The Times from Munster, Indiana • 39

livesLived JOSEPHINE ROSE KELLY (NEE HORVATH) WHITING Josephine Rose Kelly (nee Horvath), age 80, of Whiting, formerly of the East Side of Chicago, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2006 at the Care Center. She was the beloved wife of the late John F. Kelly, who passed away October 29, 2000. Loving mother of JoAnn (late John) Cogan of Whiting. Cherished grandmother of Kelly (Jerold) Ringer of Whiting.

Dear great-grandmother of John (Cathy) Ringer of Tinley Park, IL and Nick (Abby) Ringer of Whiting. Private funeral services were held at the convenience of the family. There was no visitation. Baran Funeral Home, 1235 119th Street, Whiting, in charge of arrangements. Josephine Kelly was born on February 20, 1925 in Chicago, IL to John and Mary (Kanz) Horvath and was a resident of Whiting for the past six years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Harbor Light Hospice, Merrillville would be appreciated. 219-659-4400 JAMES ROBERT STEPHENSON DYER James Robert Stephenson, of Dyer, born October 7, 1945, passed away on January 2, 2006. He will be remembered by many as a member of the family that owned and operated Trails Bend Ranch in Dyer, IN. Jim is survived by father, Robert Stephenson of Loveland, CO; mother, Priscilla Stephenson of Park Forest, IL; sister, Kristen Johnsen of St. John, IN; brother, Scott Stephenson of Park Forest, IL; sister, Kathleen Hale of New Berlin, TX.

A family memorial service was held in Oak Lawn, IL on January 2, 2006 Funeral Service Directory CASKETS MEMORIALS ELMWOOD CASKET COMPANY ELMWOOD CEMETERY MEMORIALS PREARRANGE TODAY SAVE Interest-Free Payment Plans Discounted Packages 24-Hour Service Free Delivery LOCATIONS: CLINE COMMONS 756 EAST U.S. 30 SCHERERVILLE (219) 322-9740 ELMWOOD CEMETERY 1413 169TH ST. HAMMOND (219) 844-7009 www.elmwoodcaskets.com Graceland Cemetery 1505 Morthland Drive (Rt.30) Valparaiso, IN Preserving Porter County's Heritage For Over 100 Years SELECT MAUSOLEUM CRYPTS $3995 Per PreNeed Pair Only 219-462-3511 FLORISTS Bryans. Florist Serving All Of N.W. Indiana Gary Merrillville Crown Point TOLL FREE 888-4-BRYANS (888-427-9267) CATERERS Funeral uncheons in a private Banquet Room $650 Person No Rental Hall Fee only OB DE's Please call 3904 Highland, Ridge IM Road 1923-7191 WEDNESDAY.

JANUARY 4.2006 PAGE B7 DAVID MIKULSKI "NOODLES" SOUTH CHICAGO David "Noodles" Mikulski, age 57, late of South Chicago. Loving father of Michael, Kimberly and Stephanie Mikulski. Former husband of Mary Mikulski. Preceded in death by his parents: Walter and Marie Mikulski; his sisters: Carol Kieltyka and Vivian Marczewski. Fond uncle of Ken Kieltyka, Larry Kieltyka, late Paul Kieltyka and Derek Mikulski.

Cousin of Wayne "Duke" (Charlotte) Mikulski. Veteran of Vietnam. Member of Illiana American Legion Post Visitation will be Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 6, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Elmwood Chapel, 11200 S.

Ewing Avenue, Chicago. Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. (773) BETTY L. MILLER HIGHLAND Betty L. Miller, age 73, of Highland, passed away on Monday, January 2, 2006.

She is survived by three daughters: Debra (Dennis) Hardy of New Lenox, IL, Janet Miller of CA and Carla (Leo) Mola of Crown Point and five grandchildren: Michael and Melissa Hardy, Brian, Jennifer and Danny Mola. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles and her parents. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at the First Baptist Church of Griffith, 324 N. Colfax, with Pastor Scott Hobbs, officiating.

Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Indiana. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road), Highland, IN 46322. Visitation will also be held on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Mrs. Miller was a member of the First Baptist Church in Griffith. Memorials may be made to Church Benevolent in her memory. WALTER MOSAK SUN CITY WEST, AZ Walter Mosak, age 93, of Sun City West, AZ and formerly a longtime Lake County resident, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at Porter Memorial Hospital. Born in Gary, IN, to the late Basil and Vilma Mosak, he was a graduate of Emerson High School, Class of 1930.

A lifelong member of Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church. He was the founder of Calumet Contractors Supply Company of East A member of the former Woodmar Country Club, and past president of the Chicago chapter of the Optimist Club. His wife, Leanelda, preceded him in death in 1971, in addition to his six siblings. Walter is survived by. two sons: Tom (Brenda) Mosak of Crown Point and Mark (Kathy) Mosak of Valparaiso; four grandchildren: Eric (Malissa) Mosak, Brandon, Allison and Ross Mosak; two great-grandchildren: Matthew and Riley; daughter-in-law, Michaela Mosak of Crown Point.

Also numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Directly at Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, 8600 Grand Merrillville with Rev. Fr. Peter Bodnar, officiating.

Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. Arrangements were completed by Savich Semplinski Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, corner of 101st and Broadway, Point. A Panahida service will be offered at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Protection of the Virgin Mary Mortgage Fund would be appreciated. HUEY R. RHEA HAMMOND Mr. Huey R.

Rhea of Hammond, IN, passed away on December 22, 2005. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2006 from 9-11 a.m. with homegoing services at 11:00 a.m. from Alpha Mortuary Chapel, 421 West 5th Gary, IN. Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary.

To share a memory or offer your condolences to the family, please view the obituary to sign the guest book1 www.nwitimes.com MARY C. MULARSKI "AUNTIE MARY" DYER, IN Mary C. "Auntie Mary" Mularski, age 79, late of Dyer, IN, formerly of Calumet City and South Chicago. Beloved daughter of the late Joseph and the late Martha Mularski. Loving sister of Joseph (Henrietta) Mularski.

Cherished aunt of Paul (Kim) Mularski. Great-aunt Marie and Joseph Thomas Mularski." Retired employee of Eastman Kodak Co. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 9:15 a.m. from the Elmwood Chapel, 11200 S.

Ewing Avenue, Chicago to St. Andrew the Apostle Church. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Cancer Society appreciated.

773-731-2749 KENNETH G. MURPHY AURORA, IL Kenneth G. Murphy, age 77, of Aurora, IL, died Monday, January 2 2, 2006 at Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL. He was born July 14, 1928 in Chicago, IL. Mr.

Murphy had been a resident of Lisle for many years and loved to garden and sang in a barber shop. chair. He was a co-founder and member of the board of the College of DuPage. At the College of DuPage, Mr. Murphy not only developed the graphic arts program but also taught graphic arts as well.

He taught printing and also coached cross country at Proviso East High School and was a founding member of the Meadows Swim Club in Lisle. Mr. Murphy was elected to the Lisle School District Board and served on that board for many years. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict.

He is survived by his wife, Mary "Lea" Murphy of Aurora; children: Erin (Bill) Pankey of Port Barrington, IL, Shannon Johnson of Lake Stevens, WA, Moira (Bill) Schnell of Valparaiso, IN, Patrick (Carol) Murphy of Oswego and Eileen (Roderick) Kocanda of Plainfield; a brother, Robert Murphy of LaGrange Park, IL; a sister, Eileen Oswald of Bartlett, IL and by fourteen grandchildren. He was preceded in by his parents: John and Erdina (nee Letto) Murphy and by a son, Brian. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 24021 W. Royal Worlington Dr.

at Rt. 59, Naperville, IL. Interment private. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 3 p.m. until time of service.

