Margaret "Marge" Jeraldyne Bishop

Margaret (Marge) Jeraldye Bishop (nee Silich) passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025 at 100 years old. Marge was born on April 25,1924 in Joliet, IL to Croatian/Italian immigrants, Victor and Elvera Silich. She moved to Indiana as a young child, attended Franklin and Froebel schools, and lived in her Merrillville home since 1963. As a teen and young adult, Marge won Tri-State Regional competitions for her rich soprano voice, performed widely at weddings and local events, and won a full scholarship to the world-class Julliard Music School in NYC.

A devout Catholic, Marge “met” her future husband Lud “Lutch” at their church dance in the 1940’s - but Lud had his eyes on her since they were young children! Marge and Lud were married for 68 years. In the 1950s, Marge worked in the metallurgy office of United States Steel and, in the late 1960s, Marge embarked on a new career with Tammey Jewels. She built a huge sales team that spanned Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Marge was promoted to Vice President and managed the Tammey Jewels store in the newly built Southlake Mall. Marge inspired countless women to reach for the stars, shining internally with newfound confidence, while sparkling externally with beautiful jewelry!

Marge had a lifelong passion for adventure and travel, visiting China, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and most European countries. We will miss her favorite stories of vacationing with her grandson, Mitch, at Disney World, and surviving rollercoasters and waterslide rides with grandsons, Justin and Jonathan - to name a few!

Marge loved babies, children, dogs and making new friends. As an active member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, AARPS, Daughters of Italy, and Catholic Columbiettes, Marge was always the life of the party. Affectionately called “The Hostess with the Mostest,” Marge’s Christmas parties and pool parties created lifelong bonds and memories. In fact, 45 friends and family from nine states (as far away as Hawaii, California and Puerto Rico) joined in celebrating her 100th birthday last year.

Marge was truly an inspiration and role model. May her memory bring comfort to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Marge is survived by her son, Allan; daughter, Mary Margaret; daughter-in-law, Lu; and son-in-law, John. She leaves behind four beloved grandsons, Mitch, Alex, Jonathan and Justin; two great-grandsons; two great-granddaughters; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two brothers.

A visitation for Marge will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a prayer service at 6:00 pm at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN. A traditional Catholic funeral mass will be on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 8303 West Taft Street, Merrillville, IN. Marge will be laid to rest beside her husband at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family invites you to share a meal at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boys Town family care organization, https://www.boystown.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Bishop family.