Roberto Rivera, age 81, of Lake Station, IN, passed away Monday, December 18, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family in Tampa, FL. Roberto was born on June 21, 1936 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. He was a 40-year resident of East Chicago, IN and was a retiree of LTV Steel.  In his spare time, Roberto was a carpenter, he was known to everyone as "Roberto el carpintero," he enjoyed spending time with his wife eating at the local restaurants and having breakfast with his friends at McDonalds in East Chicago.  Anytime you saw Roberto he would greet you with his typical Puerto Rican phrase, "Que hubo compay." He will be dearly missed.

Roberto is survived by his son, Antonio (Millie) Rivera of Lake Station, IN; two daughters, Dinorah (Samuel) Gonzalez of Tampa, FL, and Lillian (Luis) Torres of Lake Station, IN; Former wife, Josefina (nee Maldonado), Two step sons, Estevan Martinez and Ruben Gonzalez. Grandchildren, Marisol, Iris, Valentine, Amadelys, Jason, Delilah, Samuel, Roberto and two Step-grandchildren, Brian and Tabatha and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Liduvina (nee Figueroa) Rivera; parents, Antonio Rivera and Gregoria (nee Vazquez) Rivera; Sister, Purisima Rivera, three brothers, Bienvenido, Antonio and Evelio Rivera; granddaughters, Alicia L. Rodriguez and Lisette Rivera.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, 3781 Central Ave., Lake Station, IN 46405. (219) 962-1606 or online @ www.reesfuneralhomes.com

There will be a Mass of Catholic Burial for Roberto on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2447 Putnam St., Lake Station, Indiana, 46405. Beginning with 9:30 prayers at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel 3781 Central Avenue, Lake Station, Indiana, 46405. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, 3815 W. 39 ^th Ave., Hobart, Indiana 46342.