Michael A. Ramirez, age 79, of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, November 15, 2009, in Clinton, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 3 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, at the Savanna United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna. Memorials may be directed to the Savanna V.F.W. Post #2223 or to Mercy Hospice.
Michael was born September 16, 1930, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Juan and Juanna (Paz) Ramirez. He graduated from Savanna High School with the Class of 1950. Michael served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Michael was a fireman at the Savanna Army Depot for thirty years, retiring in 1980, and was also a Volunteer Fireman in Savanna for many years. After retiring, he tended bar at O’Canavan’s Pub. Michael was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna, the Savanna V.F.W. Post #2223 where he was Chaplain and was head of the Honor Guard for many years, the Thomson American Legion, the Clinton Eagle’s Club and the Clinton AMVETS. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. Michael was very proud of his children and family, and will be dearly missed by them all.
Michael is survived by two daughters, Micki Brenan of Rock Island, Illinois, and Judi Brunner of Thomson, Illinois; two sons, Stephen Ramirez of Clinton, Iowa, and Jerry (Lisa) Ramirez of Parker, Colorado; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; six sisters, Lupe Castro of Savanna, Illinois, Alice Ferris of Omaha, Nebraska, Rose (Kenneth) Friederich of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, Josephine Ramirez of Savanna, Lillian (Merle) Sternberg of Fulton, Illinois, and Angie (William) Ernst of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; and two brothers, John Ramirez of Moline, Illinois, and Louis (Vicki) Ramirez of Henderson, Nevada.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, one son, one brother and one sister.