Ismael "Mel" Castillo Sr., 59, of Denton, Texas, passed away on September 30, 2013 surrounded by his loving family after his long courageous battle with cancer. Mel attended San Benito High School and later graduated from MTA in Waxahachie, Texas. He worked for Southeastern Motor Freight Line in Irving, Texas for several years. Ismael will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his father, Domingo E. Castillo; his brother Armando R. Castillo; and three sisters: Magdalena Saldana, Julia Gonzales, and Gabina Quintero. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 42 ½ years, Maria Alicia Castillo; his sons: Ismael Castillo Jr. and Samuel Lee Castillo; granddaughters: Marisa LeAnne Castillo and Mia Rose Castillo. Also surviving him is his mother Aurora Rodriguez-Castillo, his sister Otilia (Joe) Silva, both of Denton, Texas, and his brother Domingo (Mary) Castillo Jr of Houston, Texas. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2013 from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, with a holy rosary at 7:00 pm, at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. Funeral mass will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito. Interment will follow at Ashland Memorial Park in Harlingen. Serving as pallbearers are: Juan Rivera Jr., Michael Maldonado, Ruben Garza, Zack Peterson, Armando Castillo Jr., Jason Silva, Michael Castillo, and Frank Rodriguez. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Ismael "Mel" Castillo Sr. at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.