The Times from Munster, Indiana • 82

fl livesLived.nwitimes.com RO WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2 2005 PAGE B9 EDWARD A. KITKA ST. JOHN RITA J. KOSELKE DYER PAUL (FLOYD) LONG HOBART LORENE D. STEVENS LOWELL Serving Your Community Rita J.

Koselke, age 77, of Dyer, formerly of Lansing, passed away on Sunday October 30, 2005. She is survived by son, Bernard (Milissa) Koselke of Dyer; grandchildren: Erica, Jill, Bill and Kevin; one sister, Dolores Ciempil of Las Vegas, NV. Preceded in death by husband, William and two sons: Bill and Robert. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 8580 Wicker Ave.

(Rt. 41), St. John, IN with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wanatah, IN. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Lorene D.

Stevens, age 88, of Lowell, formerly of Cedar Lake, passed away on Monday, October 31, 2005 at Saint Anthony Hospital in Crown Point, IN. She is survived by two daughters: Cha-lene (Larry) Viers of Lowell and Janine L. (Mark) Stevens of Merritt Island, FL; sister-in-law, Adeline Hartnett at Lowell Nursing Home; two grandchildren: Felisha (Robert) Burns and Marc (Mary Beth) Viers; five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank H. Stevens in 1995.

Friends may call Thursday, November 3, 2005 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Eller-Brady Funeral Home, 8510 Lake Shore Drive, Cedar Lake, IN. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 p.m., with Rev. Mark Pflughoeft, officiating. Interment at Brevard Memorial Cemetery, Sharpes, FL.

Mrs. Stevens and her beloved husband, Frank, were the former owners of Cedar Lake Shoe Repair. She was also a former charter member of Hope Lutheran Church of Cedar Lake and a member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 261, Cedar Lake, IN. Edward A. Kitka, age 81, of St.

John, IN. Beloved husband of Lucille (nee Schuhrke). Loving father of Edward R. (Kathie) Kitka, Janis (John) Schaffen-berger and Timothy (Ellen) Kitka. Devoted grandfather of Dana (Steve), Amy, David, Lauren, Colleen and Andrew.

Great-grandfather of Timothy, Nicholas and Stephanie. Edward A. Kitka was a Navy Veteran of WWII. He was a Petty Officer 1st Class and a retired supervisor with the mechanical department at Amoco, with 43 years of service. Edward A.

Kitka was a member of American Legion Post 369, V.F.W. 2724, Amoco Annuity Club and Boy Scouts Leader in Whiting. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

at the Elmwood Funeral Chapel, 11300 West 97th Lane (12 block West of U.S. 41 Wicker Ave. at 97th Street) St. John, IN to St. John Evangelist Church, for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.

Cemetery private. Please omit flowers. For more information, please call 219-365-3474. Paul (Floyd) Long, age 91, of Hobart, passed away peacefully, with family by his side while at St. Mary Medical Center on Sunday, October 30, 2005.

Born April 8, 1914 in Newland, IN, he was the son of the late George and Ella (Walters) Long. He and his love, Ethel M. Hammers, were wed on November 19, 1938 in Knox, IN. A steel-worker by trade, Floyd was with Youngstown Sheet and Tube for 26 years. His great joy was his family and his God; he enjoyed reading his Bible and attending the Griffith Church of God where he was a Prayer Warrior.

Floyd took pride in his green thumb and loved to tend the yard and garden. He will be missed by many. Left to mourn Floyd's passing is his beloved wife of 66 years, Ethel; four children: Paula Mostello of Hobart, Ray Louis Long of Milwaukie, OR, George Long of Gary and Raymond Long of Henderson, KY; brother, Orval (Ann) Long of NC and sister, Thelma Yockey of Winimac; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his daughters: Sandra and Veronica; brothers: Clarence, Earl, Louie, Tommy and sisters: Lela, Liddie and Velma. The family invites relatives and friends to visit on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

in the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 S. Cline (P.O. Box 109), Schererville. A funeral to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home and will be officiated by Bishop Dale P.

Combs and Pastor Bill Lawless. He will then be laid to rest in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Floyd's name may be made to the family. For information call 219-365-9554 or visit www.chapellawnfuneralhome.com. Ridgelawn Funeral Home Proud to offer dignified and compassionate services to families of all ethnic groups.

