General Information/News

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the friends and family of Radmila “Millie” Milivojevic. Memory eternal.

Radmila “Millie” Milivojevic

Radmila “Millie” Milivojevic was born on October 24, 1930, in Kucevo, Serbia, and left this earthly life on October 24, 2025. She was an extraordinary seamstress, master baker, loving wife, devoted mother, and proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Radmila held roles as treasurer and president within the Serbian sisters’ circle, earning the affectionate title of “palacinka queen” among her friends and family. At age 26, she bravely left her homeland to marry Milivoje Milivojevic, who had immigrated to the United States and returned to Serbia to find his wife. Their journey together brought two children, Milan and JoAnn, who were raised to cherish their Serbian heritage through trips to Serbia and learning the language from an early age.

Throughout her life, Radmila was deeply involved in church and community, always nurturing love for her culture and faith. She is survived by her children, grandchildren Michael and Lana, and several great-grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in all those she touched. Radmila will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the joy she brought to everyone who knew her.

The family welcomes messages of condolence and gratitude for those who supported and cared for Millie throughout her life. Funeral and Memorial service at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN, Saturday Nov.1, 2025. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; service at 10:00, 11:00 dacha, followed by a drive to the burial site, Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, 35240 W Grant Ave, Lake Villa, IL. V. Rev Marko Matic and V. Rev Dragan Petrovic officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN 46410 or https://www.saintsava.net For further information please

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

Desanka “Desa” Radovich

Desanka “Desa” Radovich, age 85 of Crown Point, passed away October 24, 2025 peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Desa was born in the village of Nedakusi in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro to parents Jovo and Ikonija Jevric. She came to the United States in 1963 with her husband Vukosav Radovich. They made their home in Gary, Indiana before moving to Crown Point in 1979. She was a devoted and life long member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and it’s Kolo Sestara.

Desa was known for her mild nature, kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith. She joyfully prepared pastries for Serb Fest and countless other church events, always offering her time and heart to hep others. She found great joy in her garden, her flowers, her family but most of all her grandsons.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Vukosav, cherished daughter Mirjana and her parents and siblings.

Desa is survived by her three loving sons, Ranko Radovich, Miladin Radovich, and Rade (Natasha) Radovich; her cherished grandsons Maksim Radovich and Stevan Torrez; and many other relatives and Kumovi both here and in Crna Gora (Montenegro).

Visitation will take place Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN with Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. For further information please call Mileva Savich at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840. Vecnaja Pamjat!

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

Ljuba Kesic

Ljuba Kesic, age 84 of Portage passed away, October 21, 2025, with her family by her side.

Visitation for Ljuba will take place Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN 46410 with funeral services beginning at 12:00 Noon. Interment Memory Lane Memorial Garden Cemetery in Schererville, IN with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating.

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

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the friends and family of Mary Ann “Marija” Djankovich. Memory eternal.

Mary Ann “Marija” Djankovich

Mary Ann “Marija” Djankovich, age 77, of Hobart, IN passed away peacefully with her family by her side on September 21, 2025.

Mary Ann was a lifelong resident of Hobart as well as a Hobart High School Graduate of 1966. Mary Ann was a hardcore Brickie fan as she used to say “once a Brickie always a Brickie” and her favorite Brickie of all time was her grandson Miki Djankovich. She was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and SSS Karageorge Choir.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband Bozo Djankovich and her parents.

She is survived by her three loving children, Magda “Melody” (Mico) Serdar, Milan (Milanka) Djankovich and Vesna (Stevan) Gagic; four cherished grandchildren, Aleksandra Serdar, Aleksandar (Kaylee) Serdar, Marina (Andrew) Enslen, and Miki Djankovich; her adored great granddaughter Alena Rae Enslen; and many other relatives, Kumovi and friends.

Mary Ann had a spirit for loving others and always greeted you with a smile to be remembered. May her memory be eternal.

