obituaries

Obituaries

Richard Pacheco

Richard Pacheco

May 22, 2026

Richard Pacheco, age 70, of Portage, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1955, in East Chicago, Indiana, to the late Isreal and Edna Pacheco. On July 20, 2011, he married Elena Rodriguez in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Richard retired from ArcelorMittal, where he worked on the pickle line. He was a hardworking man who also loved...

Martha L. Collins

Martha L. Collins

May 21, 2026

Martha Collins, age 82, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at Brickyard Healthcare. She was born on July 7, 1943, to the late Glenn and Irene Collins (née Richman). Martha dedicated her life to education and touched the lives of countless students throughout her career. She taught for three years in California before joining the Merrillville Community...

David Allen Clark

David Allen Clark

May 18, 2026

David Allen Clark, age 82, of Valparaiso, and formerly of Portage, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026. He was born on March 6, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Carl and Evelyn Clark. Dave proudly served his country in the United States Army. He was a self-employed photographer whose creative eye and passion for his work touched many throughout...

Cory Joseph Michael Shane

Cory Joseph Michael Shane

May 17, 2026

Cory Joseph Michael Shane, age 34, of Portage passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at his home in Portage. Cory was born August 24, 1991, in Valparaiso, Indiana to Victoria and Eric (Norman) Shane. He worked in the auto department at Walmart. He was the family jokester, he loved his family, fantasy football, sports of all kinds, and...

Anthony "Tony" Wilson

Anthony "Tony" Wilson

May 16, 2026

Anthony “Tony” Wilson, age 61 a lifetime Lake Station resident passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026. He was born on May 28, 1964 in Valparaiso, Indiana to the late George and Flemenia Wilson. Tony worked as a roofer and construction worker. He enjoyed playing the guitar and played gigs in the area. Tony was a member of St. Francis Xavier...

Stanley T. Lesczynske

Stanley T. Lesczynske

May 15, 2026

Stanley T. Lesczynske, age 67, of Hobart, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at home. He was born on September 14, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Adolph and Florence Lesczynske. Stan retired from Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 692, where he worked for many years as a concrete finisher.

“Stan the Man,” as he was affectionately known, enjoyed the...

Martin E. Riley

Martin E. Riley

May 13, 2026

Martin E. Riley, age 86, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on April 23, 1940, in East Chicago, Indiana, to the late Henry and Sue Riley. Martin was a 1958 graduate of Portage High School and served his country in the United States Army. He worked as an oiler...

Hubert A. Greenwell Jr.

Hubert A. Greenwell Jr.

May 12, 2026

Hubert A. Greenwell Jr., age 71, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026. He was born on November 24, 1954, in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late Hubert A. Greenwell Sr. and Anna Frances (nee Polick) Greenwell. Hubert married, Charlotte Ruth (nee Witt) Greenwell, in Hobart in 1999.

Hubert retired from Mittal Steel after 42 years of dedicated service. He...

Denise M. Hogan

Denise M. Hogan

May 12, 2026

DENISE M. HOGAN, age 74, of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 29, 1951, in Los Angeles to the late Duane and Dorothy (née Bulkley) Cameron. Denise may not have had great wealth, but she gave from the heart and was always willing to help others whenever...

Frank Walter Westerlund, Jr.

Frank Walter Westerlund, Jr.

May 9, 2026

Frank Walter Westerlund, Jr., age 89, of Lake Station, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026. He was born on February 28, 1937, at home in New Chicago to the late Frank Walter and Bertha Mae Westerlund. On September 30, 1961, he married Patricia Zajac at St. Francis Xavier Church.

Frank was a self-employed electrician for more than 35 years. His hands...

Irene A. Czaja

Irene A. Czaja

May 8, 2026

Irene A. Czaja, age 97, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, at Crown Point Health Campus.She was born on June 21, 1928, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Albert and Sophie (nee Wisneski) Gemeinhart. Irene was a feisty, strong, and opinionated woman whose determination carried her through many illnesses and challenges throughout her life. Despite everything she endured, her...

