Bruce Edward Ayres, age 76, of Gary, passed away November 28, 2019. Bruce was born April 10, 1943. He was the son of the late William R. and Donna Ayres. Bruce went to Emerson High School and was in the Army Reserves. He was an active member and officer of Miller Legion Post #279, a lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League of Portage, IN., where his favorite pastime was riding the waves of Lake Michigan, in his boat “The Get Down”, as well as hosting with other Izaak Walton members many years of annual dinners. Bruce loved people and people loved Bruce. No one was a stranger to him.…

James M. Connors, age 70, of Portage, formerly of Gary, passed away November 28, 2019. He graduated from Holy Angels Grade School, Andrean High School, and received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. Jim worked as a banker and retired from the First State Bank of Porter. He tutored at Valparaiso High School through United Way. Jim was active at the Bonner Center in Portage and was a member of the Bonner Senior Center Choir. He coached Portage Pop Warner football for over 20 years. Jim was a loving father, brother, coach, friend, and Big Papa. Jim was preceded in death by his parents-Charles and Iva Connors; brother-Charles P. Connors.…

Bill (Billy) Hatch, age 90, of Merrillville, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2019. He was born to the late Percy and Gladys Hatch. A graduate of Tolleston High School, he proudly served in the Merchant Marine Corps and the US Army. Bill resided in Merrillville for many years where he was a member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. He worked at the Sheet & Tin Mill in Gary for 45 years where he was a member of the Safety Committee. He was also a certified TV repairman. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Nancy Walker, and his dearest granddaughter Tina Walker. He was also…

Leonard V. Sampson, age 80, of Indiana, passed away November 26, 2019. He graduated from Loudon High School in Loudon, TN. Leonard served in the US Army and was deployed to France during his service. He was employed at Republic Steel for 12 years. Leonard retired from Heckett Engineering after 30 years. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America, and Local 150 Operating Engineers. Leonard was ordained as a Deacon in 1971 at Calvary Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. He was a member of Sonrise Baptist Church, Gary, IN since 1995. Leonard was a faithful Sunday school teacher for close to 50 years. He played bass guitar…

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George W. Wilson, age 79, of Crown Point, passed away peacefully at Golden Living Center in Merrillville, IN., on Halloween night, October 31, 2019. He was also known to his friends as “Papa George”. He was born on January 9, 1940. Papa was an avid Cubs and Notre Dame Fan. George loved a good captain and coke made by his favorite bartenders. There will be a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Fricke’s Recreation Center, 519 N Grant St, Crown Point, IN. Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Donna Pavel was born in Dumbany, Greece on July 22, 1924. She came at age 12 to the U.S. with her mother to join her father and brother, who were already here. She worked at U.S. Steel during WW II, attended beauty school, and owned and operated a beauty shop before marrying. She then worked for the Lake County Assessor for 20 years. Her greatest joy was her family. She raised four children, Christine Frazer (Eric), Carole Szentesy (David), Cathy Strange, and George Pavel To her three grandchildren, Thomas Wilkins, Carly Brandenburg (Stephen), and Christina Pappadia (Alexander), she was known as “Baba Donna.” Her great-grandchildren are Fiona and Felicity Brandenburg.…

funeral service time pending

Coming soon

Cheri Kay (Evans) Elser, 84, of Selma, CA (formerly of Merrillville, IN), passed away on November 21, 2019. Cheri was born in Martin’s Ferry, OH. She was a graduate of Tolleston High School, Class of 1953. Cheri married Darrell Elser in 1954, making their first home in Albuquerque, NM while he was in the U.S. Air Force; they were married 65 years. Cheri was the owner of Snelling Personnel in Merrillville. She also retired from the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce after many years. She was also actively involved in the Lupus Foundation of America – Indiana Chapter and the Merrillville Breakfast Kiwanis Club. Cheri was the recipient of many honors…

Cody R. Cox, age 24, of Hobart, passed away November 17, 2019. A Celebration of Cody’s life will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2019, from 1-3:00 p.m., at Burns Funeral Home, 701 East 7th Street, Hobart. www.burnsfuneral.com.

