Sunday School at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana is ready to begin Sunday, September 11, 2022. Classes take place every Sunday, along with special extra activities from now through May 2023.
Now is a great time to register at the link below:
Click here to sign-up online with the “SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM”
The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Florence Stefanovich. Memory eternal.
Florence Stefanovich, age 94, passed away on August 28, 2022. A long-time resident of Valparaiso, she was born in Macedonia and immigrated as a young girl with her family to Gary, Indiana.
A graduate of Lew Wallace High School, Florence worked her entire career, 45 years, with the Lake Mortgage Company where she helped manage commercial lending.
Florence was a devoted daughter and caregiver to her father, Clement, who predeceased her as did her mother, Mary. Florence was also preceded in death by her brother, Steve (Rose) Stephan and brother Charles (Catherine) Stephan, as well as nephew, Jeffery Stephan.
Florence was an exceptionally loving and caring aunt to her nephews. She is survived by nephews James Stephan of Schererville, Mark (Kimberly) Stephan of Carmel, Bill (Carol) Stephan of Carmel, and Bob (Rebecca) Stephan of Munster, as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.
Florence was also cherished by the family of Ann and Theodore Rudman whom she considered extended family, and she was ever grateful to her kind neighbors for their generous assistance to her.
Florence was a devoted member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church for over 75 years and the family requests donations be made to the church in lieu of flowers – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online form.
Funeral services will take place at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel in Merrillville on Friday, September
2 with a calling and services beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Calumet Park
Cemetery.
The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Martha Roknich Lash. Memory eternal.
Martha Roknich Lash
Martha Roknich Lash age 79, of Grosse Ile Michigan, formerly of Northwest Indiana, passed away August 16, 2022 at her home.
Martha was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, its Kolo Sestara, Choir and worked at the St. Sava Church for many years.
Graduate of Lew Wallace High School and went to IU Bloomington for several years.
Preceded in death by her parents Matjia and Mildred Roknich, sister Sandra Furto and her brother Robert Millich
Survived by her three loving children: Mark Lash, DrDarcy Lash (Cody Muller), Jamie (Jaclyn) Lash; Grandchildren, Nikola Lash, Joseph Lash, Chloe Lash, Allyson Lash and Aidan Ilg Sister-in-Law Dori Lakich, niece Dawn Dikun (Ray) and Jana Maric(Mirko), Kumovi Linda Trkulja and Deena Galich
Martha loved traveling, theater and sports and would be glued to the TV every year during the NCAA March Madness tournament. She grew up in Gary, Indiana and was a very proud first generation Serbian American. In her youth she attended Serbian camp every year. Later, as a young adult she coached the women’s Serbian basketball team for several years.
However, she will be remembered for her love of her family and her church. She was known by everyone for her strong work ethic and managed Old Mill Pizzeria for many years before finding her way back to St. Sava. At St. Sava, she was in charge of catering, bookkeeping, Serb Fest and many events planned through the church.
Overall, her family was the most important thing to her. If they needed her she would drop everything and go wherever she was needed. When her children were young, Marcie was known for coaching her children’s sports teams and attending various sporting events they were involved in. She was also involved in school activities and later continued this level of involvement with her grandchildren. She did everything she could to attend family functions all over the world. Any event her family was involved in she was sure to show up regardless of how far she had to travel.
She was well known for her tight hugs, and her sincere, genuine love of life and laughter. She held tight to her Serbian traditions but marched to the beat of her own drum and lived for the moment. She will be forever dearly missed by her family and many other close friends and relatives.
Visitation will take place Monday, August 22, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services and visitation will take place Tuesday, August 23 10-11:00 a.m. (visitation) with services at 11:00 a.m. directly at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville with V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment Holy Cross (St. Sava) Cemetery. For further information, please call Mileva or David at 219-736-5840.
The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Very Rev. Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic. Memory eternal.
Very Rev. Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic was born on August 30, 1938 in Gredjani, Yugoslavia, to the late Sava and Stojanka Zjalic.
Very Reverend Stavrophor Bogdan Zjalic
He immigrated to Canada where, in 1962, with the blessings of the late Right Reverend Bishop Sava (Sarcevic) of Edmonton to enroll into the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY. In 1969, he was ordained a priest and was blessed in marriage to Melanija Radisic and 3 children (Sava, Vera and Stefan).
During his time in Canada and in the US, V. Rev. Bogdan Zjalic was instrumental in organizing and establishing numerous Serbian Orthodox Church congregations and affiliated organizations. He personally felt that his accomplishments were made possible by the intervention of God’s grace, Wisdom and Love. Throughout his service to God and the Serbian Orthodox Church, he has touched many lives with love, patience and spirituality. He peacefully passed to be with the Lord on August 16, 2022. Memory Eternal.
