Fidel Lugo Mireles, Sr.

Fidel L. Mireles Sr., was born April 23, 1944, in San Antonio to Sara Lugo and Geronimo Mireles. He passed away Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

The most important thing in his life was his children, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren. One thing he did not like was for anyone to make a fuss about him. A small birthday celebration or Father’s Day was good enough for him as long as he spent time with his kids and grandkids. He was a hard worker. As a young father, he knew he had to provide for his family. He was a crew leader working in agriculture, traveling to and from Michigan and Ohio. In the late '80s and early '90s, he was a dance promoter for the Latin community. Everyone knew him as "the man that held Latin dances." He knew he would never really make a profit from it, he just wanted to see people happy and having a good time.

Fidel was preceded in death by daughter, Belinda Paver; mother, Sara Lugo; father, Geronimo Mireles; and stepdaughter, Diana Canniff.

Fidel is survived by Vickie Canniff; his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and step-grandchildren. His children include Linda Mireles of San Antonio, Patricia “Patsy” Mireles and Richard (Rick) Mireles, both of Kalamazoo, and Fidel (Anita) Mireles II of Hartford. His stepchildren include David (Carrie) Canniff of Galesburg, Dawn (Mike) Potter of Eau Claire, Donna (Miles) McFadden of Lawton, and James (Melissa) Canniff of Lebanon, Ore.

Fidel’s surviving grandchildren are Jose (Ashley), Santos (Elizabeth O'Rear), Rolando, Valeria, Alison, Johnny, Christopher, Brittany, Livia, Ava, Bella and Milena. Surviving great-grandchildren are Noah, Jayden, Eliana, Amelia Ann and Timothy. Surviving stepgrandchildren are Matthew, Kristine, Kaitlynn, Zachary, Bradley, Skylar, Austin, Logan, Gavin, Justin, Courtney, Cara and James Jr.

The family will hold a public graveside celebration of life at Hamilton Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. The family has entrusted Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford with arrangements. To leave memorial condolences for the family online, visit http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.