Ignacio I. Cortez, age 79, of Sleepy Hollow, IL, passed away on June 19, 2023. He was born September 15, 1943 in Mexico to his loving parents, Ignacio Cortez and Maria Inés Ibarra Martinez. He was loving raised by his uncle and aunt, Francisco Cortez and Manuela Muñoz.

Ignacio earned an Associates Degree in Electronics in Mexico. He was gifted in the construction trades and took pride in his work as an electrician, plumber, welder, and painter.

Ignacio met the love of his life, Maria de la Cruz, at a Christian church. The were married for 56 wonderful years, and together raised five children.

Ignacio was quiet in nature, and very smart, caring, loving and kind. He was very wise, and also spiritual. He was a great provider to his family, and was very good at problem solving. Nothing was too difficult for him. He was a perfectionist. Whenever he was helping his children put something together, he encouraged them to be sure to read the manual or instructions. His mantra was, “Measure twice. Do it right.”

Ignacio enjoyed fishing, woodworking, home improvement projects, puzzles, and new technology. And most of all, he adored his family, and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. Nobody would believe it, but he especially loved dancing with his grandchildren when they were babies.

Ignacio was preceded in death by his parents; his adoptive aunt and uncle; and siblings, Alicia, Estela, Lourdes, Luciano, Raul, Irma, Eduardo, Perfecto, and Guadalupe. He is survived by his wife, Maria de la Cruz Mora Cortez; children, Elizabeth Stein, Esteban Cortez, Esther Garcia, Sara Olvera, and Ignacio Cortez Jr.; siblings, Gloria, Alvaro, Alejandro, Mariano, and Daniel; grandchildren, Jonathan, Vanity, James and Mandy Olvera, Jeremy and Nathaniel Stein, Stephanie N., Christopher and Valerie I. Cortez, Naomi I. Garcia, and Dyana Cortez; and countless nieces and nephews as he was one of 15 siblings.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with funeral service at 7:00pm, Monday, June 26, 2023 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Rev. Bob Huerta will be officiating.

To access the funeral service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom (Meeting ID: 895 1723 9681, Password: 064750).

Prayers and closing of the casket will be at 11:00am, Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Interment to follow at River Valley Memorial Gardens, 14N689 Route 31, West Dundee, IL 60118.

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