Ignacio Vital Marquez, age 91, of Fairmont City, born on October 30, 1934, in San Miguel El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico, died on Monday. June 22, 2026.
A proud son of San Miguel el Alto, Jalisco—where they say, “Pa’ caballos, San Miguel”—he dedicated his entire life to horses. He traveled throughout Mexico training horses for carreras parejeras, a craft he mastered through decades of hard work, patience, and passion. Along the way, he earned the respect, admiration, and friendship of countless horsemen who shared in his love for the sport. Horses were not just his profession; they were his greatest love and the center of his life. He leaves behind a legacy built on dedication, tradition, and an unwavering respect for these magnificent animals.
He traveled all over Mexico while training horses and eventually came to the United States to retire. He was proud of his family and his many loving grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Felicitas Roman Vital; second wife, Victoria de la Torre Vital; his parents, Jesus Vital and Josefa Marquez; and eight brothers and sisters.
Ignacio is survived by his children, Jorge Vital, Hipolito (Ramona) Vital, Maricela (Roberto Jimenez) Vital, Sonia (Oscar Cruz) Vital, and Rocio (Fermin Munoz) Vital; 17 grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren; and six brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL, with Fr. Mike Barber officiating.
Burial will be at a later date in Cementerio Municipal, San Miguel el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.
