OBITUARIES
ruben Carrillo, 77, Calexico arnold Cheatwood 91, Brawley Larry Villegas 57, Brawley
ARNOLD O. CHEATWOOD Aug. 18, 1926 - Aug 17, 2018
Arnold Owen Cheatwood entered into the presence of the Lord August 17, 2018 in Brawley, CA. He was at home surrounded by his family as they sang his favorite hymns.
Memorial services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, August 31 at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Brawley.
Born August 18, 1926 in Paden, OK, Arnold was a World War II veteran who served in the Philippines and Japan, and was awarded numerous medals before he received his honorable discharge.
He first met Norma, his wife of 74 years, in Seminole, Oklahoma when she was 12 years old and he was 13 years old. They married 4 years later in Seminole on April 10, 1944. Arnold and Norma owned and operated A & N Ice Company serving produce sheds with top ice and businesses with party ice. At Christmas, he would grind and spread a truckload of ice with 148 to 300 pound blocks on the ground to make “snow” on the Brawley Plaza. Then he would dress up like Santa and hand out gifts to the children.
Arnold loved and honored our great country, and following his retirement, he set a goal to visit all 50 states. He achieved this goal by buying a motorhome in order to caravan across the United States with two other couples.
Loving the Lord with all his heart, Arnold was very active in Western Avenue Baptist Church where he taught a Sunday school class for junior high boys for many years. He also served as a deacon and church treasurer. He was a member of Gideon International, a group that distributes free copies of the Bible, and Arnold loved passing out Bibles. He was a bold witness for the faith and led many to the Lord. His favorite verse in the Bible was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. “
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Washington Cheatwood and Ellen (Rogers) Cheatwood; two brothers, Hershel (Opal) Cheatwood and Roy (Mildred) Cheatwood; and three sisters, Hazel (Fred) Plemmons, Lola (Durrell) Plemmons, and Opal (Harry )McGuire.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Norma, of Brawley; daughter, Carolyn (Greg) Benner of Brawley; sons, Phillip (Georgette) Cheatwood of Visalia, CA and Dr. Gayle (Nita) Cheatwood of Holtville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was loved and respected by his family and friends and will be deeply missed. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
RUBEN CARRILLO Oct. 20, 1940 - Aug. 21, 2018
Ruben Carrillo of San Diego, CA, formerly of Calexico, CA, passed away on August 21, 2018, after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.
Ruben was born in Calexico to Carlos and Maria Carrillo Carrillo on October 20, 1940. He was the youngest of six children; his siblings Raul, Carlos, Brunilda, Virginia and Teresa.
He was predeceased by his parents and five siblings.
Ruben graduated from Calexico High School and attended Riverside City College and Cal Poly Pomona. He starred in basketball and football at Calexico High School and football at Riverside City College. Ruben owned and operated Bud’s Cafe, Ruben’s Hacienda and Calexico Medical & Dental Supply in Calexico. He also owned the Tamale Factory in Ocean Beach and was a roofing contractor in San Diego in the 90’s.
Ruben is survived by his wife, Cecilia of 52 years; his children, Rosanna, Carla, Liza and Ruben Jr.; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Final services are pending.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ruben’s name to The American Cancer Society of San Diego, 5333 Mission Center Road, San Diego, CA 92108.
LARRY G. VILLEGAS Apr. 11, 1961 - Aug. 16, 2018
Larry Villegas, 57, of Brawley passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2018.
He was born on April 11, 1961 in Brawley, CA.
Larry is survived by his brother, Albert Villegas of Brawley; sisters, Aurora Villegas of Brawley, Lili Juarez of Brawley, Isabel Villavicencio of Sparks, NV. and Lupe Villegas of Indio, CA.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Frye Chapel & Mortuary in Brawley, CA. Service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church in Brawley, CA. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.