The Brownsville Herald - Online Edition OBITUARIES Obituaries, March 19, 2006 GALE H. SPARKS, 82, of Odessa, passed away on March 16, 2006, at Sienna Care Center in Odessa. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2006 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa with the Rev. Don Frankhauser of Antioch Christian Church officiating. The family has requested memorials be sent to the Diabetes Associa-tion. Services entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home (432)362-2331. PEDRO "PIE" GRACIA, 57, of Brownsville, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2006 in Brownsville. Arrangements have been entrusted to Treviño Funeral Home, 1355 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 542-2583. GUADALUPE "PETE" LOPEZ, JR., 54, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2006 in Weslaco, Texas. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care of Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, cemeteries, mausoleums and crematory 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 541-5400 Dignity Memorial Provider. \IRMA M. CRUZ Irma M. Cruz, age 42, a homemaker and resident of Kingsville, Texas left to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, March 16, 2006. She passed away in Corpus Christi, Texas. Mrs. Cruz was born February 14, 1964 in Brownsville, Texas. She was a devout member of the First Assembly of God Church, Kingsville. Mrs. Cruz was preceded in death by father Ramiro Martinez and maternal grandfather Hipolito Zamora. She is survived by her loving husband of 23 years and high school sweetheart, Antonio Cruz of Kingsville and formerly of Brownsville, Texas; daughter, Veronica Lynn Cruz of Kingsville; two sons, Marco Antonio Cruz and Gabriel Antonio Cruz both of Kingsville; mother Ramona Z. Martinez of Brownsville; three sisters, Lydia (Roel) Benavidez and Sylvia (Ro-lando) Martinez all of Brownsville, and Delma M. (Robert) Reney of Los Fresnos, Texas; brother, Ramiro (Diana) Martinez Jr. of Brownsville; paternal grandmother Josefina Martinez of Brownsville; and several nieces and nephews. Public visitation took place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at the Tur-cotte-Piper Mortuary with Pastor Edwin Cann officiating. Public visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Funer-aria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 McDavitt Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2006 at the Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista. Burial will follow in Brownsville at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Honorary pallbearer will be Manuel Cruz - her father-in-law. Active pallbearers will be Robert Reney, Ramiro Martinez Jr., Rolando Espino, Roel Benavidez, Manuel Cruz Jr., John Robles, Rafael Rendon and Steven Reney. Irma left a beautiful legacy to those she knew and touched. Her love for her family and especially for the Lord was well known through the love and compassion that flowed through her. We would like to thank the nurses from Doctor's Regional Hospital, 3rd floor - North and ICU for the love and special at-tention that they gave Irma during her stay at the hospital, First Assembly of God Church, and friends for their prayers and support. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been established in memory of Irma M. Cruz. Please make checks payable to Chemcel Fed. Credit Union, Account No. 14918, 1036 S. 14th Street, Kingsville, Texas 78363. Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas. ANTONIO SANCHEZ, SR. Antonio Sanchez, Sr. entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Friday, March 17, 2006 at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, TX. He is survived by his family: wife Esperanza Amalia Sanchez of 24 years of marriage, children Antonio Sanchez, Jr., Ernesto Sanchez, Elijio Sanchez, Deyanira Sanchez and Samantha P. Sanchez all of Brownsville TX. His parents, Cipriano Sanchez Del Angel and Esther Rocha Rivera, two brothers, Jose Sanchez, Francisco Sanchez and three sisters, Lydia San-chez de Rodriguez, Rosalva Sanchez de Reyes and Clara Sanchez all of Matamoros, Tamp., Mexico and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitations will be held today, March 19, 2006 at Guerra Funeral Home "Chapel of the Arch Angels" from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a Holy Rosary recited at 7 p.m. A Chapel Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Guerra "Chapel of the Arch Angels" with place of interment pending. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Guerra Funeral Home of Brownsville, 3955 Coffee Port Rd. (956) 544-1171 JOSEFA SANCHEZ Josefa Sanchez, 77, of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2006 in Brownsville, Texas. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother. Mrs. Sanchez is preceded in death by her parents Jose and Leonarda Quintanilla, her husband, Jesus Sanchez; daughters, Aurora and Alicia Sanchez. She is survived by her sons, Jesus, Gregorio, Hector, and Carlos Sanchez; daughters, Oralia, Maria Isabel, and Lilia. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and many other family members. A recitation of the Holy Rosary was held on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 7 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista. A chapel service will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista. Committal service will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be Juan Sanchez, Javier Gonzalez, Cesar Gonzalez, Gregorio Sanchez, Jr., Carlos Sanchez, Jesus Sanchez, Jose A. Sanchez, and Carlos Sanchez, Jr. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, Cemeteries, Mausoleums, and Crematory 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 541-5400. MARCIAL H. ALVARADO Marcial H. Alvarado, beloved husband, father, and grandfather completed his life's journey on earth, March 17, 2006 at the age of 87. He is now resting peacefully in the arms of our Lord. "Marshall," as he was called by some of his relatives and friends, was known for his sense of humor and quick wit. Be-fore his illness took its toll, he loved to tell stories about the hardships his family faced during the Depression and, espe-cially, about his wartime experiences and buddies. During WWII, Marcial served in the Army as a Squad Leader and Staff Sergeant with Company F 172nd Infantry. His company participated in the battles and campaigns of Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Lu-zon. As a result, Marcial received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and 4 Overseas Service Bars. He was honora-bly discharged on October 19, 1945. Upon being discharged, he returned to Brownsville and married Ernestina Garcia on August 7, 1946. They were married for 59 years and had 3 daughters and 1 son. He worked for P.U.B as an electrician and in 1952 he joined the Brownsville Fire Department. During his tenure as a fireman, he held various positions including that of driver, firefighter instructor, lieutenant, and captain. He retired after 30 years of service. Marshall was also a talented sportsman. During his younger days, he played baseball with different local teams. Later on, he took up golf. He participated in and won five P.A.G.A tournaments held at the Riverview Golf Course between 1961 and 1969. Marshall fulfilled the ultimate golfer's dream- a hole in one. He also enjoyed playing pool, cards, going fishing, and watching the Dallas Cowboys. Marcial shared all these sport activities with his children as they were growing up. Marcial was preceded in death by his father, Andres Alvarado, Sr.; his beloved mother Consuelo H. Alvarado; a brother Andres Alvarado, Jr.; and his cousin, Alfredo Garcia who was reared by Marcial's mother and who he loved like a brother. Marcial is survived by his wife, Ernestina G. Alvarado; his daughters: Aida Yzaguirre, Sylvia and son-in-law, Francisco J. Cepeda, and Belinda Alvarado. He is also survived by one son, Joe M. Alvarado, Jr. Marshall has four granddaughters whom he adored: Jennifer, Stacy, and Valerie Yzaguirre and Celina Denise Cepeda. He has one great-grandson, Marc Anthony Gonzalez. Marshall is also survived by his only sister, Mary and brother-in-law, Carroll Pfeifer and nephew, Don Pfeifer all of San Mateo, California plus numerous other nephews. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 19, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. at Fu-neraria Del Angel Buena Vista. Mass will held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2006 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A fireman's funeral will follow with burial at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens. Full military honors will be provided by V.F.W. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, cemeteries, mausoleums, and crematory 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 541-5400. JESUS QUINTANILLA ESCOBEDO Jesus Quintanilla Escobedo, 32, entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Saturday, March 18, 2006 due to a tragic auto accident in Brownsville, TX. He was preceded in death by his father Jesus Quintanilla. He is survived by his loving wife, Kristy Gonzalez, two children; Samantha Quintanilla and Jessica Victoria Quintanilla, his mother Englantina Escobedo, one sister, Amelia Quintanilla (Eusebio Gonzalez) one brother, Arnulfo Quintanilla Esco-bedo (Nora Elia Rangel) his in-laws, Cynthia Martinez and Alberto Gonzalez, his nephews and nieces, Jesus Guadalupe Gonzalez, Stephaney Gonzalez, Eusebio Gonzalez, Jr., Angel Alberto Gonzalez and Leslie Quintanilla. Visitations will be held today Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Guerra "Chapel of the Holy Family" from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 20, 2006 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the time pend-ing with interment to follow. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Guerra Funeral Home of Brownsville, 3955 Coffee Port Rd. (956) 544-1171. The Brownsville Herald 1135 E. 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