If you’ve lived in "The Region" for any length of time, you know that The Times of Northwest Indiana—often just called nwi.com—is basically the digital and print pulse of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties. When a neighbor passes or a local legend finally takes their last bow, people head straight for the times nw indiana obituaries.
It's a habit.
But honestly, trying to track down a specific notice from three years ago or figure out how to post a tribute for a loved one can feel like navigating a maze. Things have changed. The days of just flipping to the back of a physical paper with a cup of coffee are fading, replaced by digital archives, Legacy.com integrations, and "We Remember" memorial pages.
Where the Records Actually Live
Most people start their search at nwi.com, which is smart, but there’s a nuance to how the data is stored. For current notices—the ones from today or this past week—the newspaper’s own site is the fastest route. However, for anything older, the paper partners with Legacy.com.
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If you are looking for someone like Judy Black or James Ellsworth (real names appearing in recent 2026 listings), you’ll find their stories hosted on these collaborative platforms. It’s a mix of a formal death notice and a digital guestbook where people post photos of their fishing trips or high school graduations.
The Archive Gap
What happens if you need a record from the 1980s? Or the 1930s?
You won’t find those on a simple Google search usually. For the deep history, you have to look toward the Hammond Public Library or the Lake County Public Library in Merrillville. They maintain the "The Times Obituary Indexes" which go back to the 1930s.
These aren't always pretty PDFs. Sometimes they are searchable indexes that tell you the date a person appeared in the paper, and then you have to request the microfilm or a digital scan from a librarian. It’s a bit of detective work.
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Placing a Notice: What Most People Get Wrong
It's a stressful time. You’re dealing with a loss, and now you have to write a biography that fits in a column. Most people think they have to call the newsroom in Munster.
You don't.
Basically, the process is almost entirely handled through an online portal now (often via the nwitimes.obituaries.com link). You upload the photo, type the text, and—this is the part that surprises everyone—the price updates in real-time.
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Price Reality Check
Obituaries are expensive. It’s the truth nobody likes to talk about. The cost isn't a flat fee; it’s based on:
- How many words you write.
- Whether you include a photo (hint: always include the photo, it helps people recognize the name).
- How many days it runs in the physical paper.
- Whether you want it to appear in the Munster, Crown Point, or Valparaiso editions.
If you’re on a budget, keep the printed version short and "direct" people to a free memorial site for the full story. It saves hundreds of dollars.
Why "The Region" Still Cares So Much
Northwest Indiana is a "small-town big-city" hybrid. Whether you’re in Whiting, Hobart, or Schererville, everyone is connected by about two degrees of separation. The times nw indiana obituaries serve as a community ledger.
When you read a notice for someone from East Chicago, you aren't just reading a death date. You’re reading about a guy who worked 40 years at Inland Steel, was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9924, and never missed a Bishop Noll football game. These details—the steel mills, the Catholic parishes, the local VFW posts—are the DNA of Northwest Indiana.
Tips for a Better Search
- Use Maiden Names: If you're looking for a woman's record, search by both her married and maiden names. The Times often lists them as "Rosemary R. 'Pepper' Kaplan (nee Robin)."
- Check Surrounding Papers: Sometimes a family in Munster might post in the Chicago Tribune instead, or a Valparaiso family might use the Post-Tribune.
- Library Resources: If you hit a paywall on the newspaper site, go to your local library’s website. Many, like the Crown Point Community Library, offer "Ancestry Library Edition" or "Heritage Hub" for free if you have a library card.
Essential Next Steps
If you are currently looking for a record or preparing to post one, don't just guess. Here is exactly what to do:
- For Genealogy: Visit the Indiana State Library online "Indiana Legacy" database. It’s free and covers various Lake County death records from 1899 to 1920 that predated the modern Times format.
- For Current Notices: Go directly to the NWI Times "Obituaries" tab, but be prepared to click through to Legacy.com for the guestbook features.
- For Submissions: Prepare your text in a Word document before you start the online submission process. This prevents the website from timing out while you're trying to remember what year Uncle Bob retired.
- Verify the Deadline: If you want a notice in the Sunday paper (the most-read edition), you usually need to have it submitted and paid for by Friday afternoon. Always check the specific cutoff time on the submission portal to avoid missing the print run.