Jose Leal Rodriguez, 79, of Plymouth, passed away with his family at his side at 7:33 p.m. Monday evening in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka of natural causes.
      
       He was born on March 20, 1937 in El Logore?o, Matamoros, Tamps. Mexico. The son of Juan Encarnaci?n and Josefa Leal Rodriguez. The family lived in Santa Rosa, Texas and Jose was awarded his citizenship on August 7, 1959.
      
       On August 1st in 1960 he married Rebeca H. Rodriguez and in 1967 they moved to Plymouth and began a family of nine children. One young son Juan Encarnaci?n Rodriguez passed away in 1963. After enjoying many wonderful years together and seeing their family grow, Rebeca would precede him in death on October 5, 2014.
      
       Jose was a loyal employee of Bremen Castings for over 34 years.
      
       He was baptized a Roman Catholic on August 4, 1938 and remained faithful to his Creator as a member of St. Michael in Plymouth. Jose was also a member of the Knights of Columbus ? Fr. Tremmel Council 1975 and on February 18, 2007 he was bestowed the honor of Worthy Sir Knight in the Fourth Degree.
      
       Jose Leal Rodriguez will be remembered for his being an honorable and loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed their continued presence in his life.
      
       His surviving children include: Jose Roberto & Aleida Rodriguez of South Bend, Edelmiro & Norma Rodriguez of Plymouth, Esther Rodriguez of Plymouth, Elisa Sims of South Bend, Elvira & Chris Erickson of Plymouth, Ricardo & Claudia Rodriguez of Plymouth, Cristobal & Christina Rodriguez of Goshen and Eduardo & Brooke Rodriguez of Bremen.
      
       Surviving are 36 grandchildren: Mateo Rodriguez, Suzana Griffin, Joe Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Julia Pedraza, Sonja Butcher, Kyra Erickson, Ilyssa Sims, Preston Rodriguez, Christopher Erickson, Nikki Butcher, Kassandra Rodriguez, Marcos Rodriguez, Nic Sims, Skyler Rodriguez, Triston Rodriguez, Jordan Sims, Braxton Rodriguez, Lois Erickson, Roman Rodriguez, Vicente Rodriguez, Haylie Rodriguez, Emilee Rodriguez, Wyatt Rodriguez, Santana Rodriguez, Jacob Rodriguez, Izabelle Rodriguez, Kelly Rodriguez, Dominic Rodriguez, Taylor Rodriguez, Aleeyah Rodriguez, Jake Rodriguez, Madalyn Rodriguez, Payton Rodriguez, Gracie Rodriguez, and Anna Rodriguez.
       Also, 27 great-grandchildren: Alexia Rodriguez, Adrianna Rodriguez, Romeo Rodriguez, Yesenia Rodriguez, Gadi Rodriguez, Ramsey Rodriguez, Avery Rodriguez, Halle Pedraza, Lennox Griffin, Olivia Griffin, Benjamin Rodriguez, Elliana Rodriguez, Luca Rodriguez, Zayne Trevino, Selena Trevino, Brianna Terrones, Laila Terrones, King Terrones, Bella Terrones, Jaxon Obrochta, Ashton Lake, Reagon Denny, Remington Erickson, Penelope Erickson, Brady Rodriguez, and Alina Rodriguez.
      
       Also surviving are 2 sisters/1 brother? Adelaida Graham of Brownsville, Texas, Romana Reynoso of Puebla, Mexico and Placido Rodriguez of Matamoros, Mexico.
      
       He was also preceded in death by his parents and Brothers and Sisters Manuela Davila, Maria Concepci?n Rodriguez, Maria Rodriguez, Juanita Rodriguez, Efren Rodriguez, Enrique Rodriguez, Andrea Longoria
      
       Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19th from 2-5 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m.
      
       A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 20th at 11 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. Visitation will continue in the church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. Michael Cemetery, Plymouth.
      
       Memorial gifts may be made to St. Michael Catholic School, 612 N. Walnut St., Plymouth, IN 46563.