All Obituaries

Evelyn Weiss, 81, of Union Mills, passed away on March 20, 2023, at her home.  She was born on November 8, 1941, in Otis, Indiana, to Steve and Sophie (Golombiewski) Firanek. On October 17, 1959, she married Richard Weiss, who preceded her in death.  Evelyn was a faithful wife whose husband served in the United States Air Force.  She loved spending time with her family and also enjoyed tending her garden.  She is survived by her son Dennis (Marsha) Weiss of Union Mills,...

Daniel Lee Woodruff, Sr. 86 of Westville, passed away Friday, March 10, 2023 in Walkerton, Indiana. He was born on June 5, 1936 in Michigan City, Indiana to Louis and Dorothy (Crawford) Woodruff.  On May 25, 1970 he married Alice Beaty who passed away April 19, 2021. Daniel is survived by his children Cindy (Dennis) Kreske, Wendy Woodruff, Valerie Houghton, Danny Woodruff, Mark (Charlene) Woodruff, Sherry (Jeff) Amor, Barbara (Todd) Miller, Joe (Maggie) Metts, and Brady (Karen)...

Barbara Helen Marino, 79 of Michigan City, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023. She was born October 27, 1943 in Gary to William and Ella Rose (Lach) Malis.  On May 22, 1965 she married Victor Marino who passed away December 25, 2007. Barbara is survived by her daughter Michelle Leep of Westville and her grandchildren Caitlyn, Ethan and Conner all of Westville. She is a member of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in New Buffalo, Michigan where she sang in the choir and was president...

Bonnie Holiday was born as Bonnie Thirion on April 6, 1939 in Hammond, Indiana to Lois Bradley Thirion and Alfred Thirion.  She was the second of four children, preceded by Janice Holmes and followed in age by Thomas Thirion and Michelle Earnhart.   Bonnie was a good student with good friends, both traits she continued through her life.   She put herself through college, graduating from Northern Illinois University and stayed interested in the world through news and constant...

Betty June Sobkowiak, 90 of Westville, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at her home.  She was born April 29, 1932 in Knox, Indiana to Daniel E. and Stella M. (Kinney) Coyer. On February 23, 1952, she married Louis G. Sobkowiak who passed away July 9, 1986. Betty is survived by her children James M. Sobkowiak of Knox, Ronald L. (Diana) Sobkowiak of Valparaiso, and Nancy Sobkowiak Boo of Hunt Valley, Maryland; her grandchildren Nicole C. (John) Pierzakowski, Danielle M. (Tommy)...

Katherine Frances (Hastings) Strutz, 74 of Westville, passed away Monday, February 6, 2023. She was born May 24, 1948 in Pittsburg, California to Robert and Grace (Rogers) Hastings. Katherine is survived by her sisters Roberta (Leonard) Albers of Westville and Marian (Gregory) McCuen of Culver; aunt to Brad Albers, Craig (Pamela) Albers, Bryan (Amanda) McCuen, and Matthew (Jessica) McCuen. Many book worthy stories could be told when all five of them were together. Katherine was great aunt to...

Rita C. Berndt, 75, of LaPorte, passed away on January 20, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.  She was born on May 12, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, to John C. and Sarah E. (Roemer) Ryan.  On September 10, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, she married Dennis L. Berndt.  Rita worked for most of her life as a hostess in the restaurant industry.  She enjoyed spending her time attending Purdue games with Denny, attending estate sales, playing scrabble, and was also an animal...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jeremy Patterson, 38, of Westville, Indiana on January 16th, 2023. He was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on September 27th, 1984.  Jeremy will be deeply missed by all who knew him.   Jeremy was preceded in death by his beloved sister Sara, as well as his grandparents and four uncles. He leaves behind his devoted mother Deborah Posey (Patterson) and step-father Edward Posey of Westville, Indiana, and his loving brother...

Brett T. Ricks 62 of Plymouth formerly of Union Mills passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in South Bend. He was born May 27, 1960 in LaPorte to Ernest “Bud” and Betty (Webb) Ricks. Brett is survived by his sister Sherry (Chuck) Eaton of Union Mills and his brother Douglas (Nancy) Ricks of Koontz Lake, Indiana; his nieces Lisa Garrison and Dawn Ricks and his nephew Tommy Slone. He was preceded in death by his parents and his baby brother Dana. Brett was a member of the Sons of the...

Lila Rachelle “Shelly” Bozetarnik, 64 of LaPorte, (formerly of Chesterton) passed away Sunday, January 1, 2023 in Munster. She was born February 9, 1958 in Valparaiso to John “Jack” and Gloria (Spiess) Pratt. On April 2, 1982 she married Marc Bozetarnik who survives. Also surviving are her children Cheryl Bozetarnik of Portage and Shay (Erin) Bozetarnik of LaPorte; her grandchildren Lucas, Piper, and Avery; her sister Jackie Bush of Chesterton, and her much loved dog...