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