Antonio "Tony" Martinez Sanchez, 80, of Sterling, died March 25, 2011, in Sterling. Vistation will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, with the Rev. Wayne Hasselquist officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. Sanchez was born Jan. 6, 1931, in Tiripetio, Michoacan, Mexico, to Salvador and Carmen (Martinez) Sanchez.

He came to the U.S. in 1952, where he was employed by Hamil Brothers Feedlot.

In 1953, he married Elviria Flores. They had eight children.

Mr. Sanchez loved his job and spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed retirement, cooking and hanging out with his little buddy, "Tanner."

He is survived by Elvira Sanchez and seven of their children, Jesse Flores and wife Ruth, Liz Sanchez, Sylvia Redwine, Mike Sanchez and wife Monique, Carmen Estrada and husband Ismael Retana, Mark Sanchez and wife Sherri, Corina Sanchez and husband Derrick Havard; daughter-in-law, Sandra Sanchez; 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Simon Sanchez; sister, Maria Sanchez; son, Abel Sanchez; and his companion and best friend, "Tanner."

Memorials may be made to Tony Sanchez Memorial.