Domingo Reyes

Domingo (Mingo) G. Reyes, age 72 of Holland passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2010 in Holland Hospital.

Domingo was born on April 17, 1938 to John Sr. and Dionicia Reyes in Round Rock, Texas. He was a veteran of the US Army, worked for and retired from Walter’s Gardens in Zeeland after 46 years.

He was preceded in death by his father John Reyes Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Socorro (Chuckie) Reyes; his daughters, Tina and Tom Stevens of Holland, Yvonne Reyes of Milwaukee, WI, Leslie and Paul VandenBussche of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Mikhala, Levi, Zachary, and Madeline Stevens and Shelby and Sean VandenBussche; mother Dionicia Reyes; siblings, Bernie (Agustin) Marrero of Wyoming, John Jr., Celestino (Lu), Richard (Martha), Nancy (Alex) Pena, Linda and Reuben, all of Holland and Valentina Castillo and Joe, of Austin, TX, Irene Castillo of Bryan, OH, and Peggy Gensch of Chicago, IL; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ernesto Sr. (Lupe) Ruiz of Dearborn Heights, MI, Hector Ruiz, Margarita (Benito Sr.) Benavides, Gloria (Pete) Gomez, Florentino (Sally) Ruiz, all of Holland; several nieces and nephews.

Mingo used to tag along with his older brothers. In 1954 while visiting the Ruiz boys at a farm on Riley St., where Mayflower now stands, a young Socorro noticed the cute young man for the first time. A few years later Mingo joined the US Army and was sent to Germany. He was always very proud to have served his country. After his return to the states he went back to work at Walter’s Gardens in Zeeland. He always had a great admiration for his boss, Dennis Walters. He also worked part-time at Western Foundry to help his father support their family. Mingo would also work for his father during the summer hauling pickles to Heinz during “green season”. This is where he again would see Socorro (Chuckie) and realized he had found the woman for him. Mingo and Socorro dated and were married June 19, 1965. They bought a house and settled in the city of Holland; strategically located near their parents, their church and the Catholic school. In the summer of 1966 they welcomed Christina Marie to the family. Late in the spring of 1968, Yvonne Monique was born and the young family would spend time together fishing, driving around area farmland, and visiting friends and family from Fremont to Fennville. This is when they were introduced to morel mushroom hunting. Mingo loved morels! Every spring they would go to their “secret spots” to hunt. This is a family tradition that goes on to this day. In 1971 Mingo and Socorro had the opportunity to purchase five acres of land across from Cedar Break in Zeeland Township. This is where Mingo would begin to grow plants, first mums and later hosta that he would sell to finance not only the children’s Catholic education but eventually their college as well. One year a family friend and co-worker bet Mingo $100 to grow out his famous crew cut. Mingo won the bet and proceed to take the cash to the parish office to pay towards the girls’ tuition. Family was very important to Mingo and Chuckie. Four years after the birth of Yvonne, Chuckie’s brother Tino started a family, seeing this adorable little girl made Chuckie want to have another baby. Nine months and five days after the arrival of their niece they welcomed Leslie Rebecca to the family. The family was complete, three girls all with their father’s dimples.

Every Sunday after mass they would drive thru Kollen Park before returning home for a big family meal. In time, they would go to Grandma Nicha’s after mass and gather for food, fun and the best tortillas ever with Mingo’s brothers, sisters and their families, a group later known as the Brunch Bunch.

After a long days’ work Mingo would go to the farm, because there was always work to be done. He would till the soil, plant seedlings, irrigate, weed, cut plants and keep the lawn mowed. When the children were small, Chuckie would pack them in the car and drive to the farm to bring Mingo his dinner. The girls loved to run in the cool moist dirt after it had just been cultivated. Yvonne would go so far as to try to dive into it; this always made Mingo smile. Mingo’s love for plants showed in the time, talent and treasure he shared with the church. It was important to him that God’s house, be a reflection of the blessings he bestowed upon all of us.

Through the years the farm and the fruits of his labor made many things possible, college educations for his three daughters, trips to Hawaii for Mingo and Chuckie and their girls, once they were done paying tuition. Now those who visit the farm can see the shrine to our Lady of Guadalupe, who Mingo was always devoted to. Now he is reunited with his father, whom he loved so much, his compadres, deceased family and friends.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 171 West 13th Street.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and one hour prior to the funeral.

Burial with military honors will take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Mulder Chapel, www.lifestorynet.com