Maria Cantu

Maria M. Cantu, born February 12, 1933, in Mercedes, Texas, to Ventura and Herlinda (Moreno) Villarreal, lived a long and love-filled life devoted to faith, family, and caring for others. She married the love of her life, Apolonio Cantu, Sr., on September 10, 1951, in Alamo, Texas. Together they shared 64 years of marriage before his passing in 2015.

Maria attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Alamo, Texas. She later dedicated many years to caring for others through her work at Riverview Nursing Home in Ottawa County and in home health care. Her gentle heart and compassion for her patients were evident to all who knew her. She retired in 1995.

Maria's hands were rarely still. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, embroidering, puzzles, and word searches. She especially loved collecting turtles. After completing her puzzles, she would frame and date each one-treasured keepsakes now cherished. She also delighted in watching her Novelas (Spanish soap operas) and held dear the family tradition of making tamales with her daughters. Her family lovingly agrees: no one could match Mom's tamales. Maria was known for offering her motherly advice to anyone willing to listen, and her wisdom will be deeply missed.

Maria is survived by her children: Guadalupe (Thurman) Mitchell, Martha (Gary) Wilkins, Teresa (David) Ashton of Port Clinton, Ohio; Alfredo (Tabithta Leutz) Cantu, and Rosie (Steve) Nagy of Oregon, Ohio; and daughter in law Barbara Cantu of Summerville, South Carolina.

She leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Danielle (Marcus) Steel, Teresa (Justin) Whitten, Antonio (Latoya) Cantu, Ricardo (Megan) Cantu, Eric Wilkins, Jennifer (Jagger) Ticknor, Leah (Ben Krzynowek) Ashton, Nathan (Marlee) Ashton, Cory (Megan) Cantu, Jack (Heather) Nagy, and Jay (Moriah) Nagy; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Apolonio Cantu, Sr.; her son, Apolonio Cantu, Jr.; brothers Jose Guadalupe, Leopoldo, and Arturo Villarreal; sister Carmen Rodriguez; and great grandson Charlie Finn.

A lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church, Maria was active in the Altar Rosary Society and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life.

Visitation will be held at the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 2-7 pm with a Rosary Service at 6:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 Madison Street, Port Clinton, on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:30 pm with Fr. Jonathan Wight officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Maria's name to Immaculate Conception Church, Immaculate Conception School, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com Special Thanks to the staff at Edgewood Manor and Southern Care Hospice for their loving care.

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