Jose was born July 19, 1938 in Coahuila, Mexico, the son of Romualdo Castilla Sr. and Sofia Trevino. He married Manuela Martinez Castilla on February 12, 1961 in Lansing. Jose worked for 32 at Motor Wheel CentriFuse foundry as an iron pourer.
Jose loved learning about history and telling his stories. He enjoyed softball, leading the Women's Latina League in multiple championships. He especially enjoyed cooking and spending time with his family.
Surviving are his wife, Manuela; children, Michael (Sheli) Castilla, David Castilla, Daniel (Anita) Castilla, Alma (Robin) Lipp, and Harriet Clauson; grandchildren, Joshua Castilla, Sylvia Beckner, Marisol Castilla, Erica Fox, Krystasia Castilla, Katherine Castilla, Sofia Castilla, Alyson Lipp, Antonio Castilla, Melanie Anderson, Emily Rock, and Dylan Clauson; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Brandon, Gabriela, Raelynn, Gregory, Evianna, Madilynn, Alanna, Christiana, Shamaal, Aaneyah, Royell, Mariah, Elias, River, Raven, and Liam; siblings, Celia Castilla, Martha Castilla, Jose M. Castilla, and Maria De Jesus Castilla.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Romualdo Sr. and Sofia Castilla; granddaughter, Christina Castilla; siblings, Francisco, Ramona, Rodolfo, Jose, Manuel, Juanita, Ernesto, Dimas, Romualdo, Pedro, and Petra; in-laws, Thomas and Paula Martinez.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. The committal will follow at East Lawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home.
