Maria C. (Rodriguez) Cepeda

Maria C. Cepeda, 95, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Sunday, June 25, 2017.  She was born December 15, 1921, in Carolina, Puerto Rico to Jose Pilar and Lucia (Orozco) Rodriguez. 

Maria retired from the American Rubber Corporation after 23 years of service. On June 15, 1955 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Maria married Alejandro Cepeda who preceded her in death on April 23, 2001.

Maria is survived by daughters, Carmen Watkins of South Bend, Indiana, Yolanda (Nile) Rose of Huntsville, Texas; a son, Alex (Connie) Cepeda of La Porte, Indiana; grandchildren, Chad, Kyle, & Cassandra Cepeda, Katie (Dr. Steve) Spiritoso, Julianne (Zach) Stangebye, Angela, Joseph, Grace, & John Watkins; and great grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Bruce, & Jay.  A son-in-law, Bruce R. Watkins; and siblings, Rosalina, Andre, Luca, Lola, Juan, & Ana all preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a Parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Reverend Ian Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Lake Cemetery.  Family and friends may gather at 9 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. 

A special note of thanks to Dr. Israr Sidiqi, the entire staff at Kindred, ER staff at Elkhart General Hospital, and Heartland Hospice for their care and love on behalf of Maria.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which she was a member, 201 Bach Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350 or Heartland Hospice,

230 W. Catalpa Drive, # D, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545.

Please share condolences and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

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