All Obituaries

James Francis Oleksak, 70, of South Bend, passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, May 4, 2020, in his home. Jim was born August 2, 1949 in Buffalo, New York, a son of the late Edward and Shirley (Long) Oleksak. He grew up in the Buffalo, New York area and was a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School. He furthered his education at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the University of Notre Dame. Jim married Christina...

Janette Catherine Mickels, 89, a life-long resident of Mishawaka, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Janette was born July 28, 1930 in Mishawaka, a daughter of the late Habib and Martha (Habib) Mickels. Janette is survived by her daughter, Rose Martina Mickels; two grandchildren, Mitch (Laura) Mickels and Joshua Mickels; two great grandchildren, Zoey and Mitchell Mickels; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Janette was preceded in...

Arrangements will be announced.

Ruby M. Stabrowski, 75, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020, under the loving care of her husband and daughters, following a long illness. Ruby was born February 13, 1945 in Eastport, Maine, and was a 1963 graduate of Shead High School in Eastport. Ruby married Lawrence C. Stabrowksi on March 6, 1965. During their married life they lived in Mishawaka, Goshen, New Paris, Lake Havasu and Florence, Arizona and in recent years in Elkhart. Ruby was a loving wife, mother and...

Lawrence “Larry” Berreth, 82, of Mishawaka, passed away at 5:10 pm on April 19, 2020, at Golden Living Center, Mishawaka. Larry was born May 17, 1937 in Mishawaka to the late Henry and Clara (Weber) Berreth. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Michael; his son, Christopher; and a grandson, Thijs Kraakman. Larry is survived by his wife of 35 years, Aniela Murphy Berreth, two daughters, Christina (Pieter) Kraakman of Ft. Wayne and...

Stephen William Dermody, Jr., age 40, of Mishawaka, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, April 10, 2020, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Steve was born November 10, 1979 in Mishawaka, the son of Stephen W. and Brenda (Herron) Dermody. He grew up in Mishawaka and was a 1999 graduate of Mishawaka High School. On July 23, 2005, Steve married Amy A. Medlin and the couple made Mishawaka their home. Amy survives, along with their two sons, Alex Stephen Dermody and Christopher William...

Michael R. Harting, 55, of Granger, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka due to complications from Metastatic Melanoma. Mike was born on October 14, 1964 in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, the son of Alvin and Barbara (Ruth) Harting. He grew up in the Sinking Springs area of Pennsylvania and was a 1983 graduate of Wilson High School in West Lawn, PA. On March 4, 1995, Mike married the former Kathleen C. Nolan.  He is survived by Kathy along...

Antonio D. Portolese, 85, of Mishawaka, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020, at Hospice House, South Bend. Antonio, known to many as “Tony” or “Doc”, was born May 22, 1934 in Mishawaka, a son of the late Frank and Domenica (Trimboli) Portolese. He was a 1953 graduate of Mishawaka High School and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Ball State University. Tony was a well-loved, long-time industrial arts teacher and athletic trainer at Penn...

Edward J. Trippel, 89, of Mishawaka, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born July 17, 1930 in Mishawaka, a son of the late Carl and Margaret (Deitchley) Trippel. He grew up in Mishawaka and was a 1948 graduate of Madison Township High School. He served his country in the US Army from 1951 to 1953. Ed married Geraldine “Geri” Kramer on July 26, 1975. Ed’s surviving family includes his wife of 44 years, Geri; three...

Stephen C. Wallisch, 49, of South Bend, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Steve was born February 6, 1971 in Mishawaka, a son of Donald and Evelyn (Sample) Wallisch. He grew up in South Bend and was a graduate of Clay High School. Steve was a devoted 22 year employee of Northern Indiana Food Bank; a job he truly loved. He enjoyed going to the Kroc Center and loved sports, especially Notre Dame Football. He especially loved spending time with his...