Matthew Adam Castillo

Matthew Adam Castillo, 33 of Griffith, IN, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Matthew is survived by his fiancée Karina Monsivais, sons Jackson and Jacob (mom Taylor Finney), siblings Nicholas (Laura), Jennifer, Michael (Alexis), Stephen, Sarah, Adam (Emily), Stephanie and Natalie Castillo, cousins Nicholas & Danielle Rakich; If you couldn’t tell by the number of siblings, he is also survived by MANY nephews and nieces with many more on the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Denise Castillo (Rakich), brother Christopher, and grandparents Dmitar and Viola Rakich.

Matthew was born February 25, 1992, in Munster, IN and made newspapers at that time because he was the youngest baby to survive his premature birth at Community Hospital, born at nearly three months early. He was a fighter from the start.

He graduated from Highland High School and went on to work for many years at Mejier in Highland, where he eventually met the love of his life, Karina. Most recently, he worked as a cook at Bridges Scoreboard Restaurant in Griffith.

Anyone that really knew Matthew, knew he was a huge fan of the Jurassic Park and the Rocky movies, WWE wrestling and was a die-hard Indianapolis Colts fan. He was always the sweetest and hardest working guy. He loved deeply and was unapologetically him. He had a contagious and unique laugh and always had sweet moves on the dance floor. He had a great sense of humor and loved to crack jokes, even in his final days.

For those that didn’t know him well, you could still expect him to still give you the shirt off his back and help you with anything you might need. He was a loving soul that found great joy in helping others, but most of all, his kids. Matthew loved his boys fiercely. It was a joy to witness him be a dad and grow as a parent. He was the epitome of a good father. He will be so deeply missed by all those that knew him.

At this time, any monetary donations given will go towards education funds for his children and can be given to the family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 3:00-7:00 PM with a Pomen Service at 6:00 PM with Fr. Alex Savic officiating at Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road (one block south of Ridge Road) Highland, IN.

Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic officiating at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church, 1500 186th Street Lansing, IL 60438.

Interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Hammond IN.

For further information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home, Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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