03/10/2026
Little do many people realize that Gayle helped create one of the most beloved traditions of Pierogi Fest — the Whiting Pierogi Fest Buscias.
It began with something very simple. Gayle asked a few of us to volunteer and ride the bus from the parking lot to the festival entrance to welcome visitors. And when Gayle asked you to volunteer… you volunteered.
Her instructions were easy: talk with people, tell stories about our community, and treat every person like they were a dear friend or long-lost family member.
From that simple idea grew the spirit of the Pierogi Fest Buscias — welcoming everyone who comes to Whiting, whether by bus, car, or golf cart, and making them feel like they belong.
Gayle’s quiet strength, humor, love of community, and devotion to her family made her truly special.
She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on every time a Buscia welcomes the next visitor to Pierogi Fest.
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Obituary for Gayle Katherine Faulkner Kosalko:
Gayle Katherine Faulkner Kosalko, 76, proudly of Whiting, Indiana, passed away on March 6, 2026. Born on March 30, 1949, Gayle shared 52 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Charles “Chuck” Kosalko. Together they raised two daughters, Jonna Kosalko (Dan Rabin) and Holly Kosalko, who were the pride and joy of her life. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Thomas and Florence Faulkner. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Joyce (Georg) Retzloff and Margaret (Jeff) Kosalko; many nieces and nephews and her feline companion, “Bella”.
Family was the heart of everything for Gayle. Her life was defined by the love she gave, the stories she shared, the community she uplifted, and the laughter she brought wherever she went. She embraced many roles with grace and joy—daughter, wife, mother, cousin, teacher, writer, collector, historian, confidant, and friend. Although not born in Whiting, Gayle moved there as a child and quickly embraced it as her lifelong home. She attended Sacred Heart School and Whiting High School, majored in theatre at Clarke College in Iowa, further studied English at Calumet College, and later pursued a master’s degree in Music at Indiana University Northwest. Over her lifetime, she became one of Whiting’s most devoted champions helping shape its culture, preserve its stories, and strengthen its sense of identity.
Gayle’s lifelong love of theatre began as a young person, attending shows in Chicago with her mother, Florence, often followed by a meal at the Berghoff. She and Chuck first met while performing Fiddler on the Roof at the Marian Theatre Guild, beginning not only a shared life but a shared artistic journey. Although she performed in many plays and musicals, Gayle shone brightest behind the scenes. She founded the Pennsylvania Avenue Players, a children’s theatre group rooted in the motto, “no small parts, only small actors.” What began as backyard plays grew to full productions with costumes, sets and orchestra, housed at the Marian Theatre Guild auditorium. Gayle created, wrote, directed, and produced these musical productions for years with the help of other parents and friends—a true celebration of creativity, humor, and community spirit. She also wrote touring children’s plays with The Not Ready for Primary Time Players. One of her most memorable roles was the Poet in A…My Name is Alice. And in the theatre community, she was affectionately known as the Queen of Corn. Gayle was an avid reader, TV and movie watcher, and an enthusiastic traveler, always with Chuck by her side. An evening with her often included a game night of board games, trivia, card games, or Boggle. A lifelong Catholic, she served her faith community by playing organ at Sacred Heart Church and piano at Saints Peter and Paul Church for the Spanish-speaking Masses, even while being a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church. She shared her creativity and deep love of learning through teaching at Sacred Heart, Gavit High School, and St. Mary’s School touching the lives of countless students. While raising her daughters, she also wrote features for The Hammond Times and had regular columns “Cook of the Week” and “Dessert of the Week.”
A tireless advocate for the Whiting/Robertsdale community, Gayle served as Executive Director of the Whiting/Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, where she launched The WRite Stuff newspaper and created beloved icons such as Mr. Pierogi and the Pieroguettes, helping shape the identity and growing success of the annual Pierogi Fest. Her creativity influenced many local events including the roaming Bunch O’ Bunnies at the Easter Parade, Studio 659, the Annual Groundhog Day Gala, the Whiting Garden Walk, and Dark in the Park. Her leadership was persuasive, and full of heart—if Gayle asked you to volunteer, you almost never said no. And wherever Gayle was, Chuck was not far behind, equally woven into every project with a Swiss army knife, cardboard and duct tape, ready to fashion Gayle’s ideas into reality. Her deep love of history shaped so many aspects of her life, both personally and publicly. She was the family historian, making sure the memories were shared, recorded and remembered. At the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society, she designed exhibits illuminating the city’s rich past, its residents, and its legacy. She believed deeply that stories matter, and she worked passionately to preserve them. She received several volunteer awards, including the Calumet College Brother Gerard VonHagel Alumni of the Year (an award Gayle and Chuck shared together), the Elks’ Citizen of the Year, and notably, a Fellow of Purdue Northwest’s Society of Innovators. Her life is a reminder that leadership can be quiet, influence can be local and lasting, and legacy often begins simply with choosing to care. Gayle and Chuck’s home on brick-lined Pennsylvania Avenue was filled with gardens, ephemera, multiple collections and antiques – one kid visitor to the house exclaimed, “This house is like a museum!” Her aesthetic was always present, whether in her home or her work offices. In the 2000’s they undertook a major exterior renovation to the home they bought in 1975 to enhance it with features of Queen Anne style gingerbread inspired by touring historic homes, a favorite vacation pastime. We celebrate everything Gayle gave—to her family, to her community, and to all who were blessed by her presence, warmth, and especially her humor and creativity. As E.B. White said in Charlotte’s Web, “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.” Gayle was both.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 10:30am at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235 119th St., Whiting. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, ( the Mass will be live-streamed at www.stjohnbap.org) with the Rev. Mark R. Peres, C.PP.S., officiating; cremation to follow; visitation at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00–8:00 PM. The Marian Theatre Guild, together with members of the parish, will offer prayers at the funeral home on Thursday at 4:30p.m. A celebration of life, a time for sharing stories will be at 7:30 pm on Thursday at the Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be shared on-line at www.baranfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society, the Whiting Food Pantry, or the Whiting “Gimme Shelter” (for pets), would be appreciated. (219)659-4400.
