Federico B. Gonzalez

Federico Benitez Gonzalez, 83, of Coachella, Calif., passed away on December 24, 2012 in Indio, Calif. He was born on April 21, 1929 to Prudencio and Marcelina B. Gonzalez in Las Flores, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He married Elva Cantu in April, 1960 in Winterhaven, Calif. He was a supervisor for C.C. Larson for many years. He went on to become a very successful business owner until his retirement at age 72. He was a missionary at Our Lady of Soledad in Coachella, a member of the Coachella Senior Center for many years, and an active volunteer for the City of Coachella festivals. He is survived by his wife, Elva C. Gonzalez of Coachella; daughters, Olga Castro, Linda (Vince) Alvarez, Ida Ochoa, Lorena (Jose) Gonzalez and Yvonne (Tony) Gonzalez; son, Federico C. (Karen) Gonzalez Jr.; and sisters, Olivia Castañeda of Texas and Francisca Martinez of Indiana. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Felix and Geronima De Leon of Mexico and Pioquinto and Francisca Trevino of Mexico; and two grandsons, Jose Angel Maciel and Steven Jerry Saenz. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Forest Lawn Coachella Chapel, with a funeral service on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in Coachella with interment to follow at Coachella Valley Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Coachella.