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SCHNEIDER, IN - Christopher Ratliff 32, of Schneider, IN, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019. He is survived by his children, Dominick and his mother, Amber Wilson; Penelope, Colt, Delilah and their mother, Nicole Morfoot; mother, Julie (Jack) Brys; brother, James (Dannelle) Ratliff; grandmother, Maryanna Raby. Preceded in death by father, Randal; grandfather, James Raby.
Visitation, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM at SHEETS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 604 E. Commercial Ave, Lowell, IN. Cremation preceding services. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to his children. www.sheetsfuneral.com
KOUTS, IN - Katherine "Katy" M. Rust, 76 of Kouts, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019. She was born December 8, 1942 in Valparaiso to Junior and Ilah (Sandberg) Miller. Katy was a graduate of Kouts High School and had worked as a secretary at Christian Haven. She was a member of Hopewell Mennonite Church, was very active with Porter Co. 4-H, serving as a leader and a past superintendent, and a member of the Farm Bureau, where she was a past women's leader.
On September 25, 1960 in LaCrosse, Katy married Jacob "Jack" R. Rust who survives along with her mother, Ilah Miller; sons, Brooks M. (Krista) Rust and Bradley J. (Carrie) Rust; daughter-in-law, Marge Rust; son-in-law, Jeff Lynch; grandchildren, Kerstin (Travis Garcia) Rust, Devon (Courtney) Rust, Megan (Danny) Crider, Dakota Wozniak, Christopher Rust, Hannah Rust, Chase Wozniak, and Brianna Lynch; great grandchildren, Areija Rust, Camdyn Rust, Isaac Perkins, and Ashley Wozniak; siblings, Wilma (Joe) Wheele and Dan (Gloria) Miller; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father; son, Brian Rust; daughter, Melinda Lynch; and granddaughter, Jordan Wozniak.
Private burial will take place and a Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Hopewell Mennonite Church, Kouts. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to: Porter County 4-H Memorial Scholarship or the Kouts High School Brian Rust and Melinda Lynch Memorial Scholarship.
HAMMOND, IN - Barbara A. Tall age 67 of Hammond, passed away on Saturday July 6, 2019. She is survived by her husband of 46 years David; daughters Amanda (David) Chapman, Dawn (Larry) Brown, and Kristin (Scott) Bettenhausen; grandchildren Kaitlynn, Ashleigh, Abigail, and Jacob; great grandchildren Emily, Dylan, and Kaden; sister Deborah (David) Guthrie brothers Dennis (Diane) Held, and Douglas (Renee') Held, and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Norbert and Elsie Held.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday July 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at WHITE FUNERAL HOME with Fr. Charles A. Mosley officiating. Cremation will follow the services.
Friends may meet with the family on Wednesday July 10, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at WHITE FUNERAL HOME located at 921 W. 45th Ave. in Griffith.
Barbara worked for Venture's 18-1/2 years and was the Treasurer of the American Legion Post 180 Ladies Auxiliary. She also enjoyed playing Pinochle, Bunco, BINGO, and loved spending time with her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Hospital or to your local animal shelter.
For information, please call WHITE FUNERAL HOME at (219) 924-4100 or visit us at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF STEPHEN "YANKS" JANDURA BELOVED BROTHER, UNCLE AND FRIEND We miss you!
John & Betty
EAST CHICAGO, IN - Nicolas Reyes Jr., age 59, of East Chicago, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Nicolas is survived five sons: Daniel, Robert, Anthony, Kenny and Nicholas III; sister, Leticia Reyes; brothers: Arnoldo "Ernie", Rodolfo "Rudy", and Raymundo "Ray" Reyes; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents: Nicholas, Sr. and Olivia Reyes; and brother, Ramiro "Ram" Reyes.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at FIFE FUNERAL HOME, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN. Father Stephen Kosinski will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Laredo, TX.
Nicolas was a retired laborer in the construction industry for many years; he loved to play dominoes with his friends at the George Collins Apartments in Chicago; Nicolas was an artist and enjoyed playing pool and puzzles; he will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. To share a memory or send an online condolence, logon to: www.fifefuneralhome.com.
CROWN POINT, IN - Seth Ryan Shingler, age 24, of Crown Point, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, July 8, 2019.
Seth is survived by his mother, Dianna (Andy) Sobek; father, Jason Shingler; sisters: Brooke Shingler, Tara Shingler and Abby Sobek; grandparents: Ineva Peach, Joe and Andrea Shingler; and longtime girlfriend, Skylar Williams.
