Joseph Pina Rivera

Memorial services for Joseph P. Rivera, 76, of Copperas Cove, will be 2:00 p.m. Sat, Feb 12 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Chapel in Coppers Cove. The family will receive friends following the service for a time of refreshments and remembrances. Mr. Rivera died Monday, Feb 7 in a Temple hospital.

Joseph was born Nov 22, 1934 in Andrade, California,to Joseph H. Rivera and Carolina Pina Rivera. He joined the United States Army in 1959and served in California, El Paso, Vietnam, Korea and Germany. He married Ellen Anna Klein March 3, 1962 in California. He retired from the military at Ft. Hood and has lived in Copperas Cove since 1974. After retirement he was employed at Central Texas College Vehicle Maintenance for 24 years.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Ellen Rivera of Copperas Cove; daughter Chris Taylor of Kemah; two sons Joe Rivera of Denton and James Rivera of Harker Heights; daughter Patricia Rivera of College Station; brother Ray Rivera of California; seven grandchildren, John Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Michael Taylor, Shelby Glennding, Devin Rivera, Jeremy Rivera, Michael Bradford and his beloved dog Jack.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Scott and White Children’s Hospital, 2401 S. 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508.