Carol (Kukuch) Diwyk, age 60, of Laporte, Minnesota, passed away on December 15, 2007, at her home. Carol was born in Gary, IN on September 26, 1947. She was the daughter of John and Caroline (Macko) Kukuch. She attended Assumption Grade School and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, IN. On February 17, 1968, she married Bohdan Diwyk, whom she met while working as a secretary at Inland Steel. She subsequently became a librarian for Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Lake County Public Library in Merrillville, IN. Over the years, family vacations were spent in Minnesota and, in 1989, the family moved to a home on Kabekona Lake, near Laporte, MN. Carol was an organist for St. Theodore Catholic Church in Laporte and St. Agnes Catholic Church in Walker. She also worked with the youth of St. Theodore and directed the church choir. Carol enjoyed her music, horses and horseback riding, crossword puzzles, needlepoint embroidery and reading. She was strongly supportive of the ASPCA and the National Wildlife Association. She is fondly remembered for her musical ability, twinkling eyes, good spirit and humorous personality. Carol is survived by daughters: Yvonne Diwyk, Christine (Carl) Steffes and Irene (Wally) Zelasko; grandsons: Alexander and Nicholas Zelasko; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and her much-loved dogs: Juno and Shilo. She was preceded in death by her parents; and, in 2005, by her husband, Bohdan. A memorial mass was held on December 21, 2007 at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Laporte, MN with Fr. Duane Pribula officiating. Arrangements handled by Dennis Funeral Home.

Word was received of the sudden and unexpected death of Janis (Laskarin) Michaels (age 60) on January 2, 2008. She passed away in her sleep on New Years. Survived by her husband of 39 years, James; son John (Nichole) Michaels of Dyer, IN; daughter Nicole (Steven) Miskowicz of Chicago, IL; son Nicholas Michaels of Hammond, IN; grandchildren Skylar and Maride Michaels; mother Marge (late John) Laskarin of Hammond; sister Nancy (Mark Purevich) Laskarin of Schererville, IN; her loving pets Buttons, Rosie, Crammer and Cindy.

Her gift of life was celebrated on January 19, with Memorial Mass at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Calumet City, IL, and a reception immediately followed. A Summer Solstice celebration of friendship, love and loyalty will be held in the house that she made everyones home on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Private funeral services were entrusted with Solan-Pruzin Funeral Home & Crematory, Schererville/Highland, IN.

Janis was a member of St. Andrews of Calumet City, IL, and St. Thomas More of Munster, IN, Carmelite Guild, Rotary Club, Tri-Kappa, and the famous Linda Zipko Cookie Club. She had a fulfilling career at Highland Bosak Automotive, and working with the Tyson Automotive family. She will always be remembered as a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and humanitarian. Everyone who knew her loved her and will greatly miss her kindness, generosity, unmatched humor, gentle ways, loving stories, consistently sweet demeanor and zest for life. Her faith and devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mother eased her through life; may we all gain strength from her faith. Our deep sorrow turns to joy when we think of the pleasure of her company. We were all so blessed to know her, learn from her and have been loved by her. \"Bunny was a FLY Lady,\" according to granddaughters Skylar and Mara.

Dan's good sense of humor and his oversized black-rimmed glasses earned him the nickname, "Owl," during his Noll years. This polite man will be missed by the many classmates that knew him.

Life improves when those around us are dependable. Fred was a person upon whom you could count to be there when you needed a friend. Fred's stay on Earth was too short, as he was remembered in the 20th Anniversary Reunion Booklet in 1985.

Pete was a mild and kind man who made a wonderful physician. Fronting a group as lead singer beyond our Noll years, Pete served the community as a wellness professional until cancer claimed his life in the late 1990s.

Larry will be remembered as a fine speaker and actor. Unfortunately, at a young age, Larry drowned when he accidently fell overboard in a boating accident.

With great sadness, we learned of the death of our friend Pat in December, 2004. Many of us recall the enjoyment of a perfect 2003 reunion, sharing dinner, dance and conversation with Pat, an evening full of smiles and laughter. Then came the news of her pancreatic cancer, and Pat left us within eight months time. May she rest in eternal peace.

If ever a "Good Samaritan" paid the ultimate price for an act of generosity, it was Craig Carney. Craig stopped to offer roadside assistance to a motorist in need, and he suffered a fatal blow by a passing vehicle as he attempted to lay out warning flares on the road. This beloved classmate exemplifies the giving, spiritual training that he learned at Bishop Noll Institute.

