Obituaries

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...

Jul 14, 2021

Agnes Rose Stavitzke, 82 years, of DeMotte, passed away July 14, 2021, at her home with her family around her.

On October 23, 1938, Agnes was born in South Chicago, Illinois, to Albert and Mary (Chmielowski) Jamrosz. Agnes graduated from Clark High School in Whiting, Indiana. She loved working as a CNA for Regency Place, in Dyer along -side her good...

Jul 7, 2021

64 year old, Donna Rae Laws, of DeMotte, passed away July 7, 2021 at Elizabethton, Tennessee.

On July 6, 1957, Donna was born to Robert and Loraine (Rance) VanHouten, in Chicago, Illinois. On October 13, 2001, Donna married Douglas Laws in Rensseler, Indiana. Donna ran the food pantry at the Christian Church of DeMotte. She loved to paint and travel.

Donna is...

Jun 29, 2021

Daniel J. Robbins, of San Pierre passed away June 29, 2021, at the age of 64.

Danny was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on July 1, 1956 to Donna Allen. Danny graduated from North Judson – San Pierre High School in 1974 and shortly began working at McGill Manufacturing as a machinist and later as a tool and dye maker. He worked...

Jun 29, 2021

35 year old, Joseph W. Nimetz, of Wheatfield, passed away June 29, 2021 as a result of an eighteen year battle from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Joseph ‘Joey’ was born on November 4, 1985 to Larry Nimetz and Debra Nimetz in Merrillville, Indiana. Joe played football for Kankakee Valley High School. He enjoyed playing driveway basketball, and riding a...

Jun 29, 2021

Phyllis Kay (DeVries) Everett of DeMotte, age 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on June 29, 2021.

Phyllis was born to Kenneth and Lois (Hoffman) DeVries on July 17, 1950 in Rensselaer, Indiana. Phyllis graduated from DeMotte High School, class of 1968. She then went on to graduate from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and received...

Jun 23, 2021

68 year old, James Cambe of Wellton, Arizona, formerly of Wheatfield, Indiana.

James was born on November 26, 1952, to Paul and Letha (Nelson) Cambe in Rensselaer, Indiana. James was a mint farmer working for Materna Mint Farm for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, and fixing garden tractors. James loved to talk to people and boating. He...

Jun 22, 2021

59 year old, Ronald ‘Ron’ Molenaar, of Rensselaer, passed away June 22, 2021, at his home, with his loving family around him.

On March 7, 1962, Ron was born to Russell and Alma (Biggs) Molenaar, in Lafayette, Indiana. Ron went on to graduate from Rensselaer High School. He married the love of his life: Bonnie Gross on June 25, 2004, in...

Jun 19, 2021

78 year old, Lawrence E. Stalbaum, of San Pierre, passed away tragically at his home, from a weather incident.

On January 14, 1943 Larry was born to Raymond and Betty (Williams) Stalbaum, in LaPorte, Indiana. He graduated from Tefft High School and went on to be a self-employed truck driver. He married the love of his life, Sharon Wills. He...

Jun 13, 2021

93 year old, Grace E. Nemeth, of Wheatfield, passed away June 13, 2021.

On August 20, 1927, in Shelby, Indiana, Grace was born to Lowell and Ada (Stowell) Dionne. Grace was a lifetime area resident. She was married to Paul Nemeth, who preceded her. Grace was a homemaker, who liked to play board games, dice and cards. She liked being...

Jun 8, 2021

87 year old, Charles E. McLean, of DeMotte, passed away June 8, 2021 at his home.

On September 5, 1933, Charles was born to Wilbert and Florence (Yott) McLean in Newton County, Indiana. Charles served in the U.S. Army. He then married the love of his life, Joyce E McIntire on September 27, 1957 at the Hebron Methodist Church. Charles...