Leo Ochoa

GARNER - Leo Ochoa, 47, of Garner died Sunday (June 7, 2009) at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10 A.M., Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Henry Huber officiating. Inurnment will be in Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Wednesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services on Thursday. Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Leo C. Ochoa, the son of Hilario and Salome (Calderone) Ochoa, was born May 21, 1962 at Britt. He grew up in Garner and graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1981. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Leo served as a translator for Cuban refugees in Florida for a time. He later returned to Garner and was employed at the Globe-Gazette, Clear Lake Bakery and most recently Opportunity Village. Leo enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Emory, of Garner; daughter, Celia Ochoa of Hampton; parents, Hilario and Salome Ochoa of Garner; his children's mother, Crystal Carpenter of Hampton; six brothers, Larry (Margaret) Ochoa of Boca Raton, FL, Everardo Ochoa (special friend, Anna)of Garner, Maurio (Jean) Ochoa of Mason City, Carlos (Sally) Ochoa of Corona, CA, Richard (Echo) Ochoa of Mason City and Jose Luise (Donna) Ochoa of Ankeny; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Marsha Thayer of Clear Lake , Claudia Heusinkveld of Clear Lake and Nick Chambers of Garner.

Leo was preceded in death by his brother, Nievus Ochoa.