Pedro Mendiola

SFC Pedro "Pete" Mendiola (Ret.), 61, of Junction City, departed this life on May 20, 2014, in Salina, Kansas.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel at 203 N Washington St in Junction City. A prayer service will be held during the visitation at 7:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to celebrate Pete's life at 9:00 am on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the St. Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City. Burial will follow at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery in Manhattan.

Pete was born May 24, 1952, in Laredo, Texas, to parents Jose and Cruz Mendiola.
He spent his childhood in Texas, where his father served as a police officer and chief in Laredo for many years.

He served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years, retiring as an SFC. He was extremely proud of his time in the Army, and served in many locations overseas, including Vietnam, Korea, and Germany.

Pete enjoyed playing softball in his younger years. He also had a great passion for playing pool, and loved to fix up old cars. He also enjoyed fishing and being outside, and took great joy and pride in his family. He loved his grandchildren, and was known to them as "Papa Pete."

He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers.

Pete leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife Lori of the home; his children, Elizabeth "Marie," Michelle, Carlos, Melissa, and Mandy; step-children, Steven, Shawn, and Scott; as well as twenty-four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind countless other friends and loved ones.