John Ortiz, age 64 of Wyoming, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 26, 2020 at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Son of the late Manuel and Macaria (Quintero) Ortiz, John was born June 17, 1955 in Saginaw. John was preceded in death by his siblings, William, Robert, Jimmy, Richard, Jesse, and Maria Ortiz, and by his son-in-law, Benito Cantu.
He was a 1974 graduate of Saginaw High School and then enlisted with the United States Marine Corps toward the end of the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, John returned to Saginaw and was employed by General Motors at Saginaw Steering Gear where he put in 31 years of service until his retirement in 2008. John married the former Francisca Gutierrez on September 23, 1989 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Saginaw with the Rev Daniel Anholzer performing the ceremony.
John is survived by his wife, Francisca; six children, Tina (Daniel) Flores, Michael (finance Briana Mikesh) Gutierrez, Patricia Cantu, John Ortiz Jr., Selena (Britney Smit) Ortiz, and Elaina Ortiz; his grandchildren, Daniel Flores Jr., Destiny, Dania, and Debella Flores, Michael Gutierrez Jr., Marianna, Jasmine, and Jacob Gutierrez, Reco and David Gutierrez, Penelope Cantu, Lorenzo and Lia Ortiz, and Aurelio Daggs; great-grandchildren, Daniel Flores III, and Sophia Gutierrez; siblings, Daniel (Maria) Ortiz, Manual Ortiz, Armando (Janie) Ortiz and special sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou (David) Garcia, sister-in-law Irene Ortiz; 2 special friends, Leslie Lewis and Lindsey Harlukowicz; many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much including a special niece and caregiver, Renee Rivera.
Mr. & Mrs. Ortiz moved to Wyoming in 2012 where John enjoyed staying active while working at Wal-Mart along with several other temporary service jobs. In Saginaw, John was a member of Living Faith Family Ministries. In Wyoming he belonged to Resurrection Life Church. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather. He enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. John was very generous, and his door was always open to help anyone in time of need. John enjoyed walking and spending time outdoors. He loved music from years gone by, especially the old MOTOWN hits. John also enjoyed working with his wife at Walmart. John will be dearly missed.
Visitation for John will be Monday May 4th at Cederberg-Brietzke Funeral Home, 403 N. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw and where Pastor Tony Hall will speak. Private Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday at the Funeral Home with Pastor Frank Gallardo officiating. Interment with full military honors will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw.
During visitation, please refrain from hugging or shaking hands and please maintain social distancing.
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