Maria Dolores Gonzalez

1954 - 2016

Maria Dolores Gonzalez 1954 - 2016
CENTERVILLE, OH - Maria Dolores Gonzalez, 62, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, after a long illness.
She was born Aug. 17, 1954 to Roberto and Inez (Ponce) Gonzalez in Defiance, Ohio. She was a 1972 graduate of Tinora High School near Defiance, where she was a cheerleader for her Rams teams and was elected Homecoming Queen. On April 15, 1977, she married Jose Luis Gonzalez, Jr., who resides in Centerville, Ohio.
Maria attended the former Patricia Stevens College of Fashion & Business in Toledo, Ohio, The University of Toledo Community and Technical College, and Lincoln Trail College in Illinois in Robinson, Ill. Maria resided, respectively, in Defiance, Toledo, Springfield and Robinson (both in Illinois), Findlay, Ohio, and Centerville. She worked as a floral designer for many years in all of these cities.
Maria was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church in Centerville, Ohio. She enjoyed spending time with her family and good friends (particularly their walks together), working at home and traveling. Arranging and working with flowers and plants (surrounded by their beauty) was her passion. Maria was optimistic, very outgoing and cheerful, and always had a smile on her face. She put others before herself, even while battling her illness.
Maria and her smile will be sadly missed by her husband of 39 years, Jose Gonzalez, Jr.; son, Juan Carlos "JC" Gonzalez of Centerville, Ohio; granddaughter, Kirsten Jai Gonzalez of Middletown, Ohio; mother, Inez Gonzalez (Jim) of Defiance; sisters: Anna Maria Gonzalez-Roddy (David) of West Chester, Ohio, Leticia G. Thompson (Michael) of Defiance, Alicia Gonzalez of Cincinnati, and Lucinda Moser (Fred), of Defiance; brother, Roberto C. Gonzalez (Wenda) of Middletown, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Roberto D. Gonzalez, and one brother, Gonzalo.
Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, with a Vigil Service at 2 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at St. John Catholic Church in Defiance, with Fr. Eric Mueller officiating.
Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420.
Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.