Jose Guadalupe Perez, 49 years young has passed on to be with the Lord Jesus Christ our savior on September 5, 2021.

Knowing him meant knowing what it was to be a loving son, brother, husband, father, friend and leader. Jose dedicated his life to those he loved, especially his wife, Lupe and children Eduardo, Esmeralda and Isaiah. He will forever be in our hearts and will be greatly missed.

Jose was a natural born leader. From the start he was a good man with good intentions, but by his mid/late twenties he had already suffered the loss of his father and a miscarriage with his wife, Lupe. In some ways, he was a bit lost but shortly thereafter, he and his wife would welcome their first born son, Eddie, into the world. Around the same time, they would both come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior and be saved by the Grace of the Lord. And so Jose's journey with Christ would begin. His love and guidance was available to anyone who was open to receive it, and along the way, he led many people to Christ. He was a true and proud servant of the Lord and his home was always open to those who needed support.

Many knew him and continue to refer to him as "Coach." He loved the game of soccer and coached his first son and daughter's teams from their first soccer games and throughout the off-seasons of their high school careers. He taught many of his students life lessons through the game and provided unconditional support to those he coached. There were not many people who he encountered that didn't walk away with positive thoughts and since his passing, many have come to his family and have flooded them with the sincere memories and thoughts of the great man that Jose was. For that, they are forever grateful.

His wife, children, siblings and their children, along with countless more have all felt the grace of the Lord through Jose. As his heart beat its last beats, he was surrounded by many people who loved him. In a room full of people that Jose had led to Christ, they guided him gracefully into the Lord's hands. He will be remembered, missed, and loved forever and always.

Jose is survived by his wife Lupe, children Eduardo, Esmeralda and Isaiah. Siblings Guille, Antonio, Juan, Alex, Daniel, Hernan, Esmeralda, and Maria.

He was preceded by his parents Jose G. Perez and Maria Del Refugio Diaz and his stillborn daughter Valerie Perez.

The Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Christ Church, 1107 Main Street Mendota IL 61342, followed by some refreshments. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask due to COVID-19. For those who cannot make it in person or do not feel comfortable coming in person, we will be sharing a zoom link. https://us05web.zoom.us/j/4877891759pwd=WEEvck1JT2RIWHN0aHpiRVRzVzZUQT09

Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Memorials may be directed to the family.