Jose Maria “Chema” “Grandpa” Colunga, 78, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 3:53 A.M. Wednesday January 17, 2024, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. He was born September 2, 1945, in Edinburg, TX, the son of Amadeo and Oralia (Serna) Colunga. He married Nora Rangel on June 24, 1964, in Rochelle, IL. She survives in Hoopeston.
He is also survived by two daughters, Oralia (Rick) Garcia of Mission, TX and Irene Colunga of Hoopeston, IL; two sons, Jose (Sally) Colunga, Jr. of Newman, IL and Daniel (Gloria) Colunga of Hoopeston, IL; four sisters, Carolina Salinas of Hoopeston, IL, Eulalia (Octavio) Martinez of Hoopeston, IL, Martha Zamarripa of Hoopeston, IL and Thelma (Daniel) Lugo of Hoopeston, IL; seven brothers, Guadalupe Colunga of Mission, TX, George Colunga of Mission, TX, Amadeo (Margie) Colunga Jr., of Hoopeston, IL, Armando (Donna) Colunga of Potomac, IL, Johnny (Cristina) Colunga of Mission , TX, Mario (Lori) Colunga of Swartz Creek, MI, and Sergio (Brenda) Colunga of Milford, IL; 18 grandchildren, Ricky Jr., Roland (Aaliyah), Robert (Samantha), Rebecca (Philip), Andrew (Meagan), Aaliyah (Aaron), Adam, Anthony, Abel, Zabrina (Tyler), Kernea, MJ, Robert, Andre (Paige), Davion (Alyssa), Kiara (Ezra), Makhia, and Marcus; 23 great-grandchildren; and one aunt, Paula Serna of Loredo, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Brenda Colunga; one sister, Paula Zarate; two sisters-in-law, Sylvia and Meregilda Colunga; and three brothers-in-law, Victor Salinas, Valeriano Zarate, and Rafael Zamarripa.
Jose worked as a mechanic at Joan of Arc in Hoopeston for 44 years until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hoopeston. Known as Grandpa by everyone, he was very family oriented. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, watching the Dallas Cowboys’ games with his sons and grandsons, and country cruising with his brothers-in-law. Jose’s hobbies included woodworking, gardening, barbecuing, listening to music, and dancing. He also enjoyed traveling and loved farm animals.
Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday January 25, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL, with a rosary service being held at 4:30 P.M. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday January 26, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 423 S. Third St. Hoopeston, IL. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Jose’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
