Verna Jean Garavalia (nee Faitak), age 75 of Portage passed away Monday, February 14, 2011. She was born on January 12, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Martin and Rose Faitak, who survives. Verna was a lifelong area resident. Verna graduated from East Gary Edison High School and was an Administrative Medical Assistant for Dr. Eric Schulte, retiring in 2010. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.She is survived by her husband, Leo Garavalia of Portage; children, Kim (Terry) Yates of Indianapolis, Sherry (Mike) Wathen of Wheatfield, Len (Ruth) Garavalia of Stafford, VA; brother, Marty (Judy) Faitak of Dyer; grandchildren, Eric (Jeanette) Urbano of Wheatfield, Adam Yates of Indianapolis, Jessie (Dr. Joseph) Smith of Indianapolis, Brandon Yates of Chicago, IL, Anthony and Alexa Garavalia and Connor McGovern all of Stafford, VA.; great-grandchildren, Hunter Urbano of Wheatfield and Eliana Smith of Indianapolis; mother, Rose Faitak; favorite cousin, Rita (Mike) Flynn; special friends, Marge Galovic and the girls from club.She is proceeded in death by her father, Martin Faitak; parents-in-law, Mary & Joseph Garavalia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Verna's honor are preferred to VNA Hospice of Porter County or Simon Cancer Center at IU.Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 18, 2011, at 10 a.m. directly at Nativity of Our Savior Church, 2949 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, with an additional one hour of visitation at Church prior to Mass with Rev. Andrew J. Corona Officiating. Visitation is Thursday, February 17, 2011, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage.