Marco Manuel Mendez, 36, of Rockford died December 11, 2022. Born November 2, 1986 in Rockford; son of Manuel Mendez and Lydia (Campos) Mendez-Rodriguez. Marco obtained his GED and his Associates Degree from Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI. He was employed as a Sprinkler Fitter for Local 669. United in marriage to Juanita Sanchez on March 21, 2015 in Rockford. Marco's warm smiles, friendly hugs and outgoing personality will be missed by his family and circle of friends. He worked hard each day for his family. In his free time, he enjoyed drawing, playing video games, paintball and watching movies with his wife. He rarely missed a Cubs or Bears game, and enjoyed spending down time with the people he loved the most, his family. Survived by his wife; Juanita Mendez; children, Matthew (Dary), Darius (Jennifer), Papi; grandchildren, Romeo, Alessandra, Miliano; mother and step-father, Lydia and Rudy; father and step-mother, Manuel and Linda; siblings, Victoria (Deontae), Manuel (Margarita), Tristan; brothers-in law, Jaime (Roselia), Ramon (Sandra), Joe (Thelma); sister-in-law, Maria; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; maternal grandmother, Beatrice, paternal grandfather, Jesse; paternal grandmother, Jolyn; special friends, Gilberto, Omar and pet dog, Junie. Preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Juanita and paternal grandfather, Andrew. Memorial visitation Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Funeral & Cremation Services, 4301 N. Main St. Rockford, followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. Pastor Aaron Aimly will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in Marco's memory. Cremation rites have been accorded. Share a memory or condolence at www.graceFH.com .