Chesterton Tribune

Sandra Avis Burnside, 76, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully on Sunday, January 9, 2022 after a two-year battle with cancer, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Sandy is survived by her two daughters Melenie Burnside Krider of Yorkville, IL and Kathryn (Bob) McIlvanie of Cedar Rapids, IA; five granddaughters, Madison Krider, Michaela Krider, and Maggie Krider all of Yorkville, IL, Gabrielle (Ben) McIlvanie of Iowa City, IA, and Lilliana McIlvanie of Cedar Rapids, IA; one grandson Quinn (Lauren) McIlvanie of Fort Collins, CO; one sister Beverly (David) Schepp of Mandan, ND; one brother Leslie (Joanne) King of Minot, ND; sisters-in-law Pat (Lee) Amstutz, Karen Burnside, and...

The world lost another light at the passing of Gary Scott Leach, age 65, of Bloomington, he died unexpectedly Friday, August 13, 2021 at I.U. Health; Bloomington Hospital. Born December 22, 1955 in Bloomington, he was the son of William Earl and Patricia June (Burns) Leach. Gary was retired as a logistics manager for several different trucking companies. As the avid traveler he was often known to his family as the "get in the car and let's go" man. He believed that the world needed to be experienced and would take his family on day trips anywhere within driving distance. After high school he left Bloomington and joined a crew in New Orleans on a shrimp boat. He stayed only one year and...

William Lee Bailey, age 81, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Bill was born on December 16, 1939, in Montgomery, IN to the late Leighton and Marguerite (Smith) Bailey. He was a high school Physics, Math and Driver's Education teacher for 54 years. 50 of those years at Chesterton High School. He coached football and cross country at the high school and taught at Purdue University Calumet and Indiana University Northwest. Additionally, Bill was very active at First Christian Church in Chesterton as Worship Leader, Sunday School teacher, Elder and served as the Chairman of the Board. He was a great servant leader in the community. He is survived by his son William...

Willie "Bill" Fayette Benedict, Sr., 88, of Chesterton, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021 in his home. He was born November 23, 1932, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to L.N. Benedict and Ruth (Cole) Benedict. Willie honorably served his country in the United States Army, being stationed in Alaska. His love of life was his wife of 56 years and the Lord. Willie enjoyed being with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing poker, working on his lawn mowers and loved riding his trike. He was always willing to help others. On February 14, 1956, in Winamac, Indiana, he married Janet (Miller) Benedict, who preceded him in death April 14,...

Thomas Patrick Skube, II age 49 of Franklin, TN passed away on May 13, 2021. Tom was raised in Chesterton, IN. He attended Western Kentucky University. He was employed with Southern Land Company as Vice President of Single Family Development. Tom's great love was for Jenny and their five beautiful children. They were the center of his world, and he was the center of theirs. He was always present and made every moment with them special. Tom was a father and husband who was enormously loved. Survived by, wife, Jenny Leady Skube; sons, Tommy, William, Lincoln; daughters, Melinda and Megan; parents, Thomas Patrick and Margaret Rose Goetz Skube; brothers, Aaron (Debbie) Skube, Josh (Sue) Skube,...

Mrs. Virginia (Ginny) Norris was 92 years old when she died quietly and peacefully on March 2, 2021 in the late evening in Wilmington NC, while in the care of Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice. She is survived by her three children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other family members. She grew up in Baltimore MD, where she and our father Joseph Norris had met. As a young woman she worked as a phone switchboard operator during World War II and was able to use her language skills speaking Polish and some Russian. Mom was able to stay home and devote herself to her family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, loved to laugh, and could be feisty and direct. Mom liked to volunteer her...

Gerald (Gerry) Peterson, 89, died peacefully Tuesday, April 21, 2020, with his wife Doris at his side. Born into the great depression in Chesterton, Indiana on April 12, 1931, Gerry was the youngest son of Albert and Esther Peterson's five children. He came from humble beginnings, living next to some train tracks in a small house with no running water. He and his friends would pick up coal along the tracks to help heat their homes. Gerry had a life-long love for steam locomotives. Hobos (men who rode the rails looking for work) had an encampment under a nearby trestle. They would often come to his yard asking for some food. Gerry's mother would fix them a sandwich and give them some water...

