Maria De La Luz Murillo Tellez, age 91, of Valparaiso passed away Tuesday October 1, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Maria was born January 29, 1922 in Uriengato, Guanajuato, Mexico to the late Juan and Maria (Garcia) Murillo. In 1946 Maria married Emeterio Tellez, Jr.
Maria worked as a Headstart Coordinator, 4-H Clubs of America Crew Leader and Nutrition Specialist for the Purdue University Extension.
Maria was a member of the Sociedad Mutualista Mexico, the Gary Democratic Organization. She served the Gary Mental Health Agency, Lake County Economic Opportunity Council, Gary Metro Corps and the International Instititute of Northwest Indiana as a board member. Maria was a member of Lake Area United Way, Latin American Family Education Program, League of United Latin American Citizens #370. Maria worked actively for American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society. She was a member of the Mexican American Democratic Organization. Maria was a life member of the VFW Post #9323 Women's Auxiliary. She was a member of Our Lady Of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Maria is survived by seven children Lisa (Daniel) Guzman of Valparaiso, Bacilio (Eva) Garcia III of Hobart, Victor (Mary) Tellez of Merrillville, Estefana Howerton of Portage, Eliezar Tellez of Lake Station and Esther (Ron) Gibson of Woodinville, WA; 12 grandchildren Victoria Gresham, Candice Bickett, Bianca Villarruel, Victor Tellez, Jason Tellez, Eric Tellez, Adriana Gonzales, Sergio Tellez, David Gibson, Teresa Anderson, Daniel Guzman and Danette Guzman; twenty-one great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; and four brothers and sisters Jose Guadalupe (Aurora) Murillo of San Antonio, TX, Oralia (Antonio) Huizar of Gary, Ruben (Evangelina) Murillo of Gary and Elvira Castillo of Indio, CA; and many nieces, nephews and stepchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Emeterio Tellez, a daughter Esmeralda Tellez, a son Emilio Tellez, two brothers Alfredo Murillo and Roldolfo Murillo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 am Friday October 4, 2013 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 356 W 700 N Valparaiso, IN 46385 with Bishop Dale Melczek and Father Paul Quanz concelebrating. Visitation will be Thursday from 2-8 pm with a 4 pm VFW Auxiliary Service,6 pm Remembrance Service and a 7 pm Rosary Service at Rees Funeral Home 600 W. Old Ridge Road Hobart and one hour prior to mass on Friday at the church. For more information please call 219-942-2109, or go online at www.ReesFuneralHomes.com.