Obituaries

Aug 25, 2021

47 year old, Earl D. Bunning of West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away August 25, 2021 the result of an auto accident.

On June 3, 1974, Earl was born to Carl Bunning and Linda (Leach) Randolph, in Valparaiso, Indiana. Earl was a care giver in Florida. Earl loved dancing, and was an International Entertainer who raised monies...

Aug 25, 2021

52 year old, Sheila L. Byroad, of Buffalo passed away August 25, 2021 at IU Health White Memorial Hospital.

On May 19, 1969, in Lafayette, Indiana Sheila was born to Raymond and Carole (Sheen) Urbanczyk. Sheila enjoyed being a housewife, working at Dollar General, and McDonald’s. She married the love of her life Thomas Byroad on February 3, 1999, in...

Aug 25, 2021

71 year old, Margaret Ann Altman, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away August 25, 2021.

Marge was born on November 19, 1949, to LeRoy and Annie (Humphreys) Shipley, in Rensselaer, Indiana. Marge graduated from Rensselaer High School, and was a caregiver, decorator, homemaker, and adored her family. Marge loved to cook, enjoyed garage sales, adored family. She served...

Aug 19, 2021

77 year old, Sandra Bonner, of Wheatfield, passed away August 19, 2021.

Sandra was born on December 15, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to Edward and Margaret (Schroeder) Thompson. She married the love of her life, Charles Bonner, on April 24, 1961, in Gulconda, Illinois. Sandra loved being a lunch room aid at Wheatfield Elementary School. She also...

Aug 15, 2021

41 year old, Michael Wantola, passed away at his home, on August 15, 2021.

On March 6, 1980, Michael was born to Leo and Vera (Krug) Wantola in Valparaiso, Indiana. Mike graduated from Kankakee Valley High School class of 1998. Mike was an operating engineer with the Local #150. Mike liked to hunt, trap, cut wood, and...

Aug 15, 2021

68 year old, Bruce E. Truelock, of Rensselaer passed away August 15, 2021.

Bruce was born on July 6, 1953, to Donald and Rosemary (Banister) Truelock, in Sullivan, Indiana. Bruce graduated from North Newton High School, class of 1971. He married the love of his life, Christine Conley, on May 1, 1993, in Rensselaer, Indiana. Bruce was...

Aug 12, 2021

60 year old, David Christopher Jarrell, of Wheatfield, passed away at his home in Wheatfield on August 12, 2021.

On May 11, 1961, Chris was born to Robert and Beverly (Lee) Jarrell in Thomas, Oklahoma. Chris was a graduate of Kankakee Valley High School, class of 1979. He married Diane Lonsberry, on November 28, 1986, at the...

Aug 12, 2021

88 year old, Walter L. ‘Roy’ Sullivan, of Wheatfield, passed away August 12, 2021.

Roy was born to Walter and Edna (Elijah) Sullivan, Colfax Township, Morocco, Indiana, on October 23, 1932. He married the love of his life, Edith Jane Dionne on January 16, 1954. Roy was a member of the Local #150 Operating Engineers.  He enjoyed...

Aug 10, 2021

40 year old, Noelle L. Wiltfang, of Rensselaer, passed away August 10, 2021 at her home in Rensselaer.

On July 19, 1981, Noelle was born to Richard and Annette (Fischer) Wiltfang in Valparaiso, Indiana. Noelle graduated from Kankakee Valley High School, class of 1999, and attended IVY Tech for 2 years. She was a manager at Wal-Mart...

Aug 9, 2021

78 year old, Patrick Whalen, of Rensselaer, passed away August 9, 2020.

On March 17, 1943, Patrick was born to William and Catherine (Stanton) Whalen, in Columbus, Ohio. Pat served in the U.S. Navy. He then worked in receiving at a factory warehouse, and later became the warehouse manager. He was a member of the American Legion....

