OBITUARY FROM NW INDIANA TIMES, JANUARY 26, 2011:

Stephen J. Michaels, age 70 of Valparaiso passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2011. He was born on January 4, 1941 in Hobart to Stephen and Mary (Jachimczak) Mikolajczyk. Stephen graduated from Hobart High School, Class of 1959 and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He worked as a Sergeant for the Lake County Sheriff's Department, retiring in 1990 and then worked for 10 years as security for Munster Community Hospital. Stephen was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and the F.O.P. Chris Anton Lodge #125.

On September 1, 1962 in Gary, Stephen married Maxine Kravets who survives along with their son, Stephen V. (Debra) Michaels of Westfield; granddaughter, Emily; three sisters: Mary Ann Swift of Florida, and Carol (Dave) Evans and Verna (Gene) Mebert both of Lake of the Four Seasons; sister-in-law, Darlene (Keith) Luskin of Valparaiso; numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his beloved cat, Natasha. He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Stan; and grandparents: Babcia and Dziadzio.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00-8:00 PM at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso with a prayer service at 4:00 PM. Funeral services will begin at Moeller Funeral Home on Friday, January 28, 2011 with 9:00 AM Prayers for a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 509 W. Division Road, Valparaiso with Fr. Doug Mayer officiating. Entombment will follow at the Graceland Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to: VNA Hospice, 2401 Valley Dr., Valparaiso 46383 or I.U. Simon Cancer Center, 1110 W. Michigan Street, LO 506, Indianapolis 46202-5100. moellerfuneralhome.com

This information was obtained from: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=148089137.