Miguel I. Godínez, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and union drywall finisher who brought his family together through food, stories, and Mexican traditions, died Sept. 2, 2026. He was surrounded by family.
Mr. Godínez was born in Valle de Juárez, Jalisco, Mexico, to Andrés Godínez Silva and Beatriz Ibarra Franco. He was the oldest of nine children and spent his early years in Santa María del Oro, Jalisco, working as a rancher.
As a young man, he worked in Mexico City as a courier for the Mexican Department of Agriculture and the United States Consulate. He later immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago, where he became a union drywall finisher and a proud member of Painters District Council 14, Chicago Painter and Decorators Local 101.
On May 2, 1970, he married Cleotilde, daughter of Baldomero Sanchez Sandoval and Josefina Barragan Rangel. Together they built a home centered on faith, family, and Mexican traditions.
Mr. Godínez was a devoted father to Patricia Rosa, Miguel Godínez, and Josefina Garcia. He was a grandfather to Julianna Godinez, Isabelle Garcia, and Ezekiel Garcia. He took particular pride in his grandchildren’s accomplishments and shared with them the stories, lessons, and traditions that defined his life.
He was known for bringing people together through food — his birria, carnitas, tamales de elote, and other dishes were expressions of his love for family. He also cherished his pets, especially his 17-year-old Yorkie, Lily.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Gustavo, Yolanda, and Beatriz.
He is survived by his wife, Cleotilde; his three children; his three grandchildren; his siblings Bertha, Sergio, Samuel, Efrain, and Carlota; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Visitation: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, 3 to 8 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, Illinois.
Funeral: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Prayers and procession begin at 8:15 a.m. from the funeral home to Saint Paul Church, 2127 W. 22nd Place, Chicago, for 10 a.m. Mass.
Interment: Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, Illinois.