Ernestina Gonzalez Castillo passed away on October 25, 2025, at the age of 97 in Kingsville, Texas.

She was born in Bishop, Texas, on November 6, 1927, to the late Trinfo and Aniceta Gonzalez.

Ernestina grew up as a humble child, working in the fields to help her parents. In June 1946, she married Maximiliano Castillo. In 1949, Ernestina and Maximiliano moved to Kingsville, Texas, and established their residence at 932 E. Mesquite. She raised all her children as a loving and caring mother. She was an excellent motivator and made sure that each received a proper education, beginning with grade school and extending through college graduations. As a wife and partner to Maximiliano Castillo, she contributed to developing a successful business that included Castillo Concrete Works and Castillo Rental Properties.

Her hobbies included sewing. She was an excellent seamstress who taught her three daughters to sew. Ernestina was a devoted Christian who taught herself to read the Bible and would read Bible stories to her children on Sunday mornings.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Maximiliano Castillo; her sister, Maria De Jesus Beltran; three brothers, Ignacio Gonzalez, Santos Gonzalez, and Noe Gonzalez; and her grandson, Samuel Castillo.

Ernestina is survived by three daughters, Eva (Joe) Cavazos of Kingsville, Emma (Tom) Castillo-McNealey of Kingsville, and Antonia (David) Maldonado of Kingsville; four sons, Oscar (Martha †) Castillo of New Braunfels, Horacio (Vilma) Castillo of Kingsville, Homero (Abigail) Castillo of Kingsville, and Max (Marcie) Castillo of Kingsville; fourteen grandchildren, Oscar Dan, Michael, Monica, Vicente, Anise, Lillie, Denise, Horacio Jr., Avery, Joshua, Lucas, Tiffany, Christian, and Samuel †; twenty-five great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one cousin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Castillo Family wishes to extend gratitude to the Kingsville Hospice and the Holy Savior Hospice from Corpus Christi, and their teams of medical staff; and a very heart felt gratitude to Mother's dedicated and very attentive CNA, Olivia Mata.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home, with a Religious Service at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Catholic Church, with Father Alfredo Villarreal officiating. Burial will follow at Santa Gertrudis Memorial Cemetery.