GONZALES, Carmen - b. July 16, 1935 - d. March 11, 2012

[patyrn]

Carmen Gonzales, 76, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Sunday March 11, 2012 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  Born on July 16, 1935 in El Paso, Texas, he was the son of Isaac and Conception (Alva) Gonzales.

He was raised and received his education in Florence, Kansas and graduated from Florence High School in 1953.  A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Gonzales served as a medic in the United States Navy.  Following his honorable discharge, he attended and graduated from Emporia State University where he received his Masters Degree in Elementary Education.   He was united in marriage to Juanita Martinez on October 22, 1960 in Moline, Kansas.  Carmen served as an elementary principal for Irving, Whittier, Pleasant Valley, Lowell, and South Vernon Schools in Winfield and retired in 1994.

Carmen was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church.  He loved people, which was evident in the many affiliations he was involved with.  He served on the Red Cross Board, the Cowley County Judiciary Board, the Twin Rivers Board, the Human Relations Board, and the Mexican-American Advisory Council for the State of Kansas.  He served as President of the School Board, served on the U.S.D. #465 Foundation, and was a member of the American Legion Post #10 and the Winfield Kiwanis.  Carmen started the Winfield Recreation Commission and was proud to be the first Mexican-American to be hired for the school system in Winfield.  He enjoyed reading and the coffee group at Daylight Donuts.  He had also coached church league baseball.

His family includes his wife, Juanita, of the home; his sons, Gary Gonzales of Wichita, Kansas and Robert Gonzales of Bossier City, Louisiana; his daughter, Vicki Brammer and husband, Reed of Winfield, Kansas; his brother, Carlos Gonzales of Florida; his sister, Martha Palacious of Wichita, Kansas; his half-sister, Rose Camargo of Newton, Kansas; and his grandchildren, Richard and Carmen Brammer and Megan, Alex, Abby, Morgan, and Amy Gonzales.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Alejandro Palacious; his brothers, Luis, Ruben, Ventura, and David; and his sisters, Guadalupe Martinez and Grace Miles.

A Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Winfield, Kansas.  Military committal honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery.  A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Holy Name Catholic Church.  A memorial has been established in Carmen's name for the U.S.D. #465 Foundation.  Contributions may be made through the Miles Funeral Service.

(taken from the Miles Funeral Service website)

[patyrn]

Carmen Gonzales was married in Moline, Kansas.  Does anyone know if his wife was from Moline?

[ddurbin]

Yes, Juanita 'Jennie' Martinez has Moline connections.  I don't know how much of her life was spent there, but she did graduate from Moline High School in the class of 1959.  Alice, Dale or Bill, can you share more?  Her family may have lived on Blaine Street, south of the highway.

[jpbill]

Yes, Juanita was raised in Moline.  Her older brother was Larry Martinez and younger sister is Geronima "Jomie" Martinez.  For the life of me, I can't recall her mothers name. Her father was Jesus "Joe" Martinez who worked for the Santa Fe Railway Co. on a Section crew.

[jpbill]

And yes, they lived on Biddle street, the 2nd house south of the highway on the west side of the street.

[Ole Granny]

I remember Juanita and Carmen's wedding.  The reception was in the Legion Hall by the water tower.    A beautiful bride and the first reception I had been to that had dancing.  Dancing with the bride and the tradition of donating money to the couple.   Sympathy to the family!