The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Stella Markovich. Memory eternal.
Stella Markovich, age 89 of Chesterton passed away on May 1, 2017 at Symphony of Chesterton.
She was born on March 1, 1928 in Gary, IN to Nick and Katie Wukich, both of whom preceded her in death.
Stella graduated from Gary Froebel High School and Indiana University in Bloomington, with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career overseas, where she taught in Germany and the Netherlands.
After returning to the US, Stella worked as a teacher and a librarian in the Gary Community School Corporation and lectured on library science at Indiana University Northwest, Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University.
Stella finished out her forty-five year career in education working as coordinator for the Urban Teacher Education Program with Indiana University Northwest.
Stella is survived by her brother, Dan (Wenonah) Wukich of Chesterton; grandson, Joseph (Sean) Markovich of Valparaiso; step-son, Joseph (Remedios) Markovich of Valparaiso; nieces: Kathy (Robert) Pierce of Ogden Dunes, Donna (Timothy) Gallagher of Bristol, UK, Niki (John) Sakelaris of Porter; great nieces Hannah and Melanie Sakelaris; great nephews Nicholas Gallagher and Daniel Sakelaris, as well as many loving and cherished friends.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Markovich on July 2, 2001, her sister, Rosemary Rukavina, and brother-in-law Emil Rukavina.
Stella was an avid reader and belonged to book clubs at the Chesterton United Methodist Church and the Westchester Public Library. In addition to reading, she loved to travel and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed spending time with her wonderful neighbors at the Fifth Street Condominiums in Chesterton and also at the Duneland YMCA.
She was a member of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and the Lake County Retired Teachers Association. Stella will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The family will be hosting a celebration of Stella’s life at a later date. A special memorial service will take place immediately following the Divine Liturgy Sunday, May 7, 2017 at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Memorial donations may be given to: St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN 46410; Westchester Public Library, 200 W Indiana Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304; or to the Duneland Family YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St, Chesterton, IN 46304. Arrangements are under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton.
