Santos Gonzales

Santos “Punkin” Gonzales, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and father-in-law, returned home to our Father in Heaven on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the age of 63. He was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed away.

Santos was born November 1, 1960, in Findlay to Agapito and Josephine (Coleman) Gonzales. He married Ilda (Sierra) on January 31, 2006, but were together for 38 years and had five children, Jesse, Angel, Gavy, Alma, and Crystal.

Santos was a Findlay High School graduate. In 1980, Cpl. Santos joined the United States Army where he proudly served for three years. He worked as a forklift driver and retired from Whirlpool Corporation in Findlay and had previously worked at P&A Industries for 15 years.

Santos loved music and was always singing and dancing. He played guitar and enjoyed “jamming out” with his brothers and friends. Santos enjoyed mowing the grass while playing music and loved playing with his grandchildren. He was also a huge jokester, always wanting to make people laugh with his unique impression of the lion from The Wizard of Oz. He was an avid Michigan Wolverines fan.

“Punkin” was a man of steel that loved his family very much. He was a hard-working man that often-enjoyed Sunday dinners with the whole family. Santos loved being outside in the summers, having bonfires, barbeques, and enjoying family life. One thing he didn’t like was seeing his family sad, so he would hold you till he saw you smile again. Santos was one of a kind and his smile will be missed by all who loved him.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 18 years, Ilda, his children, Jesse R. Gonzales, Angel L. Gonzales, Gavy Ramirez, Alma (Rick) Mendoza, all of Findlay, and Crystal (Ryan) Cooper of Tacoma, Washington; 25 beloved grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by siblings, Butch (Alice) Gonzales, Paul Gonzales, Joe (Tina) Gonzales, Juanita Slade, Lisa Gonzales, and Alice (Frias).

His was preceded in death by his parents; son, Santos Gonzales Jr.; siblings, Frank, Jesse, and Bessie (Bernal); grandsons, Carlos Gonzales, and Emiliano Ortega.

Friends and family may visit from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024, at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, (419-422-1500). Santos’s funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21 at the funeral home with Deacon Armando Gonzalez officiating. Interment will follow in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery with Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad conducting full military rites.

In Santos’ honor, donations can be made to the family in care of Hufford Family Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.

To the Family in c/o Hufford Family Funeral Home
1500 Manor Hill Road, Findlay OH 45840
Tel: 1-419-422-1500