The Times from Munster, Indiana • C2

Pa C2 17, 2014 RO De Brettner, Robert 96, Wheatfield Clarkson, Eleanor R. (nee Stevenson), 70, Hammond DePew, Nellie M. (Lockwood), 101, Indianapolis Duke, Linda, 68, Crown Point Gifford, Gregory 34, Cedar Lake Guillod, Josephine (nee Urbas), Kouts, formerly Hebron Hamilton, Lillian, 90, Portage, formerly Lake Station Heitz, Marie J. (nee Gustafson), 77, South Holland Holleman, Gerrit, 82, St. John Kolas, Roy 92, Munster Mayfield, Kenneth 64, Calumet City Miles, David 68, Hammond Petri, Ronald L.

56, Gary Pozywio, Lois J. (Gottschalk), 70, Highland Searcy, Louie 77, Mulga, Ala. Shepherd, Dennis 64, North Judson Szaller, Dola L. (nee Jordan). 89, Schererville Von Alven, Harry, 81, North Judson, formerly Beecher Wisowaty, Arthur 87, Calumet City York, Lucille H.

(nee Dedo), 85, Dyer, formerly Hammond Visit nwi.com to view daily obituaries, local death notices, in memoriams and more. Let our online floris ts do the work for you. Log on to have flowers sent to the family or directly to the funeral home. Sign up to ha ve The obituaries delivered to your email account on a daily basis. Log on search the obituary listings from newspapers acrosss the country.

not money, title nor pedigree that makes a person with a headline. We believe every person is worth a story. The Times would like to help you tell the story of your loved ones by publishing a free news tribute to help celebrate those who lived among us. If you would like a news tribute published, contact Robert Blaszkiewicz at (219) 852-4314 or (800) 837-3232, or via email at robert. TO PLACE AN OBITUARY Call (219) 933-3293 TO PLACE AN IN MEMORIAM Call (219) 933-3222 SEND FLOWERS.

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Log on to search the obituary listings from newspapers across the country. Visit nwi.com to view daily obituaries, local death notices and in memoriams. Services for Oscar Ritz were private. Burns Funeral Home handled arrangements. CARRIE RODOVICH Times Correspondent Oscar Ritz was a hardworking, honest man who prided himself in serving the community and taking care of his family, said his daughter, Janice Ritz.

Oscar Ritz, 98, of Crown Point and formerly of Merrillville and Indianapolis, died May 5. He worked many years in the insurance business, and served as state insurance commissioner. He is survived by Audrey Ritz, his wife of 70 years. The couple met when he went into Drug Store to buy an alarm clock and she was working behind the counter. He purchased the clock for $1, she said.

The clock remains in the family, and was joined by a silver clock for their 25th anniversary and a gold clock for their 50th. The couple was one of the early families to move into Merrillville, building a home there in the early 1950s. declared he would build the house Janice Ritz said. would work all day and, in the evenings, we would go to the house. He and Mom would put shingles on while my sister and I entertained Ritz believed in community service, and was involved in many groups around Gary.

He also had been the Republican chairman of south Lake County. Oscar Ritz was an avid gardener, and was especially proud of his zinnias. Janice Ritz said her parents traveled, going to numerous conventions associated with his work. A favorite family trip came in the summer of 1959, months after her father won a Thunderbird from a Gary car dealership. parents, sister and I piled into the Thunderbird, and it took us out to California and she said.

Janice Ritz said her father remained in good health and had full mental capacity until a few months before he passed away. lived a full life and still read the Wall Street Journal every she said. Crown Ritz was proud family man OSCAR RITZ June 17, 1915 May 5, 2014 Visit nwi.com to view daily obituaries, area death notices and in memoriams. View and sign guestbooks, and share your memories of a special friend or loved one. Add music, text, your own voice, and photos to create a Moving Tribute online at nwi.com Read Memories.

