Maria Jesus Galletan, 77, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 4:55 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2022 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Maria was born March 28, 1945 in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico. Her family emigrated to El Paso, Texas in 1950 and she eventually came to Galesburg in 1954. After moving to Galesburg, Maria attended Galesburg schools.
Maria married Limardo Galletan on March 30, 1965 in Galesburg, Illinois. They then moved to Kirkwood, Illinois. Maria began working at the ammunition plant in Burlington, Iowa until she began her 33 year career at LaMoine Christian Nursing Home in Roseville, Illinois, first working as a CNA and later transferring into physical therapy. She retired in 2005. Limardo preceded her in death on February 15, 2001. After the death of her husband and retirement, Maria moved back to Galesburg to be closer to her family.
Maria is survived by eight sisters, Rosa Rugama of Galesburg, Teresa Rodriguez of Galesburg, Maria Elena Duenas of Fontana, California, Gloria Garcia of Henderson, Illinois, Connie Rodriguez of Galesburg, Nellie (Frank) Negrete of Lancaster, California, and Anita Rodriguez of Galesburg; and two brothers, John (Gloria Chavez) Rodriguez of Galesburg and Robert (Kim) Rodriguez of Galesburg. Maria is also survived by two special friends, Janet Kahle and Rebecca Crumm; and numerous nieces and nephews. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Carmen (Soriano) Gayton; two brothers; and a still born child.
A devout Catholic, Maria was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, belonging to the Altar and Rosary Society, Legion of Mary, Lay Order of Carmelites, St. Vincent dePaul Society, and volunteered with Cursillo. In her free time Maria enjoyed crocheting, feeding the birds, especially Finches, and watching novellas. Maria relished time spent with her sisters eating out and going to movies.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2022 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. The rosary will be prayed at 11 a.m. with the funeral mass following at 11:30 a.m. Cremation will be accorded following mass. Private family burial will be at Monmouth City Cemetery, Monmouth, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made in Maria’s memory to Corpus Christi Altar and Rosary Society or St. Vincent dePaul Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.
