Ruben Gonzalez of Lansing, Michigan passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Ruben was born in Ionia, Michigan on March 7, 1962 to James Favela Gonzalez and Maria Elena Gonzalez de Guevara, and is one of 9 children. At a young age, Ruben moved from Ionia to Lansing, and graduated from Eastern High School in 1980. Shortly after high school, Ruben joined the United States Marine Corps and served from 1984 to 1988 at in various bases, and was honorably discharged in 1992. After the Marine Corps, Ruben dedicated 31 years to the Clinton County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator.
In his free time, Ruben could be found enjoying the outdoors either riding his motorcycle or canoeing, and working on anything mechanical. He was an avid University of Michigan football fan, and had an open heart and with that came his passion for animals. Ruben will be remembered by his silly, yet stubborn nature, his open arms to anyone and everyone, and his willingness to help. He was a very family-oriented man who was not only a proud father, but also a proud grandfather.
Ruben is preceded in death by his loving mother, Maria Elena Gonzalez de Guevara and Felix Gonzalez (brother), Mickey and Duke, his beloved and cherished dogs, and Sam, Spud, Gonzo, and Trooper (his dog nephews).
Ruben is survived by his daughter Gabriela Gonzalez; his grandson, Gabriel Brown; father James F. Gonzalez; siblings Jamie Gonzalez, Gloria (David) Gonzalez-Kruger, Irene (Mark) Puckett, Raul Gonzalez, Laura (Eric) Kurz, Rene (Kaye) Gonzalez, and David Gonzalez. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Christopher Maurer (Mary), Vincent and Jessica Montalvo, Cory Jackson and Kyle Puckett, Erin (Clay) Mobbs, Caitlin (Regine) Gonzalez, and Lauren Gonzalez, Isiah (Diane) and David Kurz, Lindsey (Ashley) Cooley, and Olivia and Isabel Gonzalez, Amadio and Malia Gonzalez, and great nieces and nephews Nathan Maurer, Carter Mobbs, Jet Mobbs, Elena Gonzalez, and Catalina Maurer.
Thank you to all who were involved in Ruben's life and had a brief or ongoing relationship with him. He valued his friends, co-workers, neighbors, and most of all, family. He reached out through Facebook and touched many lives, including his 4-legged friends, especially Dexter, a neighborhood cat that came to visit regularly to get a bite to eat.
When you think of Ruben, remember him by his supportive, compassionate, honorable, and selfless nature, and the proud family man he was.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Gonzalez family.
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