Seth was a graduate of Crown Point High School Class of 2013 and was attending Indiana University Northwest. He enjoyed listening to music, playing his guitar and traveling to Kentucky to visit with family.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday, July 12, 2019 at GEISEN FUNERAL, CREMATION & RECEPTION CENTRE, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Funeral Services will be at the Funeral Home on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Peter Albertson officiating. Interment will follow at Hebron Cemetery. Sign Seth's online guestbook and view directions at GeisenFuneralHome.com (219) 663-2500.
VALPARAISO, IN -
Joseph Paul Blakeley, age 70 passed away on July 6, 2019. He was born on September 23, 1948 in New Castle, IN to Henry and Phyllis (Miller) Blakeley.
Joseph is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathy (Green) Blakeley; daughter, Elizabeth Blakeley and son Matthew Blakeley; mother, Phyllis Blakeley; brother, James (Sonia) Blakeley and sisters, Anne (Greg) Bliss and Mary Blakeley. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Blakeley.
Joseph retired from Valparaiso Community School as head mechanic after 22 years of service. He previously had worked at IBM in the late 70's and was co-owner and mechanic of two gas stations in Hobart. Joseph enjoyed woodworking, fishing and fly-tying, slot cars and model planes, BBQ cooking and fixing bikes in the neighborhood.
Services to be held at a later date. EDMONDS & EVANS FUNERAL HOME, PORTAGE CHAPEL, 6941 Central Ave., Portage, IN 46368 entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.ee-fh.com.
HOBART, IN -
(Katherine) Joan Holzmer (nee Sutherlin), age 92, of Hobart, IN passed away Sunday, July 7, 2019. She was born in Crawfordsville, IN on July 29, 1926 to the late John and Lucile Sutherlin. Joan was an art teacher for the School City of Hobart for her entire career and belonged to several associations for teachers including, Hobart Teachers Association, Indiana State Teachers Assoc., National Education Assoc., Lake Co. Retired Teachers Assoc., Daughters of the American Revolution, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was very involved in the Hobart Food Pantry and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Joan was a longtime member of St. Bridget Catholic Church where she belonged to the St. Anne's Confraternity. Joan was well known in the community and loved by all, especially her devoted family.
Joan is survived by her four children; Sister Anita Holzmer (Ann), OSF of Fort Wayne; Mark (Christine) Holzmer of Idaho Falls, ID; Lucy (Steve) Blakey of Fort Wayne, IN; Maureen (James) Ross of Byron Center, MI; seven grandchildren: Matthew, Gregory, and Emily Holzmer, Katie and Lauren Blakey, Michael and Claire Ross; three great-grandchildren: Michael, Nicholas and Paige Holzmer. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 66 years, Nic Holzmer; grandson, Luke Holzmer; and cousin, Wilma Sutherlin Hadley. Memorial contributions in Joan's memory may be made to the Hobart Food Pantry.
Visitation is Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a 3:30 p.m. Wake Service and a 7:30 p.m. Rosary at REES FUNERAL HOME, HOBART CHAPEL, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd. There will be additional visitation prior to the Funeral Service at REES FUNERAL HOME from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Prayers will begin at 10:30 a.m. and then proceeding to St. Bridget Church at the corner of Front and Center Streets for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Benjamin Ross officiating, Fr. Dominic Bertino concelebrant and homilist. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Portage. Go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com to extend condolences.
Ronald L. Laszlo
HEBRON, IN - Ronald L. Laszlo, age 85, of Hebron, IN, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2019 at Cedar Creek Health Care in Lowell, IN. Ron is survived by his wife, Beverly (nee Thomas); five children: John (Lori) Laszlo of Munster, IN, Rick Laszlo, Angela (Steve) Nemeth of Cedar Lake, IN, Christopher (Susan) Laszlo of Monticello, IN and Amy (Tom) Laszlo-Heisler of Hebron, IN; nine grandchildren: Daniel Laszlo, David Laszlo, Andrea Black, Steve Nemeth, Kate (Matt) Westerlund, Jack Laszlo, Nick Laszlo, Samantha Maxine Laszlo and Christopher Laszlo; four great-grandchildren; two sisters: Jane Sherman, Joanne "Honey" Hickman; and many nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents: John and Beulah Laszlo; two sisters: Lucille Mullins and Dorothy Chontos; and granddaughter, Rhonda Sommerville.
Ron graduated from Hebron High School in 1953, where he played on the basketball team. He married Beverly Thomas in April of 1956. Ron farmed with his dad, drove a school bus for Winfield Elementary School and then worked with Operating Engineers Local 150 until retirement. He enjoyed his family and friends and loved to dance. Ron was a member of Range Line Community Presbyterian Church USA.
