Benedict J. Likens

Benedict J. Likens, age 58 of Whiting, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 28, 2025 at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago.  Ben was born on October 6, 1966. His father was the late Bennie Likens and his mother and caregiver was Ann Patricia “Pat” Kolina Likens, who survives. He is also survived by his uncle, Jack (late Darlene) Kolina of Florida and many dear cousins of the Likens, Kolina and Curosh families. Beside his father, Ben was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Steve and Anne (Curosh) Kolina, his uncle and Godfather, Jerry Kolina and his and Godmother, Darlene Kolina. Also, his paternal grandparents, Willis and Mildred Likens and uncles, Willis (late Pamela) Likens and Jim Likens.

Visitation for Ben will be on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th Street Whiting; funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 with a Mass of Christian Burial being offered at 10:00am  directly at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 119th St. and Lincoln Ave., Whiting, with the Rev. Timothy McFarland, C.PP.S., officiating; interment to follow at St. John Cemetery, Hammond;  members of the parish will  offer prayers at the funeral home on Friday at 4:30pm. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on-line at www.baranfh.com.

Ben was a graduate of St. John School in Whiting and Bishop Noll Institute, Class of 1985. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, IN and a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He was a member of St. John Church, and the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Assoc., BR. 81. He had participated with choral clubs at Bishop Noll and St. Joseph College. For the past several years, Ben battled numbers of serious health issues, which left him homebound. Prior to the onset of his diabetes and other related medical problems, Ben was a musician – a guitarist with a beautiful singing voice. He was a music minister and teacher at several local Catholic parishes. He was also, and will always be, a lover of classic rock and was a member of several local rock bands. Ben was a wonderful son and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. John Church Capital Campaign, 1849 Lincoln Ave., Whiting, IN 46394 or the SHARE Foundation for the Handicapped, 6375N, 300E, LaPorte, IN 46350, would be appreciated. 

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