Mercedes Gonzalez

Mercedes V. Gonzalez passed away on April 1st, 2026. She was born in Mercedes Texas in March 1940. She married her husband Richard V. in January 1969. they were married until his passing in 1998. Together they raised three girls, Sandy, Shela, and Sylvia.

Mercedes spent her working career as a cook at Little Sisters of the Poor. She was a dedicated employee and honestly gave her all to the Residents she cooked for. She often formed friendships with the Residents who would volunteer in the kitchen with her. She'd share stories of her daughters with them, and then she'd share their stories with us girls. It was very hard work, but she excelled at it. In her spare time, she'd enjoy listening to Mexican music, and traditional old country western tunes. Her real talent lay in the beautiful wedding cakes she made. Her and Dick would spend days in the kitchen making every detail just perfect. He arranged all the mechanics of stacking multilayer cakes and making fountains run, while she'd whip up batch after batch of dreamy butter creme frosting. She thrilled in making her grandkids birthday cakes. She nourished many souls with her gifts from the kitchens she thrived in. After she retired, she's often show up at her daughter's house with fresh muffins or brownies for the grandkids. She enjoyed casino bus trips, lunch at Applebee's and shopping on QVC. She had a passion for nice purses, and her absolute love was a good watch.

She is survived by her three girls. Sandy (Pat) Burns, Shela (Scott) Stringham, Sylvia(Eric) Miller, and their half sister, Lori Zaszda. She was honored to be the grandmother of Andrew (Taylor), AJ, & Adam Burns; RJ, Jasmine (Gabe Morris) & Curtis Stringham; Matthew Gonzalez (Laura), Deacon & Sydney Miller. Gemma and Rowan Burns are her great-grandchildren. Baby Gonzalez is due any day. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick. Her parents and her siblings; Tacho (Jesusa) Villarreal, Lupe (Jesus) Tolentino, Tere (Luis) Flandes, and Manuel Gonzales.

Visitation will be held at Freck Funeral Chapel on April 6th from 4pm-8pm. A Catholic mass will be held at (Bono) Mt. Carmel in Martin OH on April 7th at 10:30am. Interment will be Restlawn Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will be held at Mt. Carmel immediately following the cemetery.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Care360 Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Mercedes.