Maria De La Luz Mendez, age 88, of Hammond, IN, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Maria is survived by her children: Carmen (Michael) Urbanczyk, Delfina (Brandon) Bright and Virginia (Earnest) Fisher; sister, Virginia (late Basilio) Mariscal; grandchildren: Angel (Jeff) Backe, Nola (Jack) Stone, Sophia Fabela, Kristen (Steve) Devaney, Earnest Fisher III, Derrick Kotavasz and Julie (Mark) Upton; many great grandchildren.  She was preceded in passing by her husband, Antonio Mendez, Sr.; her son, Antonio Mendez, Jr. and her grandson, Nick Mendez.

Maria was born October 30, 1933, in Laredo, Texas and was the youngest of 11 children.  In 1953 she married her husband, Antonio Mendez, Sr. and they spent 62 years together.  She was a loving mother of 4 children and spent her time as a homemaker.  Maria very much enjoyed board games and playing cards, music, dancing, gardening and wrestling (yes, wrestling).  Maria had a wonderful sense of humor and always looked forward to playing Poker with family.  One special memory her family will always hold dear is Maria holding up her small glass of pop and sharing a "Cheers!" with her grandkids.  Maria will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at LaHayne Funeral Home located at 6955 Southeastern Avenue, Hammond, IN at 12:00 PM with Fr. Charles Mosely officiating.  Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN.  Friends are invited to meet with the family on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Noon.  This service will be Live Streamed https://www.asimplestreaming.com/mmendez/

The family would like to extend an invitation for the memorial luncheon being held immediately following burial at Mercy Hill Church 900 Ridgeway Ave. Munster, IN 46321