CALUMET TOWNSHIP | Far from the roar of national politics, Vice President Joe Biden quietly honored a Merrillville man in the region Friday night.

Biden, along with his wife, Jill, paid a brief, unannounced visit to the area to attend the wake of John Pupillo, the father of Biden's head Secret Service guard, Dale Pupillo.

At Rendina Funeral Home, the Bidens -- escorted by a hefty security detail -- paid their respects for about two hours, chatting with Pupillo family and friends, funeral home co-owner Vince Rendina said.

"We are honored that he came all the way here to our place," Rendina said.

Co-owner and brother Tony Rendina said he was impressed with "how down to earth (Joe Biden) was."

"If you didn't like that guy before, you loved him after. He talked to everybody, (but) no politics. He just sat and talked like he knew everybody."

The Rendina brothers said they knew for three days that the country's second-most powerful man would visit, but that security requested the event be kept quiet.

"He didn't want the publicity," Vince Rendina said. "We're so impressed with him. He made us very proud."

About 7 p.m., after meeting with visitation guests and taking some photos, the Bidens slipped away from the funeral home as unannounced as they slipped in.

The Washington couple's brief appearance in the area caused some inconvenience and confusion for region travelers unaccustomed to accommodating motorcades.

The Bidens' motorcade from Chicago's Midway Airport stalled southbound rush-hour traffic along Cline Avenue and the Borman Expressway. Units from Indiana and Illinois State Police departments lent support for the procession.

The Rendinas said they did not expect the Bidens to attend John Pupillo's funeral today.

The Bidens were in New York earlier in the day to help commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.