Obituaries & Memorials

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.

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

Radojka Josifovski, age 56, of Hobart passed away in her home surrounded by her loved ones on Friday, April 21 2017.

Born in Raduc, Lika – Former Yugoslavia – on January 2, 1961 to the late Milan Pejnovic and surviving Darinka Pejnovic, she immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and settled in Hobart, IN. She was an active member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church who found much comfort in her faith.

Rada was affectionately known as a woman who was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was a selfless person with a heart of gold who was always caring for others, cherished spending time with family and friends, and who found the most joy in loving her three sons, Sasho, Jovan, and Michael. While God sent her to us for a short time, she was truly an angel who left a lasting impression on many hearts.

She was preceded in death by her dear Father, Milan Pejnovic, Aunt Danica Pejnovich, and Cousin Dusko Sunajac. Rada is survived by her loving children Sasho Josifovski, Jovan (Nicole) Josifovski, and Michael Josifovski; Mother, Darinka Pejnovic; Brothers – Dusan (Danica) Pejnovic, Jovo (Gordana) Pejnovic, Nikola (Vera) Pejnovic; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, Kumovi and dearest friends.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, April 25, 2017, directly at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Church, (9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN) with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Interment, Calumet Park Cemetery.

Visitation will take place Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN. A Pomen Service will take place at 7:00 p.m. May Her memory be eternal! For further info, please phone 219-736-5840.

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Mihailo “Mike” Bjelopetrovich. Memory eternal.

Mihailo “Mike” Bjelopetrovich, age 63 (August 21, 1953 – February 26, 2017), passed away Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Beloved son of the late Mirko and Zorka; Loving brother of Ljubica, Vida, and the late Bozidar; Fond brother-in-law of Janice; Cherished uncle of Tania, Alexandra, Nikolai, Anastasia; Great uncle to Victoria, Calvin, Lanardo; and fond cousin to many.

Funeral Service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Third Lake. Interment New Gracanica Cemetery.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3 at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60630 with Pomen (Wake Service) at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.

Mildred “Mimi” Gerbick

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Mildred “Mimi” Gerbick. Memory eternal.

Mildred “Mimi” Gerbick, age 91 (October 14, 1925 – February 22, 2017), ascended peacefully into heaven on February 22, 2017 surrounded by several members of her loving family. Mimi was born in Gary, Indiana on October 14, 1925 to parents Nikola and Stanica Samardzia. In addition to her parents, Mimi was preceded in death by her husband Mitchell Gerbick, brothers Michael and Bronco Samardzia and brother-in-law Gordon Gerbick.

Mimi is survived by daughter Pamela Gerbick, Lombard, IL, sons Gary (Debbie) Gerbick, Chesterton, IN, Philip (Shannon) Gerbick, Dyer, IN, and Nicholas Gerbick, Bloomington, IN, grandchildren Kristen Stafford, Scott Gerbick, Justin Gerbick, Lauren Gerbick, Stephanie Gerbick and Matthew Gerbick, great grandsons Parker and Evan Stafford, sister-in-law Pauline Gerbick, nephew David Gerbick (Gordana) and numerous cousins, friends and dear Kumovi.

Mimi lived a long, full life. She was a lifelong resident of northwest Indiana and a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. Mimi grew up in the Glen Park section of Gary and was a 1943 graduate of Lew Wallace High School. As a teenager, Mimi truly enjoyed attending her brothers’ high school sporting events. She married Mitchell in 1950, but was widowed in 1958. As such, Mimi’s early adult years were focused on work and raising her four children. While Mimi worked a variety of jobs in the Glen Park and Merrillville area, the majority of her working years were spent as a bookkeeper in two positions. The first was with Mr. Aubrey Lovegrove, CPA, in Merrillville, IN followed by several years with George S. Olive & Co., a Merrillville-based regional public accounting firm, from where she retired.