"Death makes no sense without God. (219)980-5555 Burns Funeral Home Crematory m'y0wncrf MerrillvilleCrownpoint 769-0044 Hobart 942-1117 www.burnsfuneral.com tGEISEN Funeral Home Cremation Services Crown Point 219-663-2500 Hebron 219-996-2821 www.geisenfuneral home.com iinck ur Alpha Mortuary Inc. "The Caring 421 W. 5th Ave. Gary 882-8230 Director Avis Brown Robinson Owners Ida Lewis Brown Children Guy Allen Funeral Directors 2959 W.

11th Gary Phone 219-949-6325 Finer Funerals Need Not Be Costly Smith-Bizzell and Warner 4209 Grant St. 219-885-7614 Rosemoor Funeral Home 17943 S. Torrence Ave. 708-474-2404 Family Owned Operated Sckweden, Aaucr FUNERAL HOME 3227 Ridge Lansing IL. (708) 474-0024 Family owned and operated since 1941 Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 7535 Taft Merrillville, IN 219-736-5840 "Family Owned and Operated" GEISEN FUNERAL HOME Preplanning Aftercare Traditional Memorial Cremation Monuments Markers 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410 mm Rees Funeral Home Hobart 942-2109 Portage 762-3013 Lake Station 962-1606 New Winfield Chapel 661-2600 MINIMUM Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 219-365-95548178 Cline Ave.

1 mile South of US 30 Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home Route 30 by Cline (219) 322-6616 Independent Family Owned rearrangements Available Elmwood Chapel James Betkowski, Owner 11300 W. 97th Lane St. John (219) 365-3474 JOAN L. K0UR0S SCHERERVILLE, IN Joan.L. Kouros, age 64, of Scher-erville, IN, passed away Monday, October 31, 2005.

She is survived by her four loving children: Chris Kouros of Scher-erville, Kathy (John) Lafakis of Crown Point, Tom (Vicky) Kouros of Scher-erville and George (Mia) Kouros of Scherefville; four grandchildren: Jimmy Lafakis, Yianna, Anastasia and Joanna Kouros; mother, Margaret Gorney of Dyer; two brothers: Robert (Joan) Gorney of SC and Dennis (Linda) Gorney of Dyer and sister, Pat Hanshew of Highland; sisters-in-law: Barbara Gorney of Fort Wayne, IN, Helen (Pete) Angelopoulos of Schererville, Dina (Andy) Trakas of Greece and Georgia (George) Dimopoulos of Munster; brothers-in-law: George (Georgia) Kouros of Munster and Gus (Bessie) Kouros of East Chicago; numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pete; father, Chester and brother, Donald. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Schererville, 77th and Lincolnwood Street, with Rev.

Constantine Aliferakis, officiating. At rest Ridgelawn Cemetery, Gary, IN. Friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home, 7607 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville, IN, (Rt.

30 east of Cline Avenue). Trisagian prayer service Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Joan was a member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ladies Philoptochos Society and also co-owner of Andora's Restaurant with her husband, Pete. Joan was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

REUBEN S. LEWIS JR. PORTAGE, IN Reuben S. Lewis age 58, passed away on Monday evening, October 24, 2005 at Porter-Portage Hospital Campus, Portage, IN. Born in Washington, D.C., he was the oldest son of the late Reuben S.

Lewis Sr. and the late LaVonne Pearce Lewis. Reuben resided in the Northwest Indiana region throughout his adult life. He was a Class of 1965 high school graduate and also graduated from Purdue University, Hammond, IN. Reuben retired from Amoco Oil Refinery in Whiting, IN, where he served many years as an instrument technician and motor management specialist.

Reuben was a devoted husband and loving father. He was also an ardent fisherman and a great cook. Reuben leaves to mourn his passing, his dearly beloved wife and soul mate of 20 years, Roberta; one daughter, Kenida (Robert) L. Harris of Waukesha, WI; a son, Pherren R. Lewis of Chicago, IL; two grandchildren: Kobe L.

