Armando Martinez,
age 69 of Valparaiso, IN, passed away unexpectedly on November 22, 2020. He
was born on March 16, 1951 in East Chicago, IN to Armando and Naomi (Silva)
Martinez, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from East Chicago
Washington High School in 1969.
On August 22, 1973
in East Chicago, IN, he married the love of his life, Dr. Sandra (Vega)
Martinez, who survives in Valparaiso, IN. He was her strongest supporter and
always gave her the unconditional love and space to find her personal and
professional happiness. He was never in the limelight, but always providing
her with the glow.
He is also survived
by his loving daughter, Jessica (Noe) Valle; his adoring grandsons, Armando
Martinez, Cristian Martinez, and Estevan Valle all of Valparaiso, IN; his
siblings: Josephine (Raymond) Martinez of Porter, IN, Ernest (late Rosie)
Martinez of East Chicago, IN, Fernando (Elizabeth) Martinez of Crown Point,
IN, Margaret (Gilbert) Gutierrez of East Chicago, IN, Teresa (Eusebio)
Guevara of LaPorte, IN, Steve (Paz Maria) of Glendale, CA, and Domingo (Joy)
Martinez of Lowell, IN; his sisters-in-law, Nora Vega (Bruce) Kowalysyn of
Valparaiso, IN and Tony Annette (Alfred) Villarruel of McCordsville, IN; and
by his special friends, Hilda and Henry Chung of Casa Geande, AZ.
He was also
preceded in death by his in-laws, Martin and Antonia Vega; his sisters,
Ascencion Tristan and Sara Pabey; by his brother, Joseph (Chato) Martinez;
and by his brother-in-law, Steve Funkhouser.
Armando loved his
Jessica and the boys with all his being. His love for baseball was instilled
in all of them. He was a loyal Chicago White Sox fan. He never missed the
boys’ baseball games and he was always their number one fan. They will be
his biggest legacy.
Armando is also
survived by his many nieces and nephews who always held a special place in
his heart. Armando was his mother’s son. Just as Mimi did, Armando placed
the needs of his family above his own and always did it with genuine effort,
love, and unselfishness. He loved his family Ð all of them Ð with all his
heart. His home was their “family resort” where priceless memories were
built year after year, generation after generation.
Armando suffered a
tragic arm amputation at the Inland Steel Company as a young husband and
father. Yet, he never let that event define or limit him. He used it to
strengthen him and to become the best version of decency and kindness that
he could.
Due to the
restrictions placed on gatherings at this time, a private Memorial Mass will
be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church. However, a Celebration of Armando’s
Life Ð worthy of all his legacy Ð will be held in 2021.
Professional
arrangements are entrusted to the White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton, IN.