July 5, 1919 – May 3, 2015

Lt. Colonel Ernest Kristof, age 95, passed away on May 3, 2015. He was born on July 5, 1919 in Czechoslovakia to Reverend Nicholas Kristof and Helen Zima Kristof. He attended Penn State University and served in the Army Air Corps in WWII as a navigator/bombardier. He was awarded two Bronze Battle Stars, a Bronze Star, and an American Defense Medal. He retired from the U.S Air Force Reserves in 1979. His first civilian job was with Prassel Manufacturing, then Builder’s Supply, Straus-Frank, Coleman Co., and finally Campbell-Ince, where he retired after 20 years. He was an active member at both St. Paul’s and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Churches.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Bernice Wagner Kristof; sisters, Martha Smith, Mary Beifus; and brothers, George Kristof and Jake Kristof. He is survived by his sister, Theresa Prah and brother, Zoltan Kristof and wife Laurene; his daughters, Karen McGilloway and Marcia Wilson, her husband Randolph; grandchildren, Robyn McGilloway, Paige Omohundro, and her husband Brian, Brooke McGilloway, Guy Wilson, his wife Jennifer, Cale Wilson, his wife Nichole, and Markay Fluitt, and her husband Timothy; and four great grand children.

Services

MASS
WEDNESDAY | MAY 6, 2015 | 7:00 P.M.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DEZAVALA ROAD

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
THURSDAY | MAY 7, 2015 | 9:30 A.M.
FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
1520 HARRY WURZBACH

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

MInita Santizo, age 68, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 7, 2015 at her home in San Antonio, TX surrounded by her children after a courageous battle with colon cancer. She is survived by her children, Lola Santizo Kern (Thomas), Silvia Gonzalez (Jaime), Mario Santizo (Isabelle), and Rodrigo Santizo (Alaina) and her beloved grandchildren, Maya Kern, Jaime & Gabriel Gonzalez, Leah and Matteo Santizo, and Noah and William Santizo. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mario Jose’ Santizo, her mother Alma Matilde Huemoeller, and her father, Carlos E. Ballesteros.

Minita was born in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico on June 20th, 1946. She was raised there by her mother and grandmother until the age of 12, when her mother died suddenly and her grandmother became her guardian at which time she was sent to boarding school at the Sacred Heart Academy. At the age of 15, she came to the United States to live with her uncle, Federico Huemoeller and his family in St. Louis to benefit from an American education. While working as a secretary at St. Louis University, Minita met and married her husband Mario Santizo on December 7, 1968, who was a masters candidate also at St. Louis University. After their daughter Lola was born, they moved to Iowa City, IA when Mario became a Professor of Spanish for the University of Iowa.

During their 29 years in Iowa City, her children Silvia, Mario and Rodrigo were born and while she raised her family, she finished her bachelor degree at the University of Iowa and also earned two masters degrees in education one of which was in International and Comparative Education. A highlight of her career was her work as the Director for the University of Iowa International Writing Program. Her work with the IWP brought out the best in her “mover and shaker” personality where she arranged tours, lectures, performance attendances, visits to elementary schools, hosted more than a few wild parties in her home and even old fashioned salons where poetry, music and political discussions with dissident writers from all over the world were enjoyed by her family. Throughout their years in Iowa City, Minita and her family also hosted at least 46 family members and foreign exchange students from but not limited to Mexico, Guatemala, Spain, France, China, Taiwan and Brazil.

Her career blossomed with her position at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX as Director for Studies Abroad. She served in that position for for 15 years during which she tirelessly helped countless students realize their educational goals by assisting them with choosing studies abroad opportunities, getting passports and arranging for visas, taking care of emergencies abroad, becoming long-time friends with many of them. During her tenure at St. Mary’s she sought and developed new study abroad opportunities for faculty and students stun in existence today. She was a member of NAFSA for more than 20 years and saved on several NAFSA committees at the National, Regional and local levels, including the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. She organized workshops, State meetings, while also participating in numerous sessions and panel presentations. As a member of the Forum on Education Abroad, Minita was an active participant in the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad development. In addition, she served as a Fulbright Grant and Boren Scholarship representative as well as a reviewer for these scholarships. She is co-founder of the Texas International Monthly(TIM), a study abroad organization comprised of local and regional universities that share information and discuss current issues in study abroad. Most recently, before her retirement she was appointed as Associate Director of the Association of Marianist Universities(Chaminade-Honolulu, the University of Dayton – Ohio, and St, Mary’s University. Some of her awards include The Silver InsigniaAward for her support and dedication to the Franklin Institute; Institute of International Education Award for her decade of work with the Gilman International Scholarship Program; The Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award for the Promotion of Peace from St. Mary’s University; Leader for the Ecumenical Service Against Capital Punishment, President’s Peace Commission also from St. Mary’s University and The Award for Appreciation for Service from St. Mary’s University.

