General Information/News

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.

With the weekend of Memorial Day approaching, let us remember all of the departed from this life, their names and their deeds, and let us rededicate ourselves to work for peace and good will and love among all people.

Beginning Saturday, May 24 Father Marko Matic will be blessing graves at Graceland Cemetery and Angel Crest Cemetery in Valparaiso.

Sunday, May 25 Father Marko will be blessing graves at our Holy Cross Cemetery at St. Sava Church.

Monday, May 26 Father Marko will be blessing graves at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville and Oak Hill Cemetery in Gary. The complete list of times is available below.

In these days when so much is said about the high cost of living, it is fitting to pause on Memorial Day and acknowledge the great price that thousands of others have paid that we might live in this land of freedom, the United States of America.

Memorial Day came as a result of Civil War. This was America’s greatest war – in the lives that were lost, in the issues and principles at stake, in the fact that it was fought on American soil, and in the results that have come from it. American Land flowed red with blood in this terrible conflict. It was fitting that a solemn day of memory be set aside for such a conflict as that.

Just as the Jewish people have their feast of Passover to remind them of their freedom from Egyptian bondage, so America has its Memorial Day to remind us of the Salvation and rebirth of the United States as a free nation.

Since that time, Memorial Day has become a national holiday to honor the dead of all wars. Even more, it has become a day in which fitting remembrance is made of all of our relatives, kumovi and friends who rest in peace.

On this Memorial Day Weekend, let us remember all of the departed from this life, their names and their deeds, and let us rededicate ourselves to work for peace and good will and love among all people.

Memorial Day Weekend May 24-26, 2025

Services offered by Saint Sava Church at the following locations:

Saturday, May 24:

• 11:30 a.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso
• 1:00 p.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Angel Crest Cemetery in Valparaiso

Sunday, May 25:

• Memorial Service and blessing of graves at Saint Sava Church Cemetery immediately after Holy Liturgy (approximately 12:00 p.m.)

Monday, May 26:

• 10:00 a.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville
• 1:30 p.m. –  Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Gary

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

Milorad “Mike” Gazibara

Milorad “Mike” Gazibara, age 70, passed away on April 22, 2025. Mike was born in Donji Skrad, Karlovac, Kordun to parents, Stevan and Mara Gazibara. At an early age, he came to Pancevo, Serbia with his parents and finished auto-mechanic school there and worked at the Utva Company in Pancevo.

At age 18, he lost his father, which took a toll on him as he felt responsible for his mother and younger brother of 7 years, Zeljko. Milorad, at age 22, met the love of his life, Ljiljana. They had been dating for 2 years when his mother invited him to join her in the United States in 1979.

He arrived in the USA for a visit, but later decided to stay. One year later, he brought his then girlfriend, Ljiljana, to join him. They were married on December 6, 1980, and have been together and married 45 years. Milorad and Ljiljana were blessed with three loving children and 6 amazing grandchildren. His greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren.

Milorad loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. Each of them have been the brightest lights of his life. He was extremely proud of all their achievements such as all three of them graduating college, earning their degrees, and working very hard to do so. He was equally as proud watching his children excel at each of their careers.

He was a humble man yet very proud watching his children build their beautiful and successful lives. He was known for always saying, “I came to the USA for my kids to succeed in life”, and they did. Mike loved everything in life from working on cars, fixing everything (he was a very handy man), cooking, gardening, and playing chess.

In 2014, he had a very bad accident at his place of employment, which led to the amputation of part of his left arm. That didn’t stop him though, as he would continue all the things he did before. He even built the deck by himself with the right hand and the left hand with a hook on it while doing so. His character was very strong and he was an extremely hard working man.

He was always on the go to do something. He was inspiring to others who knew him as he didn’t let the hard hurdles in life slow him down. He was a cherished member of his family and community, known for his kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Milorad is preceded in death by his parents, Stevan and Mara Gazibara, and his brother, Zeljko.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Ljiljana Gazibara; his three beloved children, Danijela (Jeremy) Kimball, Tanja (Tony) Trainor, and Steven (Donnie) Gazibara; 6 adored grandchildren, Annabel, Josie and Luka. Also surviving Mike are many other family members in Pancevo, Serbia.

Visitation for Milorad will take place Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville with Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. V. Rev Marko Matic Officiating. Internment Holy Cross St. Sava Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840. May Milorad now soar with God’s angels. Vecnaja Pamjat.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the friends and family of Stojanka “Stella’ Suvajac. Memory eternal.

Stojanka “Stella’ Suvajac

Stojanka “Stella’ Suvajac, age 82 of Crown Point, passed away March 13, 2025 peacefully with her family by her side. Stojanka immigrated to the United States in November 1966 with her family. She was a lifelong member of St. George East Chicago & St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Merrillville, IN.

Stojanka was employed by Anderson Co.  (ANCO) for 25 years. Her hobbies were gardening, exercising, and cooking. She also appreciated her flowers and took pleasure in watching them bloom. She cherished spending time with her family and preparing a variety of meals for them to enjoy.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ostoja, her parents Gospava & Cedomir Milankovic and brother Zarko Milankovic.

Stojanka is survived by her brother Slavko Milankovic from Futog Serbia, her two beloved children, daughter Ljilijana (Lilly) Trkulja, son Srecko Suvajac; loving grandchildren Mirjana (Nenad) Milosevic, Milorad (Dejana) Trkulja; precious great grandchildren Andrej & Atina Trkulja.

Visitation will be held Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10am at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville with funeral service starting at 11am. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Internment Calumet Park Cemetery. May her memory be eternal. For further information please contact Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 219-736-5840.