Antonio Cuellar

ANTONIO "TONY" CUELLAR, 93, passed away Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born Aug. 6, 1924, in Texas, he was a son of the late Raul T. and Carmen Cuellar. The family moved to Indiana in 1942 when the coal mines closed. The family moved to Fort Wayne later and Tony was hired by International Harvester, retiring in 1973. He was a World War II veteran. After the war, he took flying training and received his license in 1946. He enjoyed flying to Mexico along with many other places. His favorite sport was baseball. He was manager of the Baseball Federation League for 14 years. He named his team Cielito Lindo. Tony and his brother Jim were one of the first Mexican business owners that opened a bar called Tony's & Jim's Bar in 1953, later known as Cielito Lindo. Tony was an adventurous person and loved to fish and hunt deer and elk. He also belonged to the Chicano Charro Club, an equestrian unit that rode in the Three Rivers Festival for 10 years. He loved attending the annual Coal Miners Reunion in Texas to enjoy the company of the sons of the old coal miners. Tony was a community advocate and leader of the Hispanics for many years. He founded the United Hispanic - American, Inc. (Benito Juarez Center) in 1971. The center provided employment and educational opportunities. The mission of the center was to improve the life of Hispanics by providing advocacy, social, and cultural services, which promotes an understanding of Hispanic cultures, challenges, and opportunities. He was a true Humanitarian who helped those in need throughout his life. Tony loved his family. He attended many events where the nephews and nieces celebrated birthdays and graduations. He served as a mentor and as a role model for others in the family and in the community. Surviving are his spouse, Teresa M. Cuellar of Fort Wayne; daughters, Eve Hanson of Irving, Texas and Theresa Cuellar of Fort Wayne; brothers, Roy Cuellar of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., Salome "Jimmy" (Ignacia) Cuellar and John (Dawn) Cuellar, both of Fort Wayne; sisters, Mary Ward of Rochester, N.Y., Dolores Walmsley of Fredericksburg, Va., Rosa A. Gerra and Carmen Cuellar, both of Fort Wayne, Carolina (Augustine) Gonzales of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Lydia Heredia of Fort Wayne; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two great-great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Antonio was preceded in death by his father, Raul T. Cuellar Sr.; mother, Carmen G. Cuellar; son, Tony V. Cuellar Jr.; brother, Raul Cuellar Jr.; sister, Gloria Torres; and brother, Daniel Cuellar. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2213 Brooklyn Ave., Fort Wayne, with calling one hour pror to the Mass. Calling also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, with a Rosary at 6 p.m. Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne.