudly served his...
Marvin L. Hotkiewicz
Oct 5, 2026
MARVIN L. HOTKIEWICZ, age 81, of Frankfort, IL, passed away Monday, October 5, 2026. He was born in Hammond. Marvin retired from Electromotive after many years of service building locomotives. He loved the outdoors, trap shooting and was an avid fisherman.
Marvin is survived by his 2 children, JoAnn (Sam) Azar and Stephen Hotkiewicz; 8 grandchildren, Rebecca (Ben) Pollock, Jamil (Brittany)...
Robert E. Frazier
Oct 4, 2026
ROBERT E. FRAZIER, age 79, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026. He was born on March 11, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. He was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School and a Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Army. Robert retired from Frito Lay after working many years in sales. He was an enthusiastic sports fan and...
Ruth Oros
Oct 4, 2026
RUTH M. OROS, age 92, of Winfield, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026. She was born in East Chicago on February 17, 1934. Ruth was a graduate of E.C. Roosevelt High School. Ruth and her late husband were co-owners of Sibley Jewelers in Hammond from 1975 to 1983. She worked for many years as a secretary at the People’s Bank...
Frank R. Arredondo
Oct 1, 2026
Frank R. Arredondo, age 73, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026. Frank was a 1971 graduate of Mount Carmel High School. From an early age, Frank understood the value of hard work. He was very proud that he worked through high school to pay for his tuition at Mount Carmel, demonstrating the determination and independence that would define him throughout...
Betty Marie Owen
Sep 28, 2026
Betty Marie (Carter) Owen, age 76, of Portage, passed away Monday, September 28, 2026. She was born on August 27, 1950, in Danville, Illinois, to the late Beatrice Barbara (nee Coplen) Carter and Harry E. Carter. Betty was a wonderful mother and grandmother who cherished spending time with her family. She especially loved doing things with her children and making...
Arthur O. Knight
Sep 28, 2026
ARTHUR O. KNIGHT, age 83, of Hobart, passed away Monday, September 28, 2026. He was born on July 11, 1943, to the late Ola and Vera Knight. Arthur was a 1961 graduate of Tolleston High School and earned his Bachelor of Business from Valparaiso University. He had a passion for collecting coins and stamps since he was a child and...
John Ornelas
Sep 26, 2026
John “Papa John” Ornelas passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026, at Saint Mary Medical Center. He was born in Gary, Indiana, to the late Pedro and Esperanza (nee Oseguera) Ornelas.
On February 27, 1965, John married the love of his life, Chuyita Zarate, whom he lovingly called his “Consentida.” Together, they shared a lifetime of love, laughter, family, and memories....
Bonnie Katherine Schwartz
Sep 25, 2026
BONNIE KATHERINE SCHWARTZ, age 76, of Lake Station, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026. Born on September 27, 1949, in Sarasota, Florida, Bonnie moved through life with a warm spirit and a heart that always knew how to nourish others.
Bonnie’s love for cooking was one of her greatest gifts. In the elementary school cafeteria where she worked for many...
Carol A. Needham
Sep 24, 2026
Carol A. Needham, age 84, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at St. Mary Medical Center. Carol was born on December 23, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late James Zeller and Virginia (nee Daghy) Zeller. She married the love of her life, Jerry Needham, on April 15, 1961. He preceded her in death in September...
Michael W. Sukiennik
Sep 23, 2026
Michael W. Sukiennik, age 74, of Portage, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. He was born on September 1, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Michael and Bernice Sukiennik.
Mike was a proud 1970 graduate of Lane Technical High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He...
Mary Kathleen Bradshaw
Sep 20, 2026
Mary Kathleen Bradshaw, age 66, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 20, 2026. She was born on December 23, 1959, to the late Mike and Ella (nee Roark) Cebra.
On September 26, 1981, Mary Kathleen married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Bradshaw, in Highland, Indiana. They shared nearly 45 years of marriage together.
Mary worked for many...
Wilfredo Gonzalez
Sep 16, 2026
Wilfredo “Freddie” Gonzalez, age 78 of Lake Station, passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2026. He was born on May 20, 1948, in Moca, Puerto Rico, to the late Francisco Gonzalez and Virginia Sanchez.
Wilfredo, affectionately known as “Freddie,” was a simple man who found his greatest joy in his family. On December 14, 1974, he married the love of his...
Iris P. Kuhn
Sep 15, 2026
Iris P. Kuhn (nee Bradshaw)
Iris P. Kuhn, age 81, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. She was born on December 21, 1944, in Danville, Virginia.
On January 31, 1961, Iris snuck out of her parents’ house to marry the love of her life, Joseph Kuhn. At the time, everyone said it would never work out. More than...
Jeffery David Sutter
Sep 13, 2026
Jeffery David “Jeff” Sutter, age 72, of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, September 13, 2026. He was born on September 21, 1953, in Hammond, Indiana, to the late John and Doris (nee Hertzer) Sutter.
Jeff was a retired burner for Bethlehem Steel. He was a true “good people” kind of guy who had a way of making...
