Obituaries & Memorials

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

Radmila Jackovich, age 87 (December 15, 1929 – December 28, 2016) of Merrillville, IN passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

She was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, and an active member and past officer of its Circle of Serbian Sisters — “Kolo.” Also a member of S.S.S. – “Karageorge Choir” and the Serb National Federation.

In addition, she was a former Cub Scout Den Mother, Pop Warner Merrillville Football Booster, past Calumet High School Football Booster, retired bus attendant with the Gary Public School System. “Roddie” was well known for her delicious home- cooking and wonderful baking.

Preceded in death by her Dear Husband Alexander Jackovich; parents, Milos and Bosiljka Pujo, and her brothers: Risto, Baby Risto and Rodomer Pujo.

Radmila is survived by her three Beloved Sons: Milan (Sally) Jackovich, Milos (Debby) Jackovich, and Daniel (Desa) Jackovich; Loving grandchildren: Alexander (Stephanie) Jackovich, Sarah Jackovich, Christopher (Miranda) Jackovich, Jason Jackovich, Shelly (Jim) Cook, Petar and Danijela Jackovich; three great grandchildren, Lucas, Gavin, and Peyton; and her siblings: brothers, Nedeljko (late Kim) Pujo, and Donald Pujo; her sisters, Angeline (late Rudy) Rujevcan, Ruth (late Milan) Radjen, Joan (Leonard) Stringer, and Ann Marie Pujo; also, many other relatives, Dear lifelong Friends and many Kumovi.

Visitation will take place Monday, January 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville, IN. A Pomen Service will take place at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – DIRECTLY at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery.

May Her Memory Be Eternal! In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Sava Church. For further information please phone Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.

Maria Virijevich

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

Maria Virijevich, age 93 (April 25, 1923 – December 12, 2016), passed away on December 12, 2016.

She is survived by her daughters, Svetlana of Merrillville, Diana (John Grzeskowski) of Scherer- ville, and son Ognjan (Patricia) Virijevich of Lowell. Grandchildren: David (January), Douglas, Paul and Kristine (Tim) Koelikamp and Her six great-grandchildren. Also, two sisters, Marlene and Gerlinde–in Germany. Her Beloved Husband Milutin, preceded Her in death.

Maria was born in Kork, Germany and was employed as an X-Ray technician while her Husband served as a federal judge in his native Yugoslavia.

After World War II, she met her husband Milutin in Innsbruck, Austria, where she was employed by the French government as a translator, and he was working on his Doctorate degree in Law. They were both fluent in French, English, Serbian, and German.

They immigrated to the United States with their son Ognjan in 1949 due to the postwar political situation in his native Yugoslavia. Since her arrival in Lake County, Maria was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and its Circle of Serbian Sisters.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

A Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Interment, Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville . May Her Memory Be Eternal! For further info, please phone Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at (219) 736-5840.

Miholjka “Millie” Tomich

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

Miholjka “Millie” Tomich, age 78 (May 5, 1938 – December 3, 2016), passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

She was born May 5, 1938, in Ilovaca- Gorazde, Bosnia, to the late Ilija and Staka Herin. She came to America in 1964 to join her beloved husband. As a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, She enjoyed her years as part of St. Sava’s Circle of Serbian Sisters and catering team. Over the years, Millie always looked at her fellow ‘Red Roof Inn’ coworkers as family. Miholjka proudly became a United States Citizen. In addition to spending time with her family, she loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Vladimir “Walter” Tomich; three loving children: Nikola Tomich, Ilija (Tammy Podunovich) Tomich, and Ostoja (Natalie “Mimi”) Tomich; three cherished grandchildren: Ristan, Milan and Damjan Tomich.

She loved her siblings Vasilija Pereula, Kosa Koroman, Stana Perisic, Rajka Malesevic, Veljko Herin, Nada Kapuran and Nenad Herin in Bosnia and many other family, Kumovi and friends–both here and in Europe.

Visitation will take place Friday, December 9, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville, IN with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, DIRECTLY at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Church (9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville) with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Interment will follow in Calumet Park Cemetery. May her Memory be Eternal! For further info, please phone Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at (219) 736-5840.

