Emilio Cruz, Jr.

Emilio Cruz, Jr., 45, of Baxter died on Friday, December 22, 2017, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 29, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials to Emilio’s family may be left at the funeral home.

Emilio, the son of Emilio and Maria (Alvarado) Cruz, Sr., was born on May 27, 1972 in Puerto Rico.  At the age of 1, he moved to Michigan where he lived until 2000 when he moved to Iowa.  In February of 2002, he was united in marriage with Christina Smith and they made their home in the Marshalltown and Eldora areas. For many years, Emilio worked at JBS Swift Company in Marshalltown.  Emilio later returned to school and became a CNA, working at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown since February 2016.  Following Christina’s death in 2014, Emilio was united in marriage with Susie Harlow on October 29, 2016 in Baxter where they also made their home.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, cheering on Martin Truex, Jr. in NASCAR and the Michigan Wolverines.

Emilio is survived by his wife, Susie Cruz of Baxter; children, Michael Cruz of Hart, Michigan, Briana Cruz (Brian Davis) of Muskegon, Michigan, Mikayla Smith of Ames, and Taylor Cruz of Baxter; his grandchildren, Selah Gutierrez and Delilah Davis; siblings, Elenita Cruz of Muskegon, Angel (Amanda) Cruz of Muskegon, Zenaida Cruz of Muskegon, Monica (Brandon) Carroll of Fayette, North Carolina, and Francesca Cruz of Muskegon; and his many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Emilio Cruz, Sr. and Maria Alvarado; first wife, Christina Cruz; a brother in infancy; and a nephew, Kristopher Cruz.

 Service Information