Rafael Zamarripa

March 24, 1956 - September 1, 2018

Rafael Zamarripa, 62, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 6:35 P.M. Saturday September 1, 2018 at Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center in Hoopeston. He was born March 24, 1956 in San Juan, TX, the son of Santos and Vicenta (Ramirez) Zamarripa. He married Martha Colunga on September 2, 1981 in Danville, IL. She survives in Hoopeston. He is also survived by three daughters, Anna Zamarripa of Hoopeston, IL, Casandra Avalos of San Antonio, TX, and Roxanna Zamarripa of Hoopeston, IL; three sons, Rafael (Sylvia) Zamarripa Jr of San Antonio, TX, Miguel (Jessica) Zamarripa of Fenton, MO, and Roberto Zamarripa of Joliet, IL; six sisters, Delores Mercado of Idaho, Guadalupe (Isreal) Solis of La Grulla, TX, Matilde Mery of Pharr, TX, Frances (Antonio) Pena of Mission, TX, Josefina Rodriguez of Andrews, TX, and Concepsion (Jose) Palomo, Donna, TX; seven brothers, Maximiliano (Ahida) Zamarripa of Alice, TX, Santos (Alma) Zamarripa Jr of Alamo, TX, Antonio (Norma) Zamarripa of Otterbein, IN, Vicente Zamarripa of Andrews, TX, Genaro Zamarripa of Hoopeston, IL, Santos Zamarripa III of Hoopeston, IL, and Manuel Zamarripa of Hoopeston, IL; 10 grandchildren, Brock, Benjamin, Cristiano, Jonathan, Miguel Jr, Jathan, and Jovanni Zamarripa and Matthew, Mason, and Christina Avalos; several nieces and nephews; and special great-niece and great-nephew, Toni Kelly and Ely Wells. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; father-in-law, Amadeo Colunga; one sister, Sara Zamarripa; and one brother, Miguel Angel. Rafael served as a medic in the United States Army. After the service, he worked at Kraft Foods for 33 years, where he was also a medic. In 1995, he began working as a medic for the Hoopeston Ambulance, which later became Carle. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hoopeston. Rafael was a past coach for the Hoopeston Hornets and served as the athletic director for many years. He also coached little league for many years. He loved all the kids that he coached throughout the years. Rafael enjoyed listening to music and singing, loved to cook and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. A visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday September 6, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. A Rosary Service will be held at 6:45. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday September 7, 2018 at St. Anthony Catholic Church 423 S. Third St. Hoopeston, IL, with Father Thomas Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston. Military rites will be accorded by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.