Visitation take place Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Internment St. Sava Holy Cross Cemetery.

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 friends and family of Barbara Skala. Memory eternal.

The link to the funeral services video stream, at the request of the family, for extended family and friends not able to be at the services in person is available at: https://fb.watch/BNynaMadsY/

Barbara Skala

Barbara Skala, age 79, of Ogden Dunes, passed away Monday, August 25, 2025, with her family by her side.

Barbara was born January 12, 1946, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, to Nikola and Jagoda Sever. After World War II, the family moved to Gary, IN, when her father, Nikola, was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps. She attended Gary Public Schools from kindergarten through her graduation from Horace Mann High School. Barbara then went on to Indiana University in Bloomington and later completed her nursing degree at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.

On May 23, 1987, Barbara married the love of her life and soul mate, Frank Skala. They spent six years living in California before returning to make their home in Ogden Dunes, IN. More recently, they enjoyed winters together at their second home in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Barbara was a lifelong church member of St. Sava and supporting member of the St. Sava Kolo, St. Sava Choir, and previous member of the St. Sava Historical Society. Frank and Barbara are devoted supporters of the children in Serbia through Lifeline Chicago. Inspired by her own joyful experiences at St. Sava Camp in Libertyville, IL, she extended her generosity to help sponsor a camp in Serbia for children from orphanages as well as those living in Kosovo.

During her professional career, she was Vice President of Nursing at several hospitals in California and Indiana.  She was also the Team Nurse of the Oakland Raiders Football team.

Barbara took great pride in being a Teta to her nieces and nephew and had a strong and positive influence on their lives and her Kumovi’s lives.

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

Zoran Novovic

Zoran Novovic, age of 66, of Chicago, passed away on August 21, 2025. He was born in Berane, Montenegro, and immigrated to USA in 1990. He was a painter by trade. He enjoyed spending time with his wife Mira (Plavsic) with whom he built a life in USA. With his kindness and goodwill, he touched the hearts of many. He was known for helping and protecting those less fortunate and strong. He lived his life always with a smile on his face. To many, he was known as “Big Z”.

Zoran is also survived by his children Marijana, Zoran, and Zorica and his grandchildren Barbara and Petar.  He was preceded in death by his parents Kosa (Mimovic) and Miomir Novovic.

The visitation will take place Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 7535 Taft St, Merrillville IN with a Pomen Service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place Thursday August 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Seriban Orthodox Church 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville IN with Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment St Sava Holy Cross Cemetery. Please join us for 12:00 p.m. lunch at the church’s pavilion, right after the funeral service.

For any 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 friends and family of Helen Jelisaveta Kirby. Memory eternal.

Helen Jelisaveta Kirby

Helen Jelisaveta Kirby (née Vitkovich), 95, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away on July 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy woven with love, resilience, and generosity. Born on April 21, 1930, in Gary, Indiana to Bosiljka and Marko Vitkovich, Helen was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana—a place she served with devotion and joy.

The enduring memory of Helen Kirby was her ability to persevere. After suddenly losing her husband Eli Kirby in 1978, Helen raised four successful daughters—Betsy C.H.A, Dr. Cindy, Tammy Esq., C.P.A, and Zorine R.N.—with a steady hand and unwavering faith.

Her sacrifices catapulted her daughters to achieve unimaginable accomplishments. Sixty cent-an-hour jobs did not stop her. Sleepless nights did not slow her. She was a believer in education, sending her daughters to college and later attending university herself in her 50’s at IUN, and in her 70’s at the University of Pittsburgh. Every day was Helen’s favorite day to welcome anyone into her home.

Her home was famous for hugs, hearty meals, and the kind of listening that made people feel cherished. Her kindness was active, not abstract—whether serving her church, mentoring friends, or simply telling a stranger, “Your child is wonderful.” She found joy in uplifting others with her disarming wit and empathetic heart. Helen served her church through countless roles, including recording secretary and on the nominating and cookbook committees for the St. Sava Sisters’ Circle. She was also a mother’s helper at camp, bingo kitchen volunteer, honorary choir member, and participated in various fundraising campaigns including Serb Fest volunteer up until her passing!

