Etelberto Rayo, age 71, of Stevenson, California entered into rest on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. He was born May 20, 1948 in Buenos Aires, Michoacán, Mexico to Crisoforo Rayo Perez and Consuelo Valdovinos Perez.
Etelberto is survived by his spouse, Raquel M. Sanchez; son Elberto Rayo of Washington; son Jaime Rayo of California; daughter Violet Rayo of Atwater; daughter Erika Rayo of Atwater; son Ben Guerrero of Kentucky; son Javier Guerrero of Ohio; son Cesar Sanchez of Livingston; son David Sanchez of Kentucky; brother Wenceslao Rayo of California, brother Panfilo Rayo of California, brother Alejandro Rayo of California, brother Juan Rayo of California, sister Juana Rojas of California, sister Olivia Medina of California and sister Francisa Salome of California. He also had fifteen Grandchildren to honor his memory.
Etelberto was preceded in death by his father and his first wife.
Etelberto had an amazing work ethic and a great love for roosters. He started working driving a tractor at 9 years old when he was in Mexico, this was also when he fell in love with roosters. His work ethic carried over into how he cared for the roosters and how he helped to take care of his family. In 1969 he decided to come to the United States and continued working and supporting his family. He worked for the same company in Stevenson until July 1, 2019, he worked there for 50 years. He had moved to Livingston California just 2 months before he passed.
Etelberto married his first wife Maria in November of 1974. He and Maria had 4 children together and lived happily in Stevenson California until Maria passed away in April of 2000. He continued supporting his family and raising his prized roosters. Two years later he met his second wife Raquel who had 4 children of her own. Etelberto and Raquel began their life together blending their family, which was easy because Etelberto accepted the kids as his own, especially the 2 youngest. He was very much a father figure to them, and they loved him like a father as well. He was loved by all of his children and will be missed always.
A visitation for Etelberto will be held from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM onTuesday, March 17, 2020 at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, California. A recitation of the rosary will follow.
A funeral mass will occur at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2809 Railroad Avenue, Stevinson, California. A committal service will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery, 20085 3rd Avenue, Stevinson, California.
Serving as pallbearers are Jaime Rayo, Elberto Rayo, Nathaniel Rayo, David Sanchez, Cesar Sanchez, Edgard Curiel, Jonathan Alvarado and Xavier Alcazar.
Services for Etelberto Rayo are in the care of Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service (FD 504) in Turlock, California.
