Eligio Erazo

Eligio Erazo Camacho, 93, of Fennville, MI passed away Friday, February 3, 2023 at Holland Hospital.  Born on November 29, 1929 in San Pedro, Tlaxcala, Mexico, he was the husband to the late Alicia Rivera Erazo.  He was the son to the late Federico and Herlinda Camacho Erazo and sister Macedonia Erazo.

Eligio had been a hard-working man who dedicated his life to his family.  Throughout his life he was determined to overcome obstacles in order to give those that he loved a better life.  In the 1950’s, Eligio immigrated to the United States as a laborer through the Bracero Program and eventually settled in Fennville, MI.  With many sacrifices along the way he eventually brought his wife and four children to join him from Mexico to the United States.  Eligio was always confident that he made the right choice emigrating and proud what his family had accomplished.  Eventually, three more children would be born to Eligio and Alicia after settling in Michigan.  Though his family was fully immersed in the American way of life, it was incredibly important to him that all his children and grandchildren always celebrated their Mexican heritage as well.  In the late 1990’s, Eligio officially and proudly became a United States Citizen.  Sadly, Alicia was not able to witness this tremendous milestone in his life due to her tragic and unexpected death in 1997.  The couple had shared 47 wonderful loving years of marriage together prior to her passing. 

Eligio worked for National Motors Castings in South Haven, MI for twenty-two years prior to the business closing its’ doors.  He then worked many odd jobs before being hired at Lifesavers in nearby Holland, where he remained for twelve years before finally retiring.  His strong work ethic was something he ensured he passed on to his children and grandchildren.  Having had to stop going to school at an early age to help his family, Eligio always stressed the importance of education because he wanted his loved ones to have greater opportunities available to them.  His pastime pleasures involved family get togethers, an occasional drink with his family, yard work, watching fight sports, church services, and telling his life stories and accomplishments.

Eligio is survived by his seven children, Concepcion Benavidez, Graciela Escobar, Serafina Fernandez, Pedro Erazo, Arturo Erazo, Julio Erazo, and Erlinda Sanchez; fourteen grandchildren, San Juan, Alma, Rodrigo, Cynthia, Gabriel, Erika Alicia, Jessica, Benito Adrian, Roxana, Daniel, Karina, Pedro Jr., Erlinda and Daniel; and many great-grandchildren.  Along with his wife, parents, and sister, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Benito Fernandez; and his grandsons, Luis Ricardo and Julio Cesar Escobar.

The family will receive friends at San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.  The Catholic burial mass will begin at 2:00 PM and Eligio will be laid to rest afterwards in the Fennville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation, 1345 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 140, Grand Rapids, MI 49505; or to San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church, 5586 117th Avenue, Fennville, MI 49408.

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