Juanita G. Tijerina of Archbold, Ohio was born to Melchor and Candelaria (Gonzalez) Gracia on March 19, 1929 in Los Fresnos, Texas.  She married Jose G. Tijerina on December 6, 1952 and celebrated 65 years of marriage.

As a young girl she accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and soul.  She passed into eternal glory on May 2, 2018 at Fairlawn Haven Care Center in Archbold, Ohio and is now celebrating at the feet of her Lord and Saviour.  She was a member of Iglesia Menonita Del Buen Pastor, Archbold, Ohio and served her church cheerfully as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader, Song Leader and Sewing Circle member during the past sixty years.

She realized her dream of being an entrepreneur during the early 70's as owner of the El Amigo Mexican Restaurant, one of the first family restaurants serving delicious Mexican cooking in Northwest Ohio.  She loved the restaurant business so much she later worked at Das Essen Haus until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by parents and in-laws, brother Raymundo Gracia and sister Julia Gracia.

In addition to her husband Jose, she is survived by children, Albert (Andrea) Garcia, Antonia (Conrado) Grimolizzi-Jensen, Jose G. Tijerina Jr. (Yanti), Juanita (Michael) Hammersmith, Adelina (Chris) Grime and Jacob I. (Betsy) Tijerina.  She is survived also by 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and one brother, Ignacio Gracia.

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Fairlawn Chapel with Pastor David Tijerina officiating.  Interment will follow in the Archbold Cemetery.  Friends and family may call at Fairlawn Chapel from 3 – 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7, 2018.  Short Funeral Home, 500 N. Defiance St. in Archbold has been entrusted with the arrangements.  The family suggests Memorials be given to Iglesia Menonita Del Buen Pastor and to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.