October 8, 2002
Antonio L. "Tony" Rivera Sr.,
71, died today (Oct. 8, 2002) at his home. Services are pending and
will be announced by Petersen Funeral Home.
October 9, 2002
Antonio L. "Tony" Rivera Sr.,
71, died Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2002) at his residence in Newton. He was
born May 9, 1931, to Urbano Joe and Roberta Jane (Clark) Rivera in
Des Moines, Iowa. They preceded him in death. He married Margaret
Colleen Willis Sept. 8, 1956. She survives of the home. He was a
member of Newton Christian Church. He had been an ordained minister
since 1988, and he volunteered for Source of Light Ministries. He was
a member of the American Legion Wayne G. Austin Post No. 2 and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, both of Newton. He served his country in the U. S. Army from 1947 to 1956. He retired from the maintenance department of Friendly Acres Retirement Community.
Other survivors include:three sons, Michael Rivera of Tulsa, Okla., Tony Rivera Jr. of Newton and Joe Rivera of Valley Center; five daughters, Bobbie Batterman, Juana Henry, Diana Ediger, Alita Rivera and Judi Crump, all of Newton; two sisters, Juana Hernandez and Grace Burriola, both of Des Moines; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be 10 a. m. Friday at Newton Christian Church with Pastors Peter Banning and Sherman Sack officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with Newton Christian Church, Source of Light Ministries and Central Homecare & Hospice, all in care of the funeral home.