Info (630) 922-9630. NORMAN J. PERA (SEPT. SAUGATUCK, MI Norman J.Pera, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and son, passed away January 1, 2006, surrounded by family at Meijer Heart Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan.He was born Sept. 5,1922 in Gary, IN where he graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1939.

Norman served honorably from 1942 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy, including active duty in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Upon completing military service, he attended Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN, graduating in 1948 with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has lived in the Saugatuck area since 1989, actively volunteering for many local organizations. Norman was a dedicated man of faith and will be dearly missed by many.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy of commitments to his family, friends, and community. Norman is survived by Patricia his wife of 57 years, his five sons: David (Ruth), of Valparaiso, IN, John, of Crown Timothy (Kathleen) of St.Paul, MINN, Mark (Leslie) of Western Springs, IL and Thomas (Catherine) of Phoenix, AZ; his nephew and niece: Anthony and Mary Ester Merza of Chicago, IL; 11 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 3, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck, MI. The funeral will be Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the All Saints Episcopal Church with the Fr. G. Corwin Stoppel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, Evergreen Commons, 480 State Street, Holland, Michigan, 49423 or the American Heart Association. Visitwww.nwitimes.com to view daily obituaries, are death notices and in memoriams. ASSUMPTION "SUNNY" PEREZ (NEE GALVEZ) HAMMOND Assumption "Sunny" Perez (nee Galvez), age 76, of Hammond, passed away on to our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Preceded in death by her parents: and Asuncion Galvez; brother, Luis Galvez and her beloved daughter, Cynthia, they are now joined again in Heaven. Sunny was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, lovingly committed to her family.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Robert; four children: Robert (Edith) Perez, Belinda (Mike) Tures, Richard (Nancy) Perez and Roy (Holly) Perez; eight admiring grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Paredes of Ft. Myers, FL and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are incomplete at this time. Mrs. Perez was a lifetime resident of Hammond.

For further information you may contact Bocken Funeral Home at (219) 844-1600. Friends may sign the guest register at www.nwitimes.com/obituaries. THOMAS S. PETERS SCHERERVILLE Thomas S. Peters, age 63, of Schererville, IN, passed away Monday, January 2 2006.

He is survived by his loving mother, Isabella Peters; siblings: Stephen G. Peters, Mary Peters, Mike Peters, Paul Peters, George Peters, Isabella Peters and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Stephen J. Peters and brother, Joseph Peters. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 6, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.

at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Avenue, St. John with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, St. John.

Burial at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Mr. Peters was a beloved son and brother. He served as a corporal in the Marine Corp.

from 1960-1963. Mr. Peters was employed at DuPont Chemical, Schneider Electric (Square Corporation). He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Applied Science. Mr.

Peters was a member of Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society, Pi Delta Chapter. GRACIELA RODRIGUEZ GRACE" "CHELA (NEE AYALA) DYER Graciela "Grace" "Chela" Rodriguez (nee Ayala), age 66, of Dyer, formerly of Lansing, IL and South Chicago. Survived by loving husband of 45 years, Raphael "Ralph" Rodriguez; three children: Esthela (Jim) Stevens, Joseph (Priscilla) Rodriguez and Mary Rodriguez; eight grandchildren: C.J., Desiree, Bradley, Selena, Isaiah, Angelica, Aristotle and Joshua; one sister, Pera (Adan) Fuentes. Also survived by the Ballesteros family. Preceded in death by father of Jesus Ayala.

Long time member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, South Chicago. Former employee of Trinity Hospital with over 25 years of service. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 6, 2006 at 8:45 a.m. from the Elmwood Chapel, 11200 S.

Ewing Avenue, Chicago to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, South Chicago. Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Interment at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. 773-731-2749 MELVIN L. SMITH MUNSTER, IN Melvin L.

