Ricardo Manuel Mendoza

Ricardo Manuel Mendoza, 34, passed away on December 21, 2014 in Grafton, Illinois. He was born April 9th 1980 in Nuremberg, Germany to Ricardo Mendoza and Margit Williams of El Paso, Texas. He was raised in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Parkland High school. Ricardo served his country in the US Army as a Medic from 2001-2006 and received 11 medals and honors. From 2010-2014 he was on the Dean's List at Lewis and Clark Community College of the Greater St. Louis area studying criminal justice. He was also a proud volunteer at the American Legion 648. His family includes his sisters, Kathleen F. Rubio (husband, Joey Rubio), Mariella Mendoza (Matthew Guel); brother, Dominic Mendoza; nephews, Jorian and Jovani Rubio; and nieces, Alandra Barrales and Karys Rubio. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to his second family Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Sandi Flowers who lovingly took him in as a son. A special thanks to Roy Flowers, his friend, and to all the community members of Grafton, Illinois as well as his instructors. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Manuel and Petra Mendoza and Barbara and Georg Merklein; and aunt, Maria Luisa Mendoza. Richie liked to make everyone laugh. We love him very much and he will be missed. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 from 5-9pm at Kaster Maxon and Futrell Funeral Home with a Vigil/ Rosary to begin at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:45am Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at St. Raphael's Catholic Church. A Committal Service will follow at 1pm Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/elpasotimes/obituary.aspx?n=ricardo-mendoza&pid=173639837#sthash.x4Lw2z73.dpuf