Benito Fuentes

Benito Fuentes, 77, passed away peacefully on October 25, surrounded by his family, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN.  He was born on August 24, 1948, in Luxora, Arkansas to the late Timoteo and Manuela Fuentes.

He lived majority of his life in South Bend, IN.  He is survived by his longtime companion Cathy Mcintyre, his dog Axel, sons Anthony Fuentes (Judith Grohowski) and Mark (Cassandra) Torres, daughters Andrea (Juan) Pedraza and Tiffany Torres, grandchildren Prinsandra (Adamson) Becker, Juan Pedraza Jr., Emilio Cabral, Ernesto Cabral, Ismael Cabral, Cambria Torres and Maverick Torres, great-grandchildren Luciana Macias Pedraza and Giovanni Adkins-Cabral, brothers Juan (Janie) Fuentes, Timoteo (Mindy) Fuentes and Jesus Fuentes, sisters Esmeralda Torres, Adela Garza, Angelita Zmyslo and Sulema (Candelario Estrada) Garcia, sister-in-law Antonia Fuentes, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Timoteo and Manuela Fuentes, daughter Yolanda Fuentes, brothers Jose Fuentes, Domingo Flores and Ricardo Fuentes, and his dog Pancho (Frank).

He took pride in taking care of Cathy and their home.  He especially enjoyed going to Texas Roadhouse for a steak dinner.  Their most memorable times included traveling to Florida to visit family members.  He was always listening to music while grilling on his porch with his dog Axel by his side.  Some of his favorite genres were Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Mexican music.  He especially loved Carlos Santana.  He had a passion for muscle cars.  He owned Monte Carlos, Thunderbirds and Chevelles.  His prized possession was his motorcycle.  Whenever you heard a motorcycle, on the west side of South Bend, you knew it was “Uncle Benny” riding around.

His legacy will live on by his donation to those in need, through the Indiana Donor Network, and by the memories and stories his friends and family hold dear to their hearts.  He was a true “West Side Legend” and his community will miss him greatly.  We thank the staff of Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Funeral Home for extending their love and care for Benito and his family.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, October 31, 2025 and 10:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday, November 1, 2025 at St Joseph Funeral Home, 824 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619, with a Rosary to be prayed at 6:00 pm on Friday, at the funeral home. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at St Joseph Cemetery, 24980 State Road 2, South Bend, IN 46619.

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