View and sign the online guestbook at nwi.com/obituaries ELEANOR R. CLARKSON (NEE STEVENSON) HAMMOND, IN Eleanor R. Clarkson (nee Stevenson), age 70, of Hammond, passed away June 14, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Richard of 47 years; one son, Christopher (Valerie) Clarkson of Munster; her daughter, Heather Clarkson of Hammond; and grandson, Ethan. Preceded in death by her parent, John and Doris Stevenson and her sister, Donna Glee Profit.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, from McCoy Funeral Chapel 6713 Hohman Ave. Hammond with Pastor Stephen Jones officiating. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Hammond. Friends may meet with the family Tuesday, from Eleanor enjoyed being a homemaker and was dedicated to her family and church.

Submitting Remembrances For information on submitting an obituary, please contact The Times. phone 219-933-3293 fax 219-933-3334 email Obituaries can be submitted: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. to Noon Sundays Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Holidays 10 a.m. to Noon, faxes by 11 a.m. Holidays falling on Sundays Noon to 2:00 p.m. Faxes must be received one hour prior to deadline. MARIE J.

HEITZ (NEE GUSTAFSON) SOUTH HOLLAND, IL Marie J. Heitz (nee Gustafson), age 77, of South Holland, IL passed away Monday, June 16, 2014. Beloved wife of the late Ralph Heitz; dear mother of Richard (Nancy) Heitz and Carin (Jim) Olson; loving grandmother of Krysten (Ryan) Harres, Kourtney Heitz, and Doug Olson; dear sister of Rosa (Steve) Sadlek. Visitation, Thursday June 19, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

at the Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home 649 E. 162nd St. (Rt.6/159th St.) South Holland, IL 60473. Funeral service, Friday, June 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with services conducted by Rev.

Beverly Conway. Interment at Cedar Park Cemetery, Calumet Park, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church (651 E. 166th St. South Holland, IL 60473).

For further info, please contact 708-333-7000 or visit our online obituary and guest book at www.SMITSFH.com. LINDA DUKE CROWN POINT, IN Linda Duke, age 68, of Crown Point, IN passed away Sunday, June 15, 2014 at Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, IN. Linda is survived by daughters: Michelle (Frank) Silva of Lowell and Mary Waggoner of Crown Point; grandchildren: Christopher, Caitlin, Timothy, Grace and Alyssa; and great granddaughter, Ryilee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Linda was a former member of the Sauk Village Church of God. She was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Friends may call on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Geisen Funeral-Cremation Reception Centre at 606 E. 113th St. (two blocks east of Broadway), Crown Point, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation Reception Centre in Crown Point, IN at 10:00 AM with Pastor James Gambill officiating. Interment will take place at Orchard Grove Cemetery in Lowell, IN.

View directions sign guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com or contact 219-663-2500. NELLIE MARIAN DePEW INDIANAPOLIS, IN Nellie Marian DePew (Lockwood), age 101, a resident of Robin Run Village in Indianapolis, gently and quietly entered eternity on June 10, 2014. She was born September 13, 1912 in Morrison, VA to Mark and Nina Carpenter) Lockwood. Nellie grew up on a hard working farm in Pleasant Lake, IN. She married William Gerald DePew June 6, 1931.

They shared 60 years together. Nellie was a devoted, loving mother who delighted in and supported her two children, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting, being involved in her community, church and the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association. Visitation will be Thursday, June 19, 2014 from p.m. Funeral service will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m.

at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 8178 Cline Schererville, IN 46375. A memorial service in celebration of Nellie's life will be held Monday, June 23, 2:00 p.m. at Robin Run Village, 5354 W. 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Resident Council of Robin Run Village Heritage Fund.

For more information or to sign our online guestbook, please visit: www.chapellawnfunerals.com ROBERT E. BRETTNER WHEATFIELD, IN Robert E. Brettner, age 96, of Wheatfield, IN passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. Robert is survived by his children: Sharon Harlan of Wheatfield and Terry (Mary) Brettner of Marietta, GA; grandchildren: Jeanette (Brian) Ingram and Stacy (Ben) Karably; great grandchildren: Kylie and Hailey Ingram, and Grace and Hazel Karably; sisters: Evelyn Applequist of New Mexico and Lorraine Follansbee of Colorado. Preceded in death by his wife, Esther; brothers: Elmer, William, and Jim Brettner; and sister, Myrtle Dritlein.

