General Information/News

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.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the friends and family of Danilo Radusin “Brko”. Memory eternal.

Danilo Radusin “Brko”, age 74 passed away peacefully, with this family by his side on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

Brko was born on April 5, 1950 in Gracac and moved to the United States in 1974. He was a Union Painter with Local 460 before his retirement in 2012. He was a proud member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and avid soccer player who also loved to hunt, fish and build things. Brko looked forward to growing his garden every year. After his retirement he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, relaxing while drinking his beer. He lived his life to the fullest, everyone he met loved him and he loved everyone.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother and numerous friends.

Brko is survived by his 5 loving children, Daniyela, Nicole, Mara, Alex and Lauren; 10 adored grandchildren, Daniel, Robert, Julia, Audriana, Nicholas, Anthony, Milan, Brandon, Brianna, Mischa, and 1 special great-granddaughter Ana. He is also survived by family both here and abroad and his lifelong family friends The Pejnovic Family.

Brko will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. We will never forget his signature saying “BETTER BELIEVE IT”. Memory Eternal our dear Brko. Memory Donations may be made to the family.

Visitation will take place Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville, IN 46410 with a Pomen Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating.

Funeral Services will take place Friday directly at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville. Interment at Holy Cross St. Sava Cemetery. 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 friends and family of Dane Pokrajac. Memory eternal.

Dane Pokrajac, a former United Auto Workers union steward and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away July 26, 2024, just shy of his 94th birthday. Dane’s incredible mind and strong, warm-hearted spirit remained plainly in evidence his entire life up through when he passed away surrounded by his family last Friday.

Dane was born in 1930 in the village of Raduc, Lika County, Croatia in the former Yugoslavia. Dane grew up with his mother Boja ✝, brothers Ilija ✝ and Jovan ✝, and sister Neda ✝ in their village in the shadow of the Velebit Mountains as his father Dane ✝ worked in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania to bring the family to America. Dane’s roots in Aliquippa go back well over a hundred years to when his grandfather first came to work in Aliquippa’s steel mills, one of many Serbs who forged the coming American Century in the steel mills of Western Pennsylvania.

Dane endured great tragedy at a young age when war broke out with the invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941. After losing his home and his brother Ilija, Dane lived for four years through a hellish civil war enveloped within a global conflict that brought German, Italian, Croatian, Partisan, and Chetnik forces through the idyllic mountainside he called home. Along with his family, and the family of his childhood friend Mara Pejnovic, Dane survived those four years in the Velebit Mountains. He often spoke of how narrowly he escaped death and how lucky he was to survive past adolescence.

Following the war, Dane served as a police officer in Yugoslavia for six years before immigrating to America. In 1958, he and Mara joined Dane’s father just outside of Aliquippa in Monaca, Pennsylvania where Dane’s father built and operated a general store.

Dane and Mara then moved to Gary, Indiana where Dane became a union steward for the United Auto Workers at the Budd Company automotive plant. With so many from the former Yugoslavia working at the plant, Dane proved invaluable in resolving disputes between employees and the company and helping his fellow workers obtain their part of the American dream. His fair-minded and gentlemanly approach earned him universal respect from everyone he met; he had an uncommon ability to explain his side of an issue while always maintaining respect and courtesy towards the other.

It was in the Glen Park neighborhood of Gary that Dane and Mara raised their son Ned ✝ and daughter Milena. Through their hard work and sacrifice, Dane and Mara built a storybook life for their family that was filled with activity, including baseball games, music, and church dances; and put their children through college—something they could only have dreamed of when they were young.

Part of a generation that believed in community and making sacrifice for the benefit of posterity, Dane and Mara devoted substantial time and energy to the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. In addition to helping with numerous Church events and fundraisers, Dane served on the Church Board, including during the construction of the Church building in Hobart after fire destroyed the Church’s previous location in Gary. Dane also served for many years as President of the local order of the Organization of Serbian Chetniks Ravna Gora. Always cognizant of the great sacrifices made during the war, Dane was sure to remind his family and community of the incredible story that brought them here.

