Joseph Mendez 1943-2021

Joseph Anthony Mendez, 78, Topeka, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, at Hillsdale Place in Topeka.

He was born May 17, 1943, in Topeka. His adoptive parents were Joseph and Antonia Hernandez Mendez. He graduated from Topeka High School and was a lifelong member of the Topeka community.

Mr. Mendez worked for more than 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 the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

He married Virginia Poe. They later divorced.

Survivors include two daughters, Andrea Mendez-Herrera and husband Phillip, Topeka, and Gabriella Villaponda, Lenexa; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17 at the Shipshee Cemetery on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation. Mr. Mendez will lie in state from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.