Smith, 89, of Munster, IN, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2006. Born in Decatur, IL, he was the son of the late Everet and Hatti Smith. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Smith; dear friends: Elizabeth (James) Kristoff, Kyle Kristoff, Mary Krammerer and Mary Banaski; Godchild, Annette Finsterbush; sister-inlaw, Marjorie (Jack) Turton; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his sisters: Margaret Roos and Juanita (Kenneth) Black. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.

at Burns-Kish Funeral Home, 8415 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN. Friends may visit with the family hour prior to service. Melvin retired from American Optical with over 40 years of service and served with the U.S. Army during WWII.

ERNEST OPPMAN GARY, IN Ernest Oppman, age 85, a lifelong Gary resident, passed away on Monday, January 2, 2006. He was born on September 1, 1920 in Sharon, PA. Ernest received his undergraduate degree from Howard University and his Masters in Gerontology from Ball State University. He was a retired buyer from Inland Steel. Ernest was a griever for Local 1010, U.S.

Steelworkers and for United Autoworkers at the Budd Company. He was formerly an active member of Gary Human Relations Commission. Ernest was a member of St. Barnabas In the Dunes Episcopal Church. He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Katy Oppman; brothers: Charles and Howard and sister, Eva Rose Oppman.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Oppman of Gary; three children: Linda (Ed) Siler of Onoalaska, WA, John Oppman of Gary and Rose Mary Oppman of Chesterton; three granddaughters: Jennifer (Jacob) Jordan, Elizabeth Mary Rose Oppman and Christine Marie Oppman, all of New Buffalo, MI; cousin, Elsie (Alan) Segal of Indianapolis; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 6, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. DIRECTLY at St. Barnabas In The Dunes Episcopal Church, 601 Pottawotami Trail, Gary, IN, with Rev. Kris Graunke, officiating.

He will lie in state at the church from a.m., time of service. Cremation at the Burns Funeral Home Crematory will follow the service. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Thursday, January 5, 2006 from 2-8 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 701 E. 7th Street, Hobart.

LORENE TAAKE PORTAGE Lorene Taake, age 85, of Portage, passed away Sunday, December 31, 2005. She was born on April 22, 1920 in Haleyville, AL, the daughter of Jesse and Adell (Gables) Reynolds. She obtained her LPN license while living in the Panama Canal. Lorene was employed as a waitress for Town Club in Gary. She is survived by two daughters: Mary J.

(Walter Ester of Demotte and Patricia A. Resheter of Portage; six grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren and one great-great grandchild; and other living family and dear friends. Preceded in death by her parents; son, Edward Albert Taake; three sisters: Jesse May Ubanks, Flora Day and Marjorie Taylor. A visitation will be held at Engel Funeral Home, 2700 Willowcreek Road, Portage on Thursday, January 5, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Loren Skrundz, Chaplain of Harbor Light Hospice, officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Foundation. For information, please call Engel Funeral Home at (219) 762-8595.

JESSIE TARPO MERRILLVILLE, IN Jessie Tarpo, age 91, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2006. Survived by two sons: James (Margaret) Tarpo Jr. of Ogden Dunes and Dale (Deedee) Tarpo of CA; daughterin-law, Sharon Tarpo of CA; five grandchildren: Kathleen Tarpo, James (Marla) Tarpo, Cynthia Tarpo, Linda (Neale) Williams, David (Julie) Tarpo; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Yolanda (Keith) Meserve of CA. Preceded in death by husband of 68 years, James Tarpo Sr. and son, Gerald Tarpo; brother, Sam Massette and sister, Florence Odinsoff.

Mrs. Tarpo was a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church and a former member of St. Mark Catholic Church and Arch Confraternity. She was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School and a retired clerk from Montgomery Ward's Department Store, Friends may call at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service, 6360 Broadway, Merrillville, on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2006 beginning at 9:30 a.m. from the Pruzin Brothers Chapel and 10:00 a.m. from St. Andrew the Apostle Church, with Rev. Richard Ameling, presiding.

At rest Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. CEMETERY LOTS MEMORY LANE 2 crypts $4,000. 803-329-3231 Personalize any Obituary or In Memoriam To place a Card of Thanks, call (219) 933-3222..