Victor Mendoza Lino

Victor Hugo Mendoza Lino
January 7th, 1990 - June 4th, 2025

Victor Mendoza passed away Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 in Peoria, IL. He was born on January 7, 1990 in Mexico City, Mexico. He graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois in 2008. He married the love of his life, Kayla Pulliam Mendoza, in New Orleans, LA, on October 27, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Kayla of Bloomington and daughter, Olivia Mendoza of Cedar Rapids, IA. He is also survived by his mother and father, Quevira Lino and Francisco Javier Mendoza, sisters Nadia (Jose) Mendoza Maciel, and Cynthia Mendoza, all of Peoria, IL; and one sister, Fernanda (Sergio Andres Garcia) Mendoza, of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his nephews, Jonathan and Julian Maciel.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Margarita Prado, and his paternal grandfather, Patrocinio Mendoza, who shared the joy of watching him grow up, as well as his cousin, Marisol Jiménez.

Vic grew up in Melrose Park, a Chicago suburb. It was there he met his best friends: Jessie, Sergio, Patrick, Frank and Andres (many more friends would join along the way). He developed a deep love of video games that he kept throughout his life and shared with his friends—keeping them close even when far apart. He loved Fallout, Skyrim, Helldivers, The Last of Us, and many more.

While at Proviso East High School, Vic was a passionate member and officer of the NJROTC, discovering a love of service and being part of something bigger than yourself—two things he carried with him for the rest of his life.

After high school, he spent many years in food service management before working to earn his EMT license. If Vic could figure out a way to help people, he would do it: he was subsequently employed at the Doubletree Hotel & Conference center, where he not only worked in Guest Services, but also provided translation services for fellow staff & guests in need. In each of Vic’s many jobs, he forged strong bonds with his coworkers, who knew him as both a hard worker and a wonderful friend. Vic made work a place you wanted to be.

Vic always called himself a “passionate patron” of the arts, but he was also a true artist in his own right—writing plays, poems, drawing, painting, and participating in numerous endeavors with Nomad Theatre Company.

Victor was well known for his way with words and with people. He loved getting to know people and thought they were the key to understanding the world. He loved loudly and deeply and was a master of bringing people together, creating a sense of family amongst those who knew him.

Vic loved people, and he loved HIS people most of all. He adored his Mom, Dad, and sisters, he loved his in-laws as if they were blood. He loved his cat, Niko with all of his heart. And there was no one he loved more than Kayla and Olivia. He would jump at the opportunity to sing their praises and pour out his deep affection for them. This love and affection will carry on for eternity.

Visitation will be held at Calvert Metzler Memorial Home on Saturday, June 14th, 2025, from 10:00AM-12:00PM with the funeral service to immediately follow. Randy Justus will be presiding. Internment will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington following the service.