Obituary Listing

Jul 1, 2024

View the video of the Memorial Service for Kathryn Ruth Strange here: Kathryn Ruth Strange Memorial Service

Kathryn Ruth Strange, nee Bacon, age 67, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, July 1, 2024.  Beloved wife of Alan D. Strange. Loving mother of Meredith Strange, Margaret (Christopher)...

Jul 1, 2024

Eleanor Ruth Bothun was born into heaven on Monday, July 1st, 2024. Though stillborn, she touched many of our lives during her gestation. She was an answer to prayer and was loved deeply by family and friends. Eleanor is greeted in heaven by her great grandparents Ruth Deckert and Clarence and Jean Lindley, and we look forward to rejoicing...

Jun 28, 2024

Eileen Sharon Smado (maiden Ziems), age 79, of Chicago Heights,  passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, June 28, 2024. Beloved wife of 63 years to John M. Smado. Loving mother of Tinna Smado, Andrew Smado III, Michelle Smado, late John Smado Jr., and Scott Smado. Cherished grandmother of 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by...

Jun 27, 2024

David A. Donaldson, age 84, of Cedar Lake, IN, went home to his Lord and Savior on  Thursday, June 27, 2024. Beloved husband of Illa J. Donaldson, nee Watt. Loving father of Lauri (Brent) Mollema, Kimberly Donaldson, and Dana (Bill) Bunch. Proud grandfather of Lindsey (Nate) Henry, David Mollema, Brent (Emma) Mollema, Matt (Sarah) Mollema, Danae (Matt) Olthof, Emily...

Jun 23, 2024

View the funeral service here: https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH/videos/346394185161625

Arleta R. Hommes, nee Scharnhorst, age 89, of Valparaiso, IN, formerly of South Holland, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Roger A. Hommes.  Loving mother of Alex (Nhi) Hommes, Cindy (Dave) Pomeroy, Brian (Kim) Hommes, and the late Sherrie...

Jun 23, 2024

William “Bill” Louis Graefnitz, age 93, of Steger, IL, passed away peacefully June 23, 2024. Beloved husband of 70 years to Marlene Faye Graefnitz (maiden Segert). Loving father of Cheryl (Neal) Lischka, Dale (Janette) Graefnitz, Roger Graefnitz, Mary Kay Joens, and the late William Marlon Graefnitz. Cherished grandfather of 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren....

Jun 22, 2024

David Edward Wicklund, age 81, of Walton, IN passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024.  Loving brother of Noel (Tom) Adamek, the late Dan (late Judy) Wicklund and the late Dennis Wicklund.  Dear uncle of 7 nephews and 2 nieces.  Beloved son of the late Ebert and late Bernice (nee McNichols)  Wicklund,  David was loved by his family and...

Jun 22, 2024

Charles V. Sanfratello, age 96, of Steger, IL, passed away peacefully June 22, 2024. Beloved husband of the late Gladys M. Sanfratello (maiden Pozezanac). Loving father of Madaline (Robert) Roviaro, Carolyn (John) Sullivan, and Rosemary (James) Sadler. Cherished grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Charles was preceded in death by...

Jun 21, 2024

Juanito Souffrant, age 68, of Saint-Marc, Haiti and Crete, IL, passed peacefully June 21, 2024. Beloved husband of Myriam Souffrant (nee Jean-Baptiste), loving father of Michael Jeffrey and Magali Claire Isabelle, and father figure to Jeffrey King and grandfather figure to Sean King, beloved son of Jean-Marc and Dieula Souffrant, loving brother of Monique Souffrant, Reginald and Maria Souffrant,...

Jun 20, 2024

John B. Laninga, age 89, of Crown Point, IN went home to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Beloved husband for nearly 69 years (anniversary June 23rd) to Barb Laninga, nee Smit. Loving father of Pamela (Richard) Triezenberg, Susan (late Dr. Timothy) DeBoer, Kathleen (James) Kooy, and Jeffrey (Lynnette) Laninga. Cherished grandfather of 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren,...

