Finding information about someone who just passed away in the Region can feel like a maze. Honestly, if you’re looking for Gary Post Tribune recent obituaries, you’ve probably noticed that the way we find these notices has changed. It isn’t just about flipping to the back of a physical newspaper anymore. Everything is digital, fast-moving, and scattered across a few different platforms.
People often assume the Post-Tribune (now owned by the Chicago Tribune) is the only place to look. It’s a huge resource, sure. But in Northwest Indiana, the "recent" part of those searches often leads you to a mix of legacy media sites, funeral home pages, and community archives.
The Reality of Searching Gary Post Tribune Recent Obituaries
Most people get frustrated because they expect a simple, chronological list that never ends. In reality, the Gary Post Tribune recent obituaries are primarily hosted through a partnership with Legacy.com.
When you search for a name like Jay B. Gottschling or Donna Alice Ivanyo, who were both recently listed as passing in the Merrillville and Gary area, you aren't just looking at a newspaper snippet. You’re looking at a living document. These pages allow for "Memories" to be posted—basically digital guestbooks where friends and family leave notes.
For instance, looking at recent listings from mid-January 2026, we see names that represent the fabric of our community. Thomas Nastoff and Brenda Lee Brown are among those recently memorialized. These aren't just names; they are people who built lives in Lake County.
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Why the "Gary" Label Can Be Tricky
Gary is the heart of the area, but the Post-Tribune covers the entire "Region." You’ll find people listed from Merrillville, Crown Point, Hobart, and even Valparaiso. If you only search "Gary," you might miss a neighbor who lived just across the city line.
I’ve noticed that people often overlook the NWI Times as well. While the Post-Tribune is a staple, many families in Lake and Porter counties cross-post notices. If you can’t find a name in one, check the other. It’s just how the local media landscape works these days.
How to Actually Find Someone Today
Don't just rely on the main homepage. It’s cluttered.
- Use the Filter: On the Post-Tribune obituary portal, you can filter by "Past 3 days" or "Past week." This is the best way to see the most recent notices without digging through months of data.
- The "Memories" Count: If you see a name with a high number of memories (like Donita Lynette Smith or Johnnie F. Washington, who have dozens of entries), that’s often a sign of a very recent or highly impactful community passing.
- Funeral Home Direct Sites: Sometimes the newspaper takes 24 to 48 hours to process a notice. If you know which funeral home is handling the service—places like Divinity Funeral Home in East Chicago or Hillside Funeral Home in Highland—go directly to their "Current Services" page. They post there first.
A Quick Look at Recent Names (January 2026)
To give you an idea of the current records, here is a breakdown of some individuals recently noted in the area's records:
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- Jay B. Gottschling (Published Jan 13, 2026)
- Donna Alice Ivanyo (Published Jan 13, 2026)
- Thomas Nastoff (Published Jan 13, 2026)
- Caryn Ann Duran (Published Jan 12, 2026)
- Christine Jernigan (Published Jan 12, 2026)
- David Merkel (Published Jan 12, 2026)
These names come from the most recent updates to the Merrillville and Gary area archives.
The Role of Genealogy and History
It’s not just about the folks we lost yesterday. The Gary Post Tribune recent obituaries search is also a massive tool for people digging into their family trees.
GenealogyBank and similar archives hold Post-Tribune records going back nearly 150 years. If you’re looking for an ancestor, the "recent" obituaries of today will be the historical goldmines of tomorrow. They contain maiden names, birthplaces (many people in Gary originally migrated from places like Alabama or Kentucky for the steel mill jobs), and surviving relatives.
For example, a recent notice for Hattie Moore, who passed at the incredible age of 102, mentioned her birth in Fairfax, Alabama, and her work as a housekeeper. That’s a whole life story captured in a few paragraphs.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Kinda sounds simple, right? Just type a name and go. But honestly, it’s easy to mess up.
First, watch the spelling. Historical records and even modern digital ones often have typos. If "Smith" doesn't work, try a first name and a date range.
Second, don't ignore the "In Review" or "Pending" notices. Sometimes a name will appear without a full story because the family is still writing it. If you see a name but no text, check back in 12 hours.
Third, the paywall situation. The Post-Tribune is free for the first 60 days of an obituary's life. After that, you might need a subscription or an archival service to see the full text. If you need it for a funeral or a legal matter, grab a screenshot or print it out immediately.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you are looking for someone right now, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check Legacy’s Gary Page: Start at the dedicated Gary, IN portal on Legacy.com which pulls directly from the Post-Tribune.
- Search by Last Name Only: If you aren't sure of the exact spelling of a first name (is it Jon or John?), just use the last name and filter for "Indiana."
- Visit Local Funeral Home Sites: If the person was a long-time resident of a specific neighborhood, check the nearest 2-3 funeral homes. They often have the most detailed "Life Stories" that don't always make it into the condensed newspaper version.
- Social Media Check: In Gary, many community notices are shared on Facebook "Community" groups long before they hit the official Gary Post Tribune recent obituaries section. Search the person's name on social platforms if the official channels are coming up empty.
By following these specific paths, you'll find the information you need without the usual digital runaround. Whether you're paying respects or documenting history, these tools are the most reliable way to stay connected to the Region's community.