Carmen Castillo, age 79, passed away on June 25, 2015, at home with her loving family.

Carmen was born on February 15, 1936, in Harvey, Illinois, to Francisca and Jose Cornejo. She was a graduate of Hammond High School and later worked for Inland Steel. She married the love of her life and best friend, Michael Castillo, on June 5, 1971. Carmen was known for her warm and caring personality and she was loved by many. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader, a great dancer, an enthusiastic gardener and an adoring mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith. While she was taken from us much too soon, we find some peace in knowing that she is no longer suffering from the dementia that plagued her in the last several years of her life.

Survivors include her loving husband of 44 years, Michael; her siblings: Victoria Wilhelm, Marge Delgado, and Emil Cornejo; her children: Michelle (Eric) Powers, Denise (Chris) Dell Isola, Mark (Katie) Castillo, Michael (Cari) Castillo, and Steven (Heather) Castillo; her grandchildren: Michael, Candice, Shawn, Steven, Nigel, Lauren, Addison, Natalie, Mia, Nathan, Michael; and her great-grandchildren: Taylor, Ethan, and Payton.

Visitation for Carmen will be on Monday, June 29, 2015, from 2:00 – 8:00 pm at White Funeral Home, 921 45 ^th St., Griffith, IN.  There will be a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad St., Griffith, IN, with Father Mens officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery, 4401 W. Ridge Road, Gary, IN.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to all of Carmen's family, friends and caregivers for their love and support over the years and particularly during these last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome at the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Carmen Castillo ( www.alz.org )

For more information please call White Funeral Home at 219-924-4100 or visit us at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com