All Obituaries

LueVerna Shepherd, 82, of Union Mills, passed away on June 30, 2022, in Valparaiso, surrounded by family.  She was born on July 30, 1939, in Salyersville, Kentucky, to Lurman and Eliza (Eldridge) White, who both preceded her in death.  On December 31, 1956, she married Kenny Shepherd who survives her.  LueVerna worked for over 20 years at South Central School as a cook before she retired.  She had many hobbies she enjoyed including crocheting, quilting and doing word...

Lenore  Vaccaro Hadaway passed away peacefully June 28th  2022 in Michigan City, In   Her body was tired and she went to be with husband Paul who recently passed .  She had such an incredibly dynamic soul who touched so many people’s lives in the most interesting way.   Her charm, elegance and wit were what drew people in.  She was one of the best story tellers and she had a treasure trove of material to share.   Lenore opened and ran...

Manuel Ponda Jr., 70 of Merrillville, passed away Tuesday, June14, 2022. He was born June 8, 1952 in Gary, the son of Manuel and Lottie (Szostek) Ponda. Manuel was a disabled Veteran having served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the American Legion Post 279 in Miller. Manuel loved his scratch off tickets, he was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. Survived by his siblings, Betty Cleek, Rosie Bozan, Charlotte (Rick) Buckingham, Debbie (Ben) Hymes, Richard...

Ramona D. “Monie” Musgrave,81 of Otis, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022. She was born April 10, 1941 in Michigan City to Andrew and Helen (Lasky) Knoll. Ramona is survived by her children Lori (Joe) Kazmierzak of Missouri, James (Starla) Musgrave of LaPorte, John Musgrave of Otis, Susan (Tony) Settele of Wheeler, Andy (Amy) Musgrave of Otis, Paul (Shannon Wyels) Musgrave of South Bend; many grandchildren, several great grandchildren; and great great grandchildren.  Her...

Katherine D. Wilkey, 59, of Wanatah passed away peacefully, on Sunday, May 8th.  Katherine was born on August 1st, 1962, to James and Ramona (Knoll) Musgrave in Kirkland, WA. Katherine was a postal carrier for the U.S. Post Office.  She was a graduate of Westville High School, enjoyed spending time with her family, nature walks, and really enjoyed her career as a postal carrier.  Katherine is survived by her children, Shawna Evans, Jerrod Kniola (Liz), Chris Wilkey (Kasey),...

Dennis Lee Warnock, 75 of Westville, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022. He was born March 15, 1947 in LaPorte, the son of Scheryl “Jack” and Mary Louise (Moser) Warnock. Dennis was a bricklayer and a member of the American Legion Post # 21 in Westville where he was past commander and was the Adjutant at the Post. On November 14, 1970, he married Carol Hunt, who preceded him in death November 2020. Surviving are his children, Melanie (Rob) Fowler of Randolph, Kansas, Jayme (Jason)...

Eugene Chumbley, 93 of Portage, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2022. He was born February 13, 1929 in Hammond, the son of Luco M. and Emma F. (Lee) Chumbley. Eugene was a member of the US Coast Guard (1950-1953) and was a technician with Amaco. Surviving are his children, Debbie (John) Schulenburg of Arizona, David (Diane) Chumbley of Portage and Daniel (Sherry) Chumbley of Valparaiso, 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 2 brothers, Butch and Don Chumbley of Las Vegas. He was...

Douglas Wayne Elliott, 60 of Wanatah, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022 in Valparaiso. He was born October 11, 1961 in LaPorte to Robert and Barbara (Kroening) Elliott. Douglas is survived by his children Meagan (Cory) Rybenski of Cedar Lake, Nathan Elliott of Valparaiso; his granddaughter Isla; parents Robert and Barbara Elliott of LaPorte; his brother Curt (Suella) Elliott of Union Mills, his sister Alicia (Jerry) Lasky of Valparaiso and his niece Tarrah (Dane) Bormann and nephews Jared...

Robert Earl Martin, Jr., Passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 in La Porte, IN.  Robert was born to Robert Earl Martin, Sr., and Alma Martin (Householder) on December 8th, 1943, in Knoxville,TN, who precede him.  He married Marilyn Lynn Martin (Matthews) in 1962 in Knoxville, TN, who also preceded him in 2014.  Robert is also preceded by 2 children Kim Martin and Walter Ray Martin.  Robert worked as a supervisor for Universal Products in Kansas for...

Gwendolyn R. Watkins, 86, of LaPorte, passed away on February 26, 2022, at her residence surrounded by her family.  She was born on March 18, 1935 in Valparaiso, IN., to Stanley and Bernice (Falkenthal) Piper who both preceded her in death.  Gwen worked as a jailor at the LaPorte County Jail before retiring.  She thoroughly enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren and tending to her flower beds. She married Quintin O’Brien who also preceded her in death. ...