Obituary of Salvador M. Carmona
Salvador “Sal” Manuel Carmona, 88, of Oregon, IL, formerly of Chicago, IL, died peacefully on February 14, 2019. His beloved and treasured wife of fifty-nine years was at his bedside.
He was born on April 6, 1930 in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Elpidio and Ana Maria (Vera) Carmona. He married Christina Celestina Garcia on July 9, 1960. Graduate of Christian Brothers High School, Class of 1948, and was on the high school baseball team and played both positions of pitcher and outfielder with great zeal.
He enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the ERC Artillery Unit on March 27, 1951. Private First Class Salvador Carmona was honorably discharged at the end of the Korean War on March 6, 1953, and was awarded the following Medals: Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars (for heroism or meritorious service in combat), an Army Occupation Medal (Japan), a United Nations Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation. After several decades, he retired from Reynolds Metals Company as a truck mechanic.
Salvador was a faithful husband and father who loved and practiced his Catholic faith as he worked tirelessly for his large family. One summer in the mid-70’s, when his company went on strike, he took on two jobs so as to continue providing for his wife and children. He loved growing large plump tomatoes that were used quickly for making his famous hot salsa. He loved taking his noisy active brood to Lake Michigan on hot summer days for full days of swimming, building castles, and picnics. His artistic abilities were often found on sketch pads, notebooks, and in books accompanied with his own written prayers for his loved ones. He loved his family and friends in St. Joseph, MO such that a yearly summer trip was taken there to visit and enjoy family reunions with his parents, siblings and their families at Krug Park. The Carmona women made finger licking fried chicken and fixings! No one went home hungry at those picnics that brought together family and friends. Salvador also treasured his wife's family both near (Ariaz family) and far. Several trips to Mexico and Texas were made to visit the Garcia and Rivera Families. He loved his beautiful grandchildren and great-grandson. He had numerous friends that he stayed in contact with throughout the years: Bingo (chess buddy from Marquette Park), Willie (friend from work that helped with many auto repairs on Campbell Ave.), and Bill (his barber from Cicero, who entered into my parent’s lives with his large family).
Survived by his wife, Christina; children, Bernadette (Joe) Gleiter, Miguel, Alex, Monica (Gregg) Vaughn, Gabriel (fiancé, Colleen), Dominic, and Juliana (David) Reitenbach; grandchildren, Andrea (Benjamin) Evinger, Joe, Tom, Rose Marie and John Gleiter, Alexandria, Larissa, Landon, Ellyn, Hailey, and Leighanna Vaughn, Leo and Fenn Carmona, and Audrey Reitenbach; great-grandson, Jesse Evinger; sister, Phyllis (Carmona) Arbaiza; and brother, Hank Carmona; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Esther, Lourdes, Inez, and Sister Ana Marie, and five miscarried grandchildren.
Funeral services for Salvador Carmona will be held Friday, February 22, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet, where visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 11:30 a.m..
Interment will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with military honors being conducted under the auspices of the United States Army and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500, or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
