Jesse P. Puente, 60, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away suddenly on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 right on his 60th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Jesse was born Feb. 2, 1964 to Jesus S. and Olivia Puente of East Chicago, Indiana at St. Catherine Hospital.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Guadalupe and Socorro Saldaña of East Chicago, and Jesus and Juanita Puente of Laredo, Texas; late uncle and godfather Raul Saldaña and brother-in-law Daniel H. Cortez. He is survived by his younger brothers, Anthony Puente and Michael (Gricela) Puente and baby sister Elizabeth Puente-Cortez; along with nephews and nieces: Adriana Puente, Marisol (Ryan) McMenamy, Anthony Puente II, Martin Puente, Christina Cortez, Stephanie Puente, Matthew Cortez and Jessica Puente; great-nephews: Antonio Puente, Ethan and Augustus McMenamy; great-nieces: Isabella Puente and Bethany Lozano; cousins Lisa Saldaña, Sarah Gaglione and Lorraine Torres of South Florida; godmother and aunt Marilou Saldaña of South Florida, along with many aunts and uncles.

Jesse, who was special needs, was involved with Special Olympics while growing up in East Chicago and baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Diocese of Gary, Indiana.

During his later adult years, he was cared for by the loving staff of Opportunity Enterprises, based in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Jesse was a loving soul with a child-like heart who loved Godzilla movies, Mexican music, Elvis, superheroes like Superman, Batman and Spider-Man. He loved the old classic TV shows like the Three Stooges and Emergency! He loved to dance. He loved the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks. He loved food and loved to make people laugh. He loved real police cars and fire trucks and had deep respect for firefighters and police officers. He shared a love of Matchbox race cars with his recently departed brother-in-law Daniel Cortez.

Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321. Visitation will continue at 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321. Funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Burial at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, Indiana.

In lieu of followers, the family is asking donations be made in Jesse’s name to Opportunity Enterprises, 2801 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383 or visit https://www.oppent.org/ for more information.

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