All Obituaries

Kevin Michael Swarthout, 62 of St. John passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021. He was born June 10, 1958 in Hammond, the son of Robert and Patricia (Kennedy) Swarthout. Kevin was a merchandiser for Sears. Surviving are his siblings, Terrance (Betty) Swarthout of St. John, Lisa Swarthout of Warner Robins, Georgia, Karen (Scott) Brun of Highland, IN and Tom Swarthout of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Tim Swarthout. Visitation will be held Friday,...

Sandra F. Hammonds, 75 of Valparaiso, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020. She was born September 2, 1945 in Madisonville, Kentucky to Marion and Ila (Choate) Hopper.  Sandra is survived by her children Scott (Cynthia) Hammonds of Owensboro, Kentucky, Dewana Jones of Michigan City, Michael Hammonds of Valparaiso, Kevin Hammonds of LaPorte, Mark (Faith) Hammonds of Owensboro, Kentucky; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her brothers Gaylon (Elaine) Hopper of White...

James Joseph Kruger, 70 of LaCrosse, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at home. He was born April 22, 1950 in Gary to Donald and Helen Avis (Toon) Kruger. James is survived by his son James Kruger of LaCrosse, granddaughter Audrianna Kruger and his brother Robert Kruger of Valparaiso. Mr. Kruger was retired from Rexam Beverage. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother William Kruger. There are no services or visitation at this time. Bartholomew Funeral Home in Valparaiso is...

GERZON Bonnie Marlene Gerzon, Age 86, was born in Chicago on September 7, 1934 and passed away peacefully on January 6, 2021 in Valparaiso IN. Bonnie is survived by her son Fred Litke (Jan). She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Hilda Gerzon; her sister Lorraine; brother James; daughter Debbie; Grandson Travis Litke. She is survived by her grandchildren Nocha (Larry), Adam, and by her great-grandchildren Eva (Connor), Ivan (Anna), Michael, Sebastian, and Mason. Her surviving...

Minutes after his birth on July 26, 1941, Warren Allen Gray was nicknamed “Buck” by nurses in the hospital delivery room. His moniker stuck for 79 years. Buck and his twin sister, Sharron, were one of two sets of twins, thanks to his parents, Walter and Gladys Gray (Friedman). He was the strong buck of a baby. Sharron was punier. The nurses nicknamed her Punky. “It’s Buck, not Bucky,” he reminded people as he grew up. As an adult, Buck had a boisterous laugh...

Edward Lawrence Swertel, III, 71 of Valparaiso passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020. He was born July 13, 1949 in Chicago, the son of Edward L. and Jean (Reynolds) Swertel, II. Edward was a US Army Veteran and a teamster dock worker. On April 24, 1979, he married the love of his life, Donna L. Koslowski, who survives in Valparaiso. Also surviving is his son Edward Swertel of Missouri, daughter Jennifer Swertel (Shawn Woelfel), of Valparaiso, 4 grandchildren, Connor, Carter, Addison...

Eileen Lindberg, 61, of  Valparaiso, passed away on December 24, 2020.  She was born on September 30, 1959, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Richard Moreno and Carol (Verdeyen) Goodman, who both preceded her in death.  On August 11, 2001, in Knox, she married Richard Lindberg , who survives her. She worked at Meijer’s in the produce department.  She enjoyed spending her time working as a volunteer for Girl Scouts of America as a Girl Scout Leader.  Eileen is...

Paula D. Wineinger, 45 of Portage, passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020.  She was born April 1, 1975 in Michigan City. Paula is survived by her children James Wineinger, Morgan Wineinger, and Jeffrey Wineinger all of Portage; her father Paul Eichelberg of Valparaiso; her brother Jon Eichelberg of Westville and Crystal Prassas of South Haven. She was preceded in death by her mom, Carol Eichelberg. Paula was a member of CrossRoads Family Church in Portage, a steel worker at...

Donna Lee VanBlaircom, 81 of  Monon,  formerly of Valparaiso, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 in Rensselaer. She was born September 4, 1939 in Valparaiso, the daughter of Arthur E. and Irma Dell (Betz) Morris. Donna was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Valparaiso. She was an avid artist and enjoyed drawing.  Surviving is her son John A. VanBlaircom of Monon, and  2 grandchildren Charlene Marie VanBlaircom and David (Laura) Mikhial VanBlaircom. She was...

Tricia Lynn Kyle, 46 of Wheatfield, passed away Monday, December 7, 2020. She was born September 26, 1974 in Hammond to Ronald Jerry and Alice Ann (Huseman) Kyle. Tricia is survived by her husband, three children, her parents of DeMotte, and brothers Tim and Brandon Kyle. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 12th at Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe St. in Valparaiso. Celebrant Chris Kuhnen will officiate. Burial will be in Kankakee Township Cemetery in Wheatfield....