People like Kathy Chess provided the backbone of Noll's class of 1965: considerate, steadfast, and with an understated simplicity that, in the end, speaks volumes. Kathy gave her classmates a friend to be warmly regarded and remembered.

Len was the kind of well-rounded person who enjoyed a good time but who knew when to get serious and finish the task at hand. After a period of illness, this beloved classmate moved on from this Earthly plane during 2002.

Paula had a sweet nature that made her easy to befriend. Married to classmate Bob Zabrecky, Paula enjoyed life with her spouse and 3 sons in the New Orleans area until a freakish accident cut short her stay on Earth in January, 2002. Paula's fall from a foot-stool necessitated a simple surgical procedure, but a pulmonary embolus took Paula in the middle of the night 10 days after her unfortunate fall. Paula is remembered fondly by family and classmates alike.

Sharon's quiet but strong presence contributed to the character of Noll's remarkable Class of 1965. Sharon lived in the Southwest after attending college in Wisconsin.

Our fair-haired classmate, Paul was taken from us on December 29, 1984, due to complications of juvenile onset diabetes. After his school years at St. Stanislaus and Noll, Paul lived in Highland, IN, and worked at Inland Steel. Paul is survived by a son, who was 12 years old at the time of Paul's death. These memories of Paul were fondly recalled by his older sister Mary Ann, who is also a BNI Alumni.

Ray spent a brief time in the seminary before heading to Chicago to study radio broadcasting. He died in Kansas City, KS, sometime in the early 80's, leaving a wife and daughter.

Rich was a jovial, sociable person who worked his way into the hearts of all who knew him. He participated in dramatic projects and earned quite a reputation as an excellent hair-care specialist prior to his departure during the 1980s.

It was with great sadness that, while planning our 2003 reunion, we learned of the death of Phyllis. A talented artist, her life was cut short when, in 1988, Phyllis suffered a fatal blood clot shortly after back surgery.

"Minnie" was usually seen with a broad smile across his face. Rarely the prankster, Minnie nonetheless enjoyed the hi-jinx of the other boys, and his laugh can still be heard in the memories of good friends.

With great sadness we learned of the drowning death in Alabama on December 25, 2005, of our classmate Bill Marshall. Growing up in Highland, IN, recent years Bill had been living in Florida. Bill is survived by one son. May he rest in peace as we classmates mourn the loss of yet another favorite classmate.

Patricia Ann "Pat" Marzec, of East Chicago, IN, died on August 17, 2005, at the age of 58. Pat was employed by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC) Vocations Office in Indiana Harbor. She was past president of Bank Women, Chicago Chapter, a member of St. Mary's Church in East Chicago and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Pat will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. She was a lifelong resident of East Chicago, IN.

Formerly of Indiana Harbor, late of Phoenix, AZ and Alpharetta, GA, Ken passed away on January 20, 2005. He is survived by his wife Marie of 37 years. Unfortunately, we had not located Ken for our 2003 reunion. His obituary noted that Ken played drums in a band called the Chevelles and that his cat Oil Pan was also very special in his life, as was his computer work. He was employed by AT&T in Georgia.

Ray Mecha was born on January 19, 1947, and he died on December 2, 1998. In speaking with his sister Jane, she describes fondly her only brother as a nice man whose sudden death took their family by surprise. Ray loved cats and had one of his own. He loved to tinker and fix cars and one day he did just that, and then, later that night he died in his sleep in what was suspected to be a heart attack. During his short time here, Ray lived life to the fullest. He served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. In 1975, he earned a B.S. in Business/Economics at St. Joseph's Calumet College, East Chicago, IN, where he was on the Dean's List every semester. Ray also held a Real Estate Broker’s License in Illinois. He grew up in Calumet City, IL, and continued to live in The Region. He was employed as a Cost Accountant at Interlake Technical Center, Inc., in Riverdale, IL. Ray learned scuba diving by attending an evening class that was offered during our years at Bishop Noll. The course was taught by Noll's swimming coach, Mr. Bush. Ray enjoyed boating, camping, scuba diving, photography, auto mechanics and reading. He loved the water and owned two boats. Jane recalls one pleasant summer outing when brother Ray invited her, plus their parents, for a boat ride to the Chicago Venetian Nights and later that same evening he took them for a sightseeing tour along the Chicago Lakeshore to view the skyline by night. Jane said she misses him to this day and that the world lost a very strong, intelligent and nice man.