In the 1980s, Dane’s job at the Budd Company plant was eliminated as globalization wreaked havoc on the American auto industry. This was, however, a blessing in disguise, as it came just before Dane’s grandchildren were born and allowed Dane to spend the next four decades imparting his love and wisdom upon them. Dane made priceless memories with his grandchildren in the years that followed, getting to see a number of sporting events and graduations and travel with his grandchildren across the country. He even lived to become a great-grandfather to two beautiful great-granddaughters.

Dane led a remarkable life that cannot be described adequately in words or pictures. He endured unimaginable challenges and persevered through unthinkable tragedy. He experienced unadulterated hatred, yet lived with endless love and compassion. He loved sharing stories, jokes, and perspectives with everyone. He cherished nature, especially the cherry tree planted by his father. He valued learning, patience, and a job well done. He enjoyed 70 years of marriage with his wife Mara. He was a chess champion and taught the game to his grandchildren. He helped build a family, a community, and a country where the middle class thrived. He was the epitome of the Greatest Generation.

Dane is survived by his wife Mara; daughter Milena and son-in-law Nick; grandchildren Marko, Marissa, Nina, Dean, and Nick; great-grandchildren Mia and Nora; nieces Neda, Jovanka, and Sladjana and nephews Danilo, Dusko, Jovica, Nick, and Milan. Through his grateful family and friends, his memory lives on. Vecnaja Pamjat.

Funeral services will take place Thursday, August 1, 2024 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. with funeral service beginning at noon. Following interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, the family invites all to St. Sava for a luncheon in memory of Dane.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dane’s memory may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church https://www.saintsava.net/donate/ (www.saintsava.net/donate). For further information please contact 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 friends and family of Stana Shesto. Memory eternal.

Stana Shesto, age 92 of Crown Point, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

She is survived by her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Linda Shesto (Robert Robertson), nephew, Branko (Tanja) Karapandza and niece, Dusica Karapandza and many other relatives, Kumovi and dear friends both here and abroad. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mike, her parents, Nikola and Stoja, and her brothers and sisters, Dragan, Milan, Pero, Mirko and Vasilija.

Stana was born in the former Yugoslavia. She emigrated to the United States in 1968. Stana was a gifted seamstress, extraordinary cook, talented baker and skilled gardener. Her baked goods and meals were more than just food-they were expressions of her love and care. Family and friend gatherings were always filled with the comforting aroma of her cooking. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, creativity, and warmth.

Stana was a lifelong and very active member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and the St. Sava Circle of Serbian Sisters (Kolo Sestara). Stana will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Vecnaja Pamjat.

Funeral Services will take place Thursday, July 25, 2024 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 a.m. Very Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.

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 friends and family of Jeffrey Evans. Memory eternal.

Jeffrey David Evans, age 74, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Jeff was born on February 28, 1950, to the late Kenneth and Bernice Evans. He was a graduate of Lake Central High School, class of 1968. He spent his 32 year long career working for Pepsi Cola of Munster, IN.

As a young retiree, he spent much of his time golfing, achieving a Hole in One at Palmira Golf Club, traveling within the states, studying and admiring airplanes, attending the Indy 500 year after year, cheering on the Chicago Cubs as a true Chicagoan does, and cruising in his red 1979 T-top Corvette.

Jeff was a devoted family man, who never skipped out on a good game of cards and dessert around the table. He succeeded in maintaining contact with his family and friends no matter where they lived. He had a quick wit and a heart of gold. Jeff will be truly missed by all the many lives he touched.

Jeff is survived by: The love of his life, his beloved wife of 36 years, Mira (Mirjana Mileusnic); Daughter, Tammy (David) Kistler of St. John, IN; Grandson and the joy of his life, Nathan Kistler; Brother, Richard (Jane) Evans of Valparaiso, IN; Sister, Nancy (Pete) Bloomfield of Australia; Brother, Dan (Kim) Evans of Hartland, WI; Brother-in-law, Mitch (Sonja) Mileusnic; numerous nieces, nephews and their spouses and families, along with Kumovi.

