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Obituaries & Memorials

Lidija Subotic – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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

Lidija Subotic

Lidija Subotic (nee Ignatiev), age 95 of Hobart, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2023. Lidija was born in Russia-Ukraina in 1928 to Nikolaj and Olga (Parkevich) Ignatiev. She emmigrated to America with her husband and made their home in Hobart, IN. Lidija was a retired housewife and a dedicated member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville.

She is preceded in death by her husband Mihajlo and her parents Nikolaj and Olga.

She is survived by loving friends and caretakers.

Funeral Services will take place, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840.

Blessing of graves Memorial Day Weekend 2023

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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 27 Father Marko Matic will be blessing graves at Graceland Cemetery and Angel Crest Cemetery in Valparaiso.

Sunday, May 28 Father Marko will be blessing graves at our Holy Cross Cemetery at St. Sava Church.

Monday, May 29 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 27-29, 2023

Services offered by Saint Sava Church at the following locations:

Saturday, May 27:

  • 9:00 a.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso
  • 11:00 a.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Angel Crest Cemetery in Valparaiso

Sunday, May 28:

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

Monday, May 29:

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

Paun Stankovich – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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

Paun Stankovich

Paun Stankovich, age 83 of Crown Point, Lake of the Four Seasons, passed away peacefully, Saturday, May 6, 2023 with his family by his side. Paun is preceded in death by his parents Paun Stankovich preceded in death by parents Sima and Zivka (Stanisavljevic) Stankovich.

Paun is survived by his loving wife Smilja (Jovanovic) Stankovich;  beloved children, son Jovan (Dragana) Stankovich daughter Emily( Michael Buendia) Stankovich; cherished grandchildren, Aleksandar Stankovich, Anastasia Stankovich, Olivia Buendia; his two sisters Dusanka Petkovic and Danica Tufegdzich.

Visitation will be Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville from 12 noon to 4pm. Memorial Service will be held at 3pm, V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Final resting place for Paun will be in California with his family. For further information please call Mileva or David at (219) 736-5840.

Dragica Trikich-Spletzer – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Dragica Trikich-Spletzer. Memory eternal.

Dragica Trikich-Spletzer

Dragica Trikich-Spletzer, age 89, of Crown Point, formerly of Drvar, Bosna, passed away March 17, 2023.

She was a member of the St. Sava Circle of Serbian Sisters where she took pride in preparing foods for celebrations, and the yearly Serb Fest. She remained active with the Sisters.

Her story is that in 1968 she emigrated to the Region with her husband Nebojsa and their two children, where she found a very young Rade Petrovich and kept him close throughout her life. After the first year, Nebojsa passed at age 36. She continued to nurture her children in the Serbian community.

When both her children were settled, she married Richard. They traveled, throughout the world and often visited Vegas. They were members of the Sportsmen Club, along with her brother Milan and Carolyn Tomich. Like her father Branko, she sponsored and arranged for family members and friends to emigrate and to visit the U.S.

Dragica was known for her philanthropy. Thru her efforts, she helped to raise funds for war effort and relief for Serbian soldiers. She was able to reopen a shoe factory to make boots for them. Dragica was instrumental in rebuilding the church in her birthplace and then the re-interment of her brother Dragan on those consecrated grounds. Even in her final weeks she continued to send money to Bosna, this time to a friend in need.

Dragica was preceded in death by Nebojsa Trikich; parents- Branko and Stefanija Tomich; sister- Dusanka and Danica; also Richard Spletzer.

She is survived by her son- Bogoljub, and daughter- Bozana; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will take place Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. She will be buried at Calumet Park Cemetery next to her husband and parents. Father Marko Matic officiating. Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point entrusted with arrangements.

Join us for Zadusnice Memorial Service – Saturday, February 18 – St. Sava, Merrillville, Indiana

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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

Nada Jankowski – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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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

Nancy Buha – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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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.

Stana Jelic Djinovich – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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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

Ned M. Pujo – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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

Ned Pujo, age 83, of Portage, IN, passed away on December 12, 2022. Ned retired after working for 30 years at US Steel. He was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.

Ned was preceded in death by his wife, Yolande; son, Francis Dunn IV; parents, Milosh and Bosiljka; brothers: Rodamer and Donald; sisters: Radmila, Joan and Ruth.

He is survived by his children: Virginia (Bill) Aries, Susan Adams, Lynn (Alex) Baliga, Tim (Delia) Dunn, Tina (Eric) Hansen; grandchildren: Shelby Dunn, Zachary Adams, Griffin Dunn and Olivia Hansen; sisters: Anne Marie and Angela; dear family friend, Lisa; loving sister-in-law, Donna Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A visitation will take place Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN entrusted with arrangements.

Florence Stefanovich – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

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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.