Jose Rafael Mendoza, Jr.

DE SOTO – Jose Rafael Mendoza, Jr., 39, of De Soto, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2019 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.



Jose was born June 15, 1980 to Jose and Judy (Stanley) Mendoza in Carbondale.



After attending Carbondale Community High School, Jose served his country in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2013 as a Staff Sargent. During this time he was stationed in Fort Drum, 10th Mountain Division, where he served as Ammunition Team Chief, Section Chief and Howitzer Section Chief. Jose served three tours in Iraq during the Iraq War and received the Purple Heart from injuries sustained during combat. He also received the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon. Upon retiring from the U.S. Army he worked as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office in Herrin.



Survivors include his children, Andres and Alicia Mendoza of DeSoto; parents, Jose Mendoza, Sr. and wife, Judy of De Soto; siblings, Diana (Dominick) Dalessio of Robinson Texas, Juan Mendoza of DeSoto, Alicia (Gregorio) Flores of DeSoto; his partner Amy Robinson of DeSoto; ex-wife, Amber Mendoza also of DeSoto, and five uncles and four aunts.



He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Martin and Aurelia Mendoza; maternal grandparents, Mason and Geneva Haynes; one uncle and five aunts.



Funeral services for Jose will be 11AM on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale with Rev. Josemon Hoem officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale with full military rites. Visitation will be 6 – 8 PM on Wednesday, August 28 at the funeral home.



The preferred form of remembrance are memorials to the CCHS Baseball Program and will be accepted at the funeral home.



To leave a story or memory of Jose, visit www.meredithfh.com.