Funeral Services Today for Longtime Educator, Scout Leader

Jim Hamblin

A mentor to many generations of Knox residents will be laid to rest today. WKVI’s Ted Hayes shares his thoughts on the passing of Jim Hamblin.

Hamblin’s funeral is today at 1:30 p.m. at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox, with visitation there from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be given to the Hamblin Scholarship Fund at the Starke County Community Foundation.

Memorial Service Scheduled Today for Local Murder Victim

Kristine WilliamsA murder victim will be remembered today in her home town. Kristine Williams, 36, was found in an abandoned house in Gary on Sunday, Oct. 19. Police there say accused serial killer Darren Vann, 43, has confessed to killing her and six other women. Williams grew up in Knox and would have graduated from Knox High School in 1997. A service will take place this morning 11 a.m. at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox. Continue reading

Nick J. Hoffmann

Nick J. Hoffmann, 72, of Knox, died on Sunday, July 7. Services and interment were private. M.C. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Maryal A. Carli

A Funeral Mass for Maryal A. Carli, 71, of Knox,  will be Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m. CDT at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until leaving for church at M.C. Smith Funeral Home.

Willard W. Brown

A funeral mass for Willard W. Brown, 94, of Knox, is scheduled Thursday, May 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Knox. Visitation is Wednesday, May 1 from 4-8 p.m. at M.C. Smith Funeral Home, with a rosary service at 4.

Robert A. Jenczalik

Funeral services for Robert A. Jenczalik, 84, of Knox, are Wednesday, May 1 at 11 a.m. CDT at Knox Nazarene Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox is in charge of arrangements.

John R. Romenzak

Funeral services for John R. Romenzak, 48, of Knox, are Saturday, May 4 at noon CDT at the Goodway Baptist Church in Medaryville, with visitation two hours prior to the service. M.C. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Valparaiso Man Arrested For Knox Funeral Home Entry

A Valparaiso man was arrested May 7 after he reportedly broke into the M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.

The owner of the funeral home, Mark Smith, told police that Sonny St. John’s mother had died and was at the facility, but St. John wanted to change funeral homes. St. John learned that his mother’s trust was paying for the funeral and he reportedly told Smith that he found another home that could do the funeral for cheaper. Smith said St. John could not have the money back from the arrangements already made because it was illegal. St. John allegedly became belligerent and began saying that he would burn down the funeral home if he didn’t get what he wanted. He also threatened to break into the business and take his mother out of the facility. Smith told police that the threats really didn’t mean much– until he saw St. John leaving the facility when he was not there and the doors were locked.

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Funeral Services Held for Eric Corey

Eric Corey and his parents

With hundreds of hunters and others in attendance at the Knox Community Center on Sunday, the community said good bye to Eric Corey, of Knox.

Corey, 25, was the subject of many stories about his battle with ALS, his beating the odds for 10 years while hunting all over the world and setting up an event where other people with disabilities could enjoy the sport he loved so much. For three years, Eric and his family organized an event called Turkey Tracks and it grew every year with disabled people going turkey hunting with guides.

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