Portage

David A. Kearby, age 50, of Portage, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2002. He was born, September 27, 1952, in Gary, the son of Raymond and Betty (Line) Kearby. He was employed as a mechanic class 3 for the Indiana Toll Road, Portage, Plaza. He was a member of the Trinity Methodist Church in Hobart. He is survived by his best friend and former wife, Ann Kearby, two sons, David A. Kearby of Indianapolis and Bryan J. Kearby of Lake Station; his parents, Ray and Betty Kearby of Portage; one brother, Bill Kearby of Birmingham, Alabama; two sisters, Beth (Bill) Trella of Portage and Jana Gurgon of Arizona; one granddaughter, Allyiah of Lake Station; two step-daughters, Camile Kearby of Merrillville and Tasha (Bruce) Sawochka of Portage. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother, Scott Kearly.

A visitation will be held Friday, November 1, 2002 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:30 p.m., with a funeral service at 8:30 p.m., at the Engel Funeral Home, 2700 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Indiana, 46368. Memorials may be made to the family. Interment in a private graveside service will be at the Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.

Robert S. Kerr

Blue Island, IL

Robert S. Kerr of Blue Island, IL, Veteran of WW II, served in the Pacific on the USS California and the Illinois National Guard, at rest October 29, 2002.

Beloved husband of Eileen Mazurek-Kerr (nee) DeCoster; loving father of Kenneth, Stanley, Conrad and Pamela Kerr, Steve, John, Ronald, David, Michael Mazurek, Sharon Love, Karen Mazurek, Maryann Mauratic and the late Diane Selby. Proud grandfather and great-grandfather to many. Dear son of the late Stanley and Madeleine Kerr.

Past Commander of Paul Gall American Legion Post 303 and member of VFW Post 8141, Calumet City, IL. Fraternal Order of Eagles and American Legion 40/8 IL 1241.

Resting at Brown Funeral Home, 13820 Lincoln Ave., Dolton, IL where services will be held Friday at 8:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Visi-tation Friday 2-9 p.m. Please omit flowers. For info: (708) 849-5450. .

John Litavec

Whiting

John Litavec, 87, Whiting, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002, at theWalnut Creek Nursing Center, Hammond. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary (nee Rimarcik); four children, Mel (Vicky) Litavec of Schererville, Millie (Michael) Kobe of Munster, Richard (Sandy) Litavec of Hammond, Marianne (Paul) Boland of Atlanta, GA; ten grandchildren; brother, Paul Litavec of Slovakia.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002, 9:30 a.m. at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St. Whiting. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, with the Rev, John E. Kalicky, C.PP.S. officiating. Interment, St. John Cemetery, Hammond. Visiation at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Members of the parish will offer prayers at the funeral home on Friday at 4:00 p.m.

John Litavac was born on January 3, 1915 in Sandlick, WV, to Joseph and Susan (Janova) Litavec and was a resident of Whiting since 1949. He was a retired butcher, and a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, where he served as an usher for many years.

219-659-4400

Ralph P. Massoth, Sr.

Lowell

Ralph P. Massoth, Sr., age 84, of Lowell, IN, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2002. He is survived by four children: Ralph P. (Fujiko) Massoth, Jr. of Universal City, TX, Betty (Philip) May of Lowell, Lindsey Massoth of Hebron and Linda (Matt) Lipton of Crown Point; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry Massoth of West Lafayette, IN, Sylvester (Nonna) Massoth of Remington, IN; two sisters, Marie Zurawski of Cedar Lake, IN and Eleanor Eder of Calumet City, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, MaryEllen; one daughter, Kathy Fuller, and 13 brothers and sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, November 4, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Lowell, IN, Father Peter Muha officiating. Cremation will follow. Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sheets Funeral Home, 604 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell, IN. Ralph was a member of St. Edward's Catholic Church in Lowell and was a retired cement contractor and dairy farmer. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be given to the American Diabetes Association.