Minita loved her family and especially her dear grandchildren beyond measure. She thrived on meeting new people and making new connections many of which she kept for her lifetime. She has many wonderful close friends and neighbors in San Antonio that she met through her career at St. Mary’s who have become family by heart and will continue to be in her childrens’ lives. Minita attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church faithfully and was involved with many activities through the parish such as Mobile Loaves and Fishes(food, clothing, and other necessities delivered to the homeless and poor), minister, reader, greeter, A.C.T.S. Retreat team, Women’s Parish Council, and also with Habitat for Humanity. She was a lover of all kinds of music, movies, and travel and enjoyed constantly learning. Minita became a champion of anyone who asked for her help especially those whom she felt were marginalized. She was never afraid to speak up or say what was on her mind. Minita often said out loud what others were thinking but did not have the courage to say. Her firecracker personality and spirit will be greatly missed by all who were lucky to know her. And her heart and soul were always guided by love.

Friends are invited for a visitation on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 12:00-2:00pm, Porter Loring Funeral Home, 1101 McCullough, San Antonio, TX.  A second visitation will follow at 4:30-6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX after which a Vigil will start at 6:30 also at St. Francis.

The Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, February 12 at 10:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with a luncheon immediately following in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, a monetary gift may be made to the Marianists in support of their work in India.
http://www.marianist.com/donate/santizo/

CMSgt.  (Ret.) Donald J. Borak, 80, passed away on January 31, 2015. Don was raised in Chaska, MN, then served in the USAF Security Service for the next 21 years as an Intelligence specialist and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Force Commendation Medal among other honors. It was during an assignment to Scotland that he met and married his wife, Sandra. He also had assignments in Alaska, England, Japan, and Thailand before his retirement from Kelly AFB in San Antonio, TX in 1974. Don then earned his CLU and ChFC before becoming Regional Director for 3MARK Financial in Sugarland, TX and Area Life Consultant for Protective Life.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, County Commissioner Edward Borak and Loretta Hart Borak; a brother, Charles Borak; and a brother-in-law, John Schneider. His survivors include his wife of 54 years, Sandra Robertson Borak; 2 siblings, Mary Jean Borak Schneider, and Robert Borak and wife Judy; a sister-in-law, Connie Borak; 3 sons, Paul Borak, Gary Borak, and Steven Borak and wife Leslie Coleman Borak; a daughter, Donna Borak Henderson and husband Frank Henderson, Jr.; and 5 grandchildren, Brady and Colby Borak, and Frank “Trey” Henderson III, Katherine, and Wyatt Henderson. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 4, from 6:00-7:00 P.M. at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Vigil

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

7:00 P.M.

Porter Loring North Chapel

Processional

Thursday, February 5, 2015

10:30 A.M.

Porter Loring North Chapel

 Mass

Thursday, February 5, 2015

11:00 A.M.

St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church

 A graveside service with Military Honors will be in Ft. Sam Houston on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Attn: CONTRIBUTIONS, One Intrepid Square, W 46th Street & 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 (www.fallenheroesfund.org).

Mary Lou Vazquez, age 79, went to be with the Lord on November 30, 2014. She was born on May 20, 1935 to Arturo & Elisa Hernandez. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Loretta Vazquez; 2 grandsons, Nick Anthony Almendarez and Stephen Anthony Vazquez.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, J. Manuel Vazquez; 6 children, Guillermina Chavez, Jacqueline Almendarez, Juli Machany, Michele Ortiz, Lisa Vazquez and Joe Vazquez; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Gilbert and Larry Hernandez; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Visitation and Rosary

Visitation | 6 pm | Friday, December 5, 2014

Rosary | 7 pm | Friday, December 5, 2014

Sunset Funeral Home Chapel | 1701 Austin Highway
San Antonio, Texas 78218

Funeral Mass

Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 10 am | St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala, San Antonio, TX 78249.

Jesus “Jesse” M. Ruiz, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in San Antonio. He was born in Alice, Texas to parents, Mucio and Dionicia Ruiz. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gregorio G. Ruiz, Santiago D. Ruiz, and Jose D. Ruiz; sister, Cruz R. Silguero.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 63 years, Josie G. Ruiz; son, Rene D. Ruiz and spouse Benjamin Ruiz; daughter, Cynthia A. Hayford and husband Tim Hayford; grandchildren, Corey, Abbey, Brandon and wife, Jennifer; great-grandson, Samuel; sister, Leslie Alaniz; numerous nieces and nephews. Jesse retired from Kelly Air Force Base after 37 years of service.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2014 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2014
7:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

MASS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014
11:00 A.M.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DEZAVALA

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.