Carmen P. Alfaro

Carmen P. Alfaro, 85, of 844 S. Academy St., Galesburg, died at 6:51 a.m. on February 15, 2007 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.   Carmen was born on August 5, 1922 in Altona, Illinois the daughter Antonio and Guadalupe Portales Perales.  She married Ray Alfaro on September 20, 1945 in Chicago.  He died on May 26, 1996.  Surviving Carmen are 3 sons: Rueben (Marvelle) and Steve (Sherry) both of Galesburg, and Ray (Yetta Kay) of Las Vegas, NV; 7 daughters: Pauline (Bob Brown) Lucas of Las Vegas, NV, Susan (Doug) Parker of North Las Vegas, NV, Mary Gaddy of Marilyn Heights, MO, Rachel (Miguel) Guzman of Rockford, Frances (Michael) Livingston of Wataga, Carmen Alfaro of Las Vegas, NV, and Vivian Burwell of Kewanee.  Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were a son Richard Alfaro in May of 2006, a daughter Charlotte Alfaro in June of 2006, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.   Carmen had worked as a CNA at Powell Nursing Home in Galesburg for several years and worked at Admiral’s for 19 years until her retirement in 1985.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and its Altar and Rosary Society, she was also a member of the Third Order of the Lay Carmelites, and AARP.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday February 20, 2007 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Deus-Dedit Bybato officiating.  Visitation will from 5 –7 p.m. on Monday February 19 at Watson Funeral Home, with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.