(November 2, 2002)
Funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 2 at St. Philomene Church in Sacramento, Calif., for Edward Villareal, 88, former Powell resident who died Thursday, Oct. 28 in Sacramento.
He was born Oct. 13, 1914, in Devine, Texas. He was a long-time resident of Powell where he worked for Heasler Plumbing. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later moved to Sacramento in 1956.
He worked at the Sacramento Cannery and later secured a position with the Los Rios Community College District from 1957 to 1983. While working full-time, he was a member of several bands, playing guitar, bass, drums and providing vocals. He worked on Saturdays, helping family and friends with plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing and car mechanical problems.
He was an active member of St. Joseph's School and Church, volunteering his time as folk Mass worship leader and president of the Patron's Club. Later he volunteered at St. Philomene's Church, participating in "Sharing His Bounty," a ministry to feed the homeless; providing carpentry; and participating in the church census.
He will be remembered for his passion for life, his smile, telling stories and jokes and the deep love he had for his family.
Survivors include his wife, Elvira Villareal of Sacramento; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Anne Villareal and their children, Nicholas, Grace and Emily Villareal of Carmel Valley, Calif.; his daughter and son-in-law, Dolores and Bob Levine of La Canada, Calif.; his children from a previous marriage, J. Falgout, D. Hudson, E. Villareal, M. Lane and F. Villareal and their families; his older sister, Hortencia V. Garcia; and numerous nieces, nephews, brother and sisters-in-law.