Obituaries

Jun 3, 2023

Rogelio J. Perez, age 36, of Hammond, Indiana passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023. He is survived by his adoptive father Ronald Oldaker; mother Sherry Almendarez; girlfriend Danielle Vasquez; grandson Angelo "AKA Gelo"; siblings: Mario, Michael, Melissa, Anthony, Nicole, Tammy, Stephanie, Curtis, Jessenia, Gino, Gina, Selena, and Alex; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in...

May 30, 2023

Shirley Diane Sharp, age 84, was called home to be with parents Herman and Fern Sharp as well as her brother, Ronal, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. What a glorious day when she was reunited with her Savior. She is survived by her sister Karen (Tom) Frangis, sister-in-law Ann (late Ronal) Sharp, and her many beloved nieces and nephews....

May 19, 2023

David P. Czubak, age 59, of Merrillville passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023. He is survived by his children: Ashley (Nate Schindley) Czubak, Julee (Joseph Brock) Czubak, and David Czubak; grandchildren: Andrew, Laya, Cody, Joseph III, Thomas, and Ember; siblings Debby (Mike) Homan and Daniel (Donna) Czubak; stepfather Robert Jance; several nieces and nephews.

He was...

May 18, 2023

Marsha A. Hart, age 44, of Griffith, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Mercedes Hart-Darnell; mother Linda Hart; brothers: Sam (Kerri) Hart, Billy Hart, and David Hart; Aunts Michelle Hart and Nancy (Mike) Rutkowski; niece Tessa Hart; nephew Ben Hart; stepmother Sharon Hart; and many cousins and friends.

She was...

May 13, 2023

Spiro Papageorgakis, 87, of Merrillville, IN, passed peacefully in his sleep Saturday morning. Born in Vrondamas, Laconia Greece. He was the beloved husband of the late Bessie (Morikis). Spiro was a loving father of Connie (Arthur) Nicholas, Peter (Barbara) Papageorgakis, Mary (Paul) Metcalfe and Gus Papageorgakis. Proud grandfather to Alexandria, Stephen, Jonathan (Rebecca), Marissa and Christos. Loving son of...

May 12, 2023

Thomas A. Bukowski Jr., age 78, of Griffith passed away on Friday, May 12, 2023. He is survived by his son Edward (Julianna) Bukowski; daughter-in-law Anne Bukowski; grandsons Tommy IV and Alex; siblings: Cynthia Bukowski, Gregory Bukowski, and Eleanore Sue (Joe) Giangulio; brother-in-law James Figler; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents...

Apr 27, 2023

Lila M. Melcher, age 69 of Griffith, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 27, 2023. She was born August 13, 1953, to parents Ray and Elizabeth Melcher.

She is survived by her sisters Sharon (Art) Merrifield and Cindy (late Mike) Lax; nieces Cheryl Merrifield, Crystal (Jason) Poling, Carrie (Matt) Bunkowske, Nicole (Nate) Larrabee, Wiyan and Kayden Lax; Great...

Apr 24, 2023

Marjorie L. Prange, age 89, of Griffith (formerly of Hessville) passed away on Monday April 24, 2023, following a short illness with all four of her children by her side. She is survived by her children: Robin (Tom) Harding, Terry (Tom) Melton, John (Debbie) Prange, Suzie (Mike) Vercimak; grandchildren: Mark (Sandi) ,Marcy (Ron), Tom (Tammy), Tara (Ed), Tom Jr....

Apr 22, 2023

Barbara A. Williams-Hayden, age 85, of Griffith passed away on Saturday April 22, 2023. She is survived by her children: Judy (Larry) Bakker, Daniel Williams, Rena (David) Doan; grandchildren: Brandy, Michael, Joseph, Cory, Stephanie, Olivia, Jillian, and Nicholas; 9 great grandchildren and 1 on the way; sisters: Gloria Ryzewski and Pamela Balczo; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded...

Apr 19, 2023

Donna Magdziarz, 72, of Schererville, Indiana passed away at home on April 19, 2023. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Magdziarz of Morocco, IN, son, Jeff Magdziarz and daughter-in-law Missy Magdziarz of Schererville. Donna had five granddaughters: Megan Magdziarz of Tampa, Fl and Madison Magdziarz of Fort Wayne, IN; Gabby, Dani and Maggie, from Morocco, IN. She is...

