Sister Julie Kramer
Sister Julie Kramer, of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. died July 30, 2002 in Lourdes Hall, St. Mary-of-the Woods, Ind.
The former Julie Anne Kramer was born March 1, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio to George Albert Sr. and Florence Marie (Westendorf) Kramer.
She is survived by four sisters, Sister Constance Kramer, S.P. of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the Woods, Ind., Mary Kramer Leonard of Valparaiso, Susan Kramer Devlin of New London, N.H. and Anne Kramer Nahn of Middleton, Wis.; a brother George A. Kramer, Jr. of Valparaiso; many nieces and nephews and many more grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, William J. Kramer and John and Joseph, infant twins.
Sister Julie Kramer entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence Sept. 17, 1962, professed First Vows Aug. 15, 1965 and Final Vows Oct. 4, 1969. She taught in schools staffed by the Sisters of Providence and ministered as a Registered Nurse in Indiana. Schools include St. Leonard, West Terre Haute, grades 5 and 6; Central Catholic H.S., Fort Wayne, Chemistry and Math, Schulte H.S., Terre Haute, Chemistry and Math, Reitz Memorial H.S. Evansville, Math, Scecina Memorial H.S., Indianapolis, Math, St. Francis Hospital, Beech Grove, Registered Nurse, Health Care Services, St. Mary-of-the Woods, Registered Nurse and as a volunteer in the Health Care Activity Room.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with Rev. Barrabas Gillespie, OSB officiating. Interment will be in the Cemetery of the Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
A Wake is scheduled at 2:30 p.m., Sunday in Providence Hall. A Wake service is scheduled at 4 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
The Callahan Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Ramona Cooke Gatewood
Ramona Cooke Gatewood, of Dune Acres, died Thursday, August 1, 2002 at her home. She was 78.
She was born April 15, 1924 in Chicago, the daughter of Bennett W. and Lyda (Dalzell) Cooke, who preceded her in death.
In 1948 in Chicago she married Emmett H. Gatewood, who preceded her in death August 22, 1978.
She is survived by a son, Andrew (Dawn) Gatewood, of Chesterton; a daughter, Lyda C. Gatewood, of Baton Rouge, La.; grandchildren, Clayton Gatewood, Jared Bonomo and Sumer Kabelis; great grandchildren, Karley Fink, Erica and Dustin Kabelis.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bennett W. Cooke II and Peter Cooke.
She was a resident since 1950 and was a home maker. She was a member of Chesterton First United Methodist Church. She attended University Baptist Church while wintering in Baton Rouge with her daughter. She was one of the founding members of the Association of Artists and Craftsmen of Porter County; a member of Beta Gamma Epsilon sorority and a long time advocate for Alcoholics Anonymous. She was instrumental in starting the Moraine House in Valparaiso.
Funeral services, Rev. Terry Rhine officiating, are scheduled at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 at First United Methodist Church, 434 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Chesterton.
John Thomas Stewart Sr.
Former long-time Chesterton Park Department Board Member, local volunteer and businessman, John Thomas Stewart Sr., of Chesterton, died Sunday, August 4, 2002 at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso. He was 62.
He was born April 8, 1940 in Kouts, the son of Homer W. and Darlie Mae (Bloomer) Stewart, who preceded him in death.
On January 21, 1960 in Gibson, La., he married Grayce Charlene Stewart, who survives in Chesterton.
He is also survived by a son, John T. (Brenda) Stewart Jr. of Chesterton; a daughter, Shannon Graham of Hanna, Ind.; a sister, Neva Reif of Kouts; three grandchildren, Kaeleigh Graham, Samantha and Alivia Sims; two step grandchildren, Samantha Morgan and Logan John Stewart.
He was employed for 35 years as a paint professional. He was employed at Lowes. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a 1958 graduate of Kouts High School and former owner of Dunes Decorating and Star Video. He was a past member of the Chesterton Park Board and was a past President. He was a Girl and Boy Scout Leader, Little League Coach and a Pop Warner Football Coach.
A graveside service, Father Jack Meyer officiating, is scheduled at 3 p.m., Thursday at Chesterton Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
Viola R. Sosh
Viola R. Sosh, of Porter, died Monday, August 5, 2002 at the waters of Duneland Health Care Center, Chesterton. She was 63.
