Angel Luis Gonzalez, 63 of Valparaiso, IN, formerly of Waukegan, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born June 7, 1962, in Waukegan to Manuel and Matilda (Rico) Gonzalez. Angel graduated from Waukegan East High School in 1980, and proudly served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany as a tank mechanic. He made his career with the Walmart Corporation, most recently working at Walmart in Valparaiso as the floor manager of the hardware department. As an artist himself, Angel appreciated art, music, and film. He loved watching and collecting movies, participating in movie trivia, and listening to music of all genres. Angel was also part of an online creative writing group with people from all over the world. His quirky sense of humor and kind soul endeared him to everyone he met. Angel will be remembered for his wonderfully optimistic outlook on life, which carried him through difficult times. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his beloved family and friends.
Angel is survived by his brother, Robert (Lisa) Gonzalez; nephew, Anthony Michael Gonzalez; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Matilda Gonzalez; and uncle & aunt, Joe and Carol Rico.
A visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, IN, with a funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Angelcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).
GUESTBOOK
You were my best friend for probably 25 years. My friend you opened my eyes to the world of Islam and science-fiction and you contributed more than you ever realized to my life. I'm proud to call youy best friend and sad that we will not be able to hang out again sharing movies and playing old vifeo games in your parent's basement. No more f your mom's home cooking or Orro stomping on my ingrown toe nail (boy did I scream). I will miss you my friend and will see you on the other side. Wait for me old friend. You were truly the best of us. -Marty Peterson
-Janet Richardson
Just to express my condolences to my cousin Angelo, I'll miss him very much. He's the second cousin I lost my cousin Denise a long time ago.My family has been lavished by cancer for a long time. He'll be missed very much. -Michael Rico
To my dearest friend, my brother, and a true angel among us. Saying goodbye to my brother is not easy. You were someone so gentle, wise, and kind. Through every storm in life, you somehow always carried a smile and a light that touched everyone around you. You gave freely, helped quietly, and loved deeply. Meeting you 40 years ago was fate. We grew up together, worked side by side, and shared a lifetime of laughter, tears, and memories. Somewhere along the way, friendship became family. You would often say, “Inshallah mañana” meaning “God willing”, there is tomorrow. Though tomorrow is now in God’s hands, your spirit, your kindness, and your memory will live on in all of us. Rest in peace, dear friend. May Allah grant you the highest levels of heaven. In his honor, Angelo once asked that the song “Old and Wise” by The Alan Parsons Project be played on the day we celebrate his life, a fitting tribute to a beautiful soul, a life well lived, and his farewell to us all. With love, -Tim and Family -Tim Adnan
