Ildifonso Hinojosa Villarreal

Ildifonso Hinojosa "Poncho" Villarreal, 78, passed away on August 26, 2024, peacefully in his sleep at Bardwell Residences in Aurora. He was the son of the late Cristela Hinojosa Galindo and Oscar Villarreal and was born on September 4, 1945, in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
His family lovingly called him Poncho, but he was known as Al by his friends. He graduated from Marshall high school, then shortly after, was drafted into the Army in Jan '66. He was stationed in Seoul, Korea, where he met his first wife Kim. He served his country until Jan, 1968. In the following years he and his first wife Kim raised their three children Oki, Cristy and Remy in Chicago. He spent most of his life working for International Harvester/Navistar until he retired at the age of 59 while living in Melrose Park.
He was most passionate about painting and was interested in many genres. He also loved the outdoors, enjoyed fishing, golfing, attending flea markets and tinkering with building gadgets. He was very outspoken, free spirited, fearless, protective, creative, sarcastic, a jokester but behind the tough façade, he was compassionate.
He is survived by his children Oki (Phil), Cristy, Rembrandt (Ana), and Allen, his grandchildren Karina, Cristina, Selena, Joey, and Vanessa, his siblings Norma, Albina, Cristela, Yolanda, Martha, Gloria and Jose, as well as nieces and nephews and many family and friends.
Ildifonso H. Villarreal is preceded in death by his father Oscar Villarreal, mother Cristela Villarreal-Lopez, stepfather Jose Luis Lopez.
Visitation will be held on be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM at the Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, corner of Routes 30 & 59, Plainfield. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. The burial will follow at the Abraham Lincoln National cemetery in 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, IL.
The family of Ildifonso H. Villarreal wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Bardwell Residences in Aurora and all the nurses and staff who were extremely helpful and caring for him during his final months as well as all of our family and friends that have reached out with their condolences.