Aug 5, 2021

78 Year old, Virgil Oliver, of Medaryville, passed away August 5, 2021.

On January 2, 1943, Virgil was born to George and Lillie (Joseph) Oliver in Rensselaer, Indiana. Virgil was a truck driver. He liked to mow his lawn, and he took great pride in his yard work.

Virgil raised 2 children: Misty (Dean) Pigg, and...

Aug 4, 2021

73 year old, Sharon G. Messmaker-Bovenkerk, of Rensselaer, formerly of DeMotte, passed away August 4, 2021 at Franciscan Health Lafayette.

On September 25, 1947, Sharon was born to Albert and Jennie (VanSchouwen) Slager, in Hammond, Indiana.

Sharon was an accountant, and ran her own housekeeping business. She was a member of the Women’s Auxillary DeMotte...

Aug 2, 2021

34 year old, Lucas E. Asher, of Valparaiso, passed away August 2, 2021.

On September 15, 1986, Lucas was born to Louis Jr. ‘Rusty’ and Diana (Oldfield) Asher in Valparaiso, Indiana. Lucas was an operating engineer for the Local #150.

Lucas is survived by his family, parents: Louis ‘Rusty’ & Diana Asher, sisters: Sarah (Walter)...

Aug 1, 2021

57 year old, Stephen Mehay, of Wheatfield, passed away August 1, 2021.

On March 18. 1964, Stephen was born to James and Norma (Fitzpatrick) Mehay in Rensselaer, Indiana

Stephen was a 1983 graduate of KVHS. He worked as a fabricator for Tri-State Steel in Tefft, Indiana. Stephen also helped with driving the ambulance. He enjoyed...

Jul 31, 2021

Richard ‘Kent’ McDaniel, born July 31, 1961 in Valparaiso, Indiana passed away in a one-vehicle accident on July 31, 2021, in Windsor, Colorado, where he has called home for the past 15 years.

Kent is the beloved son of Alberta Leach McDaniel-Kieper (Don) of DeMotte, and cherished brother of Howard McDaniel Jr., Jeffery McDaniel, and Brian McDaniel. Kent had numerous nieces...

Jul 28, 2021

68 year old, Stephen D. Owens, of Medaryville, passed away July 28, 2021, at his home with his loving family around him.

On November 17, 1952, Stephen was born to Melvin and Velma (Moore) Owens in Valparaiso, Indiana. Stephen graduated from West Central High School, class of 1970. He married the love of his life, Cheryl Wireman on August 26,...

Jul 28, 2021

68 year old, Stephen D. Owens, of Medaryville, passed away July 28, 2021, at his home with his loving family around him.

On November 17, 1952, Stephen was born to Melvin and Velma (Moore) Owens in Valparaiso, Indiana. Stephen graduated from West Central High School, class of 1970. He married the love of his life, Cheryl Wireman on August 26,...

Jul 27, 2021

68 year old, Connie J. Davis, passed away July 27, 2021.

Connie was born to Vernon and Ruth (Wireman) Helton, on July 25, 1953, in Rensselaer, Indiana. Connie was a graduate of Kankakee Valley High School, class of 1971. She married the love of her life, Myron Davis on June 9, 1996, who preceded her. Connie enjoyed being a homemaker. She...

Jul 26, 2021

54 year old, Julie A. O’Neill, passed away July 26, 2021, peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Julie was born to David and Paula (Messer) Abbring, on June 13, 1967 in Rensselaer, Indiana. She was a graduate of Kankakee Valley High School class of 1985. Julie was a dispatcher/transportation specialist for Ruan Transportation for 10 years. She liked to...

Jul 22, 2021

75 year old, Joseph Gass, of DeMotte, passed away July 22, 2021, at his home with his loving family around him.

On March 31, 1946, Joseph was born to Joseph W. & Wanda (Ciba) Gass, in Hammond, Indiana. Joseph was a Chemical Operator for M & T Chemical. He married the love of his life Verna Taylor, in Pawpaw, Michigan on...