Obituaries & Memorials

Please join us for a special Zadusnice Memorial Service taking place Saturday, February  18, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, IN.

We encourage anyone to attend. There is no need to bring anything special to this service other than your memories and prayers for your loved ones. However, we do encourage you to write down a list of departed family members and friends, if you wish, to bring with you to the service so that we may read the names and remember all of them.

The purpose of the memorial service is to bring comfort to both the living and the dead. As is sung in the concluding song – Memory Eternal – it also helps us keep the memory of loved ones alive.

Zadusnice, also known as Saturday of Souls or All Souls’ Day, is a day commemorating the faithful departed, particularly but not exclusively one’s relatives. This special observance takes place on a Saturday, a traditional day for prayer for the dead, because Christ lay dead in the Tomb on Saturday.

For the Zadusnice observance, there is normally a Panikhida (memorial service) served on the Saturday morning for which Koliva (a dish made of boiled wheatberries and honey) is prepared and placed in front of the cross or icon with a lit candle, before which the Panikhida is served.

After the service, the priest blesses the koliva and it is then eaten as a memorial by all present.

Zadusnice Memorial Service takes place four times per year. If you are not available this Saturday, we encourage you to join us for the next Zadusnice Memorial Service

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Nada Jankowski. Memory eternal.

Nada Jankowski

Nada Jankowski, age 83 of Merrillville passed away peacefully, Friday, February 10, 2023. She was a lifelong member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and its Ladies Auxiliary.  Nada was preceded in death by her parents Marko and Kathryn; siblings Mitizi Labash and Marcus “Sonny” Rapo.

She is survived by her two loving children; Veronica (Bill) Mathews, and Mark (Heidi) Jankowski; 5 beloved grand-children, Kristen (Bryan) Vonasek, Lauren Mathews, Kyle Kabacinski, Mark & Jacob Jankowski; two cherished great- grandchildren, Emily and Lucy Vonasek; brother Lewis (Pat) Rapo; dearest cousins Jeannette Poulston, Jeannette & Pat Pamechena, Mabel Gemeinhart; sister-in-law Pat Rapo, brother-in-law Larry Labash; longtime friends Amy, Jackie, Rozanne, Pam and Jamie; and several other nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Nada loved her family immensely. Her grand-children and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She will be dearly missed. May her Memory be Eternal.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, with a Pomen Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating.

Funeral Services will take place Thursday directly at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 919 Mississippi Street, Merrillville. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva or David at 219-736-5840

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Nancy Buha. Memory eternal.

Nancy Buha

Nancy Buha (nee Ness), age 66, of Crown Point, IN, passed away peacefully with her loved ones by her side on Friday, February 3, 2023.  She was born in Gary Indiana to parents Steve and Helen Ness. Nancy was a 1974 graduate of Lew Wallace High School and retired from Munster Surgery Center after many years of service. She was a member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Steve and Helen Ness and her brother Steve Ness.

Nancy is survived by her loving daughter Hilary Ann (Toby) Baldwin; beloved sister Dorothy “Sissy” Ness; cherished soul mate, Tom Decanter; and many other relatives, Kumovi and close friends.

Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN.  A Pomen Service will be held, Tuesday Evening at 5:00 PM, V. Rev Marko Matic officiating.

Funeral Servies will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to either the Susan G Komen, 877-GO KOMEN or by mail: 213 W Institute Place Ste 302, Chicago, IL 60610 or St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 800-608-3203 or by mail: 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Stana Jelic Djinovich. Memory eternal.

Stana Jelic Djinovich

Stana Jelic Djinovich passed away Monday January 16 at the age 76 peacefully in her home and in her own way.

Stana was born in Montenegro to parents Milica and Veljko Jelic. Her life journey took her across the world to the United States in 1977 with three young children hand in hand with one suitcase joining her now late husband Slobodan Djinovich.

She immediately took a job at St Mary Medical Center where she worked for over 20 years. Over time she took on various additional jobs to help support her family in the new world. She was a loyal parishioner of St Sava Church and member of the Kolo Sestara actively supporting Lifeline Charitable Organization dedicated to helping poor people in the homeland.

She was preceded in death by her son Dragic “Danny” and husband Slobo Djinovich. She leaves behind her cherished and beautiful grandkids (Luka, Niko and Ana) Schaefer as well as her daughters Dragica and Dragana and son-in-law Charlie. Left to mourn her are numerous family in Montenegro, neighbors, kumovi and friends, especially her loyal friend Kathy Kljajich. Stana was an avid gardener.