Bruce R. Moore, age 74, of Gary, passed away November 17, 2019. He graduated from Hammond High School, Class of 1963 and served in the U.S. Army. Bruce worked as a steelworker for over 40 years. He was a loving father and grandfather who was very proud of his family’s accomplishments. Bruce was a kind and generous man who touched many lives. He was survived by his children-Brandy (Marty) Howland, and Jason (Amber) Moore; four grandchildren-Martin, Noelani, Katelynn, Connar. Visitation for Bruce will be Friday, November 22, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at 6:00 p.m., at Burns Funeral Home, 701 East 7th Street, Hobart. www.burnsfuneral.com.

Ruth Carolyn (nee Talbert) Horkavi died peacefully on November 15, 2019 from complications from a fall. Although her physical stature had diminished through the years, her heart and her spirit were as big as ever. She was 93. Carolyn was born in Elwood, the tomato canning mecca of Indiana to Carl and Ruth Talbert on December 19, 1925. She was the third of five children. Being a true middle child, Carolyn learned early on the skills of neutrality and compromise, which would serve her well when raising her own children. Carolyn’s family moved to Gary in 1938 and she graduated from Emerson High School in 1943. She married Victor “Bud”…

Services Pending.

Alice Henrietta Kolvy, age 98 of Lowell, passed away November 2, 2019. She was an executive secretary, seamstress, artist, former president of the Gary Women’s Club, an actress in many plays and a motivational speaker. Alice was preceded in death by three late husbands-Ralph Swietzer, Frank Stagl Sr., Micheal Kovalick that were all WWII veterans; daughter-Alyce”Cookie” Harmoning. She is survived by her sons-Ralph Swietzer Jr., Frank Stagle Jr., Eric Von Stagle, John Stagl. Services are private. Burns Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Gaye Andersen (nee: Popovich), age 72 of Merrillville, passed away peacefully November 14, 2019. Gaye taught at various high schools throughout her life with majority of the time working at Davenport University. She was an officer and board executive at Alpha Beta Gamma, an officer of her college honor society, and very active in community service against domestic violence and with the Caring Place. Gaye was also a fanatic Indiana Hoosiers fan. She was preceded in death by her father, Nick. Gaye is survived by her fiancé-Kevin Leshk; children-Amy (Jason) Miller, and Scott Andersen; grandchildren- Ryan and Drew Miller; mother- Virginia Popovich; siblings-Nick Popovich, Bob (Linda Reyes) Popovich, Jim (Ota)…

Betty J. Dotson, age 85, of Hobart, passed away November 13, 2019. She was a classic car enthusiast and an avid Nascar fan. Her favorite drivers were Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson. Betty was a very loving and devoted wife of 56 years, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents-Opal P and Pauline Erwin; dear brother-Kenneth Erwin. Betty is survived by her husband-Donald G. Dotson; sons-Jeffrey G. (Chris) Dotson, Gregory W. (Alisha) Dotson; grandsons-William P. Dotson, Phillip J. and Nicholas G. Parris; granddaughters-Hannah R. Dotson, MacKenzie L. Parris; sisters-Wanda Ballay, Lois; many loving nieces and nephews; dear friends-Billy (Darlene) Burt, Richie (Con) Martin. Friends may visit…

Flossie I. Thomason, age 102, of Valparaiso, passed away November 13, 2019. She was born on October 31, 2017 and raised in Smithland, KY. Flossie was a longtime employee of Penney’s Department Store in the Village, working in the Curtain Department and also was a seamstress. She married Augustas W. Thomas on July 25, 1940. Flossie was preceded in death by her parents-Robert H and Nora Marrs; husband-Gus, on February 5, 1986; brothers-LaRue Marrs, Rudell Marrs; sister-Janette Marrs; daughters-Nora Marlin and Janette Mills. She is survived by her son-in-law-James Mills of Valparaiso; grandsons-Jim (Christine) Mills of Valparaiso, Greg (Debbie) Palmer of Valparaiso, Jason Mills of Valparaiso; great grandson-Logan Palmer; great…