Visitation will take place Friday, August 19, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN with a Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. with Gospel and Psalm readings following Pomen Service. V. Rev Marko Matic officiating.
Divine Liturgy Saturday, August 20, 2022 will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Funeral Service to follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment Holy Cross (St. Sava) Cemetery. Memorial luncheon will follow in the Pavilion at St. Sava 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 family of Theodore Erceg. Memory eternal.
Theodore Erceg
Theodore Erceg, 91, of Chesterton, Indiana, formally of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, August 5, 2022. Ted, the youngest of five siblings, was born August 9, 1930 in the Kirk Yard neighborhood of Gary, Indiana.
After graduation from Horace Mann High School in 1948, Ted enlisted in the United States Army. A member of the Chosin Few, Ted served as a high-speed radio operator in six campaigns during the Korean War. Upon returning home, Ted attended Indiana University and worked in the building trades. He then had a successful 36-year career in hospital/pharmaceutical sales. In 2003, Ted was hired by Valparaiso Public Schools as Director of Public Information.
Ted was a faithful, life-long member of St. Sava Church, where he served as church board president for six terms. He was most proud of the new church, where he had the honor of laying the first foundation block in 1986 and the last stone in 1991. Ted was also a founding member of the St. Sava Historical Society.
Writing was a passion for Ted. He was a regular contributor to Serb World, USA. In 1995, Ted published his book, With Pious Gravity, a biography of St, Sava volunteers in World War I, Its inclusion in the Library of Congress was a crowning achievement. In 2008, Ted was the recipient of the “Distinguished Hoosier Award” from Governor Mitch Daniels.
An avid sports enthusiast, Ted enjoyed working as a high school football referee for twelve years. Well into his forties, Ted played league hockey with the Valparaiso University hockey club. An advocate of sports for all ages, he particularly encouraged children and young adults to “just move”, and in his retirement, was an aide in the Valparaiso High School Athletic Department.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Mile and Danica Erceg, siblings Mirko, Ranko (Juanita), and Dorothy Erceg, and Helen (Louis) Paulson, in-laws Spero and Karavilka Petrovich, and son in-law George Eberhardt.
Ted is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Donna, and children Lauren (James) Thorstad, Susan Eberhardt, and Joann (Thomas) Meyer; grandchildren Nicholas Mandich, Natalie (Jason) Sutton, Thomas (Audrey) Thorstad, Andrew Thorstad, Henry (Mary) Meyer, Martin Meyer, Jason (Kristin) Eberhardt, and Julie (Doug Muller) Eberhardt; great-grandchildren Troy Feller, Samuel and Joseph Griffin, Cora Thorstad, Grace and James Sutton; Godchild Daniel Anomanni and family, dear friend Emil Conde, Kumovi, relatives and friends. Heartfelt appreciation to Dunes Hospice, especially nurses April and Pam.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN, 46410, beginning with visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Funeral will begin at 11:00. Interment Holy Cross (St Sava) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sava Church – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online website form, or to Dunes Hospice 4711 Evans Valparaiso, IN 46383. For further information please call Mileva or David at 219-736-5840
Maya Radjenovich takes the stage as Belle in the local Bearcat Theatre Company production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” taking place in the Wheeler High School Auditorium Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. and then again Sunday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Maya Radjenovich
Tickets are available for purchase by card online at https://www.bearcattheatre.org/summer-production.html. All tickets are general admission and will also be available for purchase at the door by cash or check.
Radjenovich, daughter of Ray and Vesna Radjenovich, grew up at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana participating in the choir and folklore groups.
The performance will mark the first time since 2019 that Radjenovich will take the stage in Northwest Indiana, but she has been active in a number of recent productions with credits including Hairspray (Amber); In the Blood (Amiga Gringa); La Cage Aux Folles (Anne); and Sweat (Jessie).
She is an upcoming senior at Purdue University with a double major studying Acting as well as Speech Pathology. She is also currently the Vice President Alpha Psi Omega Purdue Chapter. In her earlier education, Radjenovich was regularly involved in Munster High School’s theatre program and community theatre in Northwest Indiana.
Since her undergraduate academic journey began, Radjenovich has credits among educational, community, and pre-professional level performances. She plans on moving to Chicago post-graduation to pursue acting professionally.
Radjenovich shared, “I’d like to invite you and your families to come and enjoy the magic this weekend! I’m thankful for my family, friends, and cast mates for their constant love and support through the years.”
