Reyes M. Ruiz, 81, of Van Buren, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 14, 2015 in a local hospital. He was a 21 Year veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was highly decorated, receiving four Bronze Star Medals and three Purple Heart Medals. He was selected to represent the U.S. Army in the Military Presidential Inauguration Honor Guard for President Nixon. He is a member of St Michael’s Catholic Church in Van Buren, the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the DAV. He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Maria (Mirelez) Ruiz; and a son David Ruiz.

Rosary service will be Wednesday, February, 18, 2015 at 5:30 PM with visitation to follow at Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Funeral service will be at 10 AM Thursday, February 19, 2015 at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Van Buren with burial at the Morrison Cemetery in Rudy under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren, Arkansas.

Survivors are his wife, Sarah Ruiz of the home; a daughter, Rosanna Ruiz Stubbs and husband, Terry of Van Buren; two sons, Reyes M. Ruiz, JR and wife, Patsy of Roland, Oklahoma, and Antonio Ruiz of Van Buren; four sisters, Belia Romo of Uvalde, Texas, Eva Galvan of San Marcos, Texas, Antonia Stevens of Castroville, Texas and Estella Garcia of San Marcos, Texas; five grandchildren, Tiffany Ruiz, Miranda Boyd, Kirsten Boyd, Jesse Ruiz, and Sarah G. Ruiz; five step grandchildren, Christopher Johnson, David Rowland, Ryan, Lindsey and Haley Stubbs; three great-grandchildren, Sophia Reyes, Caleb Klohn and Rylee Stubbs.

Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Klohn, Ryan Breeze, Michael Reyes, Terry Stubbs, Jesse Ruiz, Ryan Munn and Terry Bogner.

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