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at GEISEN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 624 N. Main St., Hebron, IN 46341 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Additional visitation will be at the Church one hour prior to the Funeral Service. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 11:00 AM DIRECTLY at Range Line Community Presbyterian Church USA, 18095 Clay St., Hebron, IN 46341 with Pastor Laurel Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, IN. Sign Ronald's online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com – (219) 996-2821.
NEW CHICAGO, IN - Jeanne Reed, of New Chicago, IN passed away Tuesday, July 3 at St. Anthony's Village in Crown Point. She was born in 1926 in Greenwood Mississippi and lived in New Chicago over 70 years. Jeanne graduated from Emerson High School in Gary in 1943. She served 20 years as the New Chicago Clerk Treasurer. For many years she was active with the American Legion Auxiliary as a charter member of the New Chicago Unit 454 and later became a member of Hobart Unit 54. She was a sports fan, especially the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Paul in 2009, daughter Paula in 2002, and sons Philip in 1992 and Paul, Jr. in 2017. She is survived by two sons: Timothy J. (Donna) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Robert (Suzanne) of Denver, Colorado and daughter, Suzanne (Per) Dahlberg of Trollhaettan Sweden; twelve grandchildren: Andi Reed (Pat Osler), David (Paulette) Reed, Laura (Michael) Whetstone, Robert Lockhart, Jonathon (Christi) Reed, Janice Tverberg, Jacque Fincher, Sarah Reed (Chris Ballinger), Sophie (Eric) Wright, Ronald Reed, Paul Reed III, Daniel Reed; eleven great-grandchildren; bonus daughters: Linda Reed and Suzanne Walker; and dear friends Edie Kilroy and Nancy Walker.
Visitation will be at REES FUNERAL HOME, 600 West Old Ridge Road Hobart, Indiana 46342, from four until eight on Tuesday, July 9. An American Legion Auxiliary service is planned for seven pm Tuesday. A graveside service will be held Wednesday 1:30 PM at Evergreen Memorial Park. Please go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com to extend condolences.
GREENWOOD, IN - Joseph John Wauro, age 92, passed away on Sunday June 23, 2019, at the Greenwood Health and Living Center in Greenwood, Indiana. Joseph is survived by daughters: Lisa (John) Schafer of Indianapolis, Indiana and Kirsten (Joseph) Asselta of Florida; granddaughters: Gretchen Marie Schafer and Erin Kathleen Asselta; along with several nieces and nephews.
Joseph graduated from Hammond High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Navy where he went on to serve aboard the U.S.S. English Destroyer during WWII and on the U.S.S. Hancock Aircraft Carrier during the Korean War, in which he earned several medals of Honor during both wars. Joseph was a lifelong resident of Hammond, IN until 2007 when he moved to Indianapolis, IN. For most of his working career, Joseph was a hairdresser owning and operating several salons in Illinois and Indiana. After retiring from the hair business he worked for the City of Hammond Water Department. Joseph had belonged to the Lansing Lions Club, and the Knights of Columbus in Lansing, IL where he had held the position of Deputy Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign War in Hammond, IN, where he held the position of Post 3029 Commander.
Joseph is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Muriel (Kelleher) Wauro, parents Jan and Mary Wawro, and siblings, Anne Poplawski, Walter Wawro, John Wauro, and Anthony Waring.
Joseph will be laid to rest on Saturday August 31, 2019, where he will be buried with his loving wife, Muriel, at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN. There will be Naval Military Honors at the graveside and a Catholic mass will be said in his honor at St. Roch Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN where he had been a parishioner since 2008.
CHESTERTON, IN - Dorothy Margaret Fancher, age 97, lifelong Chesterton, IN resident, passed away on July 5, 2019. She was born on December 12, 1921 in Milwaukee, WI to Oscar Friedrich and Dora Auer Friedrich, both of whom preceded her in death. On April 27, 1940, she married Oliver B. Fancher and shared 55 lovely years together before his passing in 1995.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Sandra (Robert) Lawson of Pierceton, IN and daughter-in-law, Lois Fancher (Tom Lee) of Chesterton, IN; her grandchildren: Peter (Jennifer) Lawson of Valparaiso, IN, Cathryn (Dr. Steven) Violanti of Valparaiso, IN, Steven (Chrys) Lawson of Valparaiso, IN, Brian (Candy) Lawson of Colo, IA, Victoria (Stanley) Fancher-Keller of Porter, IN and Glen Fancher of Loveland, CO; her 16 great-grandchildren; and by her 11 great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son, Oliver Fancher, Jr. in 1995.
