Juan Carlos Cortez Aranda

(August 12, 1980 – February 17, 2026)

With broken hearts and deep faith, we share that our beloved Juan Carlos Cortez Aranda was called home to the Lord on February 17, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 45 years old.

Juan was born in Mexico and made his home in Chicago, Illinois, where he was raised and deeply loved by his family.

Juan lived with cerebral palsy from just under a year old. Early on, doctors gave our family limited expectations for how long he might live, but from the very beginning, he faced every challenge with quiet strength, remarkable resilience, and unwavering determination. Each hospitalization and trial revealed his courage, patience, and deep love for life. He was a warrior in every sense of the word. His 45 years were a testament to endurance, faith, and the sustaining power of love.

In this final stage, his body was weary. After a lifetime of striving, the Lord called him to rest. Surrounded by the love of his family, Juan departed in peace to finally be at home with God. Though he fought bravely throughout his life, he now rests — no longer struggling, no longer in pain. We take comfort in believing that our warrior has gained his wings and is now our angel in heaven. His memory will live forever in our hearts.

For his entire life, Juan was lovingly cared for by his devoted mother, Irma Cortez, whose sacrifice, tenderness, and steadfast commitment carried him through every challenge. Their bond was sacred — a reflection of unconditional love in its purest form.

Though Juan’s physical world was limited, his heart was not. He loved listening to Spanish music and delighted in hearing stories about what his family was up to. Those simple connections filled his days with joy. His life taught our family patience, compassion, humility, resilience, and the true meaning of selfless love.

Juan is survived by his devoted mother, Irma Cortez; his father, Pedro Cortez; his sisters, Marlén Cortez Morris, Reyna Cortez, Guadalupe Cortez, and Abigail Vasquez; his brother, Jose Vasquez; his eleven (11) cherished nieces and nephews; and his maternal grandparents, Guadalupe and Antonio Aranda.

Though we grieve deeply, we take comfort in our Catholic faith and in the promise of eternal life. We trust that Juan has been received into the loving arms of our Lord, free from suffering and made whole.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23

Arrangements Entrusted to Sadowski Funeral Home of Hegewisch: 13300 S. Houston Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60633. Public Visitation for Juan will be held at Sadowski Funeral Home on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Prayer Service to Commence at 7:00 p.m., and Time of Remembrance to follow at 7:30 p.m. Public Viewing at Chapel will conclude on Friday at 9:00 p.m. Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Relatives, are Invited to Join and Meet Directly At Immaculate Conception & St. Michael Parish of South Chicago for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 8756 S. Commercial Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60617. Please plan to arrive by 9:45 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 801 Michigan City Road, Calumet City, IL 60409. Juan will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Please use the Form Below to Post a Condolence, Light a Virtual Candle, or Share a Memory in Honor of Juan. 

Con profundo dolor y gran fe, compartimos que nuestro amado Juan Carlos Cortez Aranda fue llamado a la casa del Señor el 17 de febrero de 2026, rodeado del amor de su familia. Tenía 45 años.

Juan nació en México y vivió en Chicago, Illinois, donde fue criado y profundamente amado por su familia.

Juan vivió con parálisis cerebral desde que tenía menos de un año de edad. Desde muy temprano, los médicos dieron a nuestra familia expectativas limitadas sobre cuánto tiempo podría vivir. Pero desde el principio, Juan enfrentó cada desafío con fortaleza silenciosa, resiliencia extraordinaria y determinación inquebrantable. Cada hospitalización y prueba reveló su valentía, paciencia y profundo amor por la vida. Fue un guerrero en todo el sentido de la palabra. Sus 45 años fueron un testimonio de resistencia, fe y del poder del amor que lo sostuvo siempre.

En esta última etapa, su cuerpo ya estaba cansado. Después de toda una vida luchando, el Señor lo llamó a descansar. Rodeado del amor de su familia, Juan partió en paz para finalmente estar en casa con Dios. Después de pelear con valentía durante toda su vida, ahora descansa — sin dolor y sin sufrimiento. Encontramos consuelo al creer que nuestro guerrero ha ganado sus alas y ahora es nuestro ángel en el cielo. Su recuerdo vivirá siempre en nuestros corazones.

Durante toda su vida, Juan fue cuidado con amor y dedicación por su madre, Irma Cortez, cuya entrega, ternura y compromiso inquebrantable lo acompañaron en cada etapa. Su vínculo fue sagrado — un reflejo del amor incondicional en su forma más pura.

Aunque su mundo físico era limitado, su corazón no lo era. Le encantaba escuchar música en español y disfrutaba escuchar historias sobre lo que hacía su familia. Esos sencillos momentos llenaban sus días de alegría. Su vida nos enseñó paciencia, compasión, fortaleza y el verdadero significado del amor.

Juan deja en vida a su querida madre, Irma Cortez; a su padre, Pedro Cortez; a sus hermanas, Marlén Cortez Morris, Reyna Cortez, Guadalupe Cortez y Abigail Vasquez; a su hermano, Jose Vasquez; a sus once (11) queridos/as sobrinos y sobrinas; y a sus abuelos maternos, Guadalupe y Antonio Aranda.

Aunque nuestros corazones están llenos de tristeza, encontramos consuelo en nuestra fe católica y en la promesa de la vida eterna. Confiamos en que Juan ha sido recibido en los brazos amorosos de nuestro Señor, libre de sufrimiento y pleno.

Que el Señor le conceda el descanso eterno y brille para él la luz perpetua.

“El Señor es mi pastor; nada me faltará.” — Salmo 23

Velorio: Viernes 20 de febrero, 3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.Lugar: Sadowski Funeral Home, 13300 S. Houston Ave, Chicago, IL 60633

Misa de Funeral: Sábado 21 de febrero, 10:00 a.m.Lugar: Immaculate Conception & St. Michael Parish, 8756 S. Commercial Ave, Chicago, IL 60617

Entierro: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 801 Michigan City Road, Calumet City, IL 60409