Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Inc. -Essling Chapel

Brian Timothy "Tim" Backer passed away at his home in South Bend, Indiana on May 29, 2022. Tim was born at Holy Family Hospital, La Porte IN Dec. 28, 1960, the son of Drs. George P. and M. Barbara Backer and was baptized at St. Peter Catholic Church in LaPorte. He attended the La Porte Community Schools graduating from La Porte High School in 1979. He was an excellent student and received the National Merit Scholarship as a senior. Tim attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut for his freshman year. The rest of his formal education was at Indiana University Bloomington where he graduated with a degree in English in 1986 and Indiana University South Bend where he received...

Theodore "Ted" E. Stepanek, 93, of La Porte, Indiana passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Ted was born April 22, 1928, in La Porte, Indiana to the late Stanley Sr. and Mary (Garbowski) Stepanek. On October 19, 1948, Ted married his high school sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Margaret "Mugsie" Boardman who preceded him in death on August 4, 2015. On July 22, 2018, Ted married Christine (Brodzinski) who survives. Ted was inducted into the La Porte High School All State Hall of Fame in 1993 for his 1946 season as a Football Captain 3rd string. Ted began his career as a barber in the 1950's. Ted and his wife purchased Ted's Barbershop in January of 1960 in North Liberty...

John H. Blalock, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, friend and proud son of the South, lived his life with curiosity and southern geniality. He passed away on February 25 at 83. Born in Columbiana, Alabama, a small town in the heart of Dixie, he was the son of Hoyt and Frances Blalock who encouraged his dreams. John credited his wonderful teachers for his impeccable table manners and the sharp debate skills that led him to a state championship. He became the national president of Circle K and as a high school senior traveled to Berlin when it was behind the iron curtain on a fact finding mission for Radio Free Europe. John was a graduate of the University of Alabama, the beginning of a...

John H. Blalock, 83, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, friend and former Stone Mountain resident, passed away on February 25 in Indiana. John was an Executive for Sears for more than 30 years. He began his career at the Ponce de Leon store demonstrating barbecue grills ultimately moving up to Director of Public Relations for the southern states. He is affectionately remembered by friends in the Atlanta metro area including many Sears retirees. Born in Columbiana, Alabama, he was the son of Hoyt and Frances Blalock. John was a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he began a lifelong and boisterous obsession with Alabama football. John met his wife Kathy at Sears headquarters in...

Donna Ann Serna, 84, of Laporte, Indiana, passed away December 27, 2021, at her home. Donna was born on January 10, 1937, in Aurora, Illinois to Harold and Helen (Arend) Schanen who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a son, Carlos John Serna (Sandra). On September 21, 1957, Donna married Carlos Serna, MD, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. They were married 64 years. Donna leaves behind her husband, Carlos, daughters; Mary (Peter) Milbrath, of Munster, IN, Adrienne (Jeff) Kalman of San Diego, CA and a son, Stephen Serna, of LaPorte. Grandchildren; Ben, Carl, Kristen, Stephanie, Carly, Matthew, Garrison, Miranda and Griffin; great grandchildren; Aiden, Tristan, Ben and...

Margaret "Lorraine" Jones, 92, of New Carlisle, Indiana passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at home on Monday, December 20, 2021. Lorraine was born February 16, 1929, in New Carlisle, Indiana to the late Irvin Floyd and Mary Jane (Hostetler) Haag. Lorraine married Robert "Bob" Jones on June 17, 1950. A lifelong member of the New Carlisle community, Lorraine belonged to the Olive Chapel Church, United Commercial Travelers (UTC) and Gleaners. She is fondly remembered by many in the community for her wedding and graduation cakes, as well as her beautiful quilts. She taught sewing, quilting and cake decorating at 4H, helped tutor students at Rolling Prairie Elementary School through...

Jack B. Bennett, Jr., 80, of Fort Myers, Florida, (formerly of La Porte, Indiana), passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, after a long courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Jack was born on August 4, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Jack and Virginia (Hardy) Bennett. On September 11, 1965, in Michigan City, Indiana, Jack married Mary Elizabeth Wozniak who preceded him in death on November 9, 2008. Jack attended and graduated from...