Sally Wishmeyer

Sally Wishmeyer

May 8, 2026

Sally Wishmeyer, age 92, of Valparaiso, passed away Friday, May 8, 2026. She was born on April 10, 1934, in Gary, Indiana to the late Jesus and Micaela (nee Rodriguez) Contreraz. Sally was a 1952 graduate of Lew Wallace High School and retired from Kemper Insurance after 37 years of dedicated service as a marketing manager. Sally was the glue...

Ljubica Pavleska

Ljubica Pavleska

May 6, 2026

Ljubica Pavleska, age 86, passed away on May 6, 2026, in Merrillville, Indiana. Ljubica was born on March 18, 1940, in Velestovo, Macedonia, to the late Angele and Blaguna Krstanovska. On March 18, 1970, she married the love of her life, Pavle Pavleski, in Bitola, Macedonia, and they spent 48 loving years together until his passing in April of 2018.

Ljubica...

Evelyn P. Morton

Evelyn P. Morton

May 5, 2026

Evelyn P. Morton (née Picon), age 96, of Portage, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on May 5, 2026. She was born on February 26, 1930, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Daniel and Edith (née Brewer) Picon. Evelyn was a proud graduate of Hobart High School, Class of 1949. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially playing...

Carol Lee Hamilton

Carol Lee Hamilton

May 5, 2026

Carol Lee Hamilton, age 77, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, at Saint Mary Medical Center. She was born on December 5, 1948, in Gary, Indiana.

Carol was a proud graduate of Lew Wallace High School, Class of 1967. She dedicated many years as a bookkeeper at her late husband’s business, Jim’s Auto, where she was known...

Paul Kuiper Jr.

Paul Kuiper Jr.

May 1, 2026

Paul Kuiper Jr., 82, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away on May 1, 2026. Born in Holland, Paul built a life defined by hard work, skill, and dedication. He spent his career at Ford Motor Company as a tool repairman, where his mechanical expertise and strong work ethic were well respected. A structural man by nature, Paul was known for his...

Shirley Ann Cosner

Shirley Ann Cosner

Apr 30, 2026

Shirley Ann Cosner, age 88, of Portage went to join her Lord and her husband in Heaven on Thursday April 30, 2026, at the Brickyard Healthcare of Portage. Shirley was born July 31, 1937, in Morgantown, West Virginia to the late Albert and Violet (Martin) Atkins. Shirley worked as a clerk for the Health Foods Nutrition Center, she drove bus...

Gerard Pajdzik

Gerard Pajdzik

Apr 29, 2026

Gerard J. “Gerry” Pajdzik, 69, of Hobart, Indiana, born January 28th 1957, departed our world unexpectedly, April 29th 2026.In navigating the tragedy of his sudden absence, we celebrate Gerry as a pillar of strength to all who knew him. A follower of Christ, his profound character, authenticity, and desire to help others remind us in our moment of loss, just...

Linda N. Bugielski

Linda N. Bugielski

Apr 28, 2026

Linda N. Bugielski, age 73 of Portage, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026. She was born on April 26, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Jesse and Alberta (nee Arnold) Myrick. Linda married the love of her life, Joseph Bugielski, on December 22, 1974. Together, they built a life centered around family, strength, and devotion. Linda spent much...

Cheryl Wilcox

Cheryl Wilcox

Apr 26, 2026

Cheryl L. Wilcox, age 70, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Cheryl is survived by her loving children, Christopher (Allison) Gomez and Jenifer (Jonathan) Bidart; her cherished grandchildren, Charlie, Jack, and Adeline Gomez, and Landon and Lucia Bidart; her sisters, Mary Gibson and Lisa (Dave) Howell; her nephew, Daniel (McKenna) Moro; her great nephew, Milo...

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