Jun 19, 2024

Deborah “Debbie” L. Bartolini, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Loving wife of Jan Bartolini. Loving mother to Jennifer Bartolini. Dear sister to Marilynn (Donald) Bartolini and the late Robert (Mary) Dorsey. Fond aunt to many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents Franklin and Mary Dorsey. Deborah’s presence will be deeply missed by all...

Jun 19, 2024

View the funeral service here: https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH/videos/3875663336011672

Carol J. Norder, nee Kuiken, age 81, of Highland, IN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.  Beloved wife of Raymond Norder. The day of her passing they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Loving mother of Raymond Norder Jr., Deborah (Jeffery) Seibt, and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Norder.  Beloved grandmother of Nicolas...

Jun 18, 2024

Mary Lou Blankenberger, nee Bronas, age 71, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Beloved wife of David Blankenberger. Loving mother to Lisa (John) Burgard and Tracey (Troy) Thompson. Cherished grandmother to Nicole (Emily) Burgard, Courtney Burgard, Kristin Burgard, Audriana (Scott Toomey) Thompson, Melissa (Nikko April) Thompson, Troy (Felica) Thompson Jr., Jessica (Manny Martinez) Thompson, and Zach Thompson; and...

Jun 18, 2024

After struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease for many years, Patricia Ann Sonsiadek, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in Merrillville, IN.  Having lost her husband, the late Eugene Sonsiadek, earlier in life, Patricia became an independent woman who worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad until her retirement.  She enjoyed hosting family holidays with her three children, Catherine Toyama,...

Jun 17, 2024

Robert “Bo” N. Gunty Sr., age 44, of Lynwood, IL, passed away Monday, June 17, 2024. Devoted father of Robert Gunty Jr. and Carmen Gunty. Loving son of Robert H. and Sharon Gunty.  Devoted brother of Tori (Justin) Smits and Justin (Amanda) Gunty. Dear uncle to several nephews and nieces, nephew of several aunts and uncles, and cousin to...

Jun 13, 2024

Dorothy Hall, age 66, of Matteson, IL, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024. Dear sister of Judy (Wade) Thames, Erma Hall-Thomas, Herman Hall, and Regina (Steven) Clemmer.  Aunt of several nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents Herman and Dorothy Hall.  She was loved and will be missed.

Visitation Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 10:00...

Jun 11, 2024

Irene K. Saia, nee Rzepczynski, age 93, of Crown Point, IN, formerly of South Holland, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Loving wife of the late Steve Saia and the late Edward Grotte Sr.  Devoted mother of Nadine Rouse, Ed (Sally) Grotte, Steven (Barb) Saia, and Dennis (Denise) Grotte.  Cherished grandmother of Mary (Dan) Dykshorn, Christopher...

Jun 7, 2024

Richard K. “Rick” Heim, age 76, of Dyer, IN, passed away peacefully Friday, June 7, 2024. Loving husband of Jacqueline Heim, nee Scheffler. Devoted father of Christine (Mark) Barajas, Lisa Rebey, Keith (Jody) Heim, Stacy Coduti, Elizabeth (Michael) Massey, Richard (Liz) Heim, and Bill (Marissa) Heim. Proud grandfather of Kaitlin, Jacob (Adrienne), Joshua (Olivia) Barajas, Brayden, and Rylan Rebey, Kylie...

Jun 6, 2024

Andrew N. Abatzis, age 77, of Sauk Village, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2024.  Loving husband of 56 years of Alexis S. Abatzis, nee Sadula.  Devoted father of Roberta Abatzis, Lauren (Michael) Nowocin, and Jason Abatzis.  Kind grandfather of Erika (Brad) Abatzis, Andrew Eagan, Shane (Sydney) Ratkovich, and Clint (Emilee) Ratkovich.  Dearest brother of Niki Sherwood,...

Jun 4, 2024

James E. Kucaj Sr., age 57, of DeMotte, IN, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.  Loving husband of Cynthia Kucaj, nee Smith.  Devoted father to Jimmy Kucaj, Austin Kucaj, and Shannon Kucaj.  Dear brother of the late John Kucaj.  Preceded in death by his parents John and Jacquelyn Kucaj.

Visitation Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 10:00...