Irvin A. Cygirt III, 56, of La Porte County, Indiana passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Irvin was born May 23, 1965, in Niles, Michigan to Irvin A. and Charlotte (Clarke) Cygirt Jr. On July 27, 1985, Irvin married Dianna Austin who survives along with a brother, Mark (Angie) Cygirt of South Bend, Indiana; a sister-in-law, Cathleen (Troy) Burnett of Marshall County, Indiana; a niece, Ashley Burnett; and three nephews, Austin Burnett, Connor Cygirt, and Collin Cygirt. Irvin was a United States Air Force Veteran. He worked in Customer Experience with Starin Marketing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte,...

Stephen J. Grott, 78, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana. Visitation from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday, August 23, 2021, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a memorial service will begin at 12 noon. Military honors will immediately follow.

Private family services are being planned for Caryl Ann Osborn, who, following a brief, non-COVID-19 related illness, died Saturday June 26, 2021, at her home. Caryl Ann was born April 17, 1933, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Carl and Emily Louise (Yanson) Stuhrberg. A proud graduate of University High School, in Ann Arbor, MI, Caryl Ann attended and graduated from the University of Arizona, before returning to Ann Arbor, where she spent several years working in advertising. Caryl Ann was a member of the LaPorte Presbyterian Church, and, along with her daughter, a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. On September 21, 1957, in Ann Arbor, she married David D. Osborn, who pre-deceased her in 2015. She...

LuAnn P. Wedow, 88, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021. LuAnn was born on March 21, 1933, in La Porte, Indiana to the late Stanley J. and Anna (Paszkiet) Lenard. On April 26, 1958, LuAnn married Robert J. Wedow. He preceded her in death on November 6, 2018. LuAnn was employed with the La Porte Community Schools as a secretary at La Porte High School. She was also a secretary at Allis Chalmers, and a homemaker. She was an active parishioner of La Porte St. Joseph Catholic Church and always put God and family first in her life. She was a devoted wife and mother and found fulfillment and happiness in caring for her family and being with them. She enjoyed baking and always...

June E. Anderson, 63, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Friday, April 2, 2021. She was born on August 4, 1957 in St. Louis to Jerald Hiob and June Eileen Martin. On March 19, 1994 June married Lloyd W. Anderson who survives with her children, Rebecca (Deyne) Dybas-Nicholson of Clark, Colorado, Jacob (Tristan) Dybas of Chesterton, Indiana, Niccole (Adam Simon) Anderson Schelling of Valparaiso, Indiana, Marissa (Derek) Newtoff of St. John, Indiana; her father, Jerald (Ann) Hiob of Tiger, Georgia; grandchildren, Olivia "Grae", Dexter, Samuel, Alastair, Mitchell, Blake, and Owen; a sister, Jill (Dave) Parbs of Wisconsin; and a half-sister, Suzanne (Steve) Berninger of Clayton, Georgia. June...

Rosemary Kathleen Reiter, 87, of South Bend, Indiana and Scottsdale, Arizona passed away in Scottsdale Saturday, March 20, 2021. Rosemary was born on November 2, 1933, in South Bend to the late Andrew A. and Elizabeth A. (Szabo) Toth. On May 15, 1954, Rosemary married her Central High School sweetheart John Reiter. They enjoyed over 66 years of marriage. John survives with their children, Christine (Craig) Hughes of Scottsdale, Karen (Steve) Kubsch of Granger, Indiana, and daughter-in-law, Cari Reiter of South Bend. She is also survived by a sister, Liz Keszei of South Bend; and a brother, Andy (Darlene) Toth of Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her son, Craig Reiter in 1994. Rosemary...

David James Wilmeth, 78, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021. David was born November 19, 1942 in La Porte to the late Martin & Betty (Dunafon) Wilmeth. David was an Iron Worker with the Iron Workers Local Union 395. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was an avid poker player, playing with his poker buddies every Saturday night. David was a Notre Dame, and Chicago Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks fan, as well as the Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts fan. David loved to travel and took Evelyn on many adventures, including Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico. He loved family get-togethers, cook outs and volleyball,...