Her gardens produced many beautiful flowers and vegetables that were the envy of her neighborhood and symbol of her strength, perseverance and optimism. Her faith in God never wavered in spite of numerous setbacks that included the loss of her beloved son and declining health. She was smart, creative and generous. She loved everyone and she was a proud Crnogorka until the very end. She was one of a kind and will be forever missed.

Funeral Services are the following: Saturday January 21. 2023 at 9:00 a.m. VISITATION 10:00 a.m. Pomen Service/Funeral Service officiated by Father Marko Matic St Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street Merrillville Indiana 46410.

Internment/Burial will take place around 1 at St Sava Monastery in Libertyville where she be laid to rest next to her beloved son and husband. St Sava Monastery address 32377 N Milwaukee avenue Libertyville IL 60048.

For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Florence Stefanovich. Memory eternal.

Florence Stefanovich, age 94, passed away on August 28, 2022. A long-time resident of Valparaiso, she was born in Macedonia and immigrated as a young girl with her family to Gary, Indiana.

A graduate of Lew Wallace High School, Florence worked her entire career, 45 years, with the Lake Mortgage Company where she helped manage commercial lending.

Florence was a devoted daughter and caregiver to her father, Clement, who predeceased her as did her mother, Mary. Florence was also preceded in death by her brother, Steve (Rose) Stephan and brother Charles (Catherine) Stephan, as well as nephew, Jeffery Stephan.

Florence was an exceptionally loving and caring aunt to her nephews. She is survived by nephews James Stephan of Schererville, Mark (Kimberly) Stephan of Carmel, Bill (Carol) Stephan of Carmel, and Bob (Rebecca) Stephan of Munster, as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Florence was also cherished by the family of Ann and Theodore Rudman whom she considered extended family, and she was ever grateful to her kind neighbors for their generous assistance to her.

Florence was a devoted member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church for over 75 years and the family requests donations be made to the church in lieu of flowers – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online form.

Funeral services will take place at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel in Merrillville on Friday, September
2 with a calling and services beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Calumet Park
Cemetery.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Martha Roknich Lash. Memory eternal.

Martha Roknich Lash

Martha Roknich Lash age 79, of Grosse Ile Michigan, formerly of Northwest Indiana, passed away August 16, 2022 at her home.
Martha was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, its Kolo Sestara, Choir and worked at the St. Sava Church for many years.

Graduate of Lew Wallace High School and went to IU Bloomington for several years.

Preceded in death by her parents Matjia and Mildred Roknich, sister Sandra Furto and her brother Robert Millich

Survived by her three loving children: Mark Lash, DrDarcy Lash (Cody Muller), Jamie (Jaclyn) Lash; Grandchildren, Nikola Lash, Joseph Lash, Chloe Lash, Allyson Lash and Aidan Ilg  Sister-in-Law Dori Lakich, niece Dawn Dikun (Ray) and Jana Maric(Mirko), Kumovi Linda Trkulja and Deena Galich

Martha loved traveling, theater and sports and would be glued to the TV every year during the NCAA March Madness tournament.  She grew up in Gary, Indiana and was a very proud first generation Serbian American. In her youth she attended Serbian camp every year. Later, as a young adult she coached the women’s Serbian basketball team for several years.

However, she will be remembered for her love of her family and her church.  She was known by everyone for her strong work ethic and managed Old Mill Pizzeria for many years before finding her way back to St. Sava. At St. Sava, she was in charge of catering, bookkeeping, Serb Fest and many events planned through the church.

Overall, her family was the most important thing to her. If they needed her she would drop everything and go wherever she was needed. When her children were young, Marcie was known for coaching her children’s sports teams and attending various sporting events they were involved in. She was also involved in school activities and later continued this level of involvement with her grandchildren. She did everything she could to attend family functions all over the world. Any event her family was involved in she was sure to show up regardless of how far she had to travel.

She was well known for her tight hugs, and her sincere, genuine love of life and laughter. She held tight to her Serbian traditions but marched to the beat of her own drum and lived for the moment. She will be forever dearly missed by her family and many other close friends and relatives.

Visitation will take place Monday, August 22, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services and visitation will take place Tuesday, August 23 10-11:00  a.m. (visitation) with services at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville with V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment Holy Cross (St. Sava) Cemetery. For further information, please call Mileva or David at 219-736-5840.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Very Rev. Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic. Memory eternal.

Very Rev. Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic was born on August 30, 1938 in Gredjani, Yugoslavia, to the late Sava and Stojanka Zjalic.

