Mr. Chavez was born May 13, 1927, in Garame de Abajo Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico. He was a maintenance worker for Marriott Hotels in the Chicago area.

Survivors include four sons, Jose Concepcion, Gervacio, Fernando and Alberto; 10 daughters, Nancy Chavez, Artemia Chavez, Magdelena Medina, Hortencia Ruiz, Francisca Chavez, Seferina Garcia, Angelica Silva, Maria de Los Angeles “Angelita” Chavez, Isabel Chavez and Arcelia Chavez; two sisters, Hernestina Chavez and Magdalena Chavez; and a brother, Epimenio.