Felipe Cervantes

Felipe Cervantes, 82, of Topeka, died February 3, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital.

He was born in Topeka, Kansas on April 26, 1926 the son of Lorenzo and Maria Cervantes.

Felipe worked for Santa Fe Railway Company as a pipefitter for 43 years, retiring in 1988.

He was a collector of Jazz and Blues music, loved classic cars and animals.

Felipe was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he served as an usher and the Pipefitters and Sheetmetal Worker’s Union.

He married Josephine Gutierrez and they later divorced.

Felipe is survived by four daughters; Patricia Beasley and husband Larry of Blue Springs, Mo., Linda Westover and husband Terry of Topeka, Gloria Ramirez and companion Frank Florez of Topeka, and Mary Diane “Chick” Griffith and husband Terry of Topeka; two sons, Phillip “Phil” Cervantes Jr. and Michael J. Cervantes and wife Lauri all of Topeka; his ex-wife Josephine;  three brothers, Frank and Joseph Servantez and Tony  Cervantez all of Topeka; two sisters, Caroline Garcia of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Dolores Schaffer of Wichita, Ks., twelve grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by two brother William and Manuel. 

Mr. Cervantes was cremated.  Private family visitation will be held on Thursday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.   A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday at 2:00 p.m.  Private inurnment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to L.U.L.A.C. or to Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 West Sixth Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.