Maria Dolores Gonzalez, 62, of Centerville, Ohio, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2016 after a long illness.

She was born on August 17, 1954 to Roberto and Inez (Ponce) Gonzalez in Defiance, Ohio. She was a 1972 graduate of Tinora High School near Defiance, where she was a cheerleader for her Rams teams and was elected Homecoming Queen. On April 15, 1977 she married Jose Luis Gonzalez, Jr., who resides in Centerville, Ohio.

Maria attended the former Patricia Stevens College of Fashion & Business in Toledo, Ohio, The University of Toledo Community and Technical College and Lincoln Trail College in Illinois in Robinson, Illinois. Maria resided, respectively, in Defiance, Toledo, Springfield and Robinson (both in Illinois), Findlay, Ohio and Centerville. She worked as a floral designer for many years in all of these cities.

Maria was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church in Centerville, Ohio. She enjoyed spending time with her family and good friends (particularly their walks together), working at home and traveling. Arranging and working with flowers and plants (surrounded by their beauty) was her passion. Maria was optimistic, very outgoing and cheerful, and always had a smile on her face. She put others before herself, even while battling her illness.

Maria and her smile will be sadly missed by her husband of 39 years, Jose Gonzalez, Jr., her son, Juan Carlos “JC” Gonzalez of Centerville, Ohio, her granddaughter, Kirsten Jai Gonzalez of Middletown, Ohio, her mother, Inez Gonzalez (Jim) of Defiance, sisters, Anna Maria Gonzalez-Roddy (David) of West Chester, Ohio, Leticia G. Thompson (Michael) of Defiance, Alicia Gonzalez of Cincinnati, Lucinda Moser (Fred), of Defiance, and brother, Roberto C. Gonzalez (Wenda) of Middletown, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Roberto D. Gonzalez, and one brother, Gonzalo.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, with a Vigil Service at 2:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 16, 2016 at St. John Catholic Church in Defiance, with Fr. Eric Mueller officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45420.