MENDOTA - Juanita M. Castiglia, 74, of Mendota passed away peacefully Jan. 21, 2022 at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota surrounded by family.

Juanita requested a memorial service to be held in her honor as opposed to a traditional funeral service. We request all love ones to join us to remember and celebrate her at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota on Monday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. with Judy Truckenbrod officiating.

Juanita was born on May 29, 1947 in Princeton to William and Dorothy (Wright) Bickett. She married Kevin Sondgeroth of West Brooklyn in 1967 and enjoyed many good years with him until he passed away in 1984. She was fortunate to find love again and marry Michael Castiglia in 1990. They would have celebrated 32 wonderful years together at the end of this month.

Survivors include her husband, Mike; one daughter, Stephanie (Sondgeroth) teDuits; one stepson, Tim Castiglia; a sister, Rita (Bickett) Findley; three brothers, David Bickett, Bill Bickett and Tony Bickett; one daughter in-law, Maria Sondgeroth; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Kevin Sondgeroth; her son, Eric Sondgeroth; two sisters, Kathy Fell and Maryann Bickett; and two stepchildren, Amy (Castiglia) McCormick and Doug Castiglia.

Juanita graduated from Mendota High School in 1966 and then went to cosmetology school in Sterling. She was a hairdresser for many years, first in Compton and then Mendota. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend. She loved hosting gatherings with family and friends, cooking delicious food and talking and laughing. She was very artistic and made beautiful, unique jewelry, painted wonderful pieces of art and was a very skilled seamstress. She loved being in Florida at the beach and collecting shells and was very fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time there over the last 20 years.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cops4Cancer or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.