All Obituaries

Jody A. Zorick, 64 of LaPorte, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020. She was born February 11, 1956 in South Bend, the daughter of Edward W. and Nora (Kershaw) Matchett. Jody was a horse breeder. She is survived by her husband Joe Zorick of LaPorte, her son Joe (Kya) Zorick, Jr. of Kouts, her daughter Summer Sons of Portage and 4 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. There will be no services at this time.

Mary Jane Norfleet, 81 of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020. She was born November 11, 1938 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Tom and Ada (Wells) Eads. She was a prep cook at Porter Memorial Hospital, a member of the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association, organized Blue Grass jam sessions and “loved camping and cooking for large groups. Surviving are her children, Ronald (Sherry) Norfleet of Valparaiso and Janet (David) Joyce of Hebron, KY., grandchildren Lenore...

Ruth L. Born, 94 of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020. She was born August 8, 1925 in Bay City, MI the daughter of Henry and Lillie (Knaack) Born. Ruth was a Social worker in Chicago until her retirement in 1991. She played baseball with the South Bend Blue Sox and is listed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. and was elected to the Valparaiso University Athletic Hall of Fame. She always loved the sport. Her parents and a sister Christine Hayward...

Karen Y. Conn, 69, of Valparaiso, passed away on March 8, 2020.  She was born on June 2, 1950, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, to Joseph and Madeline (Carter) Darrell. On April 3, 1989, in Gatlinburg, TN, she married Danny True who survives.  Karen worked as a nursing instructor before she retired.  She enjoyed spending time painting and working on craft projects.  She is survived by her son Christopher Adam (Nancy Han) Conn of Valparaiso.  She is also survived by her...

Marion G. Woodmaster 70, of Wanatah, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020. She was born August 27, 1949 in Gary, the daughter of Everett and Irene (Tarchala) Cleveland. Marion worker in quality control for Hunt Weston in Valparaiso and retired from Wal-Mart as a greeter. On July 26, 1985 she married Charles D. Woodmaster who survives in Wanatah. Also surviving are her children; Theresa (Tom) Smith, Donald Howard, Jr. and Dana (Jim) Rance all of Wanatah, 2 grandchildren, Taylor (Josh Bowman)...

James M. Barker Sr., passed away on February 23, 2020, surrounded by his family.  He was born on May 18, 1947, to William Edward and Pearl Ann (Duchek) Barker, who both preceded him in death.  James worked as a steelworker for several years before he retired.  He is survived by his son James M. (Sharie) Barker Jr. of Valparaiso and brother William Barker of Valparaiso.  He is also survived by 3 grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward William...

Beverley Jean Goodrich passed away in her home on February 23, just 7 days short of her 93rd birthday. A Valparaiso native, she spent her working life in Chicago with Peoples Gas. A liberated woman long before the term became popular, Beverley had a curious and adventurous spirit she demonstrated by travelling the world, and by never meeting a food she didn’t like. She is survived by her sister, Marguerette Goodrich, of College Park, GA; and two nephews’ Mark Goodrich of Hebron,...

Karen Bogard 73, of Hobart, left this world on February 18, 2020. Karen was born June 9, 1946 in Gary. She was a member of the Lions Club of South Haven and the Portage Moose. She is proceeded in death by her father, William Prickett and her brother, Jamie McDaniel. She is survived by her mothers, Beverly Fischer and Twyla Prickett, her husband, Leroy Bogard, eight children, Leroy Jr. Bogard (Sheila), Roger Bogard (Brenda), Barbara Betchie (Albert), Kathy Anderson (Charles), Sophie...

Sharon S. Newhard 78 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17, 2020.  She was born December 5, 1941 in East Chicago, Indiana to John and Pauline (Chiti) Canham.  On October 27, 1962 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith she married Michael D. Newhard who passed away March 30, 2016. Sharon is survived by her children Michael J. Newhard and Dianna Harris both of Valparaiso, her grandchildren Kyle and Christopher Newhard and Christine and Ella Harris all of...

Joanne K. Bickerton, 81 of Lafayette, Colorado, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020. She was born November 28, 1938 in Valparaiso to Mott and Doris (Crowe) Corcoran.  Joanne is survived by her daughter Cynthia Jo Bickerton of Lafayette, Colorado, her brother Robert Corcoran of LaCrosse, three stepbrothers Raymond, Ken, and Chuck Jankowski all of Valparaiso, her sister Margaret of Michigan City, first husband the late Richard W. Bickerton and her second husband Peter A. Modzeleski of...