General Information/News

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

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alex Mileusnic, on January 15, 2025 with his family by his side. Alex enjoyed life and was considered to be a great guy, who had a fun sense of humor, kindness, intelligence and could fix almost anything. He also had stubbornness that helped fight his battle with renal failure and recently pancreatic cancer. Sadly it was too much for him.

Alex is preceded in death by his father Milorad and his brother Mitch.

He is survived by his loving wife Kim (nee Cannon) Mileusnic of 35 years; his cherished son Nikola Mileusnic; his beloved mother June Mileusnic; and best buddy Leif; also many Cousins and Kumovi.

Alex/Tat, we will miss eating your wonderful and delicious meals, spending time watching sports and movies, traveling, working on projects and other various activities we did together. Your life gave us memories too good to forget. Lastly, we promise to carry on the Serbian Orthodox traditions that were so important to you. Love, Mum, Kim and Nikola.

An intimate funeral service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Alex’s name may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2101 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 3200, El Segundo, Califnornia, 90245 https://pancan.org/ways-to-give/ or to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St, New York, NY 10016 https://www.kidney.org/

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 friends and family of Darinka (Dara) Pejnovic. Memory eternal.

Darinka (Dara) Pejnovic 88 of Hobart Indiana, passed away at home on January 11, 2025 after living a long and fulfilling life.

Darinka was born May 13, 1936 in Selo Raduc, Lika (former Yugoslavia). She came to the U.S. in 1975 with family. She is a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle.

Darinka enjoyed knitting, gardening, baking and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had immense passion for her family.

Preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years Milan “Mile” Pejnovic, daughter Rada Josifovski, parents Milos & Soka Rutalj, brothers Mirko and Nikola, and sister Marica.

Darinka is survived by her three children Dusan (Danica) Pejnovic of Hobart, IN, Jovo (Gordana) Pejnovic of Valparaiso, IN, and Nikola (Vera) Pejnovic of Milwaukee, WI; eight dear grandchildren Sasho Josifovski, Nikola (Jelena) Pejnovic, Vesna (Clint) Konopasek, Jovica (Nicole) Josifovski, Mirjana (Sean) McBride, Michael Josifovski, Alex Pejnovic, Marko Pejnovic; four great grandchildren Luka, Emilija, Nikola, and Isabella; sister Mira Mogus. Also many other relatives, kumovi, and life long friends here and in Canada, and the former Yugoslavia.

Visitation will take place Friday, January 17, 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 will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery Merrillville, IN

For further information, please contact Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at (219) 736-5840.

May her memory be eternal.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the friends and family of Debra Rodich Zoumis. Memory eternal.

Debra Rodich Zoumis, 63, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Debra was born on October 22, 1961 in Gary, Indiana, the daughter of Pero and Violet (Medich) Rodich.

Debi graduated from Hobart High School in 1980, and then earned a Bachelors of Science Degree at Indiana University. Debi loved music and most especially loved Sting. Her devotion to her favorite rock star was as legendary as the singer himself. Her love of music led her to work in the music industry in a variety of jobs, from managing Sgt. Roxx, a local band from the late 20th century, to working briefly at WXRT.

Debi finally chose to make a career in the financial departments at Ivy Tech and The American Academy of Art in Chicago. Debra was also a long-time member of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.
Some favorite memories of Debi include her amazing culinary talents. Family and friends enjoyed many delicious Thanksgiving meals around her table.

Debra is survived by her daughter Nikki Zoumis; brother, Eli (Arleen) Rodich; sisters, Marcia (Charles) Crnoevich; Anica (Djurica) Marjanov; nieces and nephews, Michael Rodich, Nicholas (Carol) Steen, David (Sara) Rodich, Jeffery (Jill) Steen, Charles (Cydney) Crnoevich, Alexandra Crnoevich (Jackson) Huemer, Matthew (Mia) Steen, Viera Marjanov (Joel) Mora, Stevan (Monica) Marjanov; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Preceding Debra in death are parents Pero and Violet Rodich and sister Mary (Rodich) Steen.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville with a funeral service beginning at 12 noon at the chapel.

V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840. May her memory be eternal.

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

Dosta Ninkovich, 101, passed away peacefully on December 15th, 2024. Born on October 20, 1923 in Glamoc, Yugoslavia to Maksim and Stefanija Radoja.

She immigrated to the United States and settled in Gary, Indiana in 1972. Preceded in death by husband Rajko Ninkovich and stepson Mike Ninkovich. She is survived by her two step-daughters Radmila (Nick) Grubnich and Brenda (John) Brakulis, daughter-in-law Cyndi Ninkovich, grandchildren Tanya (Will) Maddocks, Eric (Lindsay) Coker, Ashlee (Bryan) Skaggs, Jessica (Sam) Porter, Matthew Ninkovich, Michael (Stacey) Ninkovich, and Jenna Brakulis, along with 7 great grandchildren, dear kumovi and friends.

Visitation will take place at 8:30 a.m. Friday, December 20 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN. Funeral services will follow at 9:00 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Sava Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois.

Dosta was a member of the Kolo Sisters and worked at St. Sava’s Hall for several years. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

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

Leslie Kljajic (nee Chandler) baptized “Alexis”, age 49 unexpectedly passed away on October 13, 2024.

