Jess Martinez Chiapa Obituary (1923 - 2013)

Jess Martinez Chiapa, by Divine Mercy passed away in his home at the age of 90 on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. A resident of Porterville for 60 years, Jess was born in Real del Monte, Mexico, a silver mining community.Jess is preceded in death by Sophia his spouse of 55 years, a beloved son who died during infancy, his parent's Refugio Chiapa and Albina Martinez Chiapa, 11 of his siblings and grandson Philip Dhanens. He is survived by; daughters Clara Perrine and Susie Whitely of Porterville, and Diane Dhanens of Bakersfield; sons Art Chiapa of Porterville, Andy Chiapa of Bakersfield, and Steven Chiapa of Fresno; brother Manuel Chiapa of Hidalgo, Mexico; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.Jess was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Parish and the Knights of Columbus. He obtained U.S. citizenship early in his Porterville residency, and worked as a ranch foreman for 20 years and a custodian at Porterville Unified School District for 15 years. After retirement Jess enjoyed gardening, tending to his fruit trees, and traveling and cooking with Sophia. Jess was an avid soccer fan, a sport that he grew up with and also played well into his adult life.A memorial rosary for the repose of Jess's soul will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 in the chapel of Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral Home within Porterville. A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1765 N. Newcomb, Porterville. Interment will be private, and a public celebration of life reception will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday at El Nuevo Mexicali II, 640 N. Prospect.The family requests that memorial contributions be made in his name to Optimal Hospice Care, Visalia, 2439 W. Whitendale Ave., Suite B, Visalia, CA. 93277, or to Saint Anne's Catholic Parish, 378 North F Street, Porterville, CA. 93257. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family through Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd, 195 N. Hockett, Porterville, CA. 93257 or to sign the on line register book log on to www.whitehurstfuneral.com.