Francisco M. Rivera, 94, a Deming resident, passed away Monday March 2, 2015 at Sierra Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Visitation will begin Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at Baca's Funeral Chapel with the prayer vigil that evening at 6. Mass of the Christian burial will be Monday morning at 11 o'clock at St. Ann's Catholic Church with Fr. Ronald Machado officiating. Concluding services will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with Veteran's Honors accorded.

Francisco was born October 11, 1920 in Columbus, NM to Josefa Munoz and Donaciano Rivera. Francisco served his country honorably in the United States Army during World War II and was held as a prisoner of war. He worked as an inspector for the aircraft business. He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church, lifetime member of the American Legion, Veteran's of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include 3 sons, Frank (Rebecca) Rivera of Gloucester, Virginia, Efren (Victoria) Rivera, Jerry (Irma) Rivera all of Deming; 2 sisters, Connie Arambula of Anaheim, California, Beatrice Ramirez of Dallas, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donaciano and Josefa Rivera; wife, Socorro; 2 sons, Armando and Javier and a daughter, Maria.

Pallbearers will be Mario Rivera, Jerry Rivera Jr., Mat Allison, Robert Duran Jr., Michael Aguilar and Adrian Parra.