Hector Chavez

Hector Manuel Chavez, age 63 and resident of Holland, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Spectrum Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids.

He was born February 12, 1950 to Eliceo and Herlinda Chavez and was the first of their 8 children. He was extremely close to his maternal grandparents Pablo and Elvira Longoria, as well as all of his aunts and uncles. In 1969 he married Sarah Silva. Thirteen years later they had their first child and continued to have two more. His passions were playing the guitar, singing, and talking to people about Jesus. He attended Temple Sinai church, in Holland, where he sang to the Lord until the night before he entered the hospital. He also cared about his community and was part of the Neighborhood Preservation program. In 2003 he and his wife were presented with the “Good Neighbor of the Year” award.

He is survived by his wife Sarah Silva-Chavez (Holland), his children; Rolando and Guadalupe Gonzalez (Holland), Matthew and Lilia Harting (Naples, Italy), Hector Chavez II (Holland), his two granddaughters; Xoliel Gonzalez and Sarah Gonzalez; sisters and brothers Hilda Pellot (Holland), Pablo Chavez (Holland), Amelia Chaves (Grand Rapid), Elisa Martinez (Hickory, North Carolina), Jasmine Chavez (Holland), Maria Chavez (Hickory, North Carolina), and Luis Chavez (Hickory, North Carolina); nieces, nephews, great aunts, great uncles, and cousins.

Services will be held at Temple Sinai church located at 533 Central Ave., Holland, Michigan on Friday, September 20th at 11:00 a. m with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a. m. Rev. Santos Figueroa will be officiating. Burial will be at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Holland.