Ernest Salgado

Ernest Salgado, Sr. passed into eternal life on Monday, January 23, 2012 at his home on the Soboba Indian Reservation. His wife of 60 years, Fidelia preceded him into eternal life. Mr. Salgado was born October 16, 1920 on the Soboba Indian Reservation. He is survived by his two brothers and three sisters: Henry “Sonny” Bentiste, William “Billy” Bentiste, Francis Bentiste Arres and Alice Bentiste Helms from the Soboba Indian Reservation and Nella Salgado Heredia from the Cahuilla Indian Reservation; six children, Ernie C. Salgado, Jr., (wife, Pat), Hemet, Ca, Robert J. Salgado, Sr., (wife, Claudia) Soboba Indian Reservation, Richard L. Salgado, Sr., Palm Springs, Ca, Lorraine “Raina” Salgado Maciel, (husband, Frank “Pancho”), Hemet, Ca, Francie Salgado Diaz, Soboba Indian Reservation and Rose Salgado, Soboba Indian Reservation; 14 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.He attended the Valle Vista Elementary School in Hemet in the last 20’s and the Sherman Indian High School in Riverside and played on the school’s championship baseball teams in the 30’s. Mr. Salgado was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army. During WWII, he served in five major combat campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Normandy. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Silver Star Metals for bravery. He was also awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He was a strong advocate and supporter of the American Indian Rights and education through out his life. As a tribal and community leader he served on the Soboba Tribal Council and was a Charter member of Ahmium Education, Inc., serving as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors since 1975. He was a life member of the California Indian Education Association.A Catholic rosary will be recited at McWane Family Funeral Home in Hemet, Ca at 7 P.M. on Thursday, February 2, 2012. A Christian service will be held at 9 A.M. on Friday, February 3, 2012 at The Assembly of God Church in Valle Vista, Ca followed by graveside service at Soboba Tribal Cemetery. A traditional tribal fellowship dinner will be held at the Soboba sport complex after the graveside service.Arrangements are entrusted to the care of McWane Family Funeral Home, 350 N. San Jacinto St., Hemet, Ca 92543.