Leslie is survived by her husband Ogy Kljajic; five loving children, Chase Zrnchik, Maja Kljajic, Mija Kljajic, Tijana Kljajic, Mirko Kljajic; her beloved parents Linda Chandler and Larry Chandler; siblings Larry Chandler and Carly Chandler and many other extended family members.

Visitation for Leslie will take place Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville with Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Friends may join the family in remembering Leslie at this time. May her memory be eternal.

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 friends and family of Simeon “Simo” Glumac. Memory eternal.

Simeon “Simo” Glumac, age 78, of Highland, passed away with his family by his side on September 29, 2024.

A lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Simo was deeply devoted to his faith, always volunteering to serve in as many services as he could attend. His presence and dedication to the church community were unwavering, as was his love for capturing moments through his camera lens.

Simo worked at Budd Company for 12 years. Thereafter he pursued his own business venture in photography and videography. He was a well-known photographer within his community, capturing weddings, sporting events, historic and private events throughout the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland areas.

His photographs became treasured memories for many, reflecting his deep love for his heritage and his keen eye for the beauty in everyday moments. Whether at a religious celebration or a family gathering, Simo was never far from his camera, always ensuring the significance of these events would be preserved and memorialized for future generations.

Beyond his passion for photography, Simo found joy tending to his beautiful garden at his home in Highland, IN and in helping others whenever they asked. His undeniable love for his wife, Zorka and sons, Dane and Simo, was known by all.

His gentle spirit, humor, and love for his Serbian culture and traditions left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Simo is preceded in death by his parents Dane and Jelisaveta Glumac. He is survived by his beloved wife, Zorka; his two loving sons, Danny (Sarah) Glumac and Simo Glumac; brother Luka (Nada) Glumac in Germany. His loving Kumovi Eli (Milka) Kosier and their daughters Mirjana (Branko) Jasnic and Donna (George) Dobrijevich. Many cousins and relatives both here and in Serbia, and the friends that he made throughout his life.

Visitation will take place Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, with the Funeral Service beginning at 10:00 a.m., officiated by V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic and V. Rev. Aleksandar Savic. Interment will follow at St. Sava Holy Cross Cemetery.

For further information, please contact Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at 219-736-5840.

May his memory be eternal.

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

Bogoljub Trikich, of Crown Point, Indiana formerly of Merrillville, Indiana passed away on September 17, 2024, at the age of 68.

Bogoljub was born in Drvar, Bosna to the late Nebojsa and late Dragica Trikich. He and sister Bozana immigrated with their parents to Northwest Indiana in 1968 where he lived his life. He was a graduate of Merrillville High School, class of 1975.

Bogoljub was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, participated in the folklore group, and played soccer throughout his youth.

He worked as a millwright for a short time before he founded his own businesses in construction and trucking that employed him until his retirement. He always took great pride in this.

Bogoljub was known by all that met him as a larger-than-life personality with the ability to make anyone he met laugh and feel like they were family. He was a generous and loving father, uncle, brother, son and deda. He was a man of integrity. He loved to tell stories from his youth, discuss spirituality, philosophy and politics. He celebrated life. He personified life.

In retirement, Bogoljub loved spending time with his family, especially his three grandsons, who he truly loved. He left an everlasting impression on the next generation of Trikich brothers. He will be eternally loved and missed.

Bogoljub was preceded in death by his father Nebojsa and mother Dragica.
He is survived by his sister, Bozana; his sons: Nebojsa and Cedomir; his three grandsons; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will take place Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. He will be buried at Calumet Park Cemetery immediately following the service. Father Aleksandar Novakovic officiating. 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 Gordana Nikolich. Memory eternal.

Gordana Nikolich (née Perich) age 76 of East Chicago, Indiana, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on September 12, 2024.

She was born in 1948 in Bologna, Italy, where her family had been living after being displaced from their home in Serbia during World War II. She came to Gary, Indiana, with her parents in 1950, where she lived for most of her life. Gordana graduated from Emerson High School in Gary in 1966 and went on to graduate from Indiana University Northwest. She then worked as an interpreter for thirty-five years until she retired ten years ago.

Widowed in 1997, she was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, where she had been a member of the Karageorge Choir – following in her father Milan’s footsteps. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and wonderful neighbors in the Roxana neighborhood of East Chicago, where she could often be seen sitting on her porch in the warmer months. She enjoyed gardening with her daughter Nina, raising vegetables and flowers, and looking after her grandson Elias.

She is preceded in death by her parents Milan and Mirjana Perich, and her brother Milan Perich,

Gordana is survived by her loving daughter Nina (Paul) Luka; cherished grandson Elias Moreno; dear sisters Lilly Lung and Rada (Jeff) Carlsen,; adored nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Gina (Kevin) Frey, Natalie Carlsen, Elyse Carlsen, Doug Allen, Liam Allen and Charlotte Allen; also her extended family in Serbia, dear Kumovi, Kuma Mira (Toma) Spirov, Kuma Olga (Julio) Velazquez, and many more kumovi and friends including her best friend, William Brancic.

Visitation will be Friday, September 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana, with Funeral Service beginning at 12:00 noon, V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. Daća to follow at the St. Sava Church (main) hall.

For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840. May her memory be eternal.