George R. Minster

Illinois

George R. Minster, 83, loving husband to the late Shirley Mae Schroeder, died on October 29,2002. Preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Christine (nee Nichels) and his brother, William. Survived by his son, Richard (Judy) and sisters, Iris Friedsam of Schererville, IN and Betty (Rudy) Lencioni of Dyer, IN; Proud grandfather of Eric and Jennifer; Fond great-grandfather of Mac. Arrangements made by Cedar Park Funeral Home, 12540 S. Halsted, Calumet Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society, 77 E. Monroe Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603 or Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville, IL 62626

Laurene Marie Moore

Schererville/Calumet City/Lowell

Laurene Marie Moore, age 32, late of Schererville, IN, formerly of Calumet City, IL and Lowell, IN, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002. Loving daughter of John and Doris Moore of Calumet City. Cherished Sister of Jodene Moore of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Deborah Moore of Calumet City. Graduate of Thornwood High School, 1988 and the University of Illinois, 1992.

Resting at the Tews Funeral Home, 18230 S. Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL on Sunday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Services 11:00 a.m. Monday. Interment, Beverly Cemetery. 708-798-5300

Josephine Napiwocki

(nee Lavendusky)

Highland, IN

Josephine Napiwocki (nee Lavendusky), age 72, of Highland, IN, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2002. Surviviors are husband of 54 years, Chester; three children: Judy (Frank) Felker of Highand, Tony (Lisa) Napiwocki of Valparaiso and Chester (Betti) Napiwocki of Illinois; 10 grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, Stephanie, Matthew, Brandon, Ashley, Joshua, Mikayla, Spencer and Melaina; brothers and sisters: Rose (Richard) Kritlow of Miller, Pearl (Larry) Marino of Crown Point, Steve (Doris) Lavendusky of Portage and Charlotte Nesbitt of Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Joseph Lavendusky.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. from the Kuiper Funeral Home Chapel and a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12:00 Noon at Our Lady of Grace Church, Highland, with Rev. Edward Moszur officiating. Burial, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN. Friends may meet with the family on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road), Highland, IN. Prayer service on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Mrs. Napiwocki was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, Highland.

Charlotte Olsen

Calumet City, IL

Charlotte Olsen, age 86, of Calumet City, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2002. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara (Dennis) Heaps of Lowell and Kay (Gary) Pingel of Lansing, IL; three grandchildren: Donna (Bob) Fox, Ken (Terri) Biesboer and Laura (Wendell) Coleman; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Kay Tuuk; two sisters-in-law, Annamarie Dekker and Ada Dekker; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 4, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. from the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL. Burial, Mount Greenwood Cemetery, Chicago. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Jacqueline Pacurar

Hessville

Jacqueline Reese Wheeler Vana Pacurar, of Hessville, passed away on Thursday October 31, 2002 at St. Catherine Hospital. She was born in Valparaiso, October 26, 1934 to Helen and Jess Wheeler. She is survived by four children: Van (Diane) Vana of Powanda, PA, Charles (Yvonne) Vana of Everett, WA, Lauri (Robert) Rymarczyk of Richmond, IL and Dana (Nick) Komocsar of Lake Villa, MN; seven grandchildren: her mother, Helen M. Hovath; step-mother, Ruth Wheeler, three sisters, Karen, Kathy and Deborah and two brothers, Neal and Scott; numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her son, Brian in 1991, stepfather Cyril Horvath in 1996 and her father, Jess Wheeler in 1999.

Graveside services will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. DIRECTLY at the Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana, with the Rev. Kevin Miller, of the Whiting United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Oleska-Pastrick Funeral Home, 3934 Elm St., East Chicago, Indiana.

Mrs. Pacurar graduated from East Chicago Washington High School in 1952 and had been an active member of her class reunion committee. She was employed by the School City of Hammond as a Bus Driver for the past 17 years. Donations can be made to the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation. P.O. Box 1724, Woodstock, IL 60098 or Premier Hospice, 8002 Utah St., Merrillville, IN. 46410.

Lois Pepperdine

(nee Haworth)

Crown Point

Lois Pepperdine (nee Haworth) age 94, of Crown Point passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002, at Whittenberg Lutheran Village. Survived by three nieces, Mary Ellen Szakacs of East Chicago, Susan (David) Mason of Sullivan, IN, Rose Ann Greenberg of Hammond; one nephew, James (Kay) Haworth of Highland; daughter-in- law, Barbara Collins of Ohio; good friends, Marilyn and Warren Hales of Crown Point, and John and Glenda Hudson of Crown Point; many great nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by husband Harry, son, William, brothers, Raymond, Albert and Elbert Haworth, and nephew David Haworth.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002 at 10:00am at Geisen Funeral Home, Rev. Beverly Beihr, officiating. Burial Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond. Friends may call at the Geisen Funeral Home, 109 N. East St. Crown Point, on Friday, November 1, 2002, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9pm. Memorial Service by St. Anthony Auxillary on Friday at 3:30pm.

Mrs. Pepperdine was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Crown Point. She retired from Illinois Bell with 37 years of service. She belonged to the Telephone Pioneer Club, and St. Anthony Auxillary. An avid bridge player, loved to travel and enjoyed reading. She was a former member of Youche Country Club. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Crown Point or St. Anthony Auxillary. For information call 219-663-2500.

Jack P. Reason

Hammond, IN

Jack P. Reason, 40, of Hammond, formerly of New York, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002. He is survived by his devoted wife, Laurie; devoted children, Steven (Ann) Malacina, Tricia (JR) Westfall, both of Hammond and Ryan Reason of NH; devoted grandchildren, Sammy and Steven Malacina, Jr.; two brothers, Charles (Jackie) of Hammond and Walter Reason of NY.; sister April (Jessie) Douglas of Hobart; mother, Madeline (late Walter) Reason of NY; nieces, Tiffany, Ashley and Taylor; many good friends and family. Preceded in death by his brother, Thomas, in 1998.

A gathering of friends Saturday, November 2, 2002, from 12 Noon till time of service at 1:00 P.M. at the Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home,7109 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, IN. Cremation prior to services.

Jack was a longtime area resident and employed at Hydro-Technics,Inc. He was an all around good person and will be greatly missed.

Mary Louise Rehm

Crown Point, IN

Mary Louise Rehm, age 92, of Crown Point passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at her home. Preceded in death by husband, Herbert Rehm and daughter, Judith Nell Baerwolf. Survived by twin sister, Nellie Volpert and sister, Loretta Cain, both Peru, IN; nieces Mary Jo (Len) Clark of Richmond, IN Susan (Michael) Seu of Hawaii and Kathy (Tom) Konow of Grand Rapids,MI, nephew, Timothy (Joan) Volpert of Portland, Oregon; many other nices and nephews and two great-nephews, five grandchildren, one great-grandson.

Mrs. Rehm was a member of Trinity Evangelcial Lutheran Church of Crown Point and was a former member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Gary. She was an active member and past president of Crown Point "Hub Homemakers" of the Indiana Purdue Extension, a member of the Crafty Ladies Club, an active member and vital contributor to the Lake County Cultural Arts Association and a member of the Women's Club.

Friends may call at Pruzin & Little Funeral Service, 811 East Franciscan Drive (on State Road 55 south of State Road 231), Crown Point on Friday from 3 to 7 P.M. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 250 South Indiana Avenue, Crown Point, IN, Rev. David Kipp officiating. At rest, St. John Cemetery, Peru, Indiana.

Charles "Chick" F. Rutke

Lansing, IL

Charles "Chick" F. Rutke, age 87, of Lansing, formerly of Roseland, passed away Monday, October 28, 2002. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne (nee Bult) of Lansing; son, Charles Jr. (Marie) Rutke of Carol Stream, IL; two grandchildren, Charles, III (Michelle) Rutke, of Bartlett, IL, and Carrie Ann Rutke (fiancee Darin Kotera) of Algonquin, IL; sister, Mary (Steve) Barczi; brother, Robert (Julie) Rutke. Preceded in death by his sister, Betty DeQuick, and brother Joseph Rutke.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, November 4, 2002 at 8:30am from the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, to St. Ann Church, 3010 Ridge Road, Lansing, for Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens South in Oak Lawn, IL. Friends may call at the Funeral Home, on Sunday, from 2 to 9pm.

Mr. Rutke was a veteran of the US Army serving in WWII. Please omit flowers. Donations in memory of Mr. Rutke to the American Cancer Society will be apprieciated.

Shirley L. Shoemaker

(nee Wicklund)

Missouri / Cedar Lake, IN

Shirley L. Shoemaker (nee Wicklund), age 68, passed away on October 25, 2002 in Pacific MO. Mrs. Shoemaker and her family were long time residents of Cedar Lake, IN. Surviving relatives are sons, David and Robert Shoemaker and Sue Chaires. Grandmother of two.

