Ernesto “Ernie” Rivera, 78, of 221 S. Roosevelt St., Warsaw, passed away at 3:30 p.m. May 18, 2011, in Covington Manor Health and Rehab, Fort Wayne. He was born Nov. 13, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas, to Fidel F. and Celia Domingez Rivera. On Sept. 19, 1974, he married Leonides Garay, who survives. He was a resident of Kosciusko County for the past 40 years. He retired after working for 25 years at Dalton Foundries, Warsaw, and attended United Pentecostal Church, Warsaw. Also surviving are five sons: Ernesto, Rudy and Robert (and spouse Rosie) Rivera, all of Texas, and Ernest Rivera, Indiana; and Rick Rivera (and fiance Kristin Huscher), Warsaw; two daughters, Laura Rivera, Warsaw, and Suzi Rivera, Texas; 25 grandchildren; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Oralia and Rosa Rivera, both of San Antonio, and Olga Rivera, Arlinginton, Texas; and two brothers, Juan and George Rivera, both of San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Arturo; a daughter, Rebecca; and two brothers, Albert and Joe Rivera. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, with the Rev. Ignacio Guerra officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the Rivera Family, c/o Rick Rivera, 1938 E. Walnut St., Warsaw, IN 46580. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