Dorothy was a homemaker and loved to knit and crochet. She made many beautiful items for her family that will always be treasured. She was a passionate reader and crossword puzzle solver. Dorothy was also a member of St. John's United Church in Chesterton, IN.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 12 p.m. at WHITE-LOVE FUNERAL HOME, 525 S 2nd St., Chesterton, IN with Reverend Aaron Ban officiating. Burial will follow at Chesterton Cemetery. Dorothy will have a combined visitation with her beloved sister-in-law, Helen Slont, on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at White-Love Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be given to Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave, Valparaiso, IN 46383 or to the American Diabetes Association, 8604 Allisonville Road, Suite 140, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46250. Memories may be shared at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com.
HAMMOND/MERRILLVILLE/MUNSTER - Jeanette Adele Gard, age 94, of Munster entered into eternal life on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. She is survived by her children: David C. (Diana Krist-Gard) Gard of Schererville, IN and Deborah (Ronald) Kelderman of Lexington, SC; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Carrie Nola (Robert) Fritz; several nieces, nephews and a host of dear friends.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 11 years, William C. Gard; oldest son, Jeffrey W. Gard; parents: Marvin (Vivian) Fairse; two sisters: LaVon Wilkenson and Vera DePew.
Friends are invited to meet with the family at BOCKEN FUNERAL HOME 7042 Kennedy Ave. Hammond, Hessville on Thursday, July 11,2019 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for a memorial visitation.
Jennie was born on July 25, 1924 in Freelandville, IN and lived in South Carolina before moving to Merrillville in 2010. She was a hard worker and was employed as an IT worker for Sinclair Oil then spent the balance of her career at Inland Steel. Jennie enjoyed knitting and sewing. Jennie dearly loved her family; she was a sweet and loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her.
For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219)-844-1600, or www.bockenfunerals.com
VALPARAISO, IN - John Andrew Meyer of Valparaiso passed peacefully on July 5, 2019 at the age 84. He was born July 4, 1935 to J. Andrew and Emma Meyer. John graduated from Bishop Noll in 1953, worked as a union electrician with IBEW#531 for over 40 years, and member of St. Paul Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; children: Cindy (Jeff) Hayman, Chris (Ben), Cathy, John (Shanya), Tom (Weazie) and Jeanne (Bill) LaFever; grandchildren: Jessica, Kristen, Becky, Sara, Mandy, Jake, Kaitlyn, and Andrew; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; sisters: Loretta Patterson, Charlotte Smith, Phyllis Lyons, Mary Ann (Jim) Jones, and Julie (Don) Rush; sisters-in-law, RuthAnn and Donna Meyer, Judy Curtis, Nancy Muster; brothers-in-law, Jim and Steve (Debbie) Davies; dear friends, Bob and Ruthann Haggerty, Ken Horan, Don and Eleanor Blaney.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., July 11th at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso. Rev. Jeffery Burton officiating. Burial, Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Visitation is July 10th, 4:00-8:00 p.m. at DYKES FUNERAL HOME, 2305 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA of NWI or donate blood and platelets. Arrangements made by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., Valparaiso IN, (219) 462-3125.
VALPARAISO, IN - Leonard "Len" J. Schmidt, Sr. age 83 of Valparaiso, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 5, 2019. He was a graduate of Merrillville High School, class of 1954 where he lettered in football, baseball and track. He was a Gary Golden Gloves boxer for the Gary All Stars in 1951-1952. Len went on to attend Western Michigan University where he played football and baseball and graduated in 1958. After college he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers but declined. Instead he pursued a teaching and coaching career at Calumet High School until 1970. Subsequently he became Athletic Director at Merrillville High School from 1970-1974. In 1975 Len switched his talents to the retail and wholesale sporting goods service when he opened his first store "The Athlete's Foot" in Merrillville. For the next 20 years he owned and operated 23 stores across the Midwest. He sold his retail stores and became the Director of Occupational Health for St. Mary Medical Center in 1995. He left St. Mary's to open an occupational Health and Wellness Clinic in 2004. Currently he was the Director of Business Development at Community HealthNet Health Centers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Goldie, and brother Raymond. Len is survived by his wife of 60 years, Filomae (nee Traina) of Valparaiso; two sons: Kevin (Lori (nee Krueger) Schmidt of Chesterton and Len (Dana (nee Jansen) Schmidt of Munster; five grandchildren: Ryan, Courtney, Kyle, Zack and Alexis Schmidt; two brothers: Donald Schmidt of FL and Bernard (Joanne) Schmidt of Lowell; several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 W. Division Rd., Valparaiso. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Friends are invited to visit with Len's family at BURNS FUNERAL HOME, 10101 Broadway on Tuesday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. and at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in Donaldson, IN (poorhandmaids.org). www.burnsfuneral.com.