A Memorial Service was held at the Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin, MO, on October 28, 2002.

Norbert S. "Tex" Szklarski

Valparaiso

Norbert S. "Tex" Szklarski, age 68, of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2002. He was born, July 6, 1934 in Gary, Indiana, the son of Stanley and Harriet (Kulesa) Szklarski. He was married to his wife Carol on January 7, 1961 and was employed as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 40 years and the Portage Township Schools as a custodian for 30 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Szklarski of Valparaiso, his loving family, one son, Robert Szklarski of Valparaiso; one daughter, Patricia Hullett of Scottsburg, Indiana; four grandchildren, Michael Browner III, Charlie C. Hullett, Anna C. Hullett and Bradley A. Demarrow; one brother, Donald (Roberta) Szklarski of Glendale,Arizona; one sister, Loretta (Alex) of Dunedin, Florida; three nephews and three nieces. Also, his special friend, his dog. "Frisky. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Barbara

Szklarski.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 1st from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Engel Funeral Home, 2700 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Indiana, 46368. A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002 at 10:15 a.m. at Engel Funeral Home and 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 356 W. 700 N., Valparaiso, Indiana 46385, with Rev. Doug Mayer officiating. Interment, Calvary Cemetery, Portage, Indiana. For information please call 219-762-8595.

Ruth Vrdolyak

(nee Visinick)

Hegewisch, IL

Ruth Vrdolyak (nee) Visinick, late of Hegewisch, IL, entered into eternal life on October 30, 2002 at home. Dear wife of the late Victor Vrdolyak and mother of the late Jack Tarrant. Survived by her daughters, Jamie Swain and Diane Bruner, both of Colorado. Fond grandmother of Sam and Carly Swain and Nick Bruner. Loved sister of Zorka Kelly. Niece of Mary Schlienz and Helen Roseta; Cousin of Mary Ann Rosebach. Loved by many. Preceded in death by parents Sam and Mildred Visinick, Sue Vibert and Jan Nisevich (nee Kovac).

Visitation Friday 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sadowski Funeral Home, 13300 S. Houston Ave., Hegewisch, IL. A Chapel service will be held at the funeral home at 1:00 p.m. Saturday. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery. (773) 646-1666

Belva F. Williford

Hessville, IN

Belva F. Williford, 82, of Hessville, IN passed away Sunday, October 27, 2002, at her daughter's home in Newton.IL She is survived by a son, Edward Williford of Lake Station, IN; one daughter, Pat (Richard) Lewis of Newton, IL; son-in-law, William Wilson of DeMotte, IN; four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; sisters, Creyola Maddox, of Tucson, AZ, Lorine Bronas, of Hammond, Alberta Peterson of Champaign,IL; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Williford, and a daughter, Karen Wilson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002, at 10 A.M. from the Hessville Baptist Church, 6423 Arizona Avenue, Hammond, with Rev. Fred Standridge officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday from 2 - 4 P.M. & 6 - 8 P.M. at Bocken Funeral Home,7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond. Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville.

Mrs. Williford was a loving wife, mother and homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Highland.

V. Dianne Witt

(nee Snyder)

Homewood, IL

V. Diane Witt (nee Snyder), age 60, of Homewood, IL, passed away on Wednesday October 30, 2002. Beloved Wife of Elmer "Skip" Witt. Loving Mother of Sarah, Mark and Gregg Witt. Cherished Daughter of Virginia (late Mark) Snyder of Columbus, IN. Dear sister of Carol (Ronald) Kindy of Columbus, IN, Larry (Linda) Snyder of Franklin, TN and Gayle (Ken) Carraway of Queens Creek, AZ. Preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Resting at the Tews Funeral Home, 18230 S. Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL, on Sunday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Lying in state Monday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 18850 Riegel Rd., Homewood, IL from 10:00 a.m until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois. Memorials to Rush Presbyterian St. Luke c/o Breast Cancer Research, 1725 W. Harrison Suite 821, Chicago, IL 60612, or St. Andrew United Methodist Church, appreciated. 708-798-5300.

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