Deacon Valentin G. Lopez, Sr.
LEIPSIC - Deacon Valentin G. Lopez, Sr., 83, of Leipsic died at 11:46 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born September 28, 1931 in Brownsville, TX to the late Francisco and Alejandra (Guzman) Lopez. On September 18, 1955 he married Esther Garcia who survives in Leipsic.
Also surviving are 5 children: Maria Puente of Leipsic, Emma (Jim) Calvelage of Ft. Jennings, Esmeralda (Rene) Herrera of Green Springs, Elida Tovar of Pharr, TX., and Victor (Rosie) Lopez of Hamler; 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; and a brother: Antonio Cuevas of Deshler.
He was also preceded in death by a son: Valentin Lopez, Jr.; a brother: Gregorio Lopez; and 2 sisters: Margarita Lopez and Guadalupe Palomo.
Deacon Val was retired from General Motors in Defiance March 1, 1988. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Leipsic and received his permanent Diaconate on May 22, 1976.  He was a former Commissioner of Spanish Speaking Affairs, and committeeman for Local 211 Defiance General Motors for 12 years.   Deacon Val was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC).  He enjoyed corn hole, dominoes, dancing, fishing and hunting.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Leipsic with Msgr. Marv Borger officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Leipsic American Legion. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Monday at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic, where there will be a rosary at 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the mass at church on Tuesday.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart Association or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.

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