Fernando Hernandez

Services are scheduled at 9:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 15, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Fernando Garcia Hernandez, 705 N. Roselawn Ave., Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Hernandez, 82, died Saturday, October 11, 2003 at his home. Fr. Paul Murtagh will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites. Pallbearers will be Brandon Matlack, Sy Leyva, Edwin Leyva, Jeffrey Acosta, Christopher Acosta, Yvette Hernandez, Manuel P. Acosta, and Ismael Leyva. Mr. Hernandez was born December 28, 1920 in Dayton, New Mexico; the son of George Hernandez and Martina Garcia Hernandez. On Dec. 26, 1946 he was married to Maria Luisa Sosa in Presidio, Texas. He was a lifelong resident of Artesia. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a worker with the Street Dept. for the City of Artesia for 25 years and also worked for AMAX Potash Mines for 5 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, St. Francis of Assisi and Cursillistas. A rosary is also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Grace Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Juanita Perez, brother Ramon Hernandez and a grandson Chad Hernandez. Survivors include his wife Maria Hernandez of the family home; son Fernando Hernandez and wife Stephanie of Roswell, NM; daughters Nancy K. Harding of Artesia, Mary Helen Acosta and husband Manuel of Artesia, Alyce Leyva and husband Ismael of Artesia, Rose Hernandez of Artesia, and Vivian Matlack and husband Jeff of Artesia; brothers Carlos Hernandez of Salinas, Calif., and Bonifacio Hernandez of Artesia; sisters Jila Briseno of Artesia, Essie Juarez of Artesia, Cruz Alvarado of Artesia, Florencia Rocca of Artesia, and Juanita Johnson of Inman, S. Carolina; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter