Emilio Farias Jr

Emilio Farias, Jr, affectionately known as “Tito” to his family and friends, passed away Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 1:32 PM at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana, at the age of 82.

Mr. Farias, pronounced /fah ree’ us/, was born to Emilio and Manuela Farias on May 13, 1939 in Pharr, Texas. He was a very hard worker who, as a teenager, helped his father build the family home. In his early adulthood, he was a migrant farmworker who, among other things, picked cotton in Alabama and Florida, and tomatoes in Indiana.

He met the love of his life, Remigia “Reme” Nuñez, at the Blue Moon, a Tejano dance club in Pharr, Texas. Prior to their marriage, they communicated by mail. In 1962, Emilio stayed with his uncle Juan (Maria) Guajardo in Fortville, Indiana, where he worked at Ralph Hockett’s Car Dealership. He purchased a car so he could drive to Saratoga to visit his sweetheart. The following year, he sold his car to purchase Remigia’s wedding ring. They were married at St. Mary’s Church in Union City, Indiana, on September 21, 1963, lived briefly in Fortville, Indiana, and then in Saratoga until 1972, when they moved to Union City. They raised their children in the Catholic faith. Emilio was of the Methodist faith and would attend the Wesley United Methodist Church in Union City.

Emilio worked at Maul Technology (formerly known as Maul Brothers) in Winchester, Indiana, from February 1964 to October 2004. During that time, he was a staunch defender of worker’s rights and an active member of the Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union. He also served on the board of the Darke County Migrant Ministry in Union City, Ohio.

Emilio was an avid dancer of Mexican Polkas as well as the Twist, and this hobby brought the couple together and entertained them throughout their life together. He was also an artist, having made several oil paintings, and he loved to sing and whistle.

Emilio is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Remigia N. Farias and their three children Tito Farias, Rafaela “Ralph” Farias (Charles) O’Reilly, and Rosalinda “Rosie” Farias; and his two grandchildren, Reina Cuatlaxopeuh Sicolela Farias and Rayén Micaela Sicolela Farias. He is also survived by his brothers Claudio (Maria) Farias of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Ezequiel (Angelica) Farias of Edinburg, Texas, as well as his sister Esmeralda (Ernesto) Arrambide of El Campo, Texas.

Emilio was preceded in death by his parents Emilio Bazán Farias and Manuela Aguirre Farias, and his brother Leonardo (Guadalupe) Farias.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Friday, February 11, at Reichard Funeral Home, 400 W Deerfield Rd, Union City, IN 47390. Mass will be at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Parish, followed by a funeral procession and burial at the Union City Cemetery.