Ellen ‘Ellie’ Kuchta-Hlaner, 55, of Kouts, the sister of a Chesterton resident, died Thursday, June 21, 2012, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

She was born Nov. 20, 1956, in Carpentersville, Ill. On Aug. 28, 1976, in Chicago, she married Frank Hlaner, who survives.

Also surviving are her daughters, Lisa Castellanos and Christina (Thomas) Ford of Valparaiso; her mother, Grace Ellingson of DeMotte; sisters Susan Barriball of Chesterton, Joanne Bour of Illinois, Grace Schisel of Florida, and Janet Honkisz of Lake Village; grandchildren Alexandria Hlaner, Jacob Castellanos, and Cameron Ford; a sister-in-law, Karen (Jim) Cotterell of Chicago; and many loving nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

Ellie graduated from Thornton High School, served as a CNA, and was currently a marketing representative with Little Caesars Pizza. She belonged to Cornerstone Community Church in Kouts and lived her life loving the Lord and witnessed Jesus’ love in work, faith, and actions.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25, at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts, with burial at Graceland Cemetery, Kouts. Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Kosanke.

Memorials may be made to the Porter County Animal Shelter or American Brain Tumor Association.

KosankeFuneralHome.com

Posted 6/22/2012