Victims of El Paso, Dayton mass shootings farewelled, remembered

Heartbroken families have held funerals for victims of the recent shooting massacres in the US states of Ohio and Texas.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Angelina Englisbee, 86, who died in the El Paso mass shooting at Walmart Source: Getty Images North America

A US man who died in the arms of his son after a mass shooting in Ohio has been remembered as a loving family man who painted houses and loved to fish and cook.

The funeral for 57-year-old Derrick Fudge was among several being held on Saturday for people who died in mass shootings last weekend in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas.

Friends and family mourn Derrick Fudge at a church in Springfield, Ohio. Source: AP

Investigators in Texas said a gunman opened fire in a Walmart store on 3 August, targeting Mexicans and killing 22 people. Less than 24 hours later, another shooter killed nine people in a popular Dayton nightlife area.

Hundreds of mourners, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, attended Fudge's funeral at St John Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Fudge's son, Dion Green, said his father spoke often of his willingness to die for him. Mr Green previously told the Springfield News-Sun he believes his father protected him from being killed. Mr Green said Saturday that his father was a great person who was always there to help when needed.

In a eulogy for her brother, Twyla Southall said Fudge lived a "simple" life, but one he loved.

"I don't understand why my brother died in his son's arms, but I am so grateful he was there for his father," Ms Southall said.

Burial services for 38-year-old Saeed Saleh, were also held Saturday in Dayton, according to the Daily News. Saleh, who was originally from Eritrea and recently immigrated to the US, was remembered as a "humble and quiet person" by a spokesman for the family.

Faithful release balloons during a Mass for peace, in Mexico, marking the one week anniversary of a shooting that killed 22 at a Walmart in El Paso. Source: AP

In El Paso, a requiem Mass was offered for 15-year-old Javier Amir Rodriguez, a high school sophomore and avid soccer player who was at the Walmart with his uncle when he was killed.

Burial was also scheduled for Jordan Anchondo, who died shielding her baby from gunfire. Her two-month-old son was treated for broken bones, but was orphaned after Jordan and her husband, Andre, were killed.