Juan Chavez
Juan Chavez, loving husband and father, went to be with our
Lord on Monday (April 20, 2009).
He was born on June 26, 1924, in Morenci, Ariz., to Bernardo
and Josepha Holguin Chavez. They preceded him in death.
Juan met his future wife, Estela Rosario Rodriquez, in
Newton, near a tree by the train station before deploying to Europe in World
War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star while serving in
Germany, France and Austria. He returned to Kansas to marry Estela on Feb. 23,
1946. She survives of Moundridge.
Juan worked for Santa Fe Rail Mill for 30 years before
retiring in 1984.
Juan and Estela raised one son, Hector, and his wife, Cindy,
and four daughters, Linda McDonald, Ida Solis-Hernandez and husband, Alfredo,
Delores Chavez, and Doris Mitchell and husband, Robert.
Juan enjoyed gardening, carpentry and playing the harmonica.
Juan was a lifetime member of the VFW.
His joy was complete with the birth of his grandchildren,
who survive him: Troy Solis (wife Brenda), Regina Solis-Willhight (husband
Milton), Robert Mitchell, Jerrod Mitchell and Andrea Chavez;
step-grandchildren, Luke Hathaway and Ashley Sanchez; three
great-grandchildren, Justin Solis, Cassandra Solis, Jackson Solis, Dustin
Solis-Miller, Mia Solis-Miller and Aliana Segura; step-great-grandchildren,
Chelsey Solis, Alex Solis, Adrienne Willhight, Janay Willhight, Stefan
Willhight and Bryan Willhight. Juan also is survived by his sisters, Ofelia
Fierro, Simona Madrigal and Olga Lopez, all of El Paso, Texas.
Also preceding him in death were brothers, Milton Chavez,
Jilberto Chavez, Eduardo Chavez, Candelario Chavez and Jose Chavez, who died at
birth; and sisters, Isabel Hernandez and Lorenza Diaz.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, with the family greeting at 6 p.m. and
Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newton.
Memorials may be made to the Moundridge Memorial Home in
care of the funeral home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
