January 17, 1929 – November 11, 2026
Millard Vajagich, age 97, of Highland, Indiana, passed away on November 11, 2026. Born on January 17, 1929, in Gary, Indiana, to George (Djuro) and Savka Vajagich, Millard lived an extraordinary life marked by perseverance, service and a lifelong spirit of adventure.
In 1933, during the Great Depression, Millard moved with his family to Vranograc, Bosnia, then part of Yugoslavia. His childhood was profoundly affected by WWII. In August 1941, his father was killed during the persecution of Serbs by the Ustasha, and Millard’s family was forced to flee their home. Separated from his mother and brothers for four years, Millard eventually found refuge in an orphanage in Belgrade, where he continued his education despite the hardships of war. His family was reunited in 1945.
In December 1947, Millard returned to the United States with the assistance of his family’s Kum Mile Pilipovich. Settling in Gary, he was welcomed into the home of Nick and Angeline Chabraja, who became like a second family to him. He began working at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works, laying the foundation for a successful career.
In 1952, Millard was drafted into the United States Army, receiving training with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. During the Korean War era, his language skills led to an assignment in West Germany with the 14th Armored Cavalry, where he served as a sergeant, tank commander and linguist while patrolling the border between East and West Germany.
On August 28, 1955, Millard married Mildred Paich of East Chicago, Indiana. Together, they raised three children: Dawn (Zora), Robert (Bosko) and Yvonne (Jovanka). Millard and Mildred shared a love of travel, gardening and their church. Together, they traveled extensively, exploring Serbia and other parts of Europe, as well as Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and destinations throughout the United States. After living in East Chicago, they settled in Highland in 1960, where they made their home on Cottage Grove Place for many decades. They shared nearly 64 years of marriage before Mildred’s passing in April 2019.
Following his military service, Millard pursued studies in electronics and computer technology at Coyne Electrical College. Entering the computer industry in its early years, he built a distinguished career working with industrial electronics and data systems. His professional journey included positions with Telautograph Corporation and Sanders Associates, where he advanced into management before retiring in 1994. He took great pride in his technical expertise and loved sharing stories about the challenges he solved throughout his career. At work and at home, Millard was known for reminding others to “Čekaj!”—the Serbian word for “wait”—a familiar expression to those who knew him.
Millard was deeply connected to his Serbian heritage. He was an active member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana, where he helped with the construction of the church and the Halls of St. George. He served as treasurer of the church and its building committee and took great pride in his contributions to the Serbian community. He also served as president of Serb National Federation Lodge 171 and was a lifetime member of the organization.
An enthusiastic outdoorsman and world traveler, Millard had a particular passion for kayaking, a sport he first discovered on the Danube River in 1945. Over the decades, his adventures took him across five continents, including Antarctica. Despite his extensive travels, he always considered Lake Michigan, just miles from his home, among his favorite places to kayak.
Millard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred; his granddaughter, Alice Lanman; his parents, George and Savka Vajagich; and his brothers, Milan and Miroslav (Moris) Vajagich. He is survived by his children, Dawn (Peter) Lanman, Robert Vajagich, and Yvonne (Michael) French; and his grandchildren, Sarah-Anne Lanman, Elisabeth Lanman, George Vajagich and Peter Vajagich.
Funeral services will be at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana, on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m., with a lunch to follow at the Halls of St. George.
Burial and a graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, at St. Sava Monastery Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois, with a lunch to follow.
Family, friends and members of the community are also warmly invited to a memorial lunch celebrating Millard’s life on Sunday, January 31, 2027, at noon, at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.
Memory eternal.
