Baltazar Ruiz Paniagua, 59, of Monmouth, Illinois, died at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois.

Baltazar was born March 5, 1967 in La Loma de Zempoala, Guanajuato, Mexico, the son of Reyes Ruiz Almanza and Salud Paniagua Perez. He married Elena Perez. She survives as do three sons, Francisco (Maria Lemus) Mozqueda of LaMonte, Missouri, Jesse Vasquez of Monmouth, and Jovanny (Emily Martinez) Vasquez of Galesburg; one daughter, Janet (Pedro Cotoc) Perez of Monmouth; and six grandchildren, Aaron Cotoc, Carlito Mozqueda, Ramesses Mozqueda, Moses Mozqueda, Natalia Mozqueda, and Jovanny Emilio Vasquez. Baltazar is also survived by three brothers, Armando Ruiz Paniagua of Mexico, Jesus Ruiz Paniagua of North Carolina, and Javier Ruiz Paniagua of Mexico; and three sisters, Adriana Ruiz Paniagua and Veronica Ruiz Paniagua both of Mexico, and Cristina Ruiz Panigua. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Baltazar worked for McCormick Lawn Care. He was a hard worker who enjoyed landscaping, working on cars, and building many different things. He also enjoyed going to yard sales.

Cremation has been accorded. No services are planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.