Chicago Skydiver Obituary

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For those interested, this is from the Daily Herald. Services are Wednesday and Thursday.

Eduardo "Lalo" Acosta of West Chicago for 20 years Funeral services for Eduardo "Lalo" Acosta, 43, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at West Chicago Bible Church, 209 S. Oakwood, West Chicago. Born April 2, 1961, in Michoacan, Mexico, he died Saturday, June 19, 2004. Interment will be in Glen Oak Cemetery, West Chicago. Lalo moved to the United States in 1976 at the age of 15, with nothing but the shirt on his back. In 1979, he lived and worked on farmland with his uncle and aunt in Magnolia, and while he was there he began to teach himself English. He moved to West Chicago in the mid-1980s. Lalo first worked in a junkyard and moved on to working construction. While working hard in the daytime he put himself through night school, taking English and architecture courses at the College of DuPage. Lalo met and fell in love with Esther Diaz of Corpus Christi, Texas, and married her in 1987. On Oct. 16, 1988, Andres Eduardo Acosta was born and blessed their home. Lalo, a humble man rich in love and life, started with a dream from scratch and began his own construction company, Acosta Builds and Son. He quickly moved from roofing and remodeling to creating his own blueprints and constructing lavish homes. Always the first one there for his family and friends, Lalo reserved positions in his company for his brothers, cousins and nephews to help give them opportunities to start a new life in the United States. Once comfortable in his business, he acted on one of his passions and took up aviation courses. After receiving his pilot's license, Lalo purchased his own airplane and began to travel. He was a man of strong faith who was active in his church and community. He lived life to the fullest every single day. He took an interest in skydiving, which was his stress release, liberating and freeing. While in his plane, Lalo felt at peace and closer to God. His life was cut short, but Lalo will always live on in the memories of those who were blessed by his friendship and love. His beautiful smile, kind heart, strong faith and love of life will always be remembered. He was the beloved husband of Esther (nee Diaz); loving father of Andres Acosta; dearest son of Eduardo S. and Gloria; fond brother of Salomon, Agustin, Cristina, Isabel, John, Alejandro and Victor; dear grandson of Pomposa Cervante and Maria Silva; and a devoted uncle, cousin and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his two grandfathers. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at Williams-Woodward Funeral Home, Route 59 and Pine St., West Chicago, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday, at the church. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For funeral information, (630) 231-1300.
Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 6/22/2004.