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

Nikola Loncar age 95 of Hobart, IN passed away November 27, 2016.

Survived by his brother, Vlado Loncar, many nieces, nephews, Kumovi and dear friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Djurac and Jovanka Loncar; brothers: Spasoja and Stevan Loncar; and sisters: Mika Acic and Stana Vrakela.

Nikola retired from US Steel and fought in WWII as a freedom fighter for the Yugoslavian Army under General Draza Mihailovich. After the war he worked for the English Military Police before coming to the United States in 1950.

In 1966 Nikola was presented with the Commemorative War Cross in 1941-1945 of the Royal Yugoslav Army by King Peter II of Yugoslavia. He fought bravely for Christianity, the Orthodox Faith and Orthodox Church.

He was a dedicated member and benefactor of St. Sava Church since his arrival in the United States. Nikola was one of many Chetniks who volunteered during the building of St. Sava Church in Merrillville/Gary.

He was the last surviving Chetnik from St. Sava Church. He was also a member of the U.S.B.J.K.V. Draza Mihailovich Organization.

Nikola will be dearly missed by family and friends. He and his late brother Stevan never forgot their family in Yugoslavia after the war. They were always helping by providing living, education or medical expenses when needed.

May his memory be eternal.

Funeral service will take place Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Mother of God Monastery Church in Grayslake, IL with Reverend Marko Matic and Reverend Bogdan Zjalic officiating. At rest, Most Holy Mother of God Cemetery.

Visitation will take place Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home, 7607 W. Lincoln Hwy., Schererville (Rt. 30 east of Cline Ave). Pomen prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

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

John Bonich

John Bonich, age 87 of Crown Point, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016.

He is survived by wife of 61 years, Leona; three children: James (Laura) Bonich, Lara (Arnold) Uhrina, John Mathew Bonich; two grandsons: Andrew and Bruce Bonich; two brothers: Mitchell (Mary) Bonich and George (late Margaret) Bonich. Preceded in death brothers: Milton, Bob, and Ted Bonich; sisters: Martha Camisa and Mary Skorich.

John was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. He was a retired machinist from LTV Steel with 41 years of service. John was a former member of the Indiana National Guard and member of American Legion Post #777. He was a former democratic precinct committeeman and active in Lake County politics. John was self employed for seal coating and parking lot stripping, and was on a radio program where he was known as J & L John on WJOB early morning. He started the blood donor program for the American Red Cross, the mitten Tree and canned food drive at LTV Steel. John was a safety chairman for USWA.

Family and friends may call at Pruzin & Little Funeral Service (811 E. Franciscan Dr., Crown Point) Tuesday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Pruzin & Little Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with the V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. At rest, Maplewood Memorial Cemetery.

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

Danica Bayus, age 95 (January 25, 1921 – November 5, 2016) of Crown Point, IN, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2016.

She was a member of the St. Sava Serbian Church and a member of its Circle of Serbian Sisters. Danica dedicated many years of service to Mercy Hospital in Gary, IN and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, IN.

She is preceded in death by her husband- Steve; sons-in-law Barry Lanis and Harvey Dubois. Danica is survived by two daughters- Donna (Roy) Wilson, Violet (John) Cochran (Bayus/ Lanis), and many loving nieces and nephews living in the U.S. and also in Serbia.

Friends may visit with Danica’s family Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN.

Funeral service will take place Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Crown Point, IN.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Sava Serbian Church or to the St. Anthony Hospice In-Patient Unit.

See more at: http://www.burnsfuneral.com/obituaries/Danica-Bayus/#!/Obituary

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Djordje (George) Stojancevic. Memory eternal.

Djordje (George) Stojancevic, 99, passed away on October 5, 2016.

He was a hard working man who cared for his family deeply. Djordje was a retiree from U.S. Steel. He lived a full life and loved being in the outdoors and gardening. His smile could light an entire room.

He was born on May 3, 1917 and has witnessed a lifetime of change and history in this world. He fought in WWII and after the war, he worked for the English Military police before coming to the United States in 1950.

In 1966, Djordje was presented with the Commemorative War Cross 1941-1945 of the Royal Yugoslav Army by King Peter II of Yugoslavia.

