Joel D. Ortiz

Joel De Leon Ortiz passed away at the age of 83, on Friday, January 31, 2020, in Hemet, California. He was born to Julian Ortiz and Francis (De Leon) Ortiz, on Friday, May, 1st 1936, in San Antonio, Texas. Following attendance at Bracken Ridge High School, Joel worked as an attendant at a local mortuary in San Antonio. He moved to Hemet, Ca. in the 1950’s and worked for Galton Ambulance Service, which became the Hemet Valley Ambulance. Following his work in the San Jacinto Valley, Joel moved on to Los Angles where he started work at the LA City Ambulance. There he met the love of his life, Margaret Rivera. They were blessed with 59 years of marriage. After being medical retired from LA City Ambulance, Joel opened his first welding business in San Gabriel. He retired in the late 1980’s and moved back to the Hemet area. He opened another welding business “Mt. San Jacinto Welding” and “Expensive Welding”. In addition to being a successful business owner, Joel was a member of the San Jacinto Lodge #338, eventually becoming master of the San Jacinto Lodge #338 for two terms in the 1990’s in the City of San Jacinto before the Lodge merged with Hemet Masonic Lodge. Joel also devoted time to the Job’s Daughters, as Associate Bethel Guardian, Al Malikah Shriners, and Rotary. Joel was the life of the party, always smiling and thoroughly enjoyed singing. Joel spent time playing the guitar and was part of a Mariachi Trio. He never stopped singing mariachi songs. Joel is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret Ortiz; his three children, Sandra Ortiz, Joel J Ortiz and Patty Knudson (David) Knudson; his adoring grandchildren, Serina, Jeremiah, Joel, Brett, and Jerica; his beautiful great-grand daughters, Dalilah and Sophia; step-grand children James, Gabi, and Sydney, as well as his brother, Julian (Patricia) Ortiz. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his baby son Lawrence. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 15th, 2020, at 4 PM, at Miller Jones Mortuary, located at 1501 W. Florida Ave, Hemet, Calif. 92545, with a reception to follow at the Ramona Room (at the Mortuary site), from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020, 10:00 AM, at St. Louis of France Church, located at 13935 E. Temple Ave, La Puente, Calif., 91746, with the Graveside Service to follow at 12:00 PM, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, located at 2161 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748.