Natividad Ontiveros

Natividad “Tivo” Ontiveros, a lifelong resident of San Benito, Texas, passed peacefully on July 17, 2020 after a brief illness.  He was born to the late Natividad and Alejandra Ayala Ontiveros on December 7, 1926.  Natividad was well known around the San Benito community as “Mr. O” and also lovingly called “Grandpa” by young people and adults alike.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal.  Natividad was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Natividad was employed by Central Power and Light for over thirty-five years before his retirement.

He loved his hometown and gave of his time and talents to his community.  Natividad served as president of San Benito Little League for over twenty years, was a lifetime member of PTA, and was a San Benito Greyhound Super Fan. He was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito.

Natividad love his coffee and dessert and loved spending time with his family and many friends.

Preceding Natividad in death were his wife, Paula Ontiveros; parents, Natividad and Alejandra A. Ontiveros; siblings, Juanita De la Cruz, Josefina Rodriguez, Micaela Garza; and Gilberto Ontiveros; sons, Edwardo and Eziquiel Ontiveros; grandson, Edward A. Ontiveros.

Left to treasure his memory and carry on his legacy are his children, Edmundo Ontiveros, Natividad Ontiveros, III, and Linda (Jerry) Sanders; his grandchildren, Natividad (Crystal) Ontiveros IV, Daisy Ontiveros, Ray (Estrellita) Ontiveros, Chris (Nicole) Sanders, Michael Ontiveros, Michele Sanders, and Ezequiel Ontiveros; great-grandchildren, Victoria Ontiveros, Anthony Ontiveros, Jasmine Vielma, Lily Vielma, Kaiden Ontiveros, Olivia Ontiveros, and Genesis Ontiveros; his siblings, Jose Ontiveros, Tomas Ontiveros, and Irma Garcia.

Natividad’s family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Friday evening. The Rite of Committal ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at El Carmen Cemetery (Military Hwy/US 281 near San Pedro) after which Natividad will be laid to rest next to his wife Paula.

Natividad Ontiveros IV, Ray Ontiveros, Michael Ontiveros, Chris Sanders, Javier Garcia, and Anthony Ontiveros are honored to serve as pallbearers.  Natividad Ontiveros, III and Jerry Sanders will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586. 956.275.8402  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com

All guests must wear a facial covering and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet while visiting San Benito Funeral Home.