MENDOTA - Perfecto Espinoza Flores, 78, of Mendota passed away peacefully on May 17, 2019 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at the Merritt Funeral Home with an 8 p.m. Rosary.

Perfecto was born April 25, 1941 in El Fraile, Jalisco, Mexico to Francisco and Petra (Flores) Espinoza.

Survivors include his wife, Sara Espinoza; seven children, Mario (Enriqueta) Espinoza, Jaime (fiancée Jill) Espinoza, Eriberto (Augustina) Espinoza, Ricardo (Rosie) Espinoza, Sara (Cruz) Escatel, Petra (Martin) Estrada, Sofia (Leo) Pedroza; 21 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and many more family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Perfecto, much like his name, strived for perfection. He came to the United States with his wife in 1959 to have a better life for them and their future family. He worked in many places and retired from Manly Brothers in 2003. Perfecto moved his family to Mendota 49 years ago where he and Sara raised their seven children. He was always immensely proud of all his kids and all of his grandchildren. Whenever there was something to be celebrated, whether it was a graduation, award, or a birthday, he was never shy to call the entire family to get together. For Perfecto, family was the most important aspect of his life. He truly believed that despite everything he was proud of in his life, his family was the one thing he was most proud of.

Memorials may be directed to the family.