She was born March 6, 1939 in Bluffton, Ohio, the daughter of Roy and Ailene (Marshall) Moser, who preceded her in death.
She married Kemon Kominakis, who preceded her in death.
She is survived by two sons, Michael (Dorothy) Kominakis of Valparaiso and David Sosh of Crawfordsville; two daughters, Carol Neely of Porter and Diana Fennell of Chesterton; a sister, Marie (James) McKee of Portage; nine grandchildren, Cari and Conrad Neely of Porter, Ryan and William Kominakis of Valparaiso; Jonathan and Jeni Fennell of Chesterton, Chloe, Emma and Elijah Sosh of Crawfordsville.
She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bob Neely and a sister, Mariam Sue Moser.
She was a resident since 1957 and was a home maker. She attended Christian Assembly Church, of Portage. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Westville Fire Department.
Funeral services, Pastor Michael Cloud officiating, are scheduled at 7 p.m., Wednesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home. Cremation will follow services at Heritage Crematory, Portage.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Anton “Tony” J. Valentic
Anton “Tony” J. Valentic, of Porter, died Monday, August 5, 2002 at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso. He was 85.
He was born April 23, 1917 in Homewood, Ill., the son of John and Anna Valentic, who preceded him in death.
On July 17, 1971 in Chesterton, he married Thelma Earwood, who survives in Porter.
He is also survived by a son, Anthony Valentic of Terre Haute, Ind.; a step son, William O. (Beauty) Farmer of South Bend, Ind.; a son-in-law, John Klosinski of Michigan City; two daughters, Jenny Sullivan, of Ind. and Lisa Ann Williams; step daughters, Dian Klosinski of Mishawaka, Ind., Thelma Susan (Donald) Grafe and Pamela Keen, both of Walls, Miss. and Linday (Duayne) Rogers of Hammond, Ind.; a sister Vie Apoto of Denver, Colo.; 24 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Rose.
He was a resident for 54 years. He was employed as a Hammersmith for 32 years at Indiana Forge. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was owner of Tony’s Landscaping Company.
Funeral services, Father James Meade officiating, are scheduled at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9 at Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. with a Wake service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Judith B. Ayala
Judith B. Ayala, of Chesterton, formerly of Chicago, died Sunday, July 21, 2002 at St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart, Ind. She was 65.
She was born January 28, 1937 in Chicago, the daughter of Meyer and Florence (Jaffe) Brenner, who preceded her in death.
She is survived by a daughter, Elena (Paul) Shook of Valparaiso and two grandchildren, Michael and Paul Shook of Valparaiso.
Living in the Chicago area until 1999, she moved to Chesterton to be closer to her daughter and family. Before her illness, she worked at St. Mary’s Home Health Center in Portage and regularly volunteered at the Westchester Public Library. She was an avid reader and had a great love for the people and culture of Mexico.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana. Cremation is scheduled at Heritage Crematory, Portage.
Memorial donations may be made to either the American Cancer Society or to Westchester Public Library.
Arrangements were handled by Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Chesterton.
Grace Louise Paul
Grace Louise Paul “Mrs. Paul,” of Portage, died Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at her home. She was 77.
She was born November 7, 1924 in Gary, Ind. the daughter of Joseph Johnson and Luddi (Bronson) Goin, who preceded her in death.
On March 19, 1946 in Crown Point, she married Marion Paul, who preceded her in death July 13, 1984.
She is survived by a son, Ronnie Paul of Portage, Ind.; three daughters, Linda Hogg, Gloria Jane Kane and Shelia Pappas, all of Portage; three brothers, Virgil (Iona) Goin, of Portage, Robert (Nancy) Goin of Cincinnati, Ohio and Franklin Goin of Fla.; a brother-in-law, Pete Kowalenka of Merrillville; two sisters, Mary Jane (Frank) Bouque of Hobart and Pam (Frank) Grecio of Pittsburgh, Pa.; a beloved friend, Erma (Cosmo) Trafaconti and family; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Pamela Jo Paul and a son Marion Paul Jr.
She was employed as a laborer at U.S. Steel. She was a former active Bingo player, a member of Women of the Moose and a volunteer for various charities.
Funeral services, great nephew Bryce Grecio officiating, are scheduled at Noon, Friday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel. Interment will be at McCool Cemetery, Portage.
Visitation is scheduled from 2-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave. Portage.
