All Obituaries

Carla Jean Hackstedt 67 of LaPorte, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024. She was born August 15, 1956 in Rochester, Indiana to Elmer L. and Betty J. (Prickett) Overmyer.  On June 7, 1980, she married Glenn A. Hackstedt who survives. Also surviving her are her children  Cassie (Michael V.) Ventrella of Westille and Andrew (Amy) Hackstedt of LaPorte; two grandchildren Alexander Ventrella and Keira Hackstedt. Carla is a member of Door Village United Methodist Church and an Indiana...

Damon Edward Sanders 77 of Westville, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in Michigan City.  He was born August 13, 1946 in LaPorte to Randolph J. and Clara Edna (Green) Sanders.  Damon is survived by his nieces Vicki Ewart of Westville, Jan (Jerry) Hope of Monticello, Indiana, and L.A. Anderson of Michigan City; and many great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Marge Hapner, Rose Marie Milner, Betty Stoltz, and his brother David Lewis....

Robert Verne Mitchell, 77, of Valparaiso, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024. He was born on August 4, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to Verne and Era (Howell) Mitchell.  On January 22, 1977, Robert married the love of his life Karen Jardine, who survives him.  He worked most of his career as an inspector at Enamel Products and Plating before retiring.  Robert served in the United States Army.  He enjoyed spending time either gambling on some of the local riverboats or...

Emilee Ilene Brown 29, of Valparaiso passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024 in Indianapolis. She was born September 21, 1994 in Valparaiso to Mark and and Kathleen (Tofte) Brown. Emilee is survived by her parents and sister Cherish (fiancée Jesse Kokinda) Brown all of Valparaiso; her maternal grandmother Linda Tofte of Valparaiso and paternal grandmother Elizabeth Brown also of Valparaiso; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Emilee was preceded in death by her sister Jessica Brown,...

Lee D. Davis, 71 of Wanatah, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024 in Valparaiso. He was born November 7, 1952 in Harlingen, Texas to Frank and Irma (Kimble) Davis. On February 2, 2002 he married Judi Davis who survives. Lee is also survived by his daughters Michelle (Aaron) Crumm, Jessyca (Tom) Borchers and Keri (Brian) Whitcomb; stepdaughters Julie (Jordon) Houn and Trisha (Matt) Camp; grand children Isabelle Evelynne and Phillip Crumm and Nathaniel and Josephine Whitcomb. His sisters Gale...

Wayne V. Schoof, 79 of Union Mills, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his home. He was born September 3, 1944 in LaPorte to Victor and Lois (Peters) Schoof. On September 23, 1983 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Union Mills, he married Peggy Werner who survives. Wayne is also survived by his sons Scott (Sandra) Klemz of Union Mills and Christopher (Wanda) Schoof of LaPorte; four grandchildren Bridgett (Adam) Boily, Spencer Klemz, Sydney (Seth) Klemz, and Sam Klemz; one great...

Patricia Ann Shores, 79, of Westville, passed away on January 23, 2024.  She was born to JC and Mildred (Gubbine) Miller on September 21, 1944, in Michigan City.  In 1966 she married Kenneth Wayne Shores Sr. who preceded her.  They had one son Kenneth Wayne (Kimberly) Shores Jr. who survives. Also surviving 6 grandchildren, Stephanie (Dan) Armstrong , Jacob Shores, Christina Walker, Gage Fennell, Kaven Shores, 9 great grandchildren,  four sisters Jayne(Bob) Bulger, Susan...

James H. Downey, 80, of Westville Indiana, passed away peacefully in Michigan City, Indiana, on December 21, 2023. He was born on July 21, 1943 in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania to Charles and Helen (Cislo) Downey. On May 25, 1963, he married Karen Lee Check who survives. Also surviving are his children James Downey of Valparaiso, John (Lisa) Downey of Union Mills, and Carrie (Michael) Hardesty of Union Mills; six grandchildren- Johnny, Joe, Jenna, James, Ashley and Michael. One great grandson;...

Mary L. Janatik, 91 of Michigan City, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2023. She was born September 21, 1932 in Valparaiso to Frank and Rosalie (Hock) Firanek. On October 13, 1956 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Otis she married Paul P. Janatik who passed away January 10, 2015. Mary is survived by her sons Paul (Crystal) Kitto of Wisconsin, James (Julie) Janatik, George (Julie) Janatik, John (Gail) Janatik, Thomas Janatik, Timothy Janatik, Paul S. Janatik and Dennis (Beth) Janatik all of...

William M. Bechinske, 94 of Westville, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at home. He was born February 18, 1929 in Chesterton to Frederick and Clara (Kaiser) Bechinske. On October 31, 1953, he married Eilene Fay Rogowski who passed away February 13, 2021. William is survived by his children James Bechinske (Terri) of Westville, Diane Justice (Gary) of Westville, David Bechinske of Westville and Michael Bechinske (Laura) of LaPorte; his grandchildren Brett Bechinske  (Jennifer),...