Visitation will take place Friday, July 5, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St. Merrillville, IN with a Pomen Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will take place Saturday, July 6, 2024 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN at 10:00 a.m., friends may pay respects between 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Sava Holy Cross Cemetery, Merrillville. May Jeff’s Memory be Eternal.

For any further information please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Cemetery, (219) 736-5840.

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

Vera Krasich, age 87, passed away on June 6, 2024, peacefully in her home surrounded by her two daughters. She is preceded in death by the love of her life of 59 years, Ilija Krasich, and her first-born daughter, Julie Santucci.

Vera was born in Grotte, Sicily on June 27, 1936, to parents, Giovanni and Francesca Cimino. She married in July of 1953 to Ilija, and eight months later she traveled to a country where she would start a new life. This new life brought her a loving providing husband, four beautiful children, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

She had a love for cooking, baking, gardening, and most importantly her family. Her heart was filled with unconditional love, kindness, and compassion. She was a hard worker, devoted wife, loving mother, generous grandmother, and a gentle great-grandmother. She will always be the heart and soul of the family, and with each day we will carry that within ourselves.

She is survived by her second daughter, Francesca (Louie) Varela, son, John (Mary) Krasich, and youngest daughter, Joann (Joseph) Serpico; nine grandchildren: Angela (Lynn) Powell, Michael (Lauren) Mitrevski, Anthony (Katie) Santucci, Maryanne Mitrevski, Rachel (Chris) Krasich-Ward, Kristina ( Kyle) Krasich, John (Jordan) Krasich, Christian (Michelle) Serpico, and Emily (Carlos) Font; ten great-grandchildren: Logan and Hunter Mitrevski, Amanda and Zoey Powell, Amelia Santucci, Caleb Mitrevski, Anthony Santucci Jr., Riley Krasich, Vera Ward, and Ilija Krasich.

A visitation will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Indiana. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana. Rev. Marko Matic officiating.

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

Sunday, May 26 Father Marko will be blessing graves at our Holy Cross Cemetery at St. Sava Church.

Monday, May 27 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 25-27, 2024

Services offered by Saint Sava Church at the following locations:

Saturday, May 25:

• 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 26:

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

Monday, May 27:

• 10:00 a.m. – Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville
• 1:30 p.m. –  Memorial Service and blessing of graves at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Gary

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

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Milutin Miljus, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, on May 20, 2024. Born in the former Yugoslavia on April 4, 1954, Milutin immigrated to the United States in 1974, where he dedicated himself to building a new life and future for his family.

Milutin is survived by his loving wife, Radmilla Miljus, and their four children: Milutin Michael Miljus Jr., Slobodan Steve Miljus and his wife, Nicole Marie Miljus, Miroslav Mark Miljus, and Marina Belski and her husband, Kyle Belski. He was a proud grandfather to Evie Grace Miljus, daughter of Milutin Michael Miljus Jr.; Mason Aleksandar Miljus, Madelyn Nicole Miljus, Nicholas John Miljus, and Jacob Maksim Miljus, children of Slobodan Steve Miljus and Nicole Marie Miljus, whom Milutin considered his second daughter. His sister, Radmilla Djilas, and his nephew, Stevo Djilas. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Petar and Mirjana Miljus, and his brother, Ilija Miljus.

Milutin was a dedicated member of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. He worked diligently for over 40 years at the ArcelorMittal Steel Mill, and in his off time, he renovated homes with his sons. He found great joy in spending time with them productively while teaching them the value of hard work. Just last month, he proudly walked his beloved daughter, Marina, down the aisle at her wedding. Having recently retired, Milutin chose to spend his golden years surrounded by his cherished grandchildren. Their laughter and activities brought him immense joy, and his love for them was boundless.

Milutin’s journey from Yugoslavia to America was marked by resilience, hard work, and a profound love for his family. His legacy is one of strength and unwavering dedication to those he loved.

Milutin Miljus will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville with Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 a.m. V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating.  Interment St. Sava Holy Cross Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840. Vecnaja Pamjat.