Harris and Kaylah L. Harris of Waukesha, WI; his brother, Elliott (Rochelle) Lewis of Hammond, IN; two sisters: Veronica (Lawrence) Fuller of Apple Valley, MN and LaVerne (Marcus) Stallings of Spring, TX; two aunts: Alvena (Joseph) Crump of Huntsville, AL and Yvonne Compton of Chicago, IL; one uncle, Alton (Phyllis) Pearce of Gary, IN; two nieces: Stacey Tyner of Houston, TX and Morgan Stallings of Spring, TX; four nephews: Eric (Eboni) Lewis of Atlanta, GA, Lawrence Fuller Branden Fuller of Apple Valley, MN and Marcus Stallings of Spring, TX; several cousins and a host of other relatives and friends. Reuben will be sadly missed, but lovingly remembered forever. A memorial service in celebration of Reuben's life will be held at Believer Fellowship Church, 5915 W. 15th Avenue, Gary, IN at 11:00 a.m.

on Saturday, November 5, 2005. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Avenue, Portage, IN. CHRISTINE STOOKSBURY LANSING, IL Christine Stooksbury, age 86, of Lansing, IL, passed away November 1, 2005. She is survived by her six children: Randy (Diane) Stooksbury of St.

John, Jeffrey (Kami) Stooksbury of Crete, Ginny (Rev. Don) Rector of Lansing, Wilma (Russ) Gullickson of Schererville, Margaret (Kent) Taylor of Lowell and Nancy (David) Greener of IL; 22 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by one son-in-law, Jim (Mary Lou) Jandura of Dyer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rush and daughter, Patricia Jandura. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 4, 2005 at 10:30 a.m.

at Suburban Bible Church, 3010 41st, Highland, IN, with Pastor Don Rector, officiating. Burial at Homewood Memorial Cemetery. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Thursday, November 3, 2005 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Klein-man Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road), Highland. Mrs.

Stooksbury was a member of Andersonville Baptist Church in Ten- RICHARD WAYTE MERRILLVILLEGARY Richard Wayte, age 81, of Merril-lville, formerly of Gary, passed away on October 31, 2005. Richard was born on November 30, 1923 in Gary, IN, the son of Richard and Grace (Barker) Wayte. He attended Lew Wallace High School graduating in 1942. He served in WWII, going across North Africa into Sicily and Italy. Richard married Alberta Watts of Gary on February 25, 1951.

They moved to Merril-lville in 1953. Richard served on the Merrillville Town Board from 1976 through 1983. He was Town Board President 19771978 and 19801981. He was a member of the Merrillville Plan Commission from 1976 through 1983. He was a member of the Ross Township Advisory Board.

He served as Merrillville Clerk Treasurer from 1987 through September 1991. He also served on the Lake County Drainage Advisory Board from 1988 through 1990. He was Past President and a member of the Merrillville Optimist Club and the Ross Township Historical Society. Richard was a member of the D.A.V. He retired in 1985 from Walker Motor Company in Gary.

Richard was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Albert Wayte; brothers: James Wayte and Buck Wayte and sisters: Dorothy May Gardner and Virginia Kobylanski. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alberta (nee Watts) Wayte; grandson, Jason Wayte; great-granddaughter, Alexis Dane Wayte; brother, Alfred (Sarah) Wayte of A2; sisters: Frances Hayes and Bonnie (John) Ballantyne; daughter-in-law, Amy (Jeff) Tarr and children: Dustin, Katie and Kelly; brother-in-law, Albert (Belinda Kay) Watts; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.

Friends may visit with the family at the Burns Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leader Dog for the Blind in Rochester, MI or to a charity of your choice. EUGENE R. RH0DA "GENE" VALPARAISO, IN Eugene R. "Gene" Rhoda, 69, of Valparaiso, passed away Monday, October 31, 2005 at the VNA Hospice Center.

He was born April 2, 1936 in Valparaiso the son of James and Lula (Martens) Rhoda and graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1954. He had served 25 years in the Shipping Office at Midwest Steel where he retired in 1994, and had been a professional bowler traveling with the PBA from 1964 67 and won 4 National Titles during that span. On February 18, 1961 he married Carole Eckert who preceded him in death in 1997. Survivors include their daughter, Gina Lynne Rhoda of Portage and three grandchildren: Jacqueline Jean Rhoda, Jared Richard Osborne and Christopher William Sievers. Also preceding him in death was one son; Bryan Rhoda in 1976, his parents and two brothers: Louis and Roy Rhoda.

