Raul A. Martinez, 73, of Caseyville, Ill., born May 10, 1938, in Camaguey, Cuba, died at 9:38 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill.



Mr. Martinez was a member of the HBPA. He left Cuba at 13 years old to begin his lifelong career as a horse trainer, at one time finishing 13th, in the nation. In 1967 he married the love of his life and above all he loved and cherished his loving family. He also had a great love for fishing and baseball. He was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.



Raul was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Ann Martinez; and his parents, Rafael and Victoria Martinez.



Surviving are his wife, Patricia, nee Sanchez, Martinez of Caseyville, Ill.; children, Ray Earl (Karen) Martinez of St. Louis, Mo., Rachel Elizabeth (Clay) Van Fossan of Caseyville, Ill., Randy Antonio (Tammy) Martinez of Caseyville, Ill., Ralph Aaron (Erica) Martinez of Caseyville, Ill., and Robert Allen Martinez of Caseyville, Ill.; grandchildren, Grace, Rebecca, Sylvia, Judith, Victoria Monyque, Melissa Jean, Clayton Lee Joseph, Joseph Douglas Heather Nicole, Blain Raul and Brody James; brothers, Rafael, Raudel, Rangel and Rainery Martinez; and sisters, Raydel, Raddys, Rayda and Raymir. He is also survived by many other loving nieces and nephews; and all of his loving family in Cuba.



Memorials may be made to Washington University School of Medicine Division of Renal Disease. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.



Visitation: Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill., and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, Ill.



Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at the church with Father John Beveridge officiating. Interment in Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Collinsville, Ill.