Throughout the years Mimi never forgot her Serbian faith and heritage. She cherished spending time with her extended family at programs, concerts, and picnics sponsored through St. Sava. In her later years, “Baba” Mimi loved watching her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their school functions and sporting events. Mimi also was an avid fan of Indiana University basketball, oftentimes retreating to her bedroom during televised games because she felt it brought the team good luck. Mimi was a past member of the St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle and the Eastern Star, Olive Chapter 396.

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

The family offers their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brentwood Assisted Living of Hobart and Aseracare Hospice, Valparaiso, for the support and comfort provided to Mimi, especially in her final days.

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

Dragic Micic, Sr., age 83, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2017, with his loving family by his side.

Dragic was born May 5, 1933 in Amajlije Bijeljina, Bosnia (Yugoslavia) to Sava and Mara Micic. Dragic attended the Military Academy and graduated as a “machinist.”

Soon after, he escaped communism crossing the Austrian border and finding his way to Paris where he lived and worked for three years. Dragic immigrated to the United States in 1959, and was proud to become a U.S. Citizen.

He moved to Gary, IN and began work as a tool and die maker at the Budd Company where he eventually retired. In later years, he pursued his passion in Real Estate. Dragic was also a proud member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN.

Dragic dearly loved his family and is survived by daughter Angie (Bill) Rendina, son Savo Micic, daughter Goca Weis (Matt), son Dragic Micic (Kara); and seven grandchildren, Brittani, Angelia, Anthony, Katija, Delphine, Marko and Christian; his sister Milica (Dragoljub) Knezevic, sisters-in-law Zagorka and Ljilja, and many dear nieces and nephews. Dragic is preceded in death by his brothers, Milan, Stevan, Bosko, Mihajlo, Milos and Ljubo.

Visitation Services will take place Saturday, February 11, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN 46410, followed by a Service at 10:30 a.m. with Father Marko Matic officiating. Private Burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Church.

For additional information, please call Rendina Funeral Home at (219) 980-1141.

Kathy Slepcevich

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

Kathy Slepcevich, age 66 (July 21, 1950 – January 30, 2017) of Crown Point, IN, passed away Monday January 30, 2017.

She was born in Gary, Indiana on July 21, 1950. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Emily Slepcevich. She is survived by her brother, William (Kimber- ley) Slepcevich of Naples, FL; nephews: Will Slepcevich of Naples, FL, and Evan Slepcevich of Orlando, FL; brother, Robert (Bud) Slepcevich; sisterin-law, Sherlianne Slepcevich, of Crown Point, IN; nephew, Robert Slepcevich of San Diego, CA; niece, Kristen (Justin) Locke; great nieces: Sara and Kate Locke, of Noblesville, IN.

Kathy was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School and IU Northwest, a former Lake County Police Officer and recently retired owner of The American Family Insurance Agency in Crown Point, IN.

Visitation will take place Friday, February 3, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN with Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will take place Saturday February 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN with Rev. Marko Matic officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy’s memory may be made to Crown Point Police K-9 Unit.

Rachel (nee Blashill) Jankovic

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

Rachel (nee Blashill) Jankovic, age 36 (July 14, 1980 – January 26, 2017) of Hammond, IN passed away suddenly January 26, 2017.

Rachel was a member of St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, a graduate of Sturgis Sr. High School, Sturgis, Michigan, and currently a nursing student at University of Phoenix. She was the co-owner of Morava Express & RAMS truck repair, also co-owner of RAMS Ventures Corporation.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents and 2 brothers Jeremy & Nicholas. Rachel is survived by her loving husband Sasa Jankovic; cherished daughter Abigail Blashill; beloved parents: father, Roger (Cathleen) Blashill, mother, Lora (Don) Stahl; sister Amanda (Thomas) Robinson; 2 step brothers Eric (Kyana) Stahl, Christopher (Molly Fairhurst) Chavez; stepdaughter Milica (Anthony Kurek) Jankovic, sister in law Marina (Ivica) Aleksic & family; in-laws Dragan & Dusanka Jankovic, close friend Tracey (Kelly Davis) McCabe; many other kumovi, aunts, uncles, cousins, family members and close family friends both here in the US and in Serbia.

