Miguel Gonzalez Hernandez

NAME: Miguel “Mike” Gonzalez Hernandez AGE: 84 RESIDENT OF: Visalia DATE OF DEATH: 10/16/2015 OCCUPATION: PLACE OF DEATH: Start story here Hernandez, Miguel "Mike" Gonzalez Miguel Hernandez, "Mike" as his family and friends knew him, passed away in his sleep on October 16, 2015 in Visalia, California after a long illness, at the age of 84 years. Born in Goliad, Texas on December 17, 1930, Miguel began his early working career as a farm worker after completing the 5th grade, to help support his family, and continued to be involved in and out of farm work, odd jobs, civil service and military duty. He served in the US Army and the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; the United Nations Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; the Good Conduct Medal. He joined the Marines and served from 1957 to 1960. He eventually settled his family in Hanford, California and took employment through Civil Service at the Lemoore Naval Air Station in the Commissary, where he stayed full-time until his retirement in 1989. He served his lord and savior Jesus Christ for the majority of his life. He dedicated his time to the Primera Iglesia Bautista Del Sur in Hanford, California as an ordained Deacon. Wherever he was in his life, he never met a stranger, and was loved and cherished by all. He did not accumulate material wealth, but died a wealthy man through the number of lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his mother Antonia, his step-mother Juanita, his father Ricardo, his brother-in-law’s Ray Pena and Danny Guillen; his grandson Austin, his sister’s Rebecca, Eva (Noe Lopez) and Olga Silva. He is survived and mourned by his sibling’s Terry Pena, Sam, Maryann (Martin Gonzales), Ernie (Heather), Connie Guillen, David (Norma), Izzy, Moses (Rosie), Rick and step-brother Rudy de la Cruz, and children, spouses and grandchildren- son Michael (Dolores, Megan , Abby , Marissa, Alicia , Melissa , Ricardo Lopez; son Sam (Cindy, Danelle, Adam ); daughter Melinda (Chuck Gunnerud and Nick); and son Eric (Amber, Ashley, Eric Jr, Chloe), as well as former spouse Vivian Hernandez and daughter-in-law’s Mickey Hernandez and Anita McCullough, 14 great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Community of Christ Church, 2127 S. Giddings, Visalia, CA at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Miguel G. Hernandez Memorial Fund or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – contact any of Miguel’s children for mailing information. SURVIVED BY; PRECEDED IN DEATH BY; VISITATION WILL BEGIN SERVICES: BURIAL WILL BE AT A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Miguel Gonzalez Hernandez

December 17, 1930 - October 16, 2015