Uroš Stanojević passed away peacefully at his home in Crown Point, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday September 30, 2025.
He was born on February 23, 1931, in Kučevo, Serbia (then part of Yugoslavia), to Toma and Danica Stanojević. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Filip.
Life in Yugoslavia after World War II was difficult. Uroš refused to join the Communist Party, which denied him education, work, and basic necessities. Determined to survive, find freedom, and help his parents, he had no option but to flee Yugoslavia.
His first attempt to escape led to his capture and imprisonment for 6 months. He tried a second time and was imprisoned for 1 year. On his third attempt, Uroš successfully reached Greece in 1967. He spent 6 months in a refugee camp among 5,000 others who had fled communism. While in the camp, Srpska Braća Pomoć, a Serbian charitable organization partnered with the Serbian Orthodox Church in New York City, which helped sponsor his immigration to the United States.
He arrived in New York Harbor on Good Friday in April 1968, at the age of 37, where he was welcomed by the Serbian Orthodox priest who had helped arrange his sponsorship. He first lived in Paterson, New Jersey, where he worked in a restaurant for 3 months before moving to Gary, Indiana, to live closer to his cousin. There, he began working at Budd Company, from which he later retired.
After moving to Gary, he met the love of his life, Kata Knezevic. They married two weeks later, on February 8, 1969, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana, marking the beginning of a 56-year marriage.
Uroš was a founding member and active parishioner of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, for over 50 years. He was deeply religious, attending church services several times a week and reading the Bible faithfully.
He enjoyed gardening, spending time outdoors, watching old Westerns, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kata; daughters Slavica (Michael) Moit and Danica (Radoslav) Jaksic; son Tomislav (Britney) Stanojević; grandchildren Thomas, Milena, Nikolas, Vuk, and Sofia; as well as cousins, relatives, and Kumovi in both the United States and Serbia.
Visitation will be held
Saturday October 4, 2025 at 9 am at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana with funeral services
beginning at 10 am. V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic officiating. Interment St Sava Holy Cross Cemetery, Merrillville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Uroš’s name to St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral;
8700 Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410or
https://stelijahcathedral.org/donate for any further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel
219-736-5840.
May his memory be eternal. Vecnaja Pamjat.
Dearest Uros family, our prayers and thoughts are coming your way that you find comfort and peace in knowing that he’s now at peace and enjoying his new pain free life with the Lord, till one day you’ll all meet again. He had a great smile and his memories will live on forever.
Love from John and Diana Zmuda
Tom I’m very sorry for your loss. He lead a very interesting life. My family will be praying for your family.
Tom, your father is an amazing man . I hope soon, you can share more of his life’s stories .
May The Good Lord Bless his soul and all the souls of the dearly departed, and bless your entire family and loved ones Amen.
Dear Uros Family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathies.
Klikovac Family
I always remember him being such a nice man every time I would see him at the hall when I was with Ana. Super great human being. So amazing to read the hardships he went through to make a better life for himself and his future family. He will be greatly missed by all.