The performance is part of the Bearcat Theatre Company’s local summer community production with students and adults participating from throughout Northwest Indiana. It is produced by Jay Hanaway; directors Andrew Hanaway and Maddie Lessig; vocal direction by Jessica Ball; choreography by Kailee Turner.
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
“Beauty and the Beast” was originally produced by Disney’s Theatrical Productions with original direction by Robert Jess Roth. Original music was by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The original book was by Linda Woolverton.
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Additional limited tickets are also available for purchase to a special pre-show experience taking place Saturday, August 6 at 1:00 p.m. titled “Mrs. Potts Tea Party” where desserts and tea will be served, a special royal craft available for the attendees to make, and a story time with Belle, played by Radjenovich.
Participants will also have an opportunity to meet and get a photo with Belle and the Beast. Limited tickets are available for this special pre-show experience and may be purchased online at – https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/66216?fbclid=IwAR2UYIM5Ofzm-cy4NUwhdbRNqKP_pp2lx0x5FDr8d-079de_s7fmFKrOWBM
The entire cast list for this local production is available at the Bearcat Theatre Company website – https://www.bearcattheatre.org/cast-lists.html.
Tickets are $10 for Adults; and $7 for Students (18 and under) and Seniors (60 and over). For more information e-mail bearcattheatrecompany@gmail.com or call 219-759-2561.
Wheeler High School Auditorium is located at 587 W. 300 N., Valparaiso, Indiana, 46385.
The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Mirjana “Beba” Radovich. Memory eternal.
Mirjana “Beba” Radovich
Mirjana “Beba” Radovich, age 56, of Chesterfield, MO formerly of Crown Point, IN passed away July 26, 2022.
Preceded in death by her father Vukosav Radovich.
Mirjana is survived by her beloved son, Stevan Torrez; loving mother Desanka Radovich; adored brothers Ranko Radovich, Miladin (Mike) Radovich, Rade (Ray) Natasha Radovich, nephew Maxim Radovich; Kumovi Stevan & Sladjana Vojcanin; and many other family, friends and Kumovi all over the United States and Europe. Vecnaja Pamjat.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Funeral Service beginning at 11:30 a.m. V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic, officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information contact Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.
Three days, 7 unique musical acts, and 40 hours of live performances – it’s part of the core of what Serb Fest 2022 is all about – music, singing, and dancing taking place at St. Sava in Merrillville, Indiana July 29, 30, & 31.
From the classic kolo dances to the traditional tones of the plucked tamburica and the talented singers in our Serbian Kafana, you’ll experience a dynamic range of cultural music and dance at St. Sava Serb Fest 2022.
Opening night Friday, July 29 will also feature “Together Band” – an exciting and versatile 12-piece band from the Indiana & Chicagoland area performing American music from Big Band to Oldies and popular Top 40’s Hits under the big tent in the parking lot.
In addition to all the amazing food, drinks, and baked goods at St. Sava Serb Fest, our musical and entertainment offerings are a critical part of the cultural experience. Let’s face it, we love to sing, dance, and celebrate culture with family and friends!
Check out the complete daily schedule at www.serbfest.org to see who is playing and performance times for each day of the fest.
With musical acts playing simultaneously throughout nearly all of the fest, you’ll never know exactly where a Kolo dance may spontaneously begin. One thing is certain, you’ll know it when it happens and you’ll probably want to join in the fun!
Check out the complete daily schedule at www.serbfest.org to see who is playing and performance times for each day of the fest.
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 28 Father Marko Matic will be blessing graves at Graceland cemetery in Valparaiso. Sunday, May 29 Father Marko will be blessing graves at our Holy Cross Cemetery at St. Sava Church. Monday, May 30 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.
Services offered by Saint Sava Church
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The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Desse Crnoevich (née Chelovich). Memory eternal.
Desse Crnoevich
Desse Crnoevich (née Chelovich), age 98, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2022.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Milan “Mickey” Crnoevich and cherished son Michael “Butch” Crnoevich. She is survived by her devoted son Charles (Marcia) Crnoevich, adored grandchildren Charles and Alexandra, and many dear nieces, nephews, and kumovi.
Desse and Mickey operated the Glen Park Tavern for over thirty years and were lifelong members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Desse was also a lifelong member of the Church’s Circle of Serbian Sisters and, in retirement, was the financial secretary of the Church for twelve years. She was a champion bowler and an even better baker. Her family especially enjoyed her Christmas cookies and her chocolate chiffon cake.
Desse lived a long, full life and will be missed.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Sava with the Very Reverend Marko Matic officiating. The burial will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information, please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 219-736-5840.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online form.