Dale R. Bancroft, 76, of Greenwood passed away on April 15, 2020. Dale was born on September 22, 1943 in Michigan City to the late Albert and Althea Bancroft. Dale enjoyed many sports, such as football, softball, fishing, and high school track (high hurdles!). He attended Indiana Central University where he played football. When adulthood arrived, he enjoyed working with EMS and teaching the First Responder class at the Law Enforcement Academy. He also trained numerous EMS individuals across the state of Indiana. He worked on the ambulance at Wishard, Myers Ambulance Service and Rural Metro Ambulance, from which he retired. He was also an early member of the White River Township and the...

Mishawaka - David Lee Peterson passed away at 10:15pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 within the care of hospice. He was a kind Father, Uncle, Grandfather and Son. Dave was born to Bob and Dorothy Peterson (Turner) in Chesterton in 1949.He graduated Chesterton High school 1967, then got drafted to serve in the marines during the Vietnam era. He worked in the presidential detail stationed in San Clemente. He drove for president Nixon and General West Moreland as a limo driver in the marine core. He was also a cook in the service. He skilled in multiple job drills working for the Bloxsom Company, Sears, and Joy Manufacturing as a Payroll Clerk. Dave enjoyed building with legos and model train...

On Saturday, March 7, 2020, Carol peacefully passed away at age 68 at Addison Pointe Health and Rehabilitation Center in Chesterton, Indiana. Carol was born January 28,1952 in Muncie, Indiana, to Robert and Edwina (Bath) Raisor. Carol grew up in Michigan City, Indiana. For the last twenty years, Carol resided at Michigan City Life Care Center and most recently at Addison Pointe in Chesterton, Indiana. Carol was an honor student and graduated in 1971 from Elston High School. Prior to her illness, Carol was active and outgoing and enjoyed cheerleading from 6th through 9th grades. Carol had a passion for reading. She was also a huge fan and owner of dozens of old-time, golden era...

Charles A. Grismer, Sr., 75, of Greenwood, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 11, 2020. He was born on April 24, 1944, in East Chicago, Ind., son of the late Homer and Martha (Schoppel) Grismer. Charles graduated from Chesterton High School in 1963. He was an Eagle Scout and volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. Charles was a painting and construction contractor for the majority of his working life. He was also a member of the Sertoma Club in Greenwood, Ind. Charles was dedicated to his family and sustained by his faith in the Lord. He enjoyed reading historical fiction, watching Westerns, fishing, discussing politics, inventing gadgets, and especially loved...

Jerry C. Keliher, 88, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on January 2, 2020 after a prolonged confinement. Mr. Keliher was born in Porter County, Indiana, on October 22, 1931. He married Rosalee "Jean" Mack on February 2, 1985; they were married almost 35 years. Jerry worked as an Instrument Technician at Northern Indiana Public Service Company Bailly Generating Station for 25 years. After he retired in 1993, the couple moved to Lady Lake, Florida. They were among the first 7000 residents in what is now The Villages, the largest retirement community in the US. Jerry served as governor in The Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1623. Until his health declined, he enjoyed bowling and especially...

John Steve Tkalec, Sr., Age 91, of Medaryville, Indiana passed away December 8, 2019 at his home. He was born June 6, 1928 in Chicago, IL to Mathew and Anna Tkalec, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Wocknitz) Tkalec, whom he married May 2, 1953 in Chesterton, IN He is also survived by two daughters, Kathleen Berg of Portage, IN and Marilynn Tartal of Richmond, VA. Three sons, John Tkalec, Jr. of San Pierre, IN, Michael Tkalec of Porter, IN and William Tkalec of Vlparaiso, IN. He has five grandchildren: Michael Berg, Jennifer Parsons, Annie Tartal, Sandra Tartal and Sara Tartal and six great grandchildren; Regan Parsons, Gavin Parsons, Erica Parsons, Jenna...

Joan Kroft, 84, of Medaryville died Saturday in Winamac. Born June 21, 1935 in Crown Point she was a 1953 graduate of Boone Grove HS. Survivors include her three daughters, Karen (Ben, Jr.) Smolek of San Pierre, Janis Potter of Sapulpa, OK and Marcia (Greg) Schoeneck of Valparaiso; six grandchildren; 10 Great Grandchildren; and 2 Great Great Grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Sarah Douglas Ellis and her husband, Ray H. Kroft. Services 2 PM EST Wednesday at St. John's United Church of Christ in Medaryville with Visitation there from 12 Noon-2 PM EST. Burial at St. John's Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ. Online...