Robert proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was a member of the Wheatfield American Legion Post Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation Reception Centre 606 E. 113th Crown Point, IN 46307 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 9:00 AM at Geisen Funeral, Cremation Reception Centre in Crown Point. Interment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association. View directions sign guestbook at: www.GeisenFuneralHome.com or contact (219) 663-2500 CARLOS VON HATTEN "CHALE" EAST CHICAGO, IN Carlos "Chale" Von Hatten, age 76, of East Chicago, IN passed away Thursday, June 12, 2014 at home. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Margarita (nee Ortega) Von Hatten; five children: Norma (George) Petrunich, Carolyn (Thomas) Blackburn of South Carolina, Carlos Von Hatten, Marsha Von Hatten and Sandra (fiancee Victor Casares) Von Hatten; 14 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; brother, Eduardo Gustavo (Amelia) Von Hatten; five sisters: Carmen (late Eddie) Abete, Margarita Arne, Lucila (late Enrique) Pena, Alicia (late Ceasar) Castaneda and Concepcion (Charles) Harrison; in-laws: Guadalupe (Irene) Ortega, Eliseo Oropeza, Robert Ortega, Ramona Ortega and Juanita Trevino; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Gustavo and Michaela Von Hatten; brother, Robert (Rita) Von Hatten of California. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 9:15 a.m.

from the FIFE FUNERAL HOME 4201 Indianapolis East Chicago, IN and 10:00 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, East Chicago, IN. Cremation to follow. Visitation at the FIFE FUNERAL HOME will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

The American Legion Post will post colors 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Carlos retired from L.T.V. Steel Company after 31 years of service. He was a U.S.

Navy veteran and a member of the American Legion Allied Post In lieu of flowers, donations to the family would be appreciated. To share a memory or send a permanent online condolence, logon to: www.fifefuneralhome.com ROY W. KOLAS MUNSTER, IN Roy W. Kolas, 92, of Munster formerly of Hammond, entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, June 14, 2014. He is survived by his four loving children: Patricia (Rev.

Otto) Wegner, Joyce (Rev. Hugh) Duncan, Rev. Roy( Rev. Sharon) Snapp-Kolas and Sherri (Dale) Vandersteen; 11 grandchildren: Candace Wegner, Rev. Jonathan Wegner, Joanna Giunta, Hugh Duncan Deborah Duncan, Jill McDaniel, Joshua Snapp-Kolas, Christopher Snapp-Kolas, Rev.

Matthew Vandersteen, Michael Vandersteen and Ryan Vandersteen; 16 great grandchildren; and several foster grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by his parents: William and Bessie Kolas; wife Martha (nee Prohaska) and Ivadell (nee Stump); siblings; Eleanor (Edward) Klafta, Chester (Alice) Kolas and Norma Kolas. Funeral services will be held on Thursday June 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at The Gate (formerly First Assembly of God), 5670 Sohl Hammond, IN with Pastor Roy Snapp-Kolas and Pastor J. Calaway officiating.

Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond. Friends are invited to meet with the family for a time of visitation on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Kolas Christian Bookstore, 2635 Highway Highland, IN from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the church.

Roy was born on March 20, 1922 in Hammond. He was a graduate of Hammond High School class of 1940. Roy was a proud WWII Army veteran having served during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a lifetime faithful member of First Assembly of God Church in Hammond. Roy was also part of the seniors group at Life Point Church in Hessville.

He was a charter member of the Christian Booksellers Association. Roy began selling Christian books from his home in 1947 then founded the Kolas Christian Bookstore in downtown Hammond in 1950. When it relocated to Highland in 2007, Mr. Kolas started a weeky Bible study which continues to this day. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

He had been an influential leader in the church and community for over 65 years and touched the lives of countless individuals. Memorials will be directed to Christian Ministries that Roy supported. For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219) 844-1600 or www.bockenfunerals.com. MONDAYTO FRIDAY: 8 a.m. to SATURDAY: 10 a.m to noon SUNDAY: 12 to 2 p.m.

OBITUARY LINE: (219)933-3293 FAX LINE: (219) 933-3334 IN MEMORIAMS: (219)933-3222 HOURS OF SERVICE: CONTACT US: YOURLIVES Visit nwi.com to view daily obituaries and in memoriams.