All Obituaries

Robert John Wilson, 78, of La Porte, passed away at his home on Saturday, November 16, 2019. Robert was born on January 31, 1941 in Gary, IN, to John and Betty (Williams) Wilson.  On January 6, 1968 in Ogden Dunes, IN, he married Cheryl Ann Wilson who survives.  Also surviving are his children, Michael Wilson and Jennifer Massengill; 5 grandsons, Evan, Tyler and Alex Massengill, Noah and Atticus Wilson; siblings, Paul (Mary) Wilson, Nancy (David) Smenyak, and Carole (Alan) Mumaw;...

Daniel John DeKnight, Sr., 62, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2019 at his home. Daniel was born on March 6, 1957 in Chicago, IL, to Edward DeKnight and Marian (Roether) Cabaniss. On January 3, 2014 in La Porte, IN, he married Diane Gesek who survives.  Also surviving are his children, Becky (Juan) Alvarez of Huntley, IL and Daniel (Kim) DeKnight of Logansport; 5 grandchildren, Jasmine, Miles, Weston, Landen, and Jase; sister, Donna (Zoran) Terzic of Streamwood, IL; half-sister,...

Lawrence Andrew Ales, 64, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at La Porte Hospital and Health Services. Larry was born on April 5, 1955 in Galesburg, IL, to Richard and Eleanore (Albert) Ales. Surviving are his siblings, Laura Taylor of Austin, TX, Leah Ditto of Bridgman, MI, Lee (Dalila) Ales of Aurora, CO, Lloyd (Angela) Ales of Bridgman, MI, and Linda Anderson of Cypress, CA; 7 nieces and nephews, Elizabeth A. McAtee, Lucas (Elizabeth) Pansky, Madisyn Ales, Gavin Ales, Morgen...

Rose  Philbrook, 91, of La Porte, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at her home, with her family by her side.      Rose was born in Thurston, OH on January 12, 1928 to Vernon and Haroldine (Parrish) Hart.   On August 19, 1949 in Canal Winchester, OH, Rose married Seth Sydney Philbrook who survives.  Also surviving are her beloved children, Pamela (Robert) Shultz of Elkhart, Janice (Eric) Yandt of La Porte, David (Helen) Philbrook of Raleigh,...

Michael Lynn South, 63, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2019 at his home. Michael was born on August 2, 1956 in Gatesville, TX, to Fred and Barbara (Vitch) South. On April 21, 1984 in Valparaiso, he married Susan Klitzka who survives.  Also surviving are his daughter, Amanda (Bub) Minix of La Porte; siblings, David (Carla) South of La Porte, Stephanie (Thomas) Alexander of North Judson and Stephen (Lori) South of Schaumburg, IL; sister-in-law, Crystal (Charles) Westphal of...

Janice Marie Cripe, 63, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at her home. Janice was born on January 28, 1956 in Michigan City, IN to Colleen (Sydow) Miller. On July 29, 1972 in Michigan City, IN, she married Mark R. Cripe who preceded her in death on June 1, 2010.  Surviving are her 3 daughters, Tracy (Billy) Davis of La Porte, Amber (Chuck) Good of Grovertown and Penny (David Stacy) Cripe of Rolling Prairie; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; mother, Colleen Miller of La...

Doris Ann Hurni, 90, of La Porte, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at VNA of NWI Hospice Center, Valparaiso. Doris was born on June 6, 1929 in Walkerton, IN, to Kenneth E.and Dorothy A. (Bradford) Hostetler.  On August 20, 1949 at the First Christian Church in La Porte, IN, she married Maurice LeRoy Hurni who preceded her in death on May 1, 2019.  Also surviving are her beloved children, David A. (Ann) Hurni of Westville, Michael J. Hurni of La Porte, Susan G. (Harold)...

Russell J. Bohn, 92, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Franciscan Health Michigan City after a very brief illness. Russell was born on September 25, 1927 in Havelock, IA, to Merle and Elsie (Smith) Bohn. Surviving are his wife, Joyce; children, Lee (Mary) Bohn of Bethel, VT and Lynn (Jim) Maritch of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Emily (C.R.) Moultry; 2 great-grandchildren, Riley and Aria Moultry; siblings, Shirley Mann of Spirit Lake, IA and Karen Powell of Chester, NJ; as well as...

Dorothy N. Wilber, 101, of La Porte, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Miller's Merry Manor in New Carlisle. Dorothy was born on July 9, 1918 in Bakersfield, Missouri to Arthur and Sarah (Fore) Cooper.  On September 14, 1936 in Ellettsville, IN, she married Albert G. Wilber who preceded her in death on November 19, 1987.  Surviving are her children, Mary (Virgil) Craft of Winamac, Ruth (Bill) Stayback of Rolling Prairie, Dave (Nancy) Wilber of La Porte, and Doreen...

Henry "Hank" G. Birkholz III 87, of La Porte, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at Oak Woods Manor, La Porte. Hank was born on November 7, 1931 in Galien, MI to Henry and Gertrude (Snyder) Birkholz.  On June 2, 1951 in Oceanside, CA, he married Janet Sue Williams who preceded him in death.  Surviving are his children, Michael (Debra) Birkholz of La Porte, David (Martha) Birkholz of La Porte, and Gay Lyn Birkholz (Tom Behny) of The Villages, FL; grandchildren,...