Jose Luis Rivera-Rios

Jose Luis Rivera-Rios, 81, of Junction City, died Nov. 20, 2014 at Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. Jose was born Sept. 18, 1933 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, the son of Juan B. & Alejandrina (Rios) Rivera.

Jose came to Junction City when he joined the U.S. Army, and attended schools on the G.I. Bill. He worked in civil service at Irwin Army Hospital for 21 years, and later worked construction for 30 years for Coonrod Construction.

Jose was a member of St. Xavier Church, the George Lee Wingate Post #207 of the American Legion at Ogden, V.F.W. Post # 1786 in Manhattan, and the Eagles Lodge of Junction City. Jose had served as Post Commander of the American Legion Post, as well as having served as 4th Dist Commander of the State American Legion, and was the past State American Legion Sergeant-At-Arms.

Jose married Billie Jo Guyle on Nov. 28, 1954 in Junction City. They were later divorced.

Survivors include: 3 sons, Jose L. Rivera, Jr. and his wife Alicia, Oak Forest, Ill., John Rivera and his wife Jean, Herington, and Jesse Rivera, Herington; 2 daughters, Maria (Rivera) Rodney, and Jodean (Rivera) Tieyah and her husband Ted, all of Junction City; 15 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 1 great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Olga Milagros Rivera-Gonzales.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2014 at St. Xavier Church, with Fr. Peter O'Donnell presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Junction City. Military honors will be provided by the Color Guard of the American Legion. Visitation will be at 6:00 p.m., with a Prayer Vigil and Parish Rosary at 7:30 p.m., at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel on Friday evening, Nov. 28, 2014. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, KS 66441.