Visitation will take place Monday, January 30, 2017 directly at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St. Merrillville, IN 46410, at 11:00 a.m. with funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m., V. Rev. Marko Matic officiating.

Memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers. For further information please contact 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 Sandra Furto. Memory eternal.

Sandra Jean Furto, age 71 (July 8, 1945 – January 23, 2017), passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband, John J. Furto; son, John J. Furto, Jr.; step children: Diane Furto and Christine Andrews; sister, Martha R. Lash; nephews: Mark (Janie) Lash and Jamie (Jaclyn) Lash; niece, Dr. Darcy Lash. Also survived by many great nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Preceded in death by her parents: Matija and Mildred Roknich and brother, Robert Milich.

Sandra was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and owner of the Old Mill Pizzeria of Merrillville in its heyday. She was also a beautician and dispatched for the Lake County Sherriff’s Department. Sandra will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Services will take place Saturday, January 28, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church (9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, IN) V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery.

Visitation will take place Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. For info please call 219-736-5840.

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

Radmila Jackovich, age 87 (December 15, 1929 – December 28, 2016) of Merrillville, IN passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

She was a lifelong member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, and an active member and past officer of its Circle of Serbian Sisters — “Kolo.” Also a member of S.S.S. – “Karageorge Choir” and the Serb National Federation.

In addition, she was a former Cub Scout Den Mother, Pop Warner Merrillville Football Booster, past Calumet High School Football Booster, retired bus attendant with the Gary Public School System. “Roddie” was well known for her delicious home- cooking and wonderful baking.

Preceded in death by her Dear Husband Alexander Jackovich; parents, Milos and Bosiljka Pujo, and her brothers: Risto, Baby Risto and Rodomer Pujo.

Radmila is survived by her three Beloved Sons: Milan (Sally) Jackovich, Milos (Debby) Jackovich, and Daniel (Desa) Jackovich; Loving grandchildren: Alexander (Stephanie) Jackovich, Sarah Jackovich, Christopher (Miranda) Jackovich, Jason Jackovich, Shelly (Jim) Cook, Petar and Danijela Jackovich; three great grandchildren, Lucas, Gavin, and Peyton; and her siblings: brothers, Nedeljko (late Kim) Pujo, and Donald Pujo; her sisters, Angeline (late Rudy) Rujevcan, Ruth (late Milan) Radjen, Joan (Leonard) Stringer, and Ann Marie Pujo; also, many other relatives, Dear lifelong Friends and many Kumovi.

Visitation will take place Monday, January 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville, IN. A Pomen Service will take place at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – DIRECTLY at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery.

May Her Memory Be Eternal! In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Sava Church. For further information please phone Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.

Maria Virijevich

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

Maria Virijevich, age 93 (April 25, 1923 – December 12, 2016), passed away on December 12, 2016.

She is survived by her daughters, Svetlana of Merrillville, Diana (John Grzeskowski) of Scherer- ville, and son Ognjan (Patricia) Virijevich of Lowell. Grandchildren: David (January), Douglas, Paul and Kristine (Tim) Koelikamp and Her six great-grandchildren. Also, two sisters, Marlene and Gerlinde–in Germany. Her Beloved Husband Milutin, preceded Her in death.

Maria was born in Kork, Germany and was employed as an X-Ray technician while her Husband served as a federal judge in his native Yugoslavia.

After World War II, she met her husband Milutin in Innsbruck, Austria, where she was employed by the French government as a translator, and he was working on his Doctorate degree in Law. They were both fluent in French, English, Serbian, and German.

They immigrated to the United States with their son Ognjan in 1949 due to the postwar political situation in his native Yugoslavia. Since her arrival in Lake County, Maria was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and its Circle of Serbian Sisters.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

A Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Interment, Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville . May Her Memory Be Eternal! For further info, please phone Calumet Park Funeral Chapel at (219) 736-5840.