Paz J. Martinez Sr.

ROCK FALLS – Paz J. Martinez Sr., 78, of Sterling, died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at Transitions Nursing Home. He was a mechanic at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. before retiring.

Paz was born Jan. 24, 1935, in San Benito, Texas, the son of Jacinto and Mariana (Reza) Martinez. He married Encarnation Castaneda on Aug. 5, 1969. She preceded him in death on March 14, 1995. He then married Angela Walton on July 29, 2000. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling.

Survivors include his wife, Angela; three daughters, Dominga Heald of El Centro, Calif., Joanna (Kenny) Carter of Rock Falls, and Maggie (Bill) Fassler of Dixon; three sons, Henry Castaneda of Dixon, and Paz (Roberta) Martinez and Jacinto Martinez, both of Sterling; one sister, Ramona Ramirez of Hereford, Texas; two brothers, Estavan and Erasmo Martinez, both of Hereford; 17 grandchildren, Sara, Isaac, Jacob and Abraham Heald, Paul, Amanda and Kassandra Carter, Maranda and Lauryn Fassler, Mariyah, Trinity and Mateo Martinez, and Cheyenne, Alicia, Jayden, Jace and Jaela Martinez; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Encarnation; one sister, Natalia Morales; and three brothers, Cornelio, Juan, and Heriberto Martinez.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday and the funeral at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling, with the Rev. Juan Ayala, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling. Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling is handling arrangements.

A memorial has been established.

Visit schillingfuneralhome.com to send condolences.