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...
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...
Cheryl Jo Lauber
Oct 5, 2026
Cheryl Jo Lauber, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the age of 70. She was born on October 2, 1956.
Cheryl was a dedicated teacher’s aide at Clark Middle School in St. John. She was known for her patience, understanding, and genuine compassion for her students. She especially embraced learning new...
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...
Barbara "Barb" Hargrove
Oct 13, 2026
Barbara “Barb” Hargrove, age 63, of Hobart passed away in her home Monday October 13, 2026. Barbara was born in Monterey, California to William and Barbara (Czilli) Mills. She was a retired Agency Surgical Technician that worked at the Christ Advocate Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Barb loved brunch with her family and spending time with her friends. A...
Mary "Cookie" Messer
Oct 10, 2026
Mary Irene (Najar) Messer of Portage, Indiana, passed away at age 87 on October 10.Known lovingly to family and friends as Cookie, she was born on July 6, 1939 in Gary, Indiana to Bernardo and Mary (Gregor) Najar. She attended Edison High School and proudly worked at Midwest Products for nearly 25 years. In retirement, Cookie could be found either...
Caroline Kay Zonder
Oct 14, 2026
Caroline Kay Zonder, age 76, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2026. She was born on April 7, 1950, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Steve and Marianna (nee Courtney) Czilli.
Caroline retired from the Bowman, Heintz, Boscia & Vician law office, where she worked as a clerk. On August 11, 1972, she married the love of her life, Lawrence...
Donald VanMeter
Oct 11, 2026
Donald VanMeter, age 86, of Youngstown/North Jackson, Ohio, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026. He was born on September 11, 1940, in Pomeroy, Ohio, to the late Richard and Una VanMeter.
Don proudly served his country in the United States Navy before retiring from LTV Steel, where he worked as a yardmaster. He was a dedicated member of Argus Masonic Lodge...
Matthew Douglas Ames
Oct 8, 2026
Matthew Douglas Ames, age 28, a longtime Hobart resident, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026. He was born on May 14, 1998, in Munster, Indiana. Matthew loved fishing, video gaming, and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his father, Joel Douglas Ames of Hobart, IN; mother, Angela (Jason) Klee of Dyer, IN; one sister, Elizabeth...
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)...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
