Obituaries & Memorials

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Ann “Anka” V. Rudman. Memory eternal.

Ann “Anka” V. Rudman

Ann “Anka” V. Rudman, age 92 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 16, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, past president of St. Sava Serbian Sisters’ Circle, supporting member of Karageorge Choir & Historical Society.

Ann was born in Gary, IN and moved to Valparaiso when she married her husband Theodore, a farmer. She was a dedicated mother of seven daughters and grandmother of two. As a woman of many talents, she found the most enjoyment in sewing, baking, cooking, painting and teaching others her crafts. She had a profound love for family, friends and the church, all of which she kept very close to her heart. As a sports enthusiast, you could find her and Ted at Purdue football and basketball games.

She is preceded in death by her husband Theodore Rudman; parents Marko & Bosiljka Vrtikapa; brothers Richard (Polly), Mirko (Jeri), Gordon and Steve (Judy); sisters Olga (Ted) Vukelich, and Dessa (John) Bogosian. Survived by her seven daughters, Jolynn (John Derado), Tami, Kim (Aaron Graves), Danella, Carla (Bodo) Gajevic, Marissa (Ray Rub), and Jennifer Rudman; two grandchildren, Gabriella and Max Gajevic; brother John (Sue) Vrtikapa; and sister Milena (+George) Rudman; dear in-law Maria (+Ken) Dubie; Kumovi Millie (+Pete) Zakula and many nieces, nephews, extended family and cherished friend Florence Stefanovich.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN, V. Rev Marko Matic officiating with funeral service immediately following. A private burial will be held. May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Pavilion Fund would be much appreciated – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online form. 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 Vladimir “Walter” Tomich. Memory eternal.

Vladimir “Wally” Tomich fell asleep in the lord on Sunday, January 16, 2022 in Hobart, Indiana. Born in Orahovac, Bosna on April 30, 1938.

He loved fishing, photography, and football “futbal”. A graduate of Emerson High School’s class of 1961 where he excelled at many sports. He enjoyed performing music and cruising with his band-mate.

Regular donor and volunteer at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Festivals and events.  44 years of tenacious work ethic during his personal time as well as at US Steel Plate Mill from which he retired.

Preceded in death by his devoted wife of 53 years Miholjka (nee Herin), his father Risto, mother Stoja (nee Cosovic), and brother Tihomir “Cheech.”

Valdimir is survived by his three sons; loving father of Nikola, Ilija (Tammy Podunovich), and Ostoja (Natalie “Mimi” nee Pastar) Tomich; his three grandsons who he was very fond of  “Djedo” of Ristan, Milan, and Damjan; his siblings,  Alex and Alexandra;

Sisters and Brother-in-law; Mary (nee Persley, Tihomir) Tomich, Michelle (nee Foster) Tomich, Bob (Alexandra) Jeka; nieces and nephews Tommy (Dianne), Sandy, and Marko Tomich; Angelia and Gabriel Jeka; and many other Kumovi, prijatelje,  both here and in Europe. May His Memory Be Eternal.

Visitation will take place Friday, January 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN. Funeral Services will take place at 9:30 a.m. with V. Rev Marko Matic Officiating.

Interment Calumet Park 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 family of Jeka Kolundzija. Memory eternal.

Jeka Kolundzija, age 87 of Hobart, passed away Friday, January 7, 2022.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 930am, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN. Funeral Service will begin at 10am, V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Memory Lane Cemetery, Schererville.

For further information please call Mileva or Dave 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 Julio Cesar Velazquez. Memory eternal.

Julio Cesar Velazquez, age 73 of Portage IN, passed away on Thursday October 14, 2021. He lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived. He retired with over 30 years of service as a licensed clinical social worker.

He was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, and a former coach/board member of the Portage Soccer Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Julio Velazquez Sr. and sister Rosemary Cothran. Survived by wife Olga (nee Galic) of 43 years; sons: Adam (Christine) and Daniel (Kelly) Velazquez; grandchildren: Mara, Charlie, and Nick Velazquez; Brothers, Bob (Mary) and Jim (Julie) Velazquez; aunts: Maria Miller and Libia Pabon.

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, sister and brothers-in-law, cousins, dear Kumovi, and CLOSE friends.

Julio was gentle, kindhearted, and full of life. He brought humor to any gathering and prided himself on his ability to bring joy/laughter to others. The “Sugar Bear” was always there when you needed him, never met a stranger, and LOVED his family. In the end, Julio fought his health battles with tenacity and immense courage. He will be missed by all who knew him. May his Memory be Eternal.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11am St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with V. Rev Marko Matic Officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, 11:00 a.m. Interment St Sava Holy Cross Cemetery, Merrillville. May his Memory be Eternal. 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 Radmilo “Rade” Radojcic. Memory eternal.

