José De Jesus Santacruz, 46, of Rockford, IL, passed away on December 2, 2020 at Rockford Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 24, 1973 in Guadalupe Zacatecas Mexico, to Silvino Santacruz Salazar and Maria Del Refujio Trujillo. He graduated from Nezahualcóyotl High School. He married Rita Montalvo on June 22, 1996 in Villanueva Zacatecas Mexico. He was Catholic and a manager at the Landmark Family Restaurant.

Survivors include his sons: Jose Silvino Santacruz, Luis Eduardo Santacruz, Saul Manuel Santacruz, and Jose Antonio Santacruz; his wife Rita Montalvo Santacruz; siblings: Reynaldo (Maria) Santacruz, Arturo Santacruz, Ricardo (Cindy) Santacruz, Jaime (Jeanie) Santacruz, Billy (Rhianna) Daws, Lucia (Benjamin) Santacruz, Cristina (Jose Manuel) Santacruz, Adriana (Jose) Santacruz, and Rose Maria Daws; and numerous nieces, nephews, amazing friends, and the community of Freeport, who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father Salvino Santacruz, and infant son Zuis Eduardo.

A visitation will be held on Sunday December 6, 2020, from 12 noon until 6 PM, at the Schwarz Funeral Home, 816 S. Galena Ave. in Freeport, IL. Face coverings will be required.