Gilbert Ruben Garcia, age 69, of 12236 Friday Road Q.1, Rapid River, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday afternoon, August 24, 2010 of an apparent heart attack at his residence in Rapid River.
 
Gilbert was born October 3, 1940 in Canton, OH the son of Manuel and Mary (Villarreal) Garcia.  He was raised in Pontiac, MI where he graduated in 1958 from Pontiac Central High School.  Following graduation, Gilbert was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the Vietnam Conflict.  Upon his honorable discharge, Gilbert was employed for 36 years with General Motors Corporation until his retirement in 1995.  In 1997 Gilbert and his wife Delia moved to their current location in Rapid River.
 
Gilbert was a member of the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 and the Waterford Eagles.  His hobbies included spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and dancing.
 
Survivors include his wife, the former Delia Aguilera who he was united in marriage to on April 19, 1969.
 
2 daughters:
Monica (Brian) McVety of Lake Orion, MI
Veronica (Martin) Tovar of Pontiac, MI
 
Son: Ruben Garcia of Waterford, MI
 
Brother: Leonel (Carol) Garcia of Wetmore, MI
 
3 sisters:
Rachel Gonzales of Milford, MI
Juanita Casas of Spokane, WA
Ana (Michael) Contreras of Grand Rapids, MI
 
7 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
 
In addition to his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by his brother Larry.
 
Gilbert’s family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.  Visitation hours will continue on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home in Pontiac, MI.  Gilbert’s family will also receive friends on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home.  Graveside services with military rites will follow at 12:00 noon at the Christian Memorial Cemetery in Rochester Hills, MI.