Age 83, of Crown Point, Indiana.  Born on the 23rd of September, 1938 in Kragujevac, Serbia.  Loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Friday October 8th.  Radmilo emigrated to the U.S. in 1965, became a U.S. citizen, and established roots in Northwest Indiana.  He was a retired steelworker with 37 years of service at U.S. Steel, Gary Works.

Radmilo was a member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana and was well-known in the community.  A lifelong soccer enthusiast, he was also a member of Avala Soccer Club for many years and enjoyed playing in his youth, as well as coaching and staying active.  After retirement, Radmilo stayed busy by gardening and tending to his large fruit orchards with his wife Mimi.  When he wasn’t busy with his horticultural interests, he would care for his honey bees and enjoyed his retirement hobby of beekeeping.  Being a life-long learner and doer, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paun and Borika Radojicic.  He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Milovanka “Mimi” Radojicic, his sons Milan, Nenad (Tami) and Tomislav as well as his grandchildren Stevan (18) and Tijana (15).  Radmilo also had an extensive network of family and friends in Serbia and here in the U.S.  He was well loved and will be dearly missed by many.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, October 13, 2021 directly at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191  Mississippi St, Merrillville, with V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment New Gracanica Cemetery, Third Lake, Illinois. 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 Nedeljka “Nena” Marinkovich. Memory eternal.

Nedeljka “Nena” Marinkovich, age 93, of Crown Point, IN passed away peacefully on October 4, 2021. She was lifelong member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and it’s Kolo Sestara. She served her church and Kolo Sestara faithfully with joy in her heart. You saw her working every banquet, funeral and Serb Fest. She loved her church and it’s people dearly. Her love for the Karageorge Choir of St Sava was immeasurable. Nena retired from St Mary Medical Center in Gary, IN with over 15 years of dedicated service in the housekeeping department.

She was preceded in death by her siblngs: Marija, Milica, Dragan and Sava.

Nena is survived by her beloved son Milan (Rada) Marinkovich; two cherished grand children, Milan Jr and Aleksandra Marinkovich (fiancé Nicholas); sister Milka of Germany, Niece Mitzie (Zarko) Zakula and family, nephew Danny Ivankovich and family; and her dear Kuma Stana Djinovich and family; and many other relatives and friends both here and in Europe.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2021 directly at 10am St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Holy Cross St Sava Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Nena will be fondly remembered and dearly missed. Vecnaja Pamjat.

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

*Due to the Covid-19 virus that has sadly affected the family, we are requesting all precautionary measures be taken including face coverings – masks to be worn indoors at the funeral and social distancing to protect everyone. Thank you.*

Donald Potrebic

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

Donald Potrebic, age 81, born November 4, 1939 in Gary, IN to Peter and Olga Potrebic (nee Trbovich), passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, peacefully at home.

Don was a loving and devoted husband to his late wife Ellen (nee Conway) for 46 years, and a loving and proud Dad to Heather and his late son Nick. His grandchildren, Taylor, Nicole and Tyler Nicholas were his ultimate joys. He loved his family more than anything in this world; nothing ever came before his family. He loved music and loved to dance.

Don is survived by his daughter, Heather Isley of Hobart; his granddaughter, Taylor Reid of Colorado and his grandson, Tyler Reid of Valparaiso; his nephews: Ron (Shaina) Potrebic, Mike (Lisa) Bilkey, Scott (Kim) Bilkey, and Patrick Conway, his nieces: Donna (Stacy) Adams, Rhonda (Kevin) Curtis, Karen (Lee) Jones and Beth (Patrick) Eder; sister-in-laws: Barb Potrebic and Kaye Conway; lifelong best friends, his “Barbara Ann” and Bill Gallo; and several great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews and many friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen (Len); parents, Peter and Olga Potrebic; and son, Nick (Donald Nicholas);brother, Ron Potrebic; brother-in-law, James Conway; mother-in-law, Catherine Conway and father-in-law, George Conway.

Don was an avid sports fan and a graduate of Hobart High School, class of 1957. He lived by the motto “once a Brickie, always a Brickie”.

Don enjoyed politics and helping his community serving on the Hobart City Council for 8 years before moving on to County Council serving for another term. Don proudly served in the United States Army 101st Airborne as a paratrooper and medic and worked at US Steel in the 84-inch hot strip mill as a roller for 44 years before he retired.

Don lived a very full and active life. He is loved and missed so very much for his sense of humor, his kindness and love.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at BURNS FUNERAL HOME, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. Funeral Service will take place on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.