Irineo Zuniga Eureste

Irineo (“Neo”) Eureste died at the Kindred Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas on Friday, December 15, 2017 surrounded by his daughters, Herlinda and Dinora who lovingly cared for their beloved dad through months of illness – some days filled with joy, some with sadness, always with hope. He was predeceased in 2005 by his wife, Maria de los Angeles Reyna. Irineo was 86 years of age having been born in Waelder, Texas to Aurelio and Herlinda Eureste on March 26, 1931. Irineo was predeceased by his parents; his siblings: Primo, Daniel, Lilly, Bernardo, Juana, Elisa, Refugia, Raul, and Jose; and by his son, Richard. He is survived by his sister, Aurelia, his two daughters from Wharton, Herlinda and Dinora, and his children from a prior marriage, Irene, Joe, Steven and Lee. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives. Irineo had a large extended family stretching from Texas to Ohio, to the State of Washington to the Washington DC area and all the way south to Doctor Arroyo, Mexico. Irineo grew up in Waelder, and in his late teens went to join his older brother, Raul, in Ohio. He soon became employed by General Motors in Defiance, Ohio, where he performed a skilled trade of retrofitting metal forging vessels for GM. After 30 years, Irineo retired from GM, and in 1978 moved to Wharton, Texas to be close to his wife’s sister and closer to family members in Waelder, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. Irineo was a very industrious man his entire life, and during his post-retirement years, he worked in carpentry projects/jobs; he was a master carpenter, known as a man of all trades, always building something, always busy. In the family, Irineo was known for his light, kind and good heartedness, always with a glint in his eyes and always helpful. He is remembered for his story telling and his wit, and especially for his caring ways and love of family. He was the family “menudo” maker; there was no comparison to his preparation of this wonderfully delicious dish which he made at Christmas or special family events. With the early passing of his wife, Maria del los Angeles (“Gela”), Neo’s later years in life were filled by family ties and especially by his dear daughters, Herlinda and Dinora. The three took care of each other, traveled together and just enjoyed life! Irineo was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wharton, Texas. He was a lover of music and playing the guitar, and enjoyed using these talents when he and his wife participated in choir services in church. Neo will be missed by family and friends who loved him and will pray for his soul, which is now with Our Lord in Heaven. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. A rite of Committal and burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton, Texas. Funeral Services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.