JUANITO DE LA CRUZ

 Juanito “Juan” de la Cruz, 99, of Riverside, MI, was called home to his heavenly father April 8, 2025, after a short battle with congestive heart failure.

 Juan was born in San Carlos in the Philippines, to Lorenzo and Petra de la Cruz. He attended grade school there and went through the Japanese occupation of the islands from 1942-44. Following the liberation of the Philippines in 1944, he made his way to Hawaii and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945. During his training, he was sworn in as a U.S. Citizen.

 His career in the service spanned three wars (WWII, Korea, Vietnam). He served on seven vessels during his Navy career including, USS Atlanta, USS Higbee, USS Brinkley Bass, USS Tolovana, USS Worcester, USS Bennington and the USS Coral Sea. He came under enemy fire during the Korean War, while on station with the USS Brinkley Bass, in 1951. He retired from the service as a Chief Petty Officer in 1965.

 Juan worked in the food service industry for the next 25 years, starting at Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, followed by various restaurants in the SW Michigan area, and retired in 1990.

 He married Isabel Balegal in 1952 and was married for almost 40 years. After his marriage ended in 1992, he met and married the love of his life, Mildred Fikes in 1993. They traveled extensively by plane, train, automobile & cruise ship. The suitcase was always packed. They loved to dance. They walked the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk for 7 years in row. They attended the yearly reunions of USS Brinkley Bass and USS Coral Sea, taking place in different city every year. This has certainly been a highlight of his life. They just had fun and he has missed her terribly since she passed in 2017.

 He always looked forward to attending the Veterans Day breakfast and program at the Coloma High School every year, along with other Veterans Day events. He was a longtime member of the Methodist Church in Riverside. He was a member of the Coloma American Legion Post 362, USS Brinkley Bass DD-887 Association, USS Coral Sea CVA-43 Association, Papasan Mamasan Korean War Veterans. He regularly enjoyed having lunch with his friends at the North Berrien Senior Center. He most certainly loved the Lord and his church family.

 Juan is survived by his son, John Michael (Wanda) de la Cruz, daughter, Evelyn (Mike) Delacruz Takahashi, son-in-law Greg Davis, stepdaughters, Gladys (Craig) Christian, Lorna (Ed) McGill, stepson, Darrell (Brenda) Fikes, grandchildren, Eric de la Cruz, Stephanie de la Cruz Farris, Andy Davis, Matthew Davis, Nina Davis, Rachelmay Johnson, step grandchildren, Justin Voit, Darrell Fikes, Wesley Fikes, Ray McGill, Trish Richard, Jessica Quinones, Cristina Philbin and many great- and great-great-grandchildren.

 He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Delacruz-Davis, brother Jose de la Cruz, sister, Lourdes de la Cruz Austria, and his parents.

 Memorials may be made to the Riverside United Methodist Church (general fund), PO Box 152, Riverside, MI 49084 or the North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Rd., Coloma, MI 49038.

 A funeral service was held on April 15 at the Riverside United Methodist Church. Internment with military rites took place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI on April 16, 2025.