Richard Pacheco, age 70, of Portage, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026. He was born on August 15, 1955, in East Chicago, Indiana, to the late Isreal and Edna Pacheco. On July 20, 2011, he married Elena Rodriguez in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Richard retired from ArcelorMittal, where he worked on the pickle line. He was a hardworking man who also loved to have fun. From the time he was a child, his hands were always busy tinkering with things, and he never missed an opportunity to make people laugh with his jokes and sense of humor. Richard was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. Above all, he will be remembered for his strong character and the love he had for his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elena Rodriguez; daughters, Michelle (Adolfo) Moreno, Yomari Quintanilla, Melyanda (Ryan) Watson, Adell (Cyrus) Thrasher, and Crystal (Jorge) Navarro; grandchildren, Yomari Torres, Xiara Moreno, Adolfo Moreno, Alex Quintanilla, Emma Quintanilla, Leilani Quintanilla, Autumn Pacheco, Casper Shier, Nova Pacheco, Isis Pacheco, Hayden Pacheco, Azzy Pacheco, Nevah Pacheco, Leah Edgren, Elise Banks, and Jorge G. Navarro III; and great-grandchildren, Lazaro, Aleazar, Ezrael, Mateo, Octavia, and Magnus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Isreal and Edna Pacheco; and siblings, Isreal Pacheco, Jr., Patricia Swearengin, Catherine Pacheco, Diana Pacheco, and James Pacheco.

Per Richard’s wishes, there will be no services. Cremation was entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.