Cruz D. Chavarria

89, of Van Wert, was taken to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 4, 2009. He passed away at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Cruz was born November 14, 1919, in Texas. The love his children have for him will live forever. Cruz loved to spend time with his children and once said if he could be surrounded by them 24/7 he would be the happiest man on earth.

He will always be remembered for his beautiful smile and his love of people and dancing. Christmas was his happiest time of the year and he gave his family wonderful memories and traditions to carry on.

Cruz was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Lou Chavarria and his former wife, Lupe A. Chavarria, with whom he shared eight additional children. He is survived by these eight children: John B. (Michelle) Chavarria of Arizona and his children, John, Holly Chavarria-Carter, Jennifer Grow, Jason and Joseph; Rebecca A. (Chris) Elston of Van Wert and her children, Michelle Boggs and Jennifer J. McClain; Cruz M. (Cindy) Chavarria of Convoy and his children, Christina Rodriguez, Tonya Kennedy and Miranda; Therese M. (Tim) Smith of Arizona and her children, Rick, Keith and Terri Antonio; Randy (Carrie) Chavarria of Pennsylvania and his daughter, Emma; Dorothy J. (Giovanio) Gregorio of New York and her son, Elvis; Paul J. (Patricia) Chavarria of New York and his son, Chaim; and Frances J. Chavarria of Michigan. These 16 grandchildren are joined by 25 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his beloved wife, Janet (Duncan) Chavarria, who he married in 1991. Together they have one child, Christopher, of Van Wert.

Cruz was an avid fan of Westerns and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II. Cruz retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1985. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 178, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, both in Van Wert, and the Ohio Amvets. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus previously served as a reserve policeman for the City of Van Wert and was past treasurer of the Democratic Party of Van Wert County.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert, with Father Charles Obinwa officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Brickner Funeral Home in Van Wert.

Memorial contributions: Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.