Obituaries

Karen L. Morris

Sep 11, 2025

Karen L. Morris, 75, of Rensselaer, IN passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, September 11, 2025 with her husband by her side. She was born in Rensselaer on November 21, 1949, the daughter of Herbert Melton, Jr. and Alice (Mitchell) Melton.

She was a 1969 graduate of Monon High School. On September 26,...

Lloyd Edward Vencel

Sep 3, 2025

Lloyd Edward Vencel, born September 4, 1945 passed away September 3, 2025. Born in Terre Haute, IN, to Woodrow and Mary Catherine (Bates) Vencel and raised in Fairbanks.

Post high school, he studied first at Oakland City College, followed by a BS in biology from Indiana State University. He earned his masters in education, also...

Dianne Ruth Eggert

Aug 31, 2025

Dianne Ruth Eggert, 81, of Rensselaer, IN, passed away Sunday, August 31, 2025 at the Rensselaer Care Center. She was born in Hinsdale, IL on November 3, 1943, the daughter of Erhard R. Bohlman and Helen G. (Meyer) Bohlman. She was a 1961 graduate of Hinsdale Township High School.

On February 3, 1965, in Hinsdale,...

Catherine Alice Gilbert

Aug 28, 2025

Catherine Alice “Cathy” Gilbert, 65, of Rensselaer, IN passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, August 28, 2025. She was born in Valparaiso, IN on May 26, 1960, the daughter of Claude Goff and Bernadine (Moss) Goff. She was a 1979 graduate of Kankakee Valley High School.

Cathy met the love of her life,...

Gerardo Torres Barajas

Aug 16, 2025

Gerardo Torres Barajas, 40, of Goodland, IN, formerly of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico passed away Saturday, August 16, 2025. He was born in Tijuana on April 3, 1985, the son of the late Rigoberto Torres Chavez and Socorro Barajas Perez.

Gerardo worked as a truck driver for Skyline Agricultural Services in Goodland, IN.

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Jerry J. Luttrell

Jul 29, 2025

Jerry Junior Luttrell, 79, of Rensselaer, IN passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. He was born in Rensselaer on December 29, 1945, son of the late Henry Luttrell and Caroline (Cooper) Luttrell.

On November 21, 1969, in Wheatfield, IN he married the love of his life, Helen Martin.

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Timothy Wayne Voeller

Jul 27, 2025

Timothy Wayne Voeller, 50, of Rensselaer, IN passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Franciscan Health Rensselaer. He was born in Rensselaer on April 3, 1975, the son of the late Royal H. Voeller and Erma J. (Kazort) Voeller.

Tim loved going hunting and fishing, riding motorcycles, and hanging out with his friends...

Lester Ivan Wortley

Jul 14, 2025

Lester Ivan Wortley, 93, of Rensselaer, IN passed away Monday evening, July 14, 2025 at Autumn Trace Assisted Living. He was born in Gary, IN on October 24, 1931, the son of Lester Wortley and Gladys (Kennedy) Armold. He was a 1949 graduate of Mt. Ayr High School.

On November 11, 1950, in Rensselaer, he...

Kathy Lynn Geren

Jul 8, 2025

Kathy Lynn Geren, 67, of Rensselaer, IN passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Franciscan Health Rensselaer. She was born in Valparaiso, IN on March 3, 1958, the daughter of Erbie L. and Mary K. (Hetric) Banister. She was a 1976 graduate of Rensselaer Central High School.

After high school, Kathy began working as a...

Randall W. "Randy" Cook

Jul 4, 2025

Randall W. Cook, known to friends and family as Randy, was the kind of man who could fill a room with laughter as easily as he could a garage with car parts. Born on December 21, 1954, in the heart of Rensselaer, IN, Randy's journey came full circle as he passed away in the same town on July 4,...

Joseph Ryan Taylor, Sr.

Jul 4, 2025

Joseph Ryan Taylor, Sr., known affectionately to all as Joe, embarked on his final adventure on July 4, 2025. Born on April 27, 1983, in Valparaiso, Indiana, Joe's zest for life and infectious humor brightened the world for 42 years before he passed away unexpectedly in LaPorte, Indiana.

Joe's early years in Valparaiso were filled...

Joyce Annette Latham

Jul 1, 2025

Joyce Annette Latham (Daly), a cherished soul whose warmth and kindness touched all who knew her, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, in Lake Village, Indiana, in her daughter’s home. Born on August 24, 1955, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, to John B. Daly and Glendola I. Daly (Crutchelow). Joyce's life was a testament to the power of love,...

Robert Bennett Sr.

Jun 28, 2025

Robert Bennett Sr., 80 years old of Brook, Indiana passed away Saturday June 28 at his home. Robert was born in Brook on October 5, 1944 the son of LaVern Bennett and Bernice Cox (Swartz). Robert was a lifelong resident of the Brook and Morocco communities.

Robert spent most of his early years in Morocco....

Marjorie N. Laffoon

Jun 18, 2025

Marjorie N. “Marge” Laffoon, 96, of Rensselaer, IN, formerly of Fair Oaks, IN, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at the Rensselaer Care Center. She was born in Rensselaer on Dec. 19, 1928, the daughter of Walter and Edna (Elijah) Sullivan. She attended school in Fair Oaks.

On Dec. 21, 1946 she married James Robert...

Linda Louise (Kennedy) Patton Gaffield

Jun 18, 2025

Linda Louise (Kennedy) Patton Gaffield was born to John C. Kennedy and Grace (Purdy) Kennedy on December 4, 1943.

In January, 1967 she married Pearl Patton. He preceded her in death in February, 1970. Upon that marriage, son Coy (wife Kama) Patton was born.

On October 6, 1973, she married John...

Sharell Lynn Clark

May 31, 2025

Sharell Lynn (Schulz) Clark, 86, of Morocco, Indiana was surrounded by her family as her Heavenly Father called her home on May 31, 2025. Born to Albert and Bondalyn (David) Schulz on November 5, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, she married the love of her life, Gary Clark on June 9, 1956, in Lake Village, IN.

Sharell is...

John Charles Todd

May 29, 2025

John Charles Todd, 43, of Rensselaer, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 29, 2025. He was born in Rensselaer on December 4, 1981, the son of William and Marilyn (Reynolds) Todd. A graduate of North White High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his master’s degree from Illinois State University.

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Gladys Fiocchi

May 8, 2025

Gladys Fiocchi (nee Rohrssen), age 95, of Rensselaer, IN (formerly of Elgin, IL) went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025.

She was born on September 13, 1929 in Elgin, IL, the daughter of the late Edward and Jennie Rohrssen. Except for a short period of...

Bonita J. Walker

Apr 23, 2025

Bonita J. Walker, 71, of Rensselaer, IN passed away Wednesday evening, April 23, 2025 at the Rensselaer Care Center. She was born in Lafe, Arkansas on April 28, 1953, daughter of the late Herbert Sheely and Barbara (Wegner) Swallow.

Bonny worked as a secretary during most of her career. Her last position was working as...

Jona M. Shell

Apr 14, 2025

Jona M. Shell, a beacon of love and laughter to all who knew her, passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 83, in Rensselaer, Indiana. Born on March 20, 1942, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Jona was the cherished daughter of the late Henry and Ella Phelps. Throughout her life, Jona's radiant spirit and selfless nature touched...