Our Obituaries
Joanne Layton Bates
Aug 24, 2026
Joanne Layton Bates was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 25, 1947, to Fred and Trudy Layton. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and a devoted dog mom to her faithful good girl, Ruby.
She will be remembered for her strength, her style, her “just let me get my purse” willingness to go anywhere, the countless people she...
Helen Margaret Martin
Aug 21, 2026
Helen Margaret Martin
August 21, 2026 | Age 61
Helen Margaret Martin passed away on August 21, 2026, at the age of 61. Born in Greensville, Pennsylvania, Helen grew up in Rensselaer, Indiana, surrounded by a loving family. It was there that the foundation was laid for the kindness, compassion, and deep devotion to family that would define her throughout her life.
Helen...
Wayne Richard "Doc" Dougherty
Aug 21, 2026
Wayne Richard “Doc” Dougherty, of Zionsville, Indiana, passed away on August 21, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born on August 25, 1947, in Somerset, Pennsylvania.
Known to many as “Doc,” Wayne will be remembered with respect for the life he lived and the steady path he followed through work, service, and friendship. He was a high school graduate...
Frances Calderon Lazerov
Aug 21, 2026
Frances Calderon Lazerov, affectionately known as Fran, was born on November 18, 1938, to Albert Samuel Calderon and Florence Sarfaty Calderon. A lifelong Hoosier at heart, Fran graduated from Shortridge High School and attended Indiana University.
On May 31, 1959, Fran married the love of her life, Israel Samuel “Sam” Lazerov. Together they raised two children, David and Florence, and built...
James Taylor
Aug 20, 2026
James Ernest Taylor was born September 2, 1949, to Keith and Loretta (Wood) Taylor in Angola, IN. He attended Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, IN, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps with his good friend Steven Steinbacher. He proudly served in Vietnam from September 1968 to October 1969. Steven did not return from Vietnam, and Jim...
Maxine Gambrel
Aug 20, 2026
Dorothy Maxine Gambrel let go of an inspiring 96-year journey on August 20, 2026. She passed peacefully with family members at her side in the home of her daughter, Salli. Her unwavering faith was a testament to the devout woman of God that she was.
Maxine was born November 24, 1929, at the very beginning of the great depression, to Ruby...
George A. Rubin
Aug 14, 2026
George Allen Rubin, the son of Maurice and Laura Rubin and younger brother to Bob, was born on June 11, 1932, in Michigan City, Indiana. Growing up on Coolspring Avenue he became the embodiment of what his immigrant family could only have dreamed of when they escaped the pogroms and antisemitism of the Pale of Settlement in Russia.
George began his...
Khandubhai Bhulabhai Patel
Aug 12, 2026
A noble soul who beautifully balanced worldly duties with spiritual devotion has returned to the divine source. Shri Khandubhai Bhulabhai Patel lived his life as a true Moksha Margi - walking the path of liberation with utmost humility, kindness and love.
While his heart was anchored in spiritual truth, his family was his utmost priority, and his selfless care for everyone will...
Bertha Benmour
Aug 11, 2026
Bertha Benmour, born on June 18, 1925 in Manhattan, New York, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 101. Her long life was a testament to resilience, commitment to family, and quiet strength, leaving an enduring legacy cherished by all who knew her. Bertha was the beloved daughter of Max and Anna Welicovsky,...
Nhon Thien Nguyen
Aug 9, 2026
Mr. Nhon Thien Nguyen
Born on June 19, 1945, in Nha Trang, Vietnam, he was the fourth child in a family of educators. He was always deeply loved by his brothers and sisters for his gentle, kind, and affectionate nature.
He joined the military to defend South Vietnam during the civil war between the North, which was under communist rule, and the...
John Hutchings Holcombe, MD
Aug 5, 2026
Dr. John H. Holcombe, MD., retired, 77, died on August 5th. He was born on August 7, 1948, in Jefferson, Texas, to John White Holcombe and Martha Kennon Driscoll Holcombe.
At the time of John’s birth, his parents owned and operated a small dairy farm in Jefferson, Texas. In 1956, John moved with his family to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where his father...
Reid Litwack
Aug 4, 2026
Our precious Reid Litwack died on August 4, 2026. He was born on February 26, 1961, to Louise and Jerry Litwack. He spent his early childhood years in Shelbyville, IN before the family moved to Indianapolis in 1973. He graduated from North Central High School and, with the exception of his time at Brown University and Case Western, spent the...
Dr. Jason Sol Zielonka
Aug 4, 2026
Jason Sol Zielonka, MD
Jason was born in Landsberg-Am-Lech, a displaced persons camp in Germany, on November 13, 1948 to Max and Rachel Zielonka, Jewish Holocaust survivors beginning to rebuild their lives after losing most of their families.
Jason immigrated to the US with his parents in 1949, where he grew up in the close-knit Jewish communities of Roxbury and Mattapan. He...
Larisa Enker
Aug 4, 2026
Laura Enker, born on May 23, 1939, in Tashkent, USSR, passed away on August 4, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was 87 years old.
Laura’s life stands as a testament to dedication, artistry, and resilience. Born in Tashkent, she cultivated her exceptional talent for music at the esteemed Tashkent State Konservatory of Uzbekistan. Her profound love and commitment to her art led...
Pacita Campos
Aug 3, 2026
Pacita Campos, beloved mother, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was 92 years old.
Born on April 6, 1934, in San Salvador, El Salvador, Pacita’s life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her journey from her birthplace in San Salvador to Indianapolis was shaped by love and courage. Throughout her...
James Thomas Disalvo
Aug 1, 2026
James Thomas DiSalvo (Jim)
James Thomas DiSalvo, known affectionately as Jim, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, in Indianapolis, IN surrounded by his loving family.
Born on September 17, 1945, in Wakefield, Rhode Island, Jim was the son of the late Peter J. DiSalvo and Mary “Honor” DiSalvo (Nolan). He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. David DiSalvo, in...
Marvin Mitchell
Jul 30, 2026
Marvin Mitchell, 88, passed away on July 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Indianapolis to Isaac ("Tuffy") Mitchell and Esther Meshlum Mitchell, Marvin was proud to call Indianapolis his lifelong home. He attended Shortridge High School, graduating in 1955, where he like to pretend he excelled as a student-athlete. He remained close friends with many of...
Jack Briker
Jul 29, 2026
Jack Briker, born on March 11, 1952, in Odesa, Ukraine, passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 2026, in Cypress, Texas. His unexpected departure has left a profound void in the hearts of the family and friends who cherished him.
Jack’s life was one marked by steadfast dedication to the people he loved and an enduring spirit shaped by his origins in...
Jeffery Dwayne Stewart
Jul 27, 2026
Jeffery Dwayne Stewart, a cherished son, husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on July 27, 2026.
Jeff was born in Indianapolis on July 17, 1969, to Carl Robert Stewart and Anna Kersey Stewart. He graduated from Pike High School in 1987.
A devoted family man, Jeff spent his life putting others before himself and treasured his friendships. He loved sports, especially...
Gary Zelinger
Jul 27, 2026
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our brother and friend, Gary Zelinger on July 27, 2026.
Gary Mark Zelinger was born April 16, 1952 in Yonkers, NY, to Dorothy and Steve Zelinger. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School, where he was also baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith.
At an early age, Gary showed signs of a charming...
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