Santos Gonzales Obituary

Santos "Punkin" Gonzales

Santos "Punkin" Gonzales, 63, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and father-in-law, returned home to our Father in Heaven on Sunday, May 12, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family when he passed away.

Santos was born Nov. 1, 1960, in Findlay, to Agapito and Josephine (Coleman) Gonzales. He married Ilda (Sierra) on Jan. 31, 2006, but were together for 38 years and had five children, Jesse, Angel, Gavy, Alma, and Crystal.

Santos was a Findlay High School graduate. In 1980, Cpl. Santos joined U.S. Army where he proudly served for three years. He worked as a forklift driver and retired from Whirlpool Corporation in Findlay and previously worked at P&A Industries for 15 years.

Santos loved music and was always singing and dancing. He played guitar and enjoyed "jamming out" with his brothers and friends. Santos enjoyed mowing the grass while playing music and loved playing with his grandchildren. He was also a huge jokester, always wanting to make people laugh with his unique impression of the lion from The Wizard of Oz. He was an avid Michigan Wolverines fan.

"Punkin" was a man of steel that loved his family very much. He was a hard-working man that often enjoyed Sunday dinners with the whole family. Santos loved being outside in the summers, having bonfires, barbecues, and enjoying family life. One thing he didn't like was seeing his family sad, so he would hold you until he saw you smile again. Santos was one of a kind and his smile will be missed by all who loved him.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 18 years, Ilda; children, Jesse R. Gonzales, Angel L. Gonzales, Gavy Ramirez, and Alma (Rick) Mendoza, all of Findlay, and Crystal (Ryan) Cooper of Tacoma, Washington; 25 beloved grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings, Butch (Alice) Gonzales, Paul Gonzales, Joe (Tina) Gonzales, Juanita Slade, Lisa Gonzales, and Alice (Frias).

Santos was preceded in death by his parents; son, Santos Gonzales Jr.; siblings, Frank, Jesse, and Bessie (Bernal); and grandsons, Carlos Gonzales and Emiliano Ortega.

Visitation for friends and family will be 2-6 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024, at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, 419-422-1500. Santos' funeral will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the funeral home with Deacon Armando Gonzalez officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery with Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad conducting full military rites.

In Santos' honor, donations can be made to the family in care of Hufford Family Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.