Ssg Rivera

Funeral services for retired Army Staff Sgt. Nestor Artemio Rivera, 88, of Killeen, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen. Burial with full military honors will follow at Killeen City Cemetery.

Mr. Rivera died Jan. 19, 2012, in Temple. He was born March 10, 1923, in Anasco, Puerto Rico, to the late Phillip and Ursula Rivera.

He joined the U.S. Army as a tanker in 1947. He served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He was part of the Berlin Lift he was transferred to Fort Hood from Germany with the entire 2nd Armored Division in 1957.

Mr. Rivera retired in 1967 as a double Purple Heart recipient. His other awards included the Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, First Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal Expert MG.

After retiring, he immediately began working for Civil Service at Fort Hood as a commissary employee until retiring. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle.

Mr. Rivera was preceded in death by his wife, Trinidad Garcia Rivera parents, Phillip Rivera and Ursula Mercado Rivera and a son, Nestor A. Rivera Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Dora M. Rivera of Killeen sons, Phillip Rivera Sr. of Houston, Juvencio Rivera of Dallas daughters, Idalia Ida RiveraGonzalez of Houston, Sofia RiveraHoward of Katy, Ursula RiveraGotay of Spring stepchildren, Silvia I. Kirven, Yamileth Bowers, Rubiviola V. Herrera, Lorenzo A. Gonzalez, Javier A. Aguilar and Leidiana Frerichs niece, Alma De Christina 21 grandchildren 27 greatgrandchildren one greatgreatgrandchild and 13 stepgrandchildren.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a rosary at 7 p.m., at HarperTalasek Funeral Home in Killeen, which is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Saturday, January 21, 2012
68 p.m. with a Rosary 7 p.m.

Service

Funeral Mass

Saint Joseph Catholic Church
2903 E Rancier
Killeen, TX  76543
Monday, January 23, 2012
10:00 A.M.

Cemetery

Killeen City CemeteryHa
2800 E. Rancier Ave
Killeen, TX  76543