CHICAGO, IL -Betty Balanoff (nee Brummall) age 92, formally of Gary, IN and a longtime resident of Hammond IN, passed away on May 28, 2019. She was born July 8, 1926 in Salisbury, MO, to the late Adelaide and Harold Brummall. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-three years, James Balanoff, Jr. and her sister Helen Donner. She is survived by four children: James (Rebecca) Balanoff III, Thomas (Hetty) Balanoff, Joseph (Betty) Balanoff, and Katherine (James) Robinson; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service was held for the family on July 6, 2019, to celebrate Betty's life.
Betty was born in the small town of Salisbury Missouri where her father was the town dentist and her grandfather was the town doctor. She attended the University of Missouri where she studied biology. She received her Master's Degree from Roosevelt University and a PHD from the University of Chicago in history, where she studied under Dr. John Hope Franklin. Her Doctoral dissertation was on the History of the African American Community in Gary, IN. Her focus was American history, with special interests in areas of African American history, Native American history, Labor history, Immigration history, and American Colonial history. She was a popular tenured professor of history at Roosevelt University. Upon her retirement, the University created the "Betty Balanoff Teaching Award", which recognizes a distinguished professor each year, in her honor.
Betty was also a social activist through out her life. In the 1950s and 60s she was involved in the civil rights movement. In 1968, she worked diligently to help elect Richard Hatcher as the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Later in her life she became active in the environmental movement for the better part of two decades, working with the Calumet Project and the Grand Calumet Task Force. She was a cofounder of the Committee for a Clean Enviroment in Northwest Indiana. In 2007, was recognized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA for her years of advocacy work.
Betty served on the Hammond Public Library Board as the representative for the School City of Hammond from 1993 to 2001. Betty was honored to have the privilege to serve on the Library Board because of her strongly held belief that education was one of the most important possession that anyone could have and that reading was clearly crucial to that end.
In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the Hammond Public Library Foundation, 564 State Street, Hammond, IN 46320.
HIGHLAND, IN - Roland "Ron" Herr, age 78 of Highland, formerly of Griffith, passed away Thursday July 4th, 2019.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn; son, Jeffrey (Lynne) Herr; grandsons: Nathan, Ryan, and Daniel; and by his nieces Lynn Herr-Hutnik, DeAnna (John) Bell, and Sheryl (Linda Huval) Herr. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Emil and MaryAnn Herr, and by his brother Donald J. Herr.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday July 10th at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Mary Catholic Church located at 525 N. Broad Street in Griffith with Fr. Jon Plavcan celebrating. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville. Friends may meet with the family on Tuesday July 9th from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at WHITE FUNERAL HOME located at 921 W. 45th Avenue in Griffith.
Ron was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an Army Veteran and he retired from Inland Steel after 30 years. Ron was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith where he was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and past president of the Men's Club. He was also involved with the Griffith Jaycees and JCI Senator #22137, he volunteered at the Hospice of Calumet, was past Chairman of the Griffith Senior Citizens, organized the Griffith Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and an unwavering Chicago Cubs Fan. For more information please call White Funeral Home at 219-924-4100 or visit us at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com
Diane Schumacher
On July 6, 2019, Diane Rae Schumacher, loving mother of four children, passed away at the age of 71. Diane was born March 27, 1948 in Blue Island, Illinois to Shirley (Fredman) and Hank Flemming. Diane worked in the graphic design industry and had a home-based beauty parlor while raising three children: Michelle, Mark, and Jill. Later in life she was a hospitality expert in the service industry, and then finished off her career at Larc serving people with developmental disabilities.
Diane was a kind-spirited and loving woman. She enjoyed planting flowers, painting ceramics and cooking for others. She was a tough, feisty, hard-working woman, and she was loved by many. Diane especially loved going out for dinner and spending time with her boyfriend of 30 years, Joe Kochis.
Diane was preceded in death by her daughter, Caroline; her father, Hank Flemming; and her stepfather, Eric Fredman. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Fredman; her three children, Michelle Faoro, Mark, and Jill; her partner in life, Joe; her brother, Ray (Lori) Fleming; her grandchildren, Nicholas and Joey; and two nephews.
No funeral services will be held. For those wishing to honor her life, a donation can be made in her name to the charity of your choice or a flower can be planted in her memory.
