Catherine M. Bayless
Jul 7, 2026
Catherine M. Bayless (née Garrett), 104, a lifelong Hobart resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1922, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Henry and Bessie Garrett. In 1945, Catherine was baptized and faithfully served as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 81 years. On January 9, 1943, she married the love of...
Encarnacion "Joe" C. Valle
Jul 22, 2026
Encarnacion ”Joe” C. Valle, age 87, of Portage passed away in his home Wednesday July 22, 2026. Joe was born May 23, 1939, in Aguada, Puerto Rico, to the late Tomas and Modesta (Chaparro) Valle. He retired from US Steel #1 Bop Shop and #1 Castor in 2001 with over thirty years of service. He was a member of St....
Donna Jean Gibbs
Jul 18, 2026
Donna J. Gibbs, age 74, of Lake Station passed away Saturday July 18, 2026, in her home. She was born July 22, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Lester and Lillie (Duckett) Clark. Donna was a homemaker and the neighborhood mother. She loved baking, working puzzles, Watching Game shows, and couponing.
Donna is survived by her loving daughter, Carol Pridmore...
Collette Irene Brant
Jul 18, 2026
Collette Irene Brant, age 88, of Chesterton, Indiana, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026. She was born on August 31, 1937, in Gary, Indiana, to the late John and Irene Kowal. Collette worked at Lake Station Community Schools and retired after over 30 years of service. She bowled at Rays Lanes in a league for several years. Collette loved spending...
Lisa Marie Exl
Jul 18, 2026
LISA MARIE EXL, age 52 of Merrillville, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026, while surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 14, 1973, to Joseph James and Nadia (nee Niedbajlik) Exl. Lisa graduated from Indiana University Northwest with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. After graduation, she worked for the Lake County Justice System before moving to...
Clinton E. Johnson "Bubba"
Jul 16, 2026
Clinton Eugene “Bubba” Johnson, age 92, of Chesterton, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 16, 2026. He was born on September 29, 1933, in Henderson County, Tennessee, to the late Oscar Samuel and Ruby Pearl (née Holloway) Johnson. On June 29, 1952, in Corinth, Mississippi, Clinton married the love of his life, Shirley F. (née Hollaway) Johnson....
Susan M. "Susie" Tellez
Jul 15, 2026
SUSAN M. “SUSIE” TELLEZ, age 53, of Hobart, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 28, 1973, to Richard and Ramona (nee Salinas) Tellez. Susie was a graduate of Crown Point Special Education Center and more recently attended the Center for Possibilities, which she loved. Susie was our “Dancing Queen” and...
Kenneth R. Ewell
Jul 14, 2026
Kenneth R. Ewell, age 79, of Lake Station, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026. He was born on April 28, 1947, to the late Glen and Norene Ewell.
Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Navy before dedicating his career to serving his community as a police officer for the Town of New Chicago. He was a proud...
Rosetta Bailey
Jul 12, 2026
Rosetta (nee Lucas) Bailey, age 89, of Crown Point and formerly of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026. She was born on August 12, 1936, in Boissevain, Virginia, to the late Samuel and Blanche (nee Grosclose) Lucas.
On May 28, 1955, Rosetta married the love of her life, Thomas E. Bailey. She dedicated many years to working as...
Sharon Ann Gast
Jul 10, 2026
Sharon A. Gast (née Jackson), age 79, of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was born on January 12, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Jess and Florence Jackson.
Sharon was a proud 1965 graduate of Hobart High School and treasured the lifelong friendships she maintained with her classmates, enjoying every opportunity to gather with them...
Marilynn J. Pavese
Jul 9, 2026
MARILYNN J. PAVESE, age 90, of Peoria, AZ; formerly a resident of Janesville, WI, passed away on July 9, 2026. She was born on May 18, 1936, to the late David and Ora McEwan. She worked for many years on the assembly line at Parker Pen, where she met many lifelong friends. She spent many years volunteering at Mercy Hospital...
Mary Jean Thyen
Jul 8, 2026
In Loving Memory of Mary Jean Thyen (October 21, 1941 – July 8, 2026)Mary Jean Thyen went home to be with the Lord on July 8, 2026. She is survived by her brother, David Thyen (special friend Bobbi), her niece and nephews Rick (Stacy), Rob, and Sue (Bob Behnke). Great niece and nephews Sam and Alex Thyen and Lauren, Jack,...
Daniel Paul Pancer
Jul 7, 2026
DANIEL PAUL PANCER, age 43, of Hobart, IN passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family after a brief and courageous fight against an aggressive form of metastatic cancer.
He was born in Valparaiso, IN on June 14, 1983 and was a graduate of Hobart High School. He loved trucks, bonfires, music, movies, Bob Ross, everything to...
Terry Alan Pappas
Jul 6, 2026
Terry Alan Pappas, of Chesterton formerly of Portage and Gary, passed away Monday, July 6, 2026. He was born to the late Thomas A. Pappas Sr. and Dorothy E. Pappas. Terry served his country in Vietnam in the U.S. Army. He worked for Midwest Steel and was formerly the Union President of Local 6103. Terry enjoyed working around the house...
Bobby Ray Blair
Jul 4, 2026
Bobby Ray Blair, age 76, of Portage, formerly of LaPorte County, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 3, 1950, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bobby spent his childhood years in Montana, earning the nickname "Montana Bob".
Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Army during the...
Violet M. Jackura
Jul 3, 2026
It is with heavy hearts and profound love that we announce the passing of Viola “Violet” Jackura, who left this world peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 97. Born on November 11, 1928, in Hammond, Indiana. Violet was a cherished daughter of John and Stella Wolendowski.
Violet married, Mike Jackura, on October 28, 1951. Together, they built a...
Christopher Michael Winicky
Jul 1, 2026
Christopher Michael Winicky, age 53, of Hobart passed away Wednesday July 1, 2026, at St Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Chris was born August 30, 1972, in Gary, Indiana to Otto and Renee (Menear) Winicky. He was an auto painter that worked for many local body shops including Damage Auto Werks in Lansing, Illinois. He loved cars and he loved...
Priest Smith
Jun 29, 2026
Priest Smith ‘Bull”, age 83, of Lake Station, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 31, 1943, in Prattville, Alabama, to the late Leonard and Corene (nee Mims) Smith.
Priest was one of nine children, growing up with six brothers and two sisters. Along with his...
Patricia L. Adamchik
Jun 29, 2026
PATRICIA L. ADAMCHIK, age 68, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026. She was born on January 8, 1958 in Johnstown, PA. She was a 1976 graduate of Hobart High School. Patricia was formerly a member of Assumption B.V.M. Catholic Church and had been attending mass at the Salvatorian Fathers Monastery. She will be remembered as a loving daughter,...
Jim Bridges
Jun 28, 2026
James “Jim” H. Bridges, age 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 5, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Maurice V. Bridges and Trula (nee Beeler) Bridges. Jim was a hardworking man who dedicated his life to providing for his family. He was a retired meat cutter...
