Benjamin Hernandez

Benjamin Noceda Hernandez, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather has passed into the loving arms of our heavenly Father on December 14, 2009 surrounded by his loving family at home.

He was born in Topeka on September 3, 1932 the son of Eufemio and Trinidad (Noceda) Hernandez.  He was a dedicated lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, having served as an usher for many years and helping during the annual Fiesta.

He worked many years at the Topeka Post Office.  He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army as a Corporal on February 15, 1954 after having served as a combat veteran in Korea.  He also worked for Seymour Foods, the V.A. Hospital in Topeka and at the Topeka Court House as a security guard until his illness prevented him from walking. 

He was preceded in death by a son Benjamin Scott Hernandez on April 23, 1972, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Eufemio Hernandez, two brothers, Valeriano and Celestino Hernandez and two sisters, Aurora Sandeffer Martinez and Victoria Galvan.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Mary Jane, his children, Angela (Matthew)

Brown of Topeka, Ryan Hernandez of Topeka, and Jennifer (Chris) Smythe of Ft. Worth, Texas, a sister, Sister Maria Luz Hernandez of Topeka, brothers, Arcadio Hernandez of Chicago, Vincent (Gloria) Hernandez of Topeka and Ascension (Rosemary) Hernandez of Shawnee, Kansas, two grandsons, Austin and Jackson Smythe of Fort Worth, Texas and a granddaughter Chelsea Brown of Topeka as well as many nieces and nephews.

Benjamin will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. where a Parish Prayer Service will be at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided Fort Riley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.