Apr 18, 2023

Valerie Lynn Bickham (nee Thompson) was born April 18, 1968, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 18, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Ashley Ann (Justin) Loosemore; two grandsons Hunter Napier and Tristan Loosemore; her parents Penelope and Philip Thompson; brothers Philip Thompson and Bob (Lilly) Arnold; nephew Aaron Johnson-Arnold; and numerous aunts, uncles, and...

Apr 18, 2023

Mary "JoJo" Graig, age 60, of Gary, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. She is survived by her husband Steven R. Wiley; daughter Kyla Graig; mother Alberta (Strauch) Graig; sisters; Gloria (Joe) Frey and Susan (Gary) Cruse; best friend Lori (Jerry) Voight; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Horace G....

Apr 15, 2023

Shirley Ann Palucki (nee Romanowski), a devoted mother, wife, and grandmother, passed away on April 15, 2023, at the age of 76, after battling Lewy body dementia. Shirley's husband, Dennis Earnest Palucki, had passed away two years prior. Shirley is survived by her children Mary deceased (Paul) Ochs, Christine (Michael) Hill, Denise (Mustafa Seyrek) Palucki, and Dennis Palucki, as...

Apr 14, 2023

Brenda M. Pammer, age 72, of Schererville passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023. She is survived by her mother Iva Kozina; brothers Frank (Deborah) Cogswell and Roy (Sandra) Cogswell; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins; daughter-in-law Nicole Pammer; sister-in-law Joyce (Dan) Falardeau; brother-in-law Jeff (Barbara) Pammer. She was preceded in death by her stepfather Clifford Cogswell; husband...

Apr 12, 2023

Patricia Wiman (nee Hughes), age 87, departed this world on April 12, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Guy Wiman; loving mother of William Allen of Griffith, Indiana, Susan (Ivan) Chermel of Dune Acres, Indiana, Linda Saturday of Indianapolis, Indiana, Joanne (Steve) Tomczak of Cudahy, Wisconsin; and loving sister to Ronald Hughes of Portage, Indiana. She...

Apr 12, 2023

Mary Lou Ziel, age 85, of Griffith passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. She is survived by her daughters Joellyn (John) Bierman, Nancy (Gregory) Brandner, son Gregory (Dana) Ziel, Sister Linda (Hershel) Lewis; grandchildren Brett, Trent, Adam, Lindsay, Stephanie, Kendal, and Kayla; great grandchildren Audrey, Cooper, Rori, Irelyn, Lochlyn, Stella and Whitley.

She is preceded in...

Apr 11, 2023

Ronald L. Cassoday, age 81, of Rensselaer (formerly of Griffith) passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on April 11, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 22 years Peggy; children: Mike Cassoday, Connie (John) Ogrodowski, Duane "Dewey" (Lori) Cassoday, Suzanne "Suzi" (Jeremy) Cassoday, Frank (Jaime) Milton Jr., Eric (Alaina) Milton, Tammy (Austin Shuee) Milton;...

Apr 7, 2023

Maria Anaya, age 92, of Calumet City, Illinois passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023. She is survived by her children: Joe Anaya, Ofelia (Gaston) Martin, Ernesto (Susana) Anaya, Olivia Libby (Terry) Sandaker, Armando (Sherry) Anaya, Dalfina Campos, Amelia (Jim) Solorio, Juan Anaya; grandchildren: Marie (Eric) Santiago, Joseph (Sheri) Anaya, Veronica (Anthony) Livaudais, Alex Martin, Edward (Jennifer) Martin, Lorena...

Mar 28, 2023

Henry E. Jaworski, of Highland, Indiana, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2023, at the age of 90, surrounded by family.

Henry is survived by his nieces & nephews: Kimberly Suroviak, Katelyn Gum-Sanchez, Brandon (Sara Kish) Gum, Kayden, Yasmeen and Jesus Gum, AJ and Isiah Sanchez, Randall (Danette) Strickland, Arlyn (David) Hurley, Brian Minch, Janele (Evan) Reynolds,...

Mar 22, 2023

Shirley J. Welch, age 87, of Griffith, passed away March 22, 2023. She is survived by her children: Heather McCarthy and Cynthia Welch; grandchildren: Patrick (Shakyla) and Darby; great grandson Memphis O'Shea McCarthy; sister: Mary (Ed) Budny; brothers: Nick (Linda) Budack, Robert Budak; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard ('Dick");...