Juan Villarreal Jr., 51, passed away at home Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Friends may greet the family from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road in Owatonna, and one hour prior to the funeral.  Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Brick-Meger Funeral Home. Military honors will be provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.

Juan was born March 10, 1964, in Austin to Juan Sr. and Jovita (Lumbreras) Villarreal. Juan grew up in Maple Island and went to Hollandale Elementary School. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1982. After high school Juan proudly enlisted in the Air Force, and during his eight-year service was stationed in Wyoming, Italy, Korea and California. Juan loved his time in the service, particularly the three years he was stationed in Italy. Juan moved to Owatonna after his discharge from the Air Force.

On Oct. 30, 1999, Juan married Amy Walerius at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Owatonna. Juan worked at Federated Insurance for 17 years. From 2012 on, Juan worked at Home Town Credit Union. While working, Juan also earned his bachelor’s degree from Ashford University.

Juan loved life — period! Juan had this magical gift of making people smile and feel how special they were to him. He continually looked at how he could make the world a better place by sharing his compassion and talents.  Adopt-A-Highway, Big Brother-Big Sisters, the Crisis Resource Center and From The Heart Run were just a few of the organizations that were near and dear to him.

Juan’s family was most important to him. He was incredibly proud of his children Samantha and Tony. He enjoyed watching their sports, helping with homework, and family game and movie nights. He loved Sundays at his mom and dad’s, and spending time with his parents and siblings. Juan’s twin sister, Jane, meant the world to him.  Juan’s in-law family also held a special place in his heart.

Juan will be greatly missed by his wife, Amy; daughter, Samantha (Will Crowley); son, Tony; mother, Jovita (Betty) Villarreal; siblings Yolanda (Aristo) Martinez, Carmen (Doug) DeBoer, Dave (Kris) Villarreal and Jane (Terry) Christenson; in-laws Bob and Judie Walerius, Dave and Kate Stenzel, Mike and Tiffany Walerius, Matt and Jessica Walerius, and Joe and Beth Green; and many wonderful nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Juan Villarreal Sr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.  For more information or to leave an online condolence go to www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com.