Maria Isabel "Chavela" Vela, of Rockford departed this earthly life February 11, 2025. She was born March 26, 1965 in Uvalde, Texas the daughter of Eliseo and Julia Vela. Maria lived in Rockford over 20 years coming from Marengo, IL.  She was employed as a manufacturing Technician by Delta Power three years before becoming ill. Maria attended Marengo High School.

Maria leaves to cherish many loving memories, four daughters, Cecilia (Sean McDonald) Lomeli, Julia Lomeli (Juan Herrera), Alexandra (Andrew Holmes) Lomeli and Rubi  Lomeli (Jesus Flores); two sons, Alvino Vela and Isaac Vela; 18 grandchildren; Alvino Vela Jr; Johnny Vela, Angel Belmontes, Orlando Espinoza, Adrian Herrera, Jesus Flores, Santino Flores, Leonidas Vela, Alexis Herrera, Kasandra Herrera, Melanie Herrera, Arianna Lomeli, Natalie Flores, Valerie Flores, Lily Flores, Ellie Flores, Nayeli Holmes, and Sophia Holmes; mother, Julia Vela; four sisters, Diana Vela, Janie (Fernando) Gomez, Debbie Vela and Emma (Fred) Herrera; three brothers, Ricardo Vela, Trine (Modesta) Vela  and Alvaro (Sylvia) Vela; a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.  She was predeceased by her father, Eliseo Vela; three brothers, Eliseo Vela, Hector Vela, and Abel Vela; one sister, Elodia Perez.; one grandson Alonso Vela.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 2505 Schools Street. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held  Monday, February 24, 2025 4:00 p.m. until 8:00p.m. at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave.  And Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston