Galaeso “Galo” Cardona-Hinojosa, age 90, of Elgin, IL, passed away on November 8, 2023. He was born July 4, 1933 in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico to his loving parents, Roberto Cardona and Francisca Hinojosa.

Galo met his wife Maria in his hometown of Saltillo through one of Maria’s childhood friends. They were happily married for 65 years, and together they raised five children, who gave them seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Galo had a deep love for his adopted country, the United States, and joined the United States Army Corp of Engineers in 1956. He served for two years before being honorably discharged, after which he also served for five years in the US Army Reserves, and later as an industrial machinist.

Galo was gifted with a brilliant mind and had a strong work ethic. He was mechanically inclined and quite inventive. He could repair anything. He enjoyed flying and anything to do with airplanes, making puns, telling funny stories, and later in life he also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles in the evening with family and friends.

Galo had a fun-loving sense of humor and an incredible facility with learning languages. He loved his neighbors, and had compassion for those in need. He especially loved his family, and showed his love for God in the way he cared for them. He lived a life of family and laughter.

Galo was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Maria Antonieta Ramos Cardona; children, Robert (Tamara), Roxanne (Marco), Luisa, Theresa (Robert), and Queta; brothers, Roy and Ovidio Cardona; grandchildren, Stefani, Nathan, Steven (Joanna), Jacob (Tessa), Joshua, Noah, and Bethany; and great-grandchildren, Sam, James, Trey, Caedmon, Esther, Manu, Remi, Oscar, Gabriel, and Lexie.

Visitation will be 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Thursday, November 16, 2023, and will continue from from 11:00am to funeral service at 12:00pm, Friday, November 17, 2023, at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Steven and Jacob Rodriquez will be officiating.

To access Friday’s funeral service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on via Zoom (Meeting ID: 842 8354 8097, Password: 534399).

Interment with military honors to follow at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Boulevard, Elgin, IL 60120.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Galo’s widow, Maria.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.