Evaristo S Gutierrez III

Born to Evaristo Gutierrez, Jr. and Maria Sanchez in San Antonio, Texas on July 4, 1948. He moved to Rockford in 1964 from Pearsall, Texas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served his country from August 1966 to August 1970, serving 3 tours in Vietnam receiving a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver and 4 bronze stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation with 2 bronze stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Color (First Class), Vietnam Campaign Medal. Buddy married Susan (Stephens) Hickey on March 18, 1998 in Rockford, Illinois.

Buddy worked for Chrysler for 14 years before starting at USPS as a letter carrier, retiring in 2005. He owned and operated Gutierrez Income Tax Service for over 30 years. He was also a baseball umpire for the AABC, Boys and Girls Club, IHSA, Roy Gayle, 30 and over league and CPM League earning regional umpire of the year in 1994 from the AABC.

His survivors include his wife of 25 years, Susan; children, Evaristo S. (Sonny) Gutierrez, IV of Tokyo, Japan, Dustin (Kimberly) Gutierrez of Davis Junction, IL, Lisa (Chris) Hickman of Loves Park, IL, Phillip Hickey of Machesney Park, IL; grandchildren, Ashton (Joey), Keibu, Brenna, Blake (his main amigo), Brooke, Bella, Emmy; siblings, Chris (Diana) Martinez of Rockford, IL, Joe Samaniego of Rockford, IL, Amada (Tony) Villarreal of San Antonio, TX, Adrian (Kathy) Samaniego of Temple, TX; sister-in-law, Marcia Samaniego of Piggot, AR; brother-in-law, Terry (Sherry Holder) Stephens of Rockford, IL; aunt, Juana (Juan) Vinton of Seguin, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins and friends; Mother of his three children, Pam (Loveland) Gutierrez of Rockford, IL. His furbabies, Leema, Spooky and Peanut. Predeceased by parents; grandparents; sisters, Estella Berrelez, Amalia Garcia; special aunt, Eudelia Samaniego; brother, Alfredo Samaniego and sister-in-law, Jane Samaniego.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park with a rosary held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will be held again at 9:00 AM Friday, June 2, 2023 in the funeral home followed by the funeral service starting at 10:00 AM with military honors to follow. Private family burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank OSF Hospice for their incredible care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family to be used in Buddy's name at a later date.