Isidro S. Cruz, 83, of Libby

Isidro “Chito” S. Cruz, 83, of Libby passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby.  

He was born Dec. 28, 1930, in Fairmont City, Ill., to Isidro S. and Carlota (Soto) Cruz. Chito grew up in Illinois and Washington. He entered the U.S. Army at the age of 21, and he lost his leg while serving his country in Korea in 1951. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1952.  

For more than 40 years, Chito repaired IBM office equipment. He retired in 1992.

On Feb. 25, 1994, Chito married Helen Tucker in Reno, Nev.  Chito and Helen moved to Libby on Feb. 29, 2000.

He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

Survivors include his wife Helen Cruz of Libby; Shelia Newman (Dale) of San Pablo, Calif; Cindy Castaneda of Pinole, Calif; Ron Cruz (Wanda) of Pittsburg, Calif; Debi Wetzel (Don) of Yakima, Wash.; Parmer Sickler (Stephie) of Yakima, Wash; Bruce Sickler (Lori) of Libby; 15 brothers and sisters; numerous grandchildren including Anthony Castaneda (Shannon), Santana Castaneda (Valerie), Melissa Newman; Emilo; Nicco, Natazio, Isaiah, Madisen, Brandon, and Emily; two great-grandchildren; special goddaughter Nicky Cich; and special family Silvestre, Alma, Edgar, Gio, Ivan, Jonathon and Fernando Cano.

Services for Chito will be 3 p.m. Sept. 22, 2014, at Libby Christian Church in Libby. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sept. 19, 2014, and from 10 a.m. until noon on Sept. 20, 2014, at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.