Israel Cruz

Israel Cruz, age 70, of East Chicago, Indiana, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2024.  Israel is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Margaret “Jiggyfly” Trevino Cruz; son, Jovanni (Sarah) Torres; three step-children:  Maria (Leo) Serros, Anna (Tony) Mack, and Alana Trevino; 18 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; sisters:  Pricilla (Lionel) Vargas, Jenny (Elias Maldonado) Rodriguez and Luz E. Burgos; brother, Angel Luis Sanjurjo; several other siblings; niece, Victoria Erica(Camila) Vargas; and nephews, Isaac Maldonado and Richard Jr. (Lori) Vera; great nephew, Richard Vera; best friend, Fernando (Aida) Longoria; godson, Mac Longoria.  Preceded in death by his parents:  Rogelio Corujo and Gloria “Victoria” Sanjurjo; and step-son, Arthur Trevino II.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at FIFE FUNERAL HOME, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN.  Private Cremation to follow.

Israel was a fun, loving, caring and heartwarming person who enjoyed many hobbies, including going to Bingo with his Jiggyfly, spending time with his dogs “Mikey” and “Luciana”, watching Boxing and Tennis, and fixing cars and other mobile equipment, but his biggest passion was fishing.  Aside from being an avid fisherman, he enjoyed sharing this passion with his family and friends.  From teaching his son, niece and wife, to teaching his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many others to strive to be as good a fisherman as he was.  He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and was always teaching them, from their ABC’s and 123’s to life lessons and how to navigate hard times, to ensure they succeeded throughout life, as he did with his son, Jovanni, niece, Vicky and nephew, Isaac.  Israel was an amazing father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather great grandfather, great great grandfather and friend.  To share an online condolence, logon to www.fifefuneralhome.com

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