Alfonso Ramirez, Sr., 83, of Oswego, IL passed to eternal rest on Sunday January 21, 2018. Born January 28, 1934 in San Juan, TX to Julian and Cayetana (Zapata), Alfonso grew up in Robstown, Texas. There he began his faith journey as an Altar Server. The priest had two favorite boys he would regularly select for this privilege. One later became a Bishop & the other was Alfonso! Alfonso lived his own faith each day through his devotion to family, friends, and church. After high school, where he ran the 880 on the track team, Alfonso moved to East Chicago to begin his career as a crane operator at Inland Steel. Affectionately known as "Big Al" at work, he retired after 28 years. East Chicago was also the place he met the love of his life, Estela Salinas. They were married on July 4, 1959, as Alfonso would say, "starting marriage with a Bang!" As they raised their four children in Hammond, Indiana, Alfonso always found a way to balance his work schedule in order to be in the stands cheering. He volunteered to coach, officiate or was the team dad for their youth sports. This was just one of the many ways he showed his pride and support in his children's activities & accomplishments. An outstanding, well-rounded person, Alfonso was a Renaissance man. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Europe before his honorable discharge in 1956. He kept up with current events and was an executive member of a Northwest Indiana Texan Charity Club that assisted families in need. Alfonso was an explorer and enjoyed travel. The annual vacations (always in a Chevy) took the family from coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico. He was a jokester with a serious sweet tooth & never met a stranger. Alfonso & Estela returned to Texas, Los Fresnos for retirement. Hospitality was the gift Alfonso offered as he entertained his many visitors. He had daily breakfast club chats with his friends. As a Master Gardener, he was passionate about his gardening and yard work and tending to his various rental properties. Alfonso brought smiles and cheer to every room he entered, often with a smile ear to ear. Alfonso will be missed by his wife of 58 years Estela (Salinas) Ramirez; daughter Bernice "Bonnie: Ramirez; sons Alfonso Jr. (Beth Willman), Richard (Holly), David (Ana); twin sister Alicia; brother Alfredo; grandchildren Nicole Burke (Mike), Alex, Antonia, Kayla, Jacey; great-grandchildren Cecilia Burke, Trevor Burke, and Cole Ramirez. Friends and Family are invited to a visitation, on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY, 1801 Douglas Rd, Oswego, IL. Rosary will be read at 10:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 551 Boulder Hill Pass, Oswego, IL 60543. Following Mass, the Rite of Committal will take place at Risen Lord Cemetery, 1501 Simons Rd, Oswego, IL 60543. Luncheon at St. Anne Catholic Church will follow. For information: 630/554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com