Eleanore Anne "Ellie" Schnable, 79, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021. Ellie was born October 18, 1941, in South Bend, Indiana to the late William and Anne (Muszynski) Malec. On August 29, 1964, Ellie married Charles Kenneth Schnable in Terre Coupe, Indiana who survives. Ellie loved with all her heart and is survived by her husband, Ken; two sons, K. Dirk (Amy Tomczak) Schnable and W. Brook Schnable both of La Porte, Indiana; two sisters, Connie (Tom) Williams of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Rose (Dan) Horak of South Bend, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and infant daughter, Theresa Schnable. Ellie graduated from...

Phyllis J. Lapczynski, 73, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Friday, January 15, 2021. Phyllis was born June 19, 1947 in St. Petersburg, Florida to the late Phillip and Violet (Smisek) Schneider. On October 22, 1966 Phyllis married Arthur Lapczynski who survives. They had a loving 54 years of Marriage. Phyllis worked as a hairdresser for 45 years. Phyllis owned and operated four salons in Michigan City and Rolling Prairie. She also was an educator for the Nioxin Hair and Skin campaign for 3 years from 1998-2000, and a Mary Kay consultant. She was a member of St. Joseph Association, LeMans Academy, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, and the President of Hairdresser Organization. She...

John M. "Jack" De Groote, 77, of Hudson Lake, Indiana passed away Monday, December 28, 2020. Jack was born on November 29, 1943 to, Andrew and Isabella (Riffel) DeGroote. Jack was a truck driver having worked for Federal Express for 15 years retiring in 1988. He then went on to work for Eagle Global Logistics for many years. He was a member of St. John Kanty Catholic Church where he served as an Usher and helped with maintenance and many projects at the Parish. Jack served his country in the United States Navy, was a member of the American Legion, and served on the Hudson Township Advisory board for many years. Jack gifted a one-acre land parcel to the Indiana DNR for the new Hudson Lake...

Donald E. Baugher, Jr, 76, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Monday, December 21, 2020. He was born on December 5, 1944, in Warsaw, Indiana to Donald Sr. and Carol (Blackford) Baugher. Don is survived by his wife, Angela; their children, Robin Smith of New Carlisle, Aaron Baugher of Willits, California; grandchildren, Skye & Ella Smith, Nivek Holloway, Olivia, Athelea, and Rain Tobar; and brothers, Calvin (Kathy) Baugher of Warsaw, Indiana, and Randy (Laura) Baugher of Rochester, Indiana. In 1963 Don graduated from Warsaw Community High School. After graduating he joined the U.S. Air force. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky where he was an air traffic controller. He then was...

LaVicie Mae Weaver Runkle went to her eternal home with the Lord and Savior on November 17, 2020. LaVicie was born September 30, 1935 in Wabash Co Indiana to Arthur and Cleo Weaver. She graduated from Urbana High School near Wabash Indiana in 1954. She married Dean Runkle August 1956 and they enjoyed 57 years together. Dean preceded her in death August 2013. They had one daughter Karen (Craig) Snyder of Monument, Colorado; and two grandchildren, Matthew Snyder of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Brooke (Davin) Duke of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is survived by one sister, Lois (Bill) Rettig of Wabash, Indiana. Donna Weaver Unger Harstine preceded her in death June 2007. LaVicie...

William J. Veatch, 92, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Saturday, November 7, 2020. He was born on May 23, 1928, in Carroll County, Indiana to the late Willard Veatch and Audrey (Bowen) Proud. William graduated from La Porte High School. He retired from Kingsley Furniture and was employed with them before and after his military service in the United States Army during the Korean War. He went to auctions for over 45 years. He was a bowler for 15 years. On June 20, 1953, William married Harlene Cook who survives. He is also survived by his children, Cindy Hignite of La Porte, Robert (Cindy) Veatch, Rodger (Linda) Veatch, and Randall (Debbie) Veatch all of La Porte; nine grandchildren; 10...

Carol L. Knowlton, 82, a lifetime resident of La Porte, Indiana passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020. She was born on December 27, 1937 in La Porte to Walter and Eleanor (Keleher) Stroh. She was a graduate of La Porte High School, attended St. Anthony's School of Nursing in Chicago, and Reese School of Business in La Porte. She was a former employee of Whirlpool, Scott Foresman & Company, and retired from Rieth-Riley Construction Company after 25 years. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the funeral committee. She enjoyed reading, doing her yardwork, (when living in the country), and spending time on lake Michigan. Surviving is a daughter, Kim Rice, husband, Michael;...