Diego Nava & Samantha Ruby Ortiz

Samantha Ruby Ortiz was born on October 25th, 1992, and her husband, Diego Nava Torres, was born on August 6th, 1993. Both tragically passed away on October 25th, 2025, after a speeding vehicle side-swiped the rear driver side of their vehicle, causing them to lose control and spin into a ditch on the I-88 expressway in Kane County, IL. They were on their way to a haunted house in continuation of the birthday festivities they were celebrating that day. Samantha was 33, and Diego was 32, at the time of their untimely passing.

Samantha and Diego married on August 26th, 2018, and have been together since 2009. They had known each other for 16 years and had been married for 7 years. Together, they worked very hard to achieve everything they wanted to in life. They bought a home in 2019 and have been striving for years to make it their home, adding touches that reflect their tastes and personalities. Diego was a sweetheart because his greatest joy was doing all he could to make Samantha happy. They both enjoyed watching movies, professional wrestling, playing video games, collecting figures, attending concerts, going out to eat, discovering new restaurants, and traveling. Like any couple, they faced hardships and challenges, but through it all, their love for each other was unwavering.

Samantha Ruby Ortiz was born on October 25th, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Leticia Ortiz and Sergio Arturo Ortiz. She had three brothers and was loved by everyone. She attended Lane Technical High School and graduated in 2011. She always struggled to find a passion in life to pursue a career despite enjoying drawing and painting. She loved her dogs very much and tried to work with animals, but in the end, she saw things that were too heartbreaking to endure working as a veterinary assistant. She tried various jobs, but in the end, she enjoyed babysitting. Her favorite hobbies include drawing, horror movies and shows, going to the theater, attending concerts, hanging out with friends, and spending time with family.

Diego Nava Torres was born on August 6th,1993, in Campo Hermoso, Michoacan, Mexico. He moved to Chicago, Illinois, when he was 2 ½ years old. He attended Lane Technical High School and graduated in 2011. He also earned an Associate's degree at Triton College. Diego was known to be respectful to his parents and to be able to make friends and carry on a conversation with people. He was the type of person who, even when he didn't have the answer to a question, tried to find a solution just to be helpful. Diego was a person of great character who had empathy, compassion, loved his family and brothers very much, as well as Samantha. He loved her more than anything in this world as he always strived to make her happy. Everything he did, he did for her. His character was so profound that it resonated deeply with everyone he knew. He won over the Ortiz family, and he never hesitated to help them as he would his own family. Diego was so beloved by friends and family, and his work friends and bosses. His bosses would give Diego many opportunities to develop his skills and move ahead in life. They knew how special he was, too. He was also known to love construction, coffee, and fashion, as he always tried new things and sought a style he enjoyed. From trying different outfits to drinking different beers, he was never afraid to try something new in the pursuit of finding his own style. He loved figuring out how things worked and building things with his hands and tools.

Samantha Ruby Ortiz is survived by her mother, Leticia Ortiz; her father, Sergio Arturo Ortiz; and her brothers, Sergio Omar Ortiz Jr., Jonathan Alexis Ortiz, and Arturo Daniel Ortiz.

Diego Nava Torres is survived by his mother, Victoria Torres, his father, Tomas Nava, and his brothers, Luis Nava and Ivan Nava.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, November 3rd, from 3pm - 8pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Rd. Forest Park, IL 60130.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 4th at 10am at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Rd. Forest Park, IL 60130.

Interment Woodlawn Cemetery.