Jose Cruz Padilla

Jose Cruz Padilla (Chicoche), age 75, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, surrounded by his wife and all four of his children in their home. José was born in “El Rancho El Capulín in Unión de San Antonio, Jalisco, México” to Teodoro Cruz Padilla and Marina Padilla Contreras. He was the 3rd oldest of 10 siblings. He lived in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico. Chicoche was a “Jack of all traits,” always working on different projects for friends and family. He has never worked in the USA but started coming to visit his children, who have lived here in South Bend, in 2018. He was passionate about helping the elders, and along with his wife founded “Amigos de los Enfermos” (Friend of the Sick), a group focused on delivering food and medicine to the less fortunate elders. He loved music and was a lifelong harmonica player, an amateur journalist, and an activist in his hometown. He was involved in local politics and was a public organizer. He was a great soccer and baseball player and a fantastic cook. He knew no strangers, constantly engaging in random conversations with just about anyone, even when language was the barrier.

Jose is survived by his wife, Eva; daughter, Cristina Cruz; sons, Jose de Jesus (Jr) Cruz, Jorge Cruz, and Julio Cruz; 10 grandchildren; some siblings; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 10th, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Zahoran Funeral Home, and Catholic mass will be on Monday, March 11th, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Hungary.  Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

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