Raul Aranda Sanchez

Raúl Aranda Sánchez passed peacefully in early morning on April 24, 2022. Raúl was born October 2, 1936 on his familial and ancestral land in what is today known as San José de Otates, Manuel Doblado, Guanajuato, México. He was the son of Ruperta Aranda Ávila and Pedro Sánchez Rodríguez. He married Luisa Serna de Sánchez (née Valadez) in 1954, with whom he built a full life and an enduring legacy.

He is survived by his wife, Luisa; his children, Antonia Mikelonis, José Honorio Sánchez (Adriana Valadez Sánchez), Evangelina Faiver (Eric), Raúl Serna Sánchez, and Rodrigo Serna Sánchez (Julie Westerfield); 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Ana Isabel Sandoval, and María de Jesús Mata, among a large extended family.

He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, María Elena Russell (Steve), and his son-in-law, Raymond Mikelonis.

As a young man he was determined to chart his own unique path, paving the way for expanded life opportunities for his family. He routinely crossed the U.S.-México border as a skilled laborer, eventually joining extended family in Lansing, Michigan. In 1973 he and Luisa brought their six children to settle in mid-Michigan. He went on to become a U.S. citizen and worked his way from welder to foreman at Hartman FABCO over a 25+ year career. He and Luisa moved back to León, Guanajuato in 1996, splitting time between Guanajuato and Michigan until he moved back to Michigan in 2021. The breadth and beauty of his legacy is embodied by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose inheritance includes opportunities Raúl, himself, never knew but succeeded in realizing for his family. He is greatly missed.

A visitation for Raul will be held Monday, May 2, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cristo Rey Church, 201 W Miller Rd, Lansing, MI 48911. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will take place following church services at East Lawn Memory Gardens, 2400 Bennett Rd, Okemos, MI 48864.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Sanchez family.