Julio A Santana

Julio A. Santana, age 81, of Walbridge, passed away in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Julio was born on May 1, 1937 to Jose and Maria (Silverio) Santana in Santiago, Cuba. After he came to the U.S. at the age of 7, he started his life-long love of baseball, playing for the Key West High School Conch team and went All State for 3 years. He went onto play semi-professional baseball as a shortstop for the N.Y. Giants. He ran his family-owned grocery store in LaPorte, IN prior to marrying his beloved wife Susan J. (Schuler) and together they shared 35 wonderful years. They ran their own business making personalized woodworking crafts for all seasons and were members of the Toledo Craftsman Guild for 30 plus years. Julio loved baseball, woodworking, and his “meetings” with friends at Starbucks. He was extremely hard working and always took pride in meeting the needs of his loving family. Left to Cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Susan; Children, Christine (Tony) Thompson, David Santana, Gwendolyn Dreske, Edward Dreske, Maria (Matt) Simpkins, and Angela (Bo Bosch) Santana; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Mercedes Quesaea and George (Edna) Santana; and family friend, Gerald “Chi Chi” Abreu and his many beloved friends he made along the way. Preceded in death by Mother, Father and brother Jose Santana. Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 701 N. Main St. Walbridge, Ohio (419-666-3121) with Funeral Services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery in Millbury. Memorials may be directed to Walbridge Amateur Baseball Association.