JOSEPH A. MENDEZ

TOPEKA- Joseph Anthony Mendez, 78, of Topeka, KS, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Hillsdale Place in Topeka. He was born May 17, 1943 in Topeka, KS. His adoptive parents were, Joseph and Antonia (Hernandez) Mendez.

Joseph graduated from Topeka High School. He was a lifelong member of the Topeka community. He worked for over 20 years at Hill's in Topeka and later for Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Government Center both as a purchasing agent.

He was of the Catholic Faith and a member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Joseph married Virginia Poe; they later divorced.

Survivors include his 2 daughters, Andrea Mendez-Herrera (Phillip) of Topeka, KS and Gabriella Villaponda of Lenexa, KS; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and caretaker, Angelo Garcia of Topeka, KS.

Graveside Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Shipshee Cemetery on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation. Joseph will lie in state from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.