Andres "Speedy" Cervantes, Jr., 79, of Peoria Heights, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
He was born July 1, 1945 in Brownsville, TX to Jose and Theodora "Lola" (Ortiz) Guadalupe Ponce.
He met and fell in love with his life-long partner Lisa Lensmeyer. They spent over 40 years together as soulmates. She passed away February 18, 2025. He was also preceded in death by one son, Jose Cervantes; two sisters, Maria Currens and Norma Ponce and two brothers, Mike Ponce and Estaban Ponce.
Surviving are five children Teresa (Matt) Fleming, Carmen Ford, Andres (Tracy) Cervantes, Andrea Teradodra Gain and Justin Cervantes; five siblings, Ed Ponce, Roy Ponce, Rich Ponce, Tina Stelmach and Kiki (Larry) Albaugh; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-granddaughter on the way.
Speedy served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a proud Vietnam veteran and co-founder of Vietnam Veterans of Illinois in Washington, IL

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