Obituary of Cruz Espinosa Martinez

Cruz E. Martinez, age 88, passed away on the morning of October 27, 2015 at his home in Banning, CA. Cruz was born on February 8, 1927 in Banning, CA, where he resided most of his life. He attended Banning High School and was a member of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Banning, CA. Cruz E. Martinez bravely served in our Military for 3 years; he was a U.S. Army CPL and served in the Korean War which earned him the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. Cruz leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years, Josie Martinez, from Banning, CA; his daughters: Laura Porter, Norma Thomson, and Rita Duro, all of Banning, CA; his daughter, Evie Bailiff, of Sebastopol, CA; and his daughter, Joyce Martinez, of Broken Bow, OK. He is also survived by his brother, Gilbert Martinez; his sister, Mary Quiroz; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Cruz was preceded in death by his mother, Carmen Martinez, of Banning, CA; his grandsons, Gabriel and Mark Thomson, of Banning, CA; and his grandson, Joseph Duro, of Banning, CA. Funeral Services for Mr. Martinez have been set through Wiefels & Son Mortuary. A Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Wiefels and Son Memorial Chapel: 50 E. Nicolet St. Banning, CA. 92220. Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church: 157 W. Nicolet St. Banning, CA. 92220. Cruz will be laid to rest at San Gorgonio Memorial Park: 2201 N. San Gorgonio Ave. Banning, CA. 92220.