Miguel C. Padilla

Miguel C. Padilla, 86, of Topeka, died January 26, 2012 at the VA Hospital. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on July 5, 1925 the son of Benigno and Juanita (Carrera ) Padilla. He attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Grade School, graduated from Topeka High and went to Topeka Vo-Tech. Miguel enlisted in the Merchant Marine and later the Navy where he served from 1944 to 1946 in the North and South Pacific with the USS PCE #881 Patrol Craft. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Philip Billard Post #1650, American Legion Post #1 and was a founding member of the Rangel Brothers G.I. Forum. Miguel was a Coach Carpenter for the Santa Fe Railroad for over 30 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he was an active volunteer with the Fiesta Mexicana and sang in the church choir. He was one of the first members of the Cursillo. He was also a member of the Nate Morales Council of the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Board of Directors for LULAC and El Centro. He sang at LULAC and delivered Meals on Wheels. Miguel and his wife were active in the Democratic Party. He enjoyed music, his guitar, photography, and sports where he helped coach many of his son?s teams. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Miguel married Rose Trujillo in Westmoreland, Kansas on September 21, 1948. She survives. He is also survived by four sons, Michael A. (Veronica "Ronnie"), Ignacio M., Daniel L. (Karla), and David A. Padilla all of Topeka, 13 grandchildren, Janice, Roxanne, Angela, Megan, Laurel, Isabel, Alyssa, Brian, Nathan, Alexis, Corey, Damian and Lucero, 16 great grandchildren, and one brother, Pedro Dominguez Jr. He was preceded in death by a son, James Padilla on June 19, 2000 and two siblings, Guadalupe Padilla and Raymond Dominguez. Miguel will lie in state at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where rosaries will be recited by the Parish at 5:00 p.m. and by the Nate Morales Council of the Knights of Columbus at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment with military honors by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church or Midland Hospice Care and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.