Barney Tarchala, of Chesterton, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003 at VNA Horton Hospice Center, Valparaiso. He was 75.

He was born April 23, 1928 in Gary, the son of Andrew and Ruth (Wajasicnski) Tarchala, who preceded him in death.

On June 29, 1974 in Chesterton, he married Elizabeth M. Stephens, who survives in Porter.

He is also survived by 3 sons, Marc (Carri) Tarchala of Kansas City, Mo., Gene (Emily) Strange of Arlington, Texas and Jay Strange of Albuquerque, N.M.; 4 daughters, Cathy Jenkins of Chicago, Shaun (Richard) Beecher of Moresville, Peggy (Charles) Thomas of Valparaiso and Colleen (Jan Olsted) Strange of Albuquerque N.M.; a sister, Violet Mae Nightlinger of Hammond, a sister-in-law, Anita (Eloy) Serna of Albuquerque, N.M.; and 10 grandchildren, Leslie and Steven Tarchala, Richard, Shana and Ryan Beecher, Patrick Strange, Julia, Zachary and Katherine Thomas and Heather (Jeremy) Maple.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter Sherri Strange and a brother, Robert Tarchala.

He was a life long resident. He was employed as a tube inspector at U.S. Steel Gary Works. He was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School Class of 1947 and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Funeral services, Captain Mike Wolfe officiating, are scheduled at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home. Cremation will follow services with interment of ashes at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

Memorials may be made to the Porter County Cancer Society.

Posted 11/12/2003

Posted 11/10/2003