Raul Contreras Lopez, age 66, of Hart, Michigan, passed away Sunday, January 9, 2011 at his residence following a long illness. He was born October 11, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas to Santiago and Alcadia Contreras Lopez. Raul migrated to Michigan every year where he met and married Maria Luisa Escamilla on September 2, 1964.

He served his country in the Army as a radio communicator. He worked all his life as an agricultural worker, mostly for Greiner Farms. He loved to play and joke around with his family, cars, auto detailing, model cars, puzzles, coloring, and enjoyed spending time outside cleaning the yard and taking long drives.

He was a very loving husband and father. He will be remembered and loved forever – gone but never forgotten. Always in our hearts and minds. He had a smile so great it was sure to brighten your day, a laugh so contagious you would always laugh with him no matter what.

Mr. Lopez is survived by his wife, Maria Lopez of Hart; children, Raul (Cynthia) Lopez, Jr. of Ludington, Maria (Juan) Estrada, Angel (Clarita) Lopez and Rogelio (Isabel) Lopez, all of Hart; seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandson; brothers and sisters, Dolores (Robert) Munoz, Ernesto (Blasa) Lopez, Maria (Joe) Saldana and Gloria (Rodrigo) Saldana of San Antonio and Elida (Ramon) Escamilla of Hart. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Santiago Lopez, Jr.

Services for Mr. Lopez are Thursday, January 13, 2011, 11 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Weare Township with Father Phillip Sliwinski officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.