Abelardo Santibanez, age 72, passed away March 31, 2026 in Abilene TX. Funeral services will be held Thursday April 9, 2026 at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-7pm at North's Funeral Home. Abelardo, was a native of Abilene, TX. As a young boy, his whole world was Sears Park, and Catclaw Creek was especially a great hangout spot for fishing, camping, and hunting. After graduating from Abilene High School, he went into the Army. He attended Hardin Simmon's, McMurry, and Abilene Christian University in pursuit of law enforcement. He always wanted to be in law enforcement. He started his career as Security Police at the VA Hospital in 1978 in Dallas, TX. He was then accepted at Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) Border Patrol in Dallas, TX. He then transferred to Homeland Security Customs K-9 Border Patrol. He worked for Homeland Security for over 28 years, retiring in 2007 and returning to Abilene, where he then worked for Hendrick Medical Center as security. Abeloardo was preceded in death by his parents, Abelardo Santibanez Sr. and Erlinda Santibanez, and his brother's, Jesse Santibanez and Baby Joe. He is survived by his wife, Susie Santibanez; son, Josh Santibanez, and wife, Emily; daughter, Gloria Santibanez; his sister, Susan Gomez; grandchildren, Jacob Santibanez, Michael Santibanez, Joseph Santibanez, Crystalina Santibanez, Selena Santibanez, Josiah Tonche, Alexis Arrata; and great-great-granddaughter, Topanga Santibanez. He was a great family man. He would always put family first and himself last. He loved his family very much, and his legacy lives on forever.