Obituaries

Jul 28, 2019

89 year old, Louis Ketchum, of Wheatfield, passed away July 28, 2019.

On August 5, 1929, Louis was born to Leonard and Juel (Watkins) Ketchum in Preble County, Ohio. Louis graduated from Tefft High School, and was a Union Cement Mason for Local #165 out of Hammond for 30+ years. Louis served in the U.S. Army achieving the rank of...

Jul 25, 2019

25 year old, Brandon K. Messer of Rensselaer/Medaryville passed away July 25, 2019.

On May 2, 1994, Brandon was born in Rensselaer, Indiana to Jeremy Messer and Tonya (Wireman) Messer-Briggs. Brandon was a musician (played guitar) & artist, who liked computers and video games.

Brandon is survived by his mother: Tonya (Curtis) Messer-Briggs, father: Jeremy Messer, siblings: Eric Messer, &...

Jul 18, 2019

93 year old, Betty Jean Berg, of DeMotte, passed away July 18, 2019.

On March 4, 1926, Betty was born to Jacob and Gertrude (VanBolhuis) Miedema in Chicago, Illinois. Betty worked for IBM as a key punch operator, an insurance adjustor, bookkeeper, and loved being a housewife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother.

Betty is survived by her children: Jacquelyn (Dennis) Getz,...

Jul 18, 2019

78 year old, Russell H. Franz, of Medaryville, Indiana passed away July 18, 2019.

Russell was born on October 15, 1940 in Crown Point, Indiana to Harold and Anne (Marynowski) Franz. Russell attended Merrillville High School and graduated in 1959. He worked construction and later was a truck driver for North Express in Winamac.

Russell is survived by his children:...

Jul 18, 2019

79 year old, Mary Ann Asher, of Valparaiso, formerly of Radioville, where she was known as ‘Blueberry Mary’, passed away July 18, 2019 at her home with her loving family around her.

On March 26, 1940, Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Bill and Ester (Campbell) Claussen. Mary’s parents owned and operated the “Valparaiso Motel” and the “Spring Valley...

Jul 17, 2019

Mike Clark, 67, of Gary, Indiana joined his many loved ones in heaven on July 17th, 2019.

Mike was born to Lucille (Sharp) and Walter Clark on August 5, 1951, in Hammond, Indiana. He was a journeyman machinist at several mills during his professional career. He was a lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited and involved in hunter’s education. Mike enjoyed fishing and hunting with his twin brother Pat or any of his countless friends....

Jul 13, 2019

92 year old, Robert Donald Rust, of Wheatfield, passed away July 13, 2019.

On October 19, 1926, Robert was born to Elvin Sr. and Agnes (Heatherson) Rust. Robert married the love of his life, Karen Deerberg, on March 10, 1956, at the Wheatfield Baptist Church. Wheatfield American Legion Post #406, Millwright Local #1102. Robert was a WW II Naval Veteran....

Jul 7, 2019

84 year old, Billy T. Crowley, of Wheatfield, passed away July 7, 2019 at his home with his loving family around him.

On June 30, 1935, Billy was born to Billy T. and Adie Sue (Quillen) Crowley in Corsicana, Texas. Billy married Mary M. Ford on August 18th 1956, in Rock Island, Illinois. Billy moved to Chicago, Illinois and worked...

Jul 7, 2019

54 year old, Maurice H Burch Jr., of Rensselaer, passed away July 7, 2019.

Maurice Jr., was born to Maurice Sr., and Mary (Roark) Burch in Gary, Indiana. Maurice was a certified welder who worked for Monon Trailer. He loved NASCAR, and all types of racing.

Maurice is survived by his sister:  Michelle L. Burch, and half-sister: Shirley Larson.

Maurice...

Jul 6, 2019

89 year old, Phyllis Tanner, of Wheatfield, passed away July 7, 2019.