Left to cherish her memory are her loving sons-in-law, Jerry Davis and Rudy Labovic; her loving sister, Zorine (+V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije) Sokolovic also survives her. Helen was preceded in death by sisters: Elaine (Dr. Dusan) Zeremsky, Nancy (Gilbert) Vuyakovich and brother, Tim Vitkovich; nephews, Mark Zeremsky, Dale Vuyakovich.

Baba (grandmother) Helen found great joy in having grandchildren: Ilija, Dr. Juji (namesake Jelisaveta), Marko (Tereza), Bosiljka, Lucija, and Stana; and great grandson, Bruno—all of whom carry forward her spirit of empathy and strength. And all of whom she encouraged to honor their faith and to obtain higher education to provide for their own security and independence.

Helen (Teta Jeka) will be missed dearly by nieces: Donnelle Zeremsky, Luanne Vuyakovich, Mirjana (Milan) Damljanovic, and nephew, Toso, (Tanja) Sokolovic and their families as well as relatives, Kumovi, friends in the US, Serbia and Canada. Helen’s brilliant mind, quick wit, and open heart made her unforgettable. She chose faith and love, and in doing so, built a life that lifted everyone around her.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 p.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Luncheon immediately following funeral service at St. Sava Pavillion. Interrment Calumet Park Cemetery. Flowers or donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Helen’s name. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

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

Loretta Nickovich

Loretta A. Nickovich (nee Kwilasz) age 95, of Hobart, IN passed away peacefully on Monday, June 23, 2025, in her sleep.

Loretta “Skeeter” or “Miz Nick” was born on December 13, 1929, to Jacob and Ann Kwilasz in Gary, Indiana. She is survived by her daughter Lori (Keith) Hall, brother; John (Patricia) Kwilasz, two sisters; Pat Milich and Geraldine Prather, numerous nieces, nephews, kumovi and many other loving family members and friends. Loretta is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob”; her parents; three sisters: Celia, Edwina and Kay; and five brothers; Henry, Michael, Stanley, Joseph and Florian.

After being a stay-at-home Mom for several years, Loretta went to work as a Medical Office Manager. First for Dr. Edward M. Zucker, and then later for Dr. Raffy A. Hovanessian. Upon her retirement, Loretta then served St. Sava Serbian Orthodox as their Church Treasurer for 11 years. She was also a founding parent member of the St. Sava Youth Tamburitza Orchestra and Children’s Dance Group, a longtime member of St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle and supporting member of Karageorge Choir.

Loretta loved to “putz” around in her garden often engaging the neighborhood kids, nephews, nieces and kumovi to find interesting rocks for her Rock Garden. She, along with husband Bob, enjoyed traveling on various jaunts and journeys whether it was a Serbian Choir Concert, Tamburitza Concert, Basketball Tournament, Golf Tournament, and the Serbian Bowling tournaments or interesting locations throughout the United States.

To her dying day, Loretta was an active, life-time learner and could always be seen working on word search, word jumble, sudoku or crossword puzzle books, or playing bingo, bunco, or various card and trivia games.

Loretta was a generous contributor to many community organizations and charities. It was her wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Loretta Nickovich’s Memory to: St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral/Ross Township Food Pantry (8000 Madison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410 web site Home | Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral ); Gary Area Veteran Center (501 West Ridge Road, Gary, Indiana 46408 Gary Area Vet Center | Veterans Affairs); Sojourner Truth House (410 W. 13th Avenue, Rear Building, Gary, Indiana 46407 Home – Sojourner Truth House ); St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN 46410 Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church – Merrillville, Indiana – Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America) or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held Wednesday July 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN with Funeral Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 219-736-5840.
Loretta will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

May her memory be eternal.