Ruben Santillan

He is preceded in death by his parents, Agustin and Carmen Santillan. Survived by his wife of 65 years, Hortense O. Santillan; brothers and sisters, Rudolfo “ Doc”, Jose Gaspar “J”, Teresa “Tita”, Salvador “Paloma”, Esther, Anna Maria Elena “Nena”; daughter, Frances McBride and husband, Doug; son, Ruben E. Santillan and wife, Martha; son, Abelardo Santillan and wife, Alice; son, Eugene Santillan and wife, Carol; daughter, Rubina Lizcano and husband, Jesus; daughter, Monica Martinez and husband, David; 14 grandchildren, Marissa, Jeanna and Jonathan; Ruben ll and Paul; Abelardo ll; Raquel and Geno; Rudy ll and Henry; Francine, Justine, David and Yvette. As well as his 14 great-grandchildren, Donovan, Cheyenne, Dylan, Ezekiel, Naomi ; Makayla , Juliette, Isabella, Alayna ; Abelardo lll ; Christopher; Eric, Isabella and Samuel.

He was a veteran of the US Army and served in WWII and the Korean War. He also served as a Merchant Seaman in the US Coast Guard. A member of: the Knights of Columbus Council 803, 4th degree member of MSGR George Wilhelm Assembly 1094; the Old Timers Club; The American Legion 416; the Holy Name Catholic Church, where he served as an altar boy, lector, and usher and was always ready to volunteer for any and all church related functions until his health failed him.

He was full of life in his best years and stubborn as an ox until the moment he passed. He never gave up and always kept such high spirits. He maintained the desire to be involved in all aspects of his family. In his later years he did not let his ailments slow him down. He loved to dance at every party in his wheelchair or even at home in his bed. Sometimes, he would go on escapades in his scooter. He’s caused a lot of people to have some new grey hairs but also to have a lot of fond memories. When his granddaughter told him that she would be having a sweet sixteen instead of a quincenera because of late planning he was sad because he said he wouldn’t make it. Against all odds he made it to the sweet sixteen all dressed up. He was weak but with help, she held him up and they pivoted in a small circle. In heaven they will chant his name like he once did for everyone who walked in his front door. God will have a dance for him, we are sure of it. He will show the other angles how it’s done! He may even try to sneak my grandma’s tortillas up there too. We love you.

Thursday, December 5, the family will have a public viewing from 5-9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church, 1917 Cochran Houston, TX. 77009. Mass will be held at the same location, Friday, December 6, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery at 6900 Lawndale Ave. Houston, TX. 77023.