Carmen Elba Gasca

Carmen E. Gasca, age 75, of Merrillville, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2019. She was born on November 29, 1943 in Lares, Puerto Rico to the late Carlos Colon-Ramirez and and Maria Josephina Medina-Ramirez. Carmen worked as a childcare provider for Hattie's Daycare for many years. She had a strong faith and was a devoted member of Christian Revival Center. She liked to crochet in her free-time. Above all, she cherished her grandchildren and the time she got to spend with them.

She is survived by her sons, Miguel Cancel-Ramirez, Charles (Lidia) Cruz, Louis (Maurisha Thomas) Hernandez; grandchildren, Kayla Cruz, Cardalina Hernandez, Aiyana Hernandez, Lily Cruz, Charles Cruz, Jr., Jamia Dunn, Jeremiah Thomas; sisters, Blanche Iglesias, Diana Ramirez, Martha Moreno, Gloria (Luis) Acuri-Ramirez, Virginia Ramirez.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Gasca in 2017; sisters, Mary Rodriguez and Consuelo Ramirez.

A funeral service for Carmen will take place Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10:00 am at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage. She will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Portage. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 7, 2019 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com