José “Joe” Hernandez, 85, of Parsons died at 4:25 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at his home. He had been in failing health.

He was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Parsons to Espedito and Clotilde (Martinez) Hernandez.

He grew up in Parsons, where he attended schools. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 in Europe and Korea, and upon his honorable discharge was awarded the Purple Heart.

On Nov. 27, 1948, he married Avelina Yañez in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Parsons. In 1964, they moved to Independence, and in 1967, the family returned to Parsons, where he worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant and later as a custodian at USD 503 until retiring.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. He was a Kansas City Chiefs football fan, and in younger years, enjoyed playing softball. He also enjoyed working crossword puzzles, traveling, boxing and playing his harmonica. His greatest joy was received when spending time with his dear wife, loving children and adoring grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Avelina Hernandez of the home in Parsons; three sons, Thomas J. “Tom” Hernandez and his wife, Carole, of Buhler, Nathan J. Hernandez of Parsons and Martin J. Hernandez of Parsons; three daughters, Sylvia Meza and her husband, Paul, of Anaheim, Calif., Vivian Clark and her husband, Frank, of Pittsburg and Veronica Long and her husband, Norman, of Parsons; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Henry Hernandez of Kansas City, Kan.; and three sisters, Socorro Asebedo and her husband, Joe, of Parsons, Alice Perez and her husband, Enos Jr. of Humboldt and Beatrice Villigan of Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Valentine Hernandez; and a sister, Connie “Concha” Vaughn.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, where the family will receive friends immediately following.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s School Endowment Fund or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.