Agapito "Speedy" Maldonado

Age 79 of Essex, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2023 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, Illinois, surrounded by family and friends.

Born September 21, 1944 in Harlingen, Texas, Agapito was a son of Juan, Sr. and Maria (Cruz) Maldonado. He worked for the Santa Fe Railway and retired after 30 years of service. Speedy was a fixture in the Essex community as an active member of the Essex Lions Club, the Essex Volunteer Fire Department, and Saint Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and participated in their dart league. He also took great pleasure in his bowling league and exercising at the Godley Park District. Music was a massive part of Speedy's life and he was a member of several Tejano bands. His love of music was matched only by his love of cars, the Chicago Cubs, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Survivors include five children: Terri (Steve) Avery of Amarillo, Texas, Michael (Terri) Valeriano of Godley, Illinois, Juanita (Edward) Rodriguez of Joliet, Illinois, Mary (Mark Murphy) Shaw of Gardner, Illinois, and Rosemary (Richard) Nelson of Custer Park, Illinois; one son-in-law, Armando Patino of Joliet; eighteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren; two sisters: Maria Gonzalez of Houston, Texas and Eva (Roy) Perez of Dallas, Texas; two brothers: Guadalupe Maldonado and Adam Maldonado, both of Kingsville, Texas; countless nieces and nephews, his feline companion, Grady, and his close friend, Louella Hernandez.

Speedy was preceded in death by is parents; his wife, Elizabeth Maldonado, his daughter, Olga Patino, and his brother, Juan Maldonado.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 165 Rice Road, in South Wilmington at 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Stanley Drewniak presiding, and burial will follow in East Essex Cemetery.

Those who wish to view Speedy's Funeral Mass virtually are invited to join the live stream at 11:00 a.m., which can be found on Speedy's memorial page.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Speedy's memory to the Essex Historical Society.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Speedy's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.