Joseph "Joe" Hernandez

Joseph "Joe" Hernandez, 87, of Lexington passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. 

Joe was born on January 3, 1935 in Lincoln, Nebraska to John and Lydia (Mickel) Hernandez.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lincoln where he also attended school. At the age of 15, Joe moved to Lexington to live with his sister, Delores, and her husband, Shark.  He went to work at Dawson County Motors where he learned his life's trade as an auto mechanic.  

Joe was united in marriage to Angelita Munoz on December 29, 1953 in Fort Morgan, Colorado.  Three children were blessed to this union: Gerry, Ed and Tricia.  The family made their home in Lexington.  Following his time working at Dawson County Motors, Joe worked at the Shipping Department at Sperry New Holland.  After the plant closed, Joe worked for Platte Valley Auto and Nebraskaland Tire.  Following a brief retirement, Joe became the maintenance man at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington which he thoroughly enjoyed. Joe and Angie also looked forward to working and visiting with people at the events in the conference center at the Holiday Inn Express.

Joe was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.

Family was the most important thing to Joe.    He went out of his way to make sure that all of the children and grandchildren spent lots of time with Angie and himself and loved attending as many of their activities as possible. He and Angie were Grandpa Joe and Grandma Angie to many families in town.   He always kept himself busy whether it be tinkering in the garage or being the family handyman.

Joe loved people and socializing.  He also enjoyed bird watching and listening to the scanner to find out what was going on in town.  Sharp-witted, compassionate, loving and generous were just a few of Joe's defined qualities.  

Survivors include his daughters, Gerry Hernandez of Broomfield, Colorado and Tricia (Scott) Latter of Holdrege; daughter-in-law, Dawne (Bill Haines) of Lexington; five grandchildren, Casey Skiles of Jackson, Wyoming, Nathan Hernandez of Grand Island, Trevor (Kelsey) Hallan of Lexington, Dakota Hernandez of Kearney and Joel (Ali) Latter of Holdrege; five great-grandchildren, Natalie, Zach, Ezekiel, Bennett and River; brother, Tom (Emily) Hernandez of Kearney and sister-in-law, Helen Munoz of Lincoln; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Angie; son, Ed Hernandez; granddaughter, Jessica Skiles; brothers, John, Mike "Butch", Jerry and Donald; sisters Delores, Josephine and Paula. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Father Jose Chavez, officiating. The Mass will be live-streamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook page.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Interment will be in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Lexington with a luncheon following the Graveside Service in the St. Ann’s Church basement.

Memorials are kindly suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or the Lexington Grand Generation Center.  All other memorials will be shared by the family with the Dawson County Children's Museum for toys for "Grandpa's Garage" and gardening toys for "Grandma's Garden".

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.