Ernest Abeyta

November 20, 1920 - September 23, 2016

Ernest Abeyta, 95, of formerly of Rocky Ford, of Monte Vista, passed away Friday, September 23rd, while in the company of family, at CVCLC at Homelake, Monte Vista, CO. Ernest was born in Trinidad, CO on November 20, 1920, a son of the late Cleofas (Martinez) and Jose Isidore Abeyta. He was the widower of Patricia (Olmedo) Abeyta, they were married on May 8, 1942 in Raton, NM. He was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Rocky Ford, CO. Ernest attended schools in the Hoehne & Trinidad area. He served in the Army and was assigned to the 318 Regiment, G Company, 1st. Batalion, 80th infantry Division. Drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to the infantry, he was one of the hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen who took part in the invasion of Normandy, France in 1944. He was a D-day survivor. . At his home you can see framed commendations and medals, including the Purple Heart, American Service Medal, European/African/Middle Eastern Theater, the WWII victory medal and other World War II medals. Around 2007 he also received the Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty, presented by the Governor of Normandy Region on the 50th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. And just recently-this month-September of 2016 he received a letter from the Consulate General of France that he is eligible to receive the French Legion of Honor Medal. That medal is France's highest honor medal given to the men who fought in France during WWII. He worked as a Packer at the Army Depot in Rocky Ford, CO and had also worked for the Holly Sugar Company in Rocky Ford. Ernest was a member of the VFW, American Legion & DAV. He is survived by: Daughter Johanna, wife of John Porter, of Mesa, AZ; Son Ernest, husband of Helen Abeyta, Jr., of Manassa, CO; Son Albert (Martha Sifuentes) Abeyta, of Rocky Ford, CO; He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Raymond Abeyta, Patricia (Chris) Espinoza, Ernest (Amanda) Abeyta, III, Michael (Brittney) Abeyta; 8 great-grandchildren: Destiny Abeyta, Mikayla Abeyta, Julius Espinoza, Dominic Abeyta, Marius Espinoza, Aliyah Abeyta, Jarrell Espinoza, Myla Abeyta. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; wife; Patsy in 1980; son: Harry in 1991; daughter: Esther Abeyta in 1948; 3 brothers: Gregory, Benny & Jesus Abeyta; 1 sister: Genevieve Gallegos A Rosary will be recited at 10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 AM on Thursday, September 29th both at St. Peters Catholic Church in Rocky Ford, CO with Fr. Paul Ekeh officiating. Interment will be in the Valley View Cemetery in Rocky Ford, CO. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

SERVICES

Viewing will be

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Ford-Ustick Funeral Home

305 N. 8th Street

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067

Rosary Service

Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

St. Peters Catholic Church

1209 Swink Av.

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

St. Peters Catholic Church

1209 Swink Av.

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067

Committal Service

Thursday, September 29, 2016 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Valley View Cemetery - Rocky Ford

27980 Cnty Rd. 20

Rocky Ford, Colorado 81067