Don passed away on July 22, 2003, at his residence in Whiting, IN. A member of St. Casimir's Church, Don was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. He was a retiree of LaSalle Steel Company with 27 years of service.

The votes are in and by all counts, Timmy was our favorite funnyman. In the halls, in class, at dances, at games--anywhere and everywhere--Tim Mojzik never failed to make people laugh. His penchant for making people look at life's humorous side will never be forgotten. Tim's high school athletic prowess was rewarded with a college football scholarship, where he was successful as an all-conference player. Prior to a career change, he had started up the ladder as a high school football coach. Unfortunately, Tim was the victim of a violent crime, having been shot by an armed robber. The intruder entered Tim's business establishment after hours and caught him unexpectedly working in the back office.

Dave Polich is our beloved classmate whose life ended far too soon. Dave never saw a day beyond our teen years, as he died in Vietnam at the age of 19. He is fondly remembered by family and friends alike.

With great sadness we received the news of the death of Marilyn Przybyl Strong. Many of us had the pleasure of enjoying our 40th anniversary class reunion in June, 2005, and Marilyn was among the smiling faces pictured that evening. Marilyn was on the reunion committee and hosted committee meetings in her home. Shortly after that reunion in 2005, Marilyn learned that she had breast cancer and, after a valiant battle, Marilyn left this world to be with God in eternity on September 4, 2006. Mrs. Strong was a graduate of Butler University, a former teacher at St. Thomas More School and a former Student Teaching Supervisor at Calumet College. Marilyn is survived by Kenneth, her husband of 38 years, and their two daughters/spouses and three grandchildren. With heavy hearts we say goodbye to this dear classmate friend.

Growing up as one of ten children in the Regeski family (one sister being another '65 classmate of ours, Ruth Ann Regeski), Martin lived in Minnesota after his high school years. He loved the outdoors/wilderness. Weekends would find him going up to his land in northern Minnesota to enjoy the peaceful outdoors. He was very active and loved to hike and bike. Martin passed away on November 19, 2004. Martin leaves two grown daughters and two grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Johnny Reppa was so quiet that few people outside his classes knew what his voice sounded like. This gentle soul hailed from East Chicago but lived out his last years in sunny San Francisco.

Sadly we learned of the passing of Bobby Reyes on December 1, 2004. He leaves wife Yolanda, two daughters, one son, and a granddaughter. Bobby remained a lifetime resident of this area. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a retired operator from PB with 10 years of service, after working for Inland Steel Company for 25 years. In recent years he battled complications of diabetes. May he rest in eternal peace.

Beatle George Harrison once sang, "All things must pass." Each moment in time gives and takes the precious things that make up life. Only this year did the Class of 1965 lose good friend, John Sajdera, who had made Texas his home. He'll always be remembered for his fun-loving personality and his wide smile.

Tom's sudden death on January 16, 2004, took everyone by surprise. We'll miss Tom's kind nature, sharp mind and polite manners. We recall the black plastic eyeglasses popular during the 60's that framed Tom's eyes, eyes that were alternately intent in his study of you and his surroundings or brightened above a sincere smile. Our condolences to his wife (Kathy Fabian, also a '65 classmate of ours) and their family.

We have just received word that Bill died in Wilmington, Delaware, on March 14, 2003. Bill was intent and highly successful in his school work, being one of the top students in our class. A sincere, good-natured and kind individual, Bill enjoyed a good laugh. It was a pleasure to share classes with him.

Bob Worosz is remembered for his good nature and willingness to participate in group activities. Classmate Cheryl Watts recalls that Bob was never asked to sit in the row reserved for misbehaving youngsters during their 8 years of grade school. After surviving military service during wartime, Bob was ironically removed from our midst in an automobile accident a few months after being discharged.

Mr. Napierala--affectionately known as "Nap" to his Senior 3 homeroom boys--was a friend, teacher, and coach to many BNI 65ers. Atypical of "jock" teachers, Steve had a mild and approachable demeanor and earned respect for his willingness to listen as well as teach. An adept hockey player who had all the appearances of a man in great physical condition, "Nap" died in his late 20's from an aneurism suffered while moving a heavy piano. Steve is fondly remembered by countless Noll alumni.