Obituary of John H. Villareal

VILLAREAL, John H. of Saginaw, MI, Our Heavenly Father has taken our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother and friend to be with the Lord on April 21, 2012. He was 80 years old. John was born June 3, 1931 in Somerville, Texas to the late Isabel and Antonia Villarreal. He worked at Malleable Iron Foundry, and retired after 30 years, he also worked for the El Pato Grocery Store for 15 years. In his younger years John was a great Baseball player and Golden Gloves boxer. He served his country for two years with the National Guard in Bryan, Texas. John attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. John's grandkids were his pride and joy, his kind and generous spirit will be greatly missed by those who survive him including his wife of 62 years, Helen Fernandez Villareal; eight children: MaryAnn (Carlos) Benavides, Bonifacio (Wavonne) Villareal, Nancy (Jose) Perez, Simona (Remedios) Orsonio, Beatrice (Juan) Delaera, Frank (Paula) Villareal, Tony (Shari) Villareal and Rose Corr; brothers and sisters: Susan McGraw, Sarah (Danny) Duran, Mary Negrete, Ernestina (Joe) Benavides, Gabriel (Malinda) Villarreal, Robert Villareal, Ted (Rosa) Villareal, and Isabel (Anna) Villarreal; special grandchildren, Teresa, Richard, Mario and Jack; special niece and nephew: Jesse and Liz Villareal; dear friend, Graciela Favela; daughter-in-law, Kathy Villareal; special brother, Isidro Duran; and many additional relatives. John was preceded in death by his sister, Amparo Villareal; brother, Aldon (Joe) Villareal; daughter, Margaret Villareal; son, John Villareal Jr.; special friend, Carlos T. Rosas Sr.; sisters-in-law: Diema Villareal and Connie Villareal; daughter-in-law, Leola Villareal; and brother-in-law, Odie McGraw. The Villareal family wishes to give a special thank you to the staff of Magnum Care of Saginaw and Covenant Hospital for the care they gave to John. FUNERAL: A funeral liturgy for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2012 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3680 S. Washington Rd., Saginaw MI. Rev. Fr. Thomas Schmied, OFMCap will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors provided under the auspice of V.F.W. Post #1859. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., (off State) on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 and Thursday April 26, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. John will lie in state at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. MEMORIAL: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Magnum Care of Saginaw. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com