Ismael Ortiz Sr

Ismael S. “Ish” Ortiz, Sr., 74, of Blue Springs, MO passed away Saturday, January 8, 2012 at Kansas City Hospice House. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2012 at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 901 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055 where the rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. “Ish” was born in Hope, KS, May 7, 1937 to Domingo & Michaela(Morales) Ortiz, and is the oldest of nine brothers & sisters. He lived his whole life in the Kansas City area, where he met & married, in 1956, the love of his life, Marcellina (Ramirez). They eventually settled & lived the remainder of their life together in Blue Springs, Missouri, where they raised their three children. They were members of St. Robert Bellermine Parish and love being surrounded with family and friends. He worked for Fritz’s Meat Co. for 36 years before retiring in 2000. He loved going to the Lake of the Ozarks, where they owned a lake house for 35+ years. Beyond his family & friends, he LOVED his KANSAS CITY CHIEFS! He was a season ticket holder for 20+ years and thoroughly enjoyed tailgating with his family and friends…and even strangers that he would invite in to join the celebration! He was a proud member of Los Westside Companeros, an organization of childhood friends, who grew up together and now meet once a month, and collect funds to help out the less fortunate. He knew no stranger, and loved his friends as if they were family. There has never been a more loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he will be missed more than can even be put into words. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Marcellina Ortiz, of the home., Son, Esmael S. Ortiz, Jr. of Ames, Iowa, Daughter, Lisa Ortiz-Batesel & son-in-law, Jeff, of Platte City, Mo., Daughter Yolanda Ortiz-Burt & son-in-law Chris, of Lee Summit, Mo. Five loving grandchildren, Esmael S. Ortiz, III & wife Jackie of Kansas City, Ks., Manuel J. Ortiz & wife Monique, of Kansas City, Mo., Gabrielle, Alexander & William Burt of Lee Summit, Mo., & 10 Great-Grandchildren. In addition he is survived by many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and of course many friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64145 or the Parkinsons Foundation Heartland, 8900 State Line Rd, #320, Leawood, KS 66206.