On November 8, 1929, in Dually, Montana, Phyllis was born to Adolfe and Mable (Olson) Torgrimson. She graduated from Noxon High School, she was a cheerleader and was in the school band. She married the love of her life, Robert K. Tanner, of Rensselaer, Indiana, at St. Mary’s...

Jul 3, 2019

65 year old, Ralph E. Peo, aka ‘Pop-Pop’, of DeMotte, passed away on July 3, 2019.

On October 3, 1953, Ralph was born to Frank Peo Sr. and Naomi (Bowman) Peo-Robinson in Rensselaer, Indiana. Ralph graduated from Kankakee Valley High School in 1971. He worked as a car salesman for many years, most of those years were at Wiers Chevrolet,...

Jul 2, 2019

Jun 26, 2019

90 year old, William ‘Bill’ Wild, of Wheatfield passed away June 26, 2019.

Bill was born on March 11, 1929 to William P. Sr. and Marian (Sweeney) Wild in Milton, North Dakota. Bill attended the University of North Dakota, and worked as a truck parts salesman for 25 years. He retired in 1994.

Bill is survived by his son: Robert...

Jun 23, 2019

64 year old, Robert ‘Bob’ Cozad, of DeMotte, passed away June 23, 2019 at his home.

Bob was born on September 28, 1954, in Hammond, Indiana, to Robert D. and Clara (Chenault) Cozad. Bob married Betty LeLoup, on April 12, 1986, at Faith Lutheran Church in Black Oak. Bob was a pipe fitter, welder, truck driver, and worked for Mittal...

Jun 22, 2019

83 year old, Paula Jean DeVries, of Fair Oaks, passed away June 22, 2019.

On March 15, 1936, in Griffith, Indiana, Jean was born to Peter J. and Sarah (Neese) Grugel. Jean married the love of her life, Theodore DeVries on June 24, 1953 in Griffith, Indiana. Jean was a farmer’s wife, and a member of the First Christian Reformed...

Jun 22, 2019

90 year old, Rita Luzadder, of Rensselaer, formerly of DeMotte, passed away June 22, 2019.

On February 3, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, Rita was born to Clemete and Martha (Majeskig) Tomaklewicz. Rita worked for Northway for 23 years until she retired, then she worked for McDonald’s in DeMotte. Rita loved to dance!

Rita is survived by her family: Rita Mary...

Jun 19, 2019

78 year old, Sharon Ketchum, of Kouts passed away June 19, 2019, with her loving family around her.

On September 10, 1940, Sharon was born in Valparaiso, Indiana to Olen and Lela (Stahl) Reinhardt. Sharon graduated from Kouts High School. She married Sherman Whited on October 12, 1958 (who preceded her). Sharon worked at Porter Memorial Hospital as an X-ray...

Jun 19, 2019

44 year old, Howard ‘Mike’ Baggerly, of DeMotte, passed away June 19, 2019.

Mike was born in Valparaiso, on May 14, 1975, to Howard C. Baggerly and Debra (Johnson) Baggerly. Mike was a lifetime area resident. He like working as a carpenter. Mike enjoyed riding motorcycles and was looking forward to going to Sturgis.

Mike is survived by his family,...

Jun 19, 2019

71 year old, Carolyn E. King, of Wheatfield, passed away June 19, 2019.

Carolyn E. King was born on April 28, 1948, to Vernon and Anne (Michael) Bevill in Beebe, Arkansas.  She married Malcolm E. King on September 20, 1979, in Walker Township, Indiana. Carolyn was ACLS certified, EMT, Respiratory Therapist who worked for Porter Memorial Hospital for 15 years,...

Jun 16, 2019

62 year old, Cheryl A. Vann, of Wheatfield, passed away June 16, 2019 at her home with her loving family around her.

On January 16, 1957, Cheryl was born to Jack and Kathryn (Adlesich) Wells in Gary, Indiana. Cheryl married the love of her life, Charles Vann on March 12, 1977, in Gary, Indiana. Cheryl was a 4-H leader for...