65597_Jose “Chito” Luis_Martinez

BELMOND — Jose “Chito” Luis Martinez, age 33, of Belmond, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 21, 2013, in rural Franklin County, east of Alexander, as a result of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 1207 Third St. N.E., Belmond. Father Nils Hernandez will be officiating.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, Iowa, and also on Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the church. There will be a public prayer service at 8:45 p.m. at the funeral home on Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to the family c/o Jose Martinez Memorial Fund, Northwest Bank, P.O. Box 324, 120 East Main St., Belmond, IA 50421.

Jose L. Martinez, the son of Jose “Joe” Renato Martinez and Olga (Alvarado) Martinez, was born March 8, 1980, in Nava Coahuila, Mexico. He attended schools in Mexico through the ninth grade before moving with his family at age 16 to Britt. He later moved to the Klemme and Goodell, Iowa, areas, prior to making his home in Belmond.

Jose celebrated his union with his wife, Socorro Lopez, on June 17, 2000. The couple later married in Garner, Iowa, in August of 2000. Their marriage was blessed with two children: a daughter, Janeth, and a son, Jose Martinez Jr.

Jose and Socorro made their home and raised their children in Belmond for the many years.

Jose had been employed for 14 years with Sparboe Farms in Goodell and then Hawkeye Pride in Corwith, Iowa, prior to his current employment at Centrum Valley Farms in Galt, Iowa.

Jose was a very hardworking and dedicated employee throughout his working life. He was very proud to help provide for the needs of his family. He enjoyed times spent with his family and friends relaxing.

Jose looked forward to taking his daughter, Janeth, and son, Jose Jr., fishing on area lakes. He looked forward to a friendly game of Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, or pretend boxing with his children. Jose had a warm and friendly personality and smile and was always willing to lend a hand to help others. He was always joking around and trying to make others laugh and be happy. He loved animals and was especially fond of horses, dogs and roosters. He loved soccer and was a very proud fan of the CruZ Azul soccer team.

Jose will be greatly missed by his wife, Socorro Martinez, and their two children, Janeth Brizeida and Jose Luis Jr., Belmond; his parents, Jose “Joe” Renato and Olga (Lopez) Martinez, Kanawha, Iowa; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Albert and Olivia Lopez, Belmond; brothers, Pedro and wife, Tere, Martinez, and Heber and wife, Maricela, all of Belmond; one sister, Esmeralda and husband, Victor Lucio, Mexico; and sisters-in-law, Anna and husband, Franciso “Paca” Garcia, Belmond, and sister Rose and husband, Jesus Zepeda, Waterloo, Iowa; also Jose’s three godchildren, Dulce and Victor Lucio, and Osvaldo Benavidez. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.

Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, 641-444-4474.

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