Raul Flores Viramontes

Raul Flores Viramontes
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our father, Raul Flores of Skokie, IL at the age of 96 years old has passed away at home on October 30, 2023. He came from humble beginnings, born to the farming community of the Colonia Guadalupe Victoria of Jalpa, Zacatecas Mexico on March 8, 1927. He was the eldest of 14 children. His parents were the late Santiago and Maria Viramontes Flores. He was taught to work hard on the family farm at a young age and to have a good work ethic. He helped to raise his brothers and sisters. He was home schooled after 2nd grade and was a self-taught man. He immigrated to the United States and moved to Chicago, IL where he met his wife, the late Antonia Medina Flores. He was married to Antonia for 65 years and lived at 1850 West Superior Street for about 48 years. They had 9 children, helped raise a niece, had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was devoted to his parents, siblings and his own family with a deep faith in God. He would pass along his faith and work ethic to his family. He was a machinist by trade and worked for Ecko Products for about 30 years. He was an inventor and had a patent for a metal puzzle game. He loved to swim, to learn new things, gardening, love to play with gadgets and enjoyed history. After he retired with Antonia, they decided to build a Rancho in Jalpa, Mexico on his family’s farm. He had a Guayaba farm with cows, horses and dogs. He had a beautiful arched front porch filled with Buganvilla flowers. He loved the farm. He eventually sold his home in Chicago and moved to Kansas City, MO to be close to family. They lived there about 17 years, and returned to Chicago. He believed if “you are going to do something, to do it right the first time and to do it with a happy heart.” He would say “when you love, you love with your whole heart.” He is survived by his daughter, Antonia and Alex Kreicbergs, son Joseph and Laura Calva, daughter Christina Bochenek, son Raul and Nancy Flores, son Juan and Ana Flores, daughter Maggie and Anthony Rodriguez, and son David and Santa Flores.
He is preceded in death by his wife Antonia Medina Flores, his daughter Maria Flores, daughter Guadalupe Flores and son in law Richard Bochenek.
The celebration of life will be held: Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Pietryka Funeral home for visitation 4pm-8pm. Friday, November 3, 2023, mass at 10am, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Addison. Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, IL.