Raul "Mike" San Miguel

PENFIELD - Raul "Mike" San Miguel, 79, of Penfield died Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Mike was born on July 22, 1945, in Las Cruces, N.M., to Josephine (Alderete) San Miguel. He attended Las Cruces High School, wrestling for the Bulldogs, taking gold at state his senior year, and helping the team win the state championship in 1964. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, eventually serving a tour in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

He married Agnes Dorsey on Nov. 30, 1968, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Penfield. Mike earned an associate degree in accounting from Parkland Community College. He began work at the University of Illinois as a grounds keeper. In 2001, after more than 30 years, he retired as a facilities manager for Campus Recreation.

He was predeceased by his mother, Josephine (Alderete) San Miguel; maternal grandparents, Lorenzo Alderete and Atanacia Vasques; daughter-in-law, Rebecca (Owens) San Miguel; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Agnes San Miguel of Penfield; sons, Michael San Miguel of Penfield and Rudy San Miguel (David Lafleur) of Urbana; grandchildren, Paige and Thomas; brothers, Lorenzo "Lencho" San Miguel of Mesilla, N.M., and Raul (Yolanda) San Miguel of Pueblo, Colo.; niece, Cynthia; nephew, Raul; and great-niece, Thatiana.

He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Penfield-Gifford American Legion Post 1153.

Mike was a quiet man who enjoyed Westerns, college wrestling and crossword puzzles. When large gatherings took place at his home - and thanks to his wife, they often did - he could be seen wishing everyone a goodnight on his way to bed around the time the sun was setting. He was a master gardener whose tomatoes were legendary, he never hesitated to help his neighbors, and he maintained he was only afraid of two things: "Aggie and tornadoes, in that order."

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, Sunset Funeral Home's Lux Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Penfield. Immediately following the service, he will be laid to rest in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield. Father Joel Phelps will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Penfield-Gifford American Legion or the St. Lawrence Church Altar & Rosary Society. Please join Mike's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.