Mario Ruiz Salas, age 71 of Runge, Texas passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Victoria, Texas. Mario was born on November 6, 1953, in Runge, Texas to Raul Salas Sr. and Anita Ruiz Salas.

Mario is preceded in death by his parents, Raul and Anita (Ruiz) Salas; brother, Frank Altamirano Sr., step sons Eric Villalobos and Erasmo (nano) Villalobos, son in-law, Larry Hopkins; brother in-law, Adolfo Garza; niece, Arlene Altamirano; nephew, James Altamirano; great nephews, Michael Ramirez, and Adrian Acevedo.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia Fonseca Salas; children, Annie Hopkins, Mario (Donna Burnett) Salas Sr; Jessica ( Roger) Salas; Step children Zylvia Villalobos, Zabrina Perrin, Jai Villalobos; grandchildren, Natalie Burnett-Villalobos , Aaron Villanueva, Desiree Salas, Larrissa Hopkins, Mariah Hopkins, Mia Reyes, Mario Salas, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Brooklynn Villanueva, Madilynn Perez, Easton Smart; siblings, Lola Garza, Raul (Santos) Salas, Silvester Salas, Severo (Susan) Salas Sr., Celia Mendoza; nieces and nephews, Rachel Acevedo, Adolfo Garza Jr., Lee Ann Serrano, Lola Wozniak, Daniel Salas, Gabriel Salas, Victoria Salas, Andrew Salas, Severo Salas Jr., Steven Salas, Ree Anna Salas, Lanae Oleveda, Monique Castaneda, Dalene Casarez, Jennie Mendoza, Natalia Mendoza, Felix Mendoza III, Raul Mendoza, Randy Mendoza, Frank Altamirano Jr., Jason Altamirano, Ira Altamirano, Ernest Altamirano, Ruby Villanueva.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at Finch Funeral Chapel in Runge, Texas. A rosary will be recited there, beginning at 7:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be held the following day on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at St Anthony's Catholic Church in Runge, Texas with Father Robert Ploch officiating. Burial will immediately follow the services, at Runge Latin American Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Henry Salas, Armando Acevedo III, Gabriel Salas, Severo Salas Jr., Steven Salas, Agustin Serrano III, Amos Wozanik, and Manuel Aguirre. Honorary Pallbearers Mario Salas Sr., Mario Salas Jr., Aaron Villanueva, Raul Salas Sr., Silvester Salas, Severo Salas Sr., Adolfo Garza Jr., and Roger Reyes.