Highland, IN Obituaries

Roberta “Bobbi” Lynell Brown, a beloved family matriarch and longtime resident of White Lake, passed away on February 14, 2026, at the age of 78. Born March 15, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the...

Sharon Ann Duffing, aged 83, passed away on February 13, 2026. She was born on March 17, 1942. Sharon was a resident of White Lake, Michigan.

Beverly Ann Szczudlak, age 94, passed away on January 17, 2026. Beverly was born on May 17, 1931. She was a resident of Chesterton, Indiana.

Jay L. Hanson, age 66, of Hammond, IN, passed away on February 8, 2026. He is survived by sisters, Jennifer (Jack) Lewis and Rose (Terry McCormick) Buckmaster; significant other, Katherine Mbonu; chil...

Manila Robson, born on June 17, 1942, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at the age of 83. She was a longtime resident of Gary, IN. Manila is survived by her loving children, Jackie, Rebecca...

William Raymond Brendel was born on February 22, 1937, in Clarkston, Michigan. He passed away on February 6, 2026, at the age of 88. He was a resident of White Lake, Michigan. Husband of the late Joy...

Brent A. Hopper, age 64, of Gary, IN, passed away on February 4, 2026. He is survived by his significant other, Carolyn; daughter, Shannon (Eddie Guzik) Hopper; grandchildren, Trinity (Craig) Miller a...

Florian M. Golembiewski, born on April 22, 1959, passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 66. Florian resided in Dyer, IN.

Gene Allan "Geno" Sousa, aged 80, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the love of his family. Born on December 16, 1945, in Highland Park, Michigan, Geno was a man...

Sharon L. Watkins, born on September 24, 1943, passed away on February 2, 2026, at the age of 82. Sharon was a resident of Portage, Indiana.

Our most beloved Alton “Al” Valentini, husband, daddy, grandpa, big brother, teacher of God’s Word, friend to all, went to be with His Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 29th at 4:18 AM. Al was bo...

Michael Wayne Wilson, born October 19, 1966, died an honorable Klingon death on January 29, 2026, at the age of 59. Michael was a resident of Gary, IN. He was a loving father to Hannah (Michael) and ...

Phillip “Davey” Slayton, III, age 40, passed away on January 27, 2026. Born on May 17, 1985, Davey spent his life in Whiting, IN, surrounded by family, friends, and the places he loved. Davey was pre...

Richard Marion Chumbley, age 78, of DeMotte, IN, was called to his heavenly home on January 28, 2026. He was born in Hammond on December 27, 1947 to parents Louis and Dorothy Chumbley. Rick worked ...

Richard Morales, aged 83, passed away on January 22, 2026. He was born on July 21, 1942. Richard was a resident of Highland, IN. Richard was a United States Army Veteran. He worked for Inland Steel a...

Christine Rose Stone passed away on January 20, 2026, at the age of 67. Born on January 17, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, Christine was a cherished wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. Chris...

John Anthony McCloud, born March 30, 1957, passed away at the age of 68. He was a longtime resident of Gary, IN. A deeply loved father and Pawpaw, and the proud patriarch of the McCloud clan, John wa...

Leonard Joseph Lessner, born on June 26, 1950, passed away on January 25, 2026, at the age of 75. Leonard was a resident of Dyer, IN. He is survived by his two brothers, Steve "Red" (Kathy) Lessner an...

Richard Thomas Watkins, 71, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Crown Point, Indiana. Born on August 2, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, Richard lived a full and vibrant life rooted in hard work, deep connecti...

Louise Surer passed away on January 17, 2026, at the age of 100. She was a resident of Orlando, FL. She was born on June 20, 1925, and raised in Hazard, KY to the late John Frederick and Martha Sure...

Sharon Lezette Watkins, affectionately known as "Queenie" by those who knew her best, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, at the age of 84 in Commerce Township, Michigan. Born on November 22, ...

James “Bim” Allen Akers, 68, of Gary, IN, passed away on January 21, 2026, at Southlake Methodist Hospital surrounded by his four daughters. James was born in Gary, IN on July 26, 1957, to Clarence ...

Donna Rhea (Abbott) Merrick (68), of Hammond and Gary, IN, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. She was born to the late William and June (Henry) Abbott in Maryville, TN. She leaves behind her ...

Lynn Ellen Erickson, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at her home in White Lake, Michigan. Born November 30, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Lynn's ...

Sally Margaret Haager, aged 85, passed away on January 18, 2026. She was born on October 28, 1940. Sally was a resident of Three Rivers, MI. Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Haager....

Beverly Ann (O’Dea) Szczudlak 94 of Chesterton passed away on January 17, 2026 at her home. Born on May 17, 1931 in Chicago, IL to the late Neil (Cornelia Lucas) O’Dea. Beverly married Richard Szczudl...

Donald "Don" Roy Dixon, Sr., age 69, of Crete, IL, (formerly of Chicago, IL) passed away on January 14, 2026. He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Susan Dixon; children, Jessica (Joseph) Gro...

Gary Leon Melton, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 19, 2026, in Commerce Township, Michigan, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, a...

Beth Alison Lipscomb, a loving daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 57. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, on May 14, 1968, Beth was the cherished daughter of John and ...

William Rodney Hanchar, age of 76, passed away on January 15, 2026. He was a resident of Hammond, IN. He is survived by his four children, Rebecca Armstrong, Thomas Hanchar, Rion Hanchar, and Selena...

Klann, Vivian (née VunCannon), age 94, of Highland, Michigan, passed away on January 13, 2026. Born in Royal Oak, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Lewis and Mary VunCannon. Vivian married Jo...

Our beloved Ernestine Rivas of Munster, IN passed peacefully on January 12, 2025 surrounded by her dear friend Rhonda Smith, VASIA volunteer agent. She was preceded in death by her parents Refujia and...

Lee M. Caswell, age 97, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away on January 10, 2026, of natural causes.  She is survived by her daughter Maidena Young of Michigan City, IN and son Jesse Young of Wildwood,...

David Kenneday Gasper was born on March 29, 1955, in Columbia, MO, to Glee and Donald Gasper, as the oldest child in a family that would eventually include six siblings. After his father graduated ...

Paul Edwin Weinand, born on November 18, 1961, passed away on January 7, 2026, at the age of 64. He was a resident of White Lake, Michigan. A funeral visitation will be held on January 24, 2026, from...

Howard "Buck" Roy Varnon, age 90, of Highland Twp., Michigan, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2025 at his home. He was a kind hearted man, a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather whos...

Ricky Raczkowski, born on April 20, 1951, in Hamtramck, Michigan, passed away on December 31st, 2026, at the age of 74. Ricky dedicated his professional life to serving others as a nurse attendant i...

Judith Ann Pierce of White Lake, passed away on December 31, 2025, at 77 years of age. Beloved wife of the late Peter David Pierce Sr. Loving mother of the late Peter Jr. (Shannon) and the late Yvonn...

Martha "Marty" Dazey passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 83. Marty was born on May 3, 1942, in Paducah, KY. She was an elevator operator for downtown Hammond shopping district for many y...

Scott Edward Vallette, 61, of White Lake passed away on December 31, 2025 at his home. Scott was born in Pontiac, MI and spent his life in the Highland/White Lake area. He is leaving behind a legacy d...

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Roc VanGuilder of Crown Point, IN. A beloved husband, dad and papa, he passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family at the age of 81. R...

Our mother, Sharon Joyce Hatton (née Wiberg), devoted wife, mom, and mama to many, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 29, 2025, at the age of 81. Born in Chicago, IL, on October 13, 1944...

Blake John Peterson, born on May 16, 1964, passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 61. He was a resident of Highland, Michigan.

Tamara L. Loferski, aged 60, passed away on December 26, 2025. She was born on November 29, 1965. Tamara was a resident of Park Forest, IL.

Andrew G. Ruszkiewicz, age 89, of Crown Point, IN passed away on December 24, 2025. Andrew is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Halina Ruszkiewicz; three children, Tamara (Ruszkiewicz) Port...

Thomas Cleveland Miller, age 79, of White Lake, Michigan, passed away on December 22, 2025. Born on February 26, 1946 in Saginaw, Michigan. Tom was an extraordinary person who was a loving husband, ...

Ryan Patrick Bowling passed away at the age of 12, following a 6-year battle with cancer in White Lake, Michigan surrounded by his family. Loving son of Jason and Lauren Bowling. Cherished big brothe...

Susan (Sue, Susie) Jane DeBoer-Stafford, aged 55, of Waterford, MI, went home to be with the Lord on December 19, 2025. Born on February 17, 1970, in Pontiac, MI, Susan lived a life rooted in faith an...

On December 19, 2025, Peggy Lois McCulloch (née Richards, formerly Taylor) of Crown Point, IN, passed away at the age of 77 from multiple health complications. Peggy was born on March 3, 1948 in East...

John Raymond Hurst, a cherished father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 80. He was born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. John was the son of Garl...