Rosendo “Rosy” Cerda Sr., 85, of Chenoa passed away at 2:55 pm, Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at his residence in Chenoa.

His funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, April 21, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Chenoa with Father Carl LoPresti officiating. Interment will follow the service in Calvary Cemetery, Chenoa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm, Friday, April 20, 2012 also at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chenoa. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be directed to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Chenoa.

Rosendo “Rosy” was born March 1, 1927 in Rio Hondo, TX; the son of Juan and Julia (Colunga) Cerda. He married Lidia Aranda in Brownsville, TX in 1948. She survives in Chenoa.

Also surviving are five children, Jane (Tom) Cassidy, Elisa (Joe) Nemergut, Otilia (Jose) Perez Sr. all of Pontiac; Rosendo (Cecilia Weigbrecht) Cerda Jr., Eusebio Cerda both of Chenoa, three brothers, two sisters, sixteen grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and one daughter, Isabel Cerda.

Rosy worked as a migrant fruit farmer for many years, moving from state to state following the crops to provide for his family. The Cerda’s made their permanent residence in Illinois in 1969. He was employed by Interlake Steel, Pontiac. In 1987 he retired and moved to Chenoa. In 1999 Rosy and Lidia renewed their wedding vows to each other on their 50th anniversary in Chenoa at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

He never knew a stranger, always smiling and willing to give of himself to help others in need. His gentle spirit and giving heart will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.