Very Reverend Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic

He immigrated to Canada where, in 1962, with the blessings of the late Right Reverend Bishop Sava (Sarcevic) of Edmonton to enroll into the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY. In 1969, he was ordained a priest and was blessed in marriage to Melanija Radisic and 3 children (Sava, Vera and Stefan).

During his time in Canada and in the US, V. Rev. Bogdan Zjalic was instrumental in organizing and establishing numerous Serbian Orthodox Church congregations and affiliated organizations. He personally felt that his accomplishments were made possible by the intervention of God’s grace, Wisdom and Love. Throughout his service to God and the Serbian Orthodox Church, he has touched many lives with love, patience and spirituality. He peacefully passed to be with the Lord on August 16, 2022. Memory Eternal.

Visitation will take place Friday, August 19, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. with Gospel and Psalm readings following Pomen Service. V. Rev Marko Matic officiating.

Divine Liturgy Saturday, August 20, 2022 will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Funeral Service to follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment Holy Cross (St. Sava) Cemetery. Memorial luncheon will follow in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church.

For further information please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Theodore Erceg. Memory eternal.

Theodore Erceg

Theodore Erceg, 91, of Chesterton, Indiana, formally of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, August 5, 2022. Ted, the youngest of five siblings, was born August 9, 1930 in the Kirk Yard neighborhood of Gary, Indiana.

After graduation from Horace Mann High School in 1948, Ted enlisted in the United States Army. A member of the Chosin Few, Ted served as a high-speed radio operator in six campaigns during the Korean War. Upon returning home, Ted attended Indiana University and worked in the building trades. He then had a successful 36-year career in hospital/pharmaceutical sales. In 2003, Ted was hired by Valparaiso Public Schools as Director of Public Information.

Ted was a faithful, life-long member of St. Sava Church, where he served as church board president for six terms. He was most proud of the new church, where he had the honor of laying the first foundation block in 1986 and the last stone in 1991. Ted was also a founding member of the St. Sava Historical Society.

Writing was a passion for Ted. He was a regular contributor to Serb World, USA. In 1995, Ted published his book, With Pious Gravity, a biography of St, Sava volunteers in World War I, Its inclusion in the Library of Congress was a crowning achievement. In 2008, Ted was the recipient of the “Distinguished Hoosier Award” from Governor Mitch Daniels.

An avid sports enthusiast, Ted enjoyed working as a high school football referee for twelve years. Well into his forties, Ted played league hockey with the Valparaiso University hockey club. An advocate of sports for all ages, he particularly encouraged children and young adults to “just move”, and in his retirement, was an aide in the Valparaiso High School Athletic Department.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Mile and Danica Erceg, siblings Mirko, Ranko (Juanita), and Dorothy Erceg, and Helen (Louis) Paulson, in-laws Spero and Karavilka Petrovich, and son in-law George Eberhardt.

Ted is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Donna, and children Lauren (James) Thorstad, Susan Eberhardt, and Joann (Thomas) Meyer; grandchildren Nicholas Mandich, Natalie (Jason) Sutton, Thomas (Audrey) Thorstad, Andrew Thorstad, Henry (Mary) Meyer, Martin Meyer, Jason (Kristin) Eberhardt, and Julie (Doug Muller) Eberhardt; great-grandchildren Troy Feller, Samuel and Joseph Griffin, Cora Thorstad, Grace and James Sutton; Godchild Daniel Anomanni and family, dear friend Emil Conde, Kumovi, relatives and friends. Heartfelt appreciation to Dunes Hospice, especially nurses April and Pam.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN, 46410, beginning with visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Funeral will begin at 11:00. Interment Holy Cross (St Sava) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sava Church – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online website form, or to Dunes Hospice 4711 Evans Valparaiso, IN 46383. For further information please call Mileva or David at 219-736-5840

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Mirjana “Beba” Radovich. Memory eternal.

Mirjana “Beba” Radovich

Mirjana “Beba” Radovich, age 56, of Chesterfield, MO formerly of Crown Point, IN passed away July 26, 2022.

Preceded in death by her father Vukosav Radovich.

Mirjana is survived by her beloved son, Stevan Torrez; loving mother Desanka Radovich; adored brothers Ranko Radovich, Miladin (Mike) Radovich, Rade (Ray) Natasha Radovich, nephew Maxim Radovich; Kumovi Stevan & Sladjana Vojcanin; and many other family, friends and Kumovi all over the United States and Europe. Vecnaja Pamjat.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Funeral Service beginning at 11:30 a.m. V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic, officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information contact Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.