Paul Castaneda, Jr.

Service Details

Paul’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11:00AM with Father Juan Manuel Camacho officiating. Visitation will be at St. Lucy on Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of Mass. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 2510 Kinzie Avenue in Racine.

Memorial Suggestions

Memorials to the family are suggested. The family would like to thank nurses Haley, Jenny, Angie and Ruth of Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care and support given to Paul, Lupe, and family.

Paul Castaneda, Jr., age 91, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was born in Pearsall, Texas on May 18, 1934 to parents Pablo and Francisca (nee: Placencia) Castaneda, who he adored and loved very much. In the 1940’s, the Castaneda family worked during the spring to fall seasons migrating north, harvesting many crops from Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and ending in Minnesota. The entire Castaneda family eventually settled in Racine. During the late 1940’s, there was a large Mexican and Tejano (Texans of Mexican descent) population between Milwaukee and Chicago. On weekends, there were many dance halls featuring bands and orchestras; Paul loved to dance. He faithfully served our country with the United States Army. On September 9, 1971, Paul was united in marriage with Guadalupe “Lupe” Ponce at St. Rose Catholic Church. He was employed by JI Case in the maintenance department. Among his interests, Paul was a fan of both the Green Bay Packers as a Wisconsin resident for many years and the Dallas Cowboys as he was born in Texas; he enjoyed working out at the gym and with his equipment in his basement; he was always willing to lend a helping hand to family and friends; first and foremost, Paul loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving are his loving wife, Lupe; children, Edward (Kathleen) Castaneda, Jeffrey (Amy) Castaneda, Tammie Castaneda and Joseph Castaneda; grandchildren, Amanda and Megan Castaneda, Gabrielle and Sofia Castaneda, Christopher, Austin and Elizabeth Tuttle, Haylee and Lauren Castaneda; siblings Jesse (Marta) Castaneda, Mary Malacara, Rudy Castaneda and Yolanda Castaneda; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Monica and Martin Lascon, sister-in-law, Cruz Paredes; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Pablo and Francisca; siblings, James Castaneda, Victoria (Vicky) Barela, Micaela (Micky) Jimenez, Margie Ramirez, Louisa Adsit; mother-in-law, Petra Paredes, step-father-in-law, Santos Paredes, father-in-law, Jose de Jesus Ponce; sisters-in-law, Helen Castaneda, Rose Castaneda and Elsa Ponce, brothers-in-law, Guadalupe Jimenez, Art Ramirez, Jose Ponce and Santos Paredes, Jr.; special cousin, Pablo Molina, Jr.