Joe R. Cervantes, Sr. LEIPSIC – Joe R. Cervantes, Sr., 87 of Leipsic, passed away peacefully at 1:48 a.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.  He was born  in San Antonio, TX  July 27, 1931,  to the late Pablo and Melitona (Rodriguez) Cervantes.

Joe had twelve children with Rachel (Rivera) Cervantes. She died August 1, 2015.

Survivors include nine children:  Andy (Kathy) Cervantes of Waxahachie, TX;  Linda (John) De La Rosa of Fostoria; JoAnn (David) Bloom of Leipsic; David Cervantes of Hamler; Cindy (Randy) Bishop of Defiance; Joe (Melaine) Cervantes, Jr. of Middletown; Tina (Jerry) Jackson of Woodbridge, VA.; Steven (Patricia) Cervantes of Glouster, and Michael Cervantes of Leipsic; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Cervantes of Leipsic;  32 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.

Joe retired from General Motors, Defiance. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and anything mechanical. He liked to joke around and he loved his family and his dogs.

He was also preceded in death by two daughters: Raquel Cervantes and Rose Marie Cervantes; a son: Richard Cervantes; a grandson: Taurean "TJ" Jackson; a great-granddaughter: Mika Andrea Hernandez; and a half brother, Joe Garcia.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Leipsic, with Pastor Darrell Davidson, Pastor Jed Brake and Deacon Valdez officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Leipsic.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8  p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com.