A visitation will be held Friday from 4-6 PM with funeral service at 6:00 PM at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Valparaiso and cremation to follow at Angelcrest Crematory. Memorials may be made to the American Liver Association. Moellerfuneralhome.com NESTOR RIVERA EAST CHICAGO Nestor Rivera, age 73, of East Chicago, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2005 at his home. Survived by daughters: Maria V. Rivera-Gandia (Gustavo) of Puerto Rico, Naida Rivera (caretaker) of East Chicago, Carmen Rivera (Der-ick) of East Chicago, Emelina Rivera of East Chicago; sons: Manuel A.

Rivera of Minneapolis, MN, Hector Rivera of East Chicago, Wilfredo Rivera (Mildred) of East Chicago; 31 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his recently deceased wife (October 25, 2004) Dislada Rivera. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. from the Oleska-Pastrick Funeral Home, 3934 Elm Street in East Chicago and 10:00 a.m. from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in East Chicago, IN with the Rev.

Juan Gonzalez C.P.P.S. officiating. Burial at Ridge Lawn Cemetery in Gary, IN. Visitation on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mr.

Rivera was retired from Railroad with a service of 25 years. He was a foster care father along with his wife for many years with AFCD. He was a business owner of El Triunfo Grocery for over 30 years. ELIZABETH SZO "NAGY" (NEE MOLNAR) DOLTON, IL Elizabeth "Nagy" Szo (nee Molnar), age 94, of Dolton, IL. Beloved wife of the late Mike Szo.

Loving mother of Lester (Pearl), Charles (Sandra) and the late Steven Szo. Dear grandmother of Laszlo (Margurite), Charles (Mary), Elizabeth (Michael) Judge, Charlene (Michael) Reynders, Elizabeth (Michael) Standik, Linda, Susan and Steven Szo. Great-grandmother of Michelle, Jennifer and Jessica Jude, Casey Reynders, Ashley and Matthew Carlassare, Kevin, Emily, Shelia, Alissa and Jason Szo and Eric and Melissa Standik. Fond sister and aunt of many in Hungary. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 4, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.

from Hennessy-Nowak Funeral Home, 400 Pulaski Road (154th Street), Calumet City, IL 60409 to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, service 10:30 a.m. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m. For information, call MARK S. MARCZAK "DUKE" CROWN POINT Mark S.

"Duke" Marczak, age 33, of Crown Point, and formerly of Dolton, IL. Beloved son of: Tanny and Terry (nee Nadratowski). Loving brother: of Tracy (Rick) Slough and Robby (girlfriend, Sarah Pajak) Marczak; dear Godfather and uncle of Kylie Slough; loving nephew of: Genie Marczak, Barbara Maggio, Ceil (Bud) Napierkowski, Barbara (Artie) Olejniczak and Mary Lou (Daniel) Greger, also survived by many devoted cousins and friends. Mark was an employee of River Oaks Toyota for several years. He was a devout animal lover and an avid race car fan.

Mark was also a member of the NHRA-Hot Rod Association. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Fiineral Chapel, at 11300 W. 97th Lane.

(12 block west of US 41, Wicker at 97th St.) St. John, IN. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 3, 2005, directly at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 154th and Cottage Grove South Holland, IL. Mark will lie in state from 10:30 a.m.

until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Cemetery private. For more information, call 219-365-3474. DONALD E. MEISENBACH "MIZE" EAST SIDE Donald E.

Meisenbach age 80, late of the East Side. Beloved husband of Lorayne (nee Pihulic) for 59 years. Loving father of Teresa Gibbons and Leslie Meisenbach. Devoted grandfather of Jennifer (Wil) Buckner, Kris-ten Yeager and Skylar Yeager. Dear brother of late Earl (late Jeanne) Meisenbach and Harry Meisenbach.

Special friend to Walter Weissig. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Donald was a WWII U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, life member of American Legion Post 369 of East Chicago, member of the Trinity Knights of Columbus Council 3755 and Catholic Order of Foresters. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3-9 p.m.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. from the Elmwood Chapel, 11200 S. Ewing Chicago to Church of the Annunciata. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Cemetery private.

For further information please call 773-731-2749. Personalize any Obituary, Card of Thanks or In Memoriam To place a Card of Thanks, call (219) 933-3222..