Samuel R. Gayton

Samuel R. Gayton, 82, of 571 E. South St., Galesburg, died at 10:20 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2007 at Cottage Hospital. Samuel was born on March 8, 1925 in Haciend De Vallon, Zacatecas, Mexico, the son of Zacarias Euarista Gaytan Rodriguez. He married Carmen Soriano on December 7, 1949 in Juarez, Mexico. She died on March 26, 2004. Surviving Samuel are 4 sons: Zacarias and Samuel Rodriguez both of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, John (Gloria Chavez) and Robert (Kim) Rodriguez both of Galesburg; 8 daughters: Maria Galletan of Galesburg, Rosa (Juan) Rugama of Kirkwood, Teresa (Paul Sanchez) Rodriguez of Galesburg, Maria Elena Duenas of Bloomington, CA, Gloria (Marcial) Garcia of Burlington, IA; Connie Rodriguez of Galesburg, Nellie (Frank) Negrete of Lancaster, CA, and Anita Rodriguez of Galesburg; 1 sister Isaura Rodriguez of Fresnillo, Mexico; 2 grandchildren whom he raised Andrea (Steven) Steines of Alpha and Andy (Christy Johnson) Abarca of Galesburg. Also surviving are 52 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 sons: Samuel Rodriguez, III and Pete Rodriguez, 1 brother, 3 sisters, and 2 great grandchildren. Another son Victor Rodriguez followed him in death on March 17, 2007 in Mexico. Samuel worked at Galesburg Malleable for several years and then worked at Iowa Malleable until he retired in 1987. After retirement he worked at the PEO Home until its closure. He was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the LULAC Club, was an avid Cubs and Bears fan, and enjoyed gardening. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at Corpus Christi Church with the Rev. William Miller, IC officiating. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 p.m. on Monday March 19, 2007 at Watson Funeral Home, with the rosary being prayed at 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Western Illinois Kidney Center, Corpus Christi Church, or to the American Cancer Society.