Djordje was a very caring and generous man. his family was his life and he loved his family dearly. Djordje was preceded in death by loving wife Zorka. He will be loved forever and will be missed by many.

His Legacy will continue on with his family which includes one son, Edward Ilija (Dawn) Stojancevich; two daughters: Donna (Cecil) Strydom and Millie (Carlos) Melendez; five grandchildren: Edward (Denise) Stojancevich, Elizabeth (Anthony) James, Joseph Strydon, Christopher (Lyndsay) Melendez, and Stephanie Melendez; three great-grandchildren: Avery James, Ariana Stojancevich and Cameron Stojancevich. Djordje was also expecting another great-grandchild in November.

Funeral Service will take place Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. directly at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi in Merrillville with Rev. Marko Matic officiating. At rest Most Holy Mother of God Cemetery in Grayslake, IL.

Friends are invited to visit with Djordje’s family Monday, from 3:00 till 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home, 7607 West Lincoln Highway in Schererville (Rt. 30 E of Cline Ave.). Pomen prayer service Monday evening will begin at 7:00 p.m.

It will be the little things that we will remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, and the laughter. The memories of these little things will help push away the pain and bring back the smiles again. Djordje will forever be in our hearts and will not be forgotten. Remember Djordje for the full life that he lived and how he impacted our lives. “Some people in life touch your heart, while others become a part of it.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. He was a member of the St. Sava Church and the S.N.F. Lodge, Serbian National Defense, and the U.S.B.J.K.V. Draza Mihailovich Organization.

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

Monchill Dakich, age 84 (September 9, 1932 – October 3, 2016), passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2016.

He is survived by his brother, Milan (Edith) Dakich; nephews: Peter (Karen) Dakich, Mark Dakich, David (Melissa) Dakich; great niece: Julia Dakich; great-nephews: James Dakich and Christopher Dakich.

Monchill graduated from Emerson High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army where he was in a Military Band and played the trombone. He attended Goodman Theatre and graduated from Columbia College. Monchill was active in Community Theatre. He went on to retire from U. S. Steel-Gary Works. He was a member of St. Sava Serbian Church, American Legion Post 54 in Hobart and Serb National Federation.

Monchill will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral Service will take place Friday, October 7, 2016, 10:30 a.m. with the V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit with the family Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until the time of Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m.

For info please call 219-736-5840.

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

Danica Ostojic, age 92 of Crown Point passed away September 23, 2016. Danica was a member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church since her arrival here in the US. Danica was retired from St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart with several years of service in the Dietary Department. She loved to sew, garden, and cook. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved her crepes “palacinke” immensely. She loved her family very much.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Djuro Ostojic; and her parents Stevo and Sara Ladjevic. She is survived by her two children: son, Rade (Nada) Ostojic of Crown Point, daughter, Radmila (Branko) Susnjara of Sydney, Australia; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; and many other Kumovi, Prijatelji, friends and family both here and in the former Yugoslavia.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, September 27, 2016 directly at 10:30 a.m. at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to the time of service Tuesday at the church. For further information please call Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at 219-736-5840.

Mirko Dobrijevic

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

Mirko Dobrijevic, age 58 (April 21, 1958 – July 28, 2016) 0f Crown Point, IN passed away unexpectedly Thursday July 28, 2016.

Mirko was born in Sibenik, Yugoslavia to Petar and Danica (Kalik) Dobrijevic, who preceded him in death. He immigrated to the United States in 1998 during very difficult and tragic times in the homeland.

Since his arrival, he became a very active member of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral and was a regular participant on its barbeque crew. In addition Mirko was also an active member at St. Sava Church and served as complex custodian.

Surviving is his wife Nada Dobrijevic; his two daughters: Kristina and Biljana Dobrijevic; one Son Dejan (Meri) Dobrijevic; two brothers: Jovan and Spiro Dobrijevic; one sister, Anka Domitrovic; and many relatives in Europe.

Friends may visit with the family Sunday, July 31, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 7535 Taft St. Merrillville, IN 46410. A Pomen Service will be at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be directly at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi St. Merrillville, IN. 46410 Monday August 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with V. Rev. Marko Matic and V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic officiating.

For further information, please call Savich and Semplinski Directors of Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840.