Gummie Gonzales

Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, December 21, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph's Church with Rev. Richard Rocha as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish and Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00 P.M. in the chapel of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 8:30 P.M. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mexican Sisters and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Gummie was born January 13, 1920, in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico, the son of Julian and Aniceta Rodriguez Gonzales. He attended St. Joseph's School in Atchison, Kansas.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force serving until his honorable discharge.

Gummie began his employment with L.F.M. later Rockwell International as a crane operator for 35 years. For years Mr. Gonzales had a shoe repair business, resoling shoes for many people, including the Mount St. Scholastica Convent and St. Benedict's Abbey. He repaired fire equipment for the Atchison Fire Department. He also enjoyed restoring furniture.

He and the former Patricia L. Downey were united in marriage on July 21, 1947, at the Co-Cathedral Church in St. Joseph, MO. She preceded him in death on July 10, 2004.

Gummie was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Atchison, Kansas, the Knights of Columbus Council #723, and the American Legion for over 60 years. He participated in the Prohaska band in Atchison, KS, and the Cassie Martinez Band in St. Joseph, MO.

Survivors include a son Marty (Joyce) Gonzales, Atchison, KS, a daughter, Angie (Lee) Gomez, Atchison, KS, one brother, Lupe Gonzales, Rialto, CA, four sisters, Mary Rocha, St. Joseph, MO, Juanita Raymos, Atchison, KS, Andrea Contreras, Atchison, KS, Cecelia Hiner, Atchison, KS, four grandchildren, Mariano (Jamie) Gomez, Marcelo (Leticia) Gomez, Nicolas (Amy) Gonzales, Natalie Gonzales and four great grandchildren, Alejandro Gomez, Maya Gomez, Diego Gomez, Eliana Gomez.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Frank, Gregory, Shorty, Joe, Max, and one sister Beatrice Koehler.