Funeral services for Cornelius &uot;Corny&uot; G. Diaz, of Albert Lea, will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at St. Theodore Catholic Church. The Rev. Robert Schneider will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a scripture prayer service Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery.

Cornelius died Monday evening,Jan. 3, 2005, at the Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 50 years of age.

Cornelius was born on Aug. 7, 1954, in Albert Lea, the son of Paul and Sarah (Villarreal) Diaz. He attended public school in Albert Lea. He made his home in Albert Lea all of his life and had been employed as a heavy equipment operator with Borson Construction until his disability.

Cornelius was a member of the Pheasants Forever and the Ducks Unlimited. He was active in the local union and enjoyed being a part of an area pool league.

He had a great love of hunting, fishing and ice fishing, boating and pool.

He also enjoyed driving around the area enjoying the country sights. Cornelius was very active in his children’s hockey over the years.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather: Sarah and Don Wirtjes of Albert Lea; children: Kim (Brian) Herfindahl of Glenville, Jessie (Mark) Indrelie of Albert Lea, Travis Diaz of St Paul, and Jeremy Diaz of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Trevor, Taylor, Grant, Kylie, Spencer and Cole; and sisters: Pauline (Michael) Iverson of Austin, Theresa Diaz Gamble and her fiance Curtis Gilbert of Austin. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cornelius was preceded in death by his father; two brothers: William and Joseph; grandparents: William (Mary) Villarreal and Cornelius (Jesse) Diaz; and stepfather, Stan Suiter.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.