Vidal Mendez

VIDAL MENDEZ

Oelwein

Vidal Mendez, 92, of Oelwein, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Visitation will be from 5 to

7 p.m. Monday, June 8, at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will be private. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein with military honors by the American Legion Post 9 of Oelwein. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Joseph Vidal Mendez was born April 28, 1928, in Oelwein, to parents Frank and Juana (Rodriguez) Mendez. He graduated from Oelwein High School. Vidal then served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he received two Purple Hearts. On Nov. 19, 1960, he was united in marriage with Shirley Stauffer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pocahontas, Iowa. Vidal was employed on the loading docks with Rath Packing in Waterloo for 35 years. He then was employed in the maintenance department at the VA Hospital in Iowa City for 15 years. Vidal was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion, VFW, DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the Eagles Club.

Left to celebrate Vidal's life are his sons, Tom (Connie) Mendez of Shakopee, Minn., and Jim (Vickie) Mendez of Oelwein; his grandchildren, Nick, Hannah, Amanda, Zac, Marisa and Madison; his great-grandchildren, Ariana, Abram, Ava, Maverick, Skylar and Oliver; his siblings, Natividad Mendez of Oelwein and Bob (Pat) Mendez of Knoxville, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley; and his daughter, Patricia Mendez.