Near Valparaiso in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

In Memoriam

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 14, 2026

1. In Memoriam Marker

Inscription. In Memoriam
1941 - 1945

Erected 1946 by Seven Dolors Shrine.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World II.

Location. 41° 32.128′ N, 87° 8.171′ W. Memorial is near Valparaiso, Indiana, in Porter County. It is at the intersection of West 700 North and Juniper Road North, on the right when traveling east on West 700 North. The memorial is just inside the entrance to the grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 356 W 700 N, Valparaiso IN 46385, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Reverend Joseph E. Till (approx. 3.2 miles away); Reverend Carl F. Mengeling S.T.D. (approx. 3.2 miles away); A Rare Community Gem (approx. 3.8 miles away); Willow Creek Confrontation (approx. 4.4 miles away); Michael O'Connor Family (approx. 4.9 miles away); To Honor William and Blanche Schleman (approx. 5.1 miles away); History of Ogden Botanical Gardens (approx. 5.3 miles away); Legacy of Steel (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valparaiso.

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memorial.
The memorial was dedicated on September 29, 1946, at Seven Dolors Shrine. The shrine began in 1928 when a group of Slovak Franciscans arrived on 160 acres of land and started building it as a pilgrimage destination. The Franciscans remained until 1996. When they left, they sold off most of the land which was later developed into a subdivision. A 13 acre remnant became Our Lady of Sorrows Parish within the Diocese of Gary.

Regarding In Memoriam.
From a 1965 brochure about Seven Dolors Shrine:
"Immediately within this entrance stands a life-size statue of the Sorrowful Mother holding in her arms the body of a fallen soldier. This figure was sculpted in stone by Eugene Kormendi of the Notre Dame University Art Department in 1946, and dedicated to the Catholic men and women who gave their lives for their country during World War II."

The "Seven Dolors" comes from the Catholic devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. "Dolors" is the Latin word for pains or sorrows. The Blessed Virgin Mary is said to have suffered seven sorrows while watching the crucifixion and death of her son Jesus.

Eugene Kormendi (1889-1959) was a Hungarian sculptor who studied in Budapest and then in Paris under Auguste Rodin and Jean Paul Lorenz. He and his wife Elizabeth came to the US for the New York World's Fair in 1939. The

In Memoriam Memorial in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 14, 2026

2. In Memoriam Memorial in context

outbreak of World War II prevented his return to Hungary. He was named sculptor-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame which allowed him to stay in the US. Many of his sculptures are at Notre Dame, others are in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and at other places in Washington, DC.

Also see . . .
1. Eugene Kormendi. Smithsonian American Art Museum This website contains a biography and photo of the artist and examples of his work in the museum.

Eugene found a position as sculptor-in-residence at Notre Dame University that allowed them to stay in the United States. He created many statues while at the university, including a war memorial in Valparaiso, Indiana, and a twenty-two foot-statue depicting Christ as the “Light of the World” for the National Catholic Welfare Conference in Washington D.C.

(Submitted on March 15, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)

2. Will Dedicate Memorial to Dead of World War II At Seven Dolors Shrine. Valparaiso Vidette-Messenger This article from September 26, 1946 describes the upcoming dedication of the memorial. (Submitted on March 15, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)

In Memoriam Memorial detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 14, 2026

3. In Memoriam Memorial detail

Kormendi's Name and Date image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Daniel Barriball, March 15, 2026

4. Kormendi's Name and Date

The sculptor Eugene Kormendi carved his name and the date in the base on the left side of the statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.