The funeral service for Jose (Joe) A. Avalos Calderon of Albert Lea, will be held

4 p.m. Thursday, April 21,

at St. Theodore Catholic Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. LaVern Trocinski will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea Veteran’s Organizations.

Jose died on Sunday, April 17, 2005 at Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 71 years old.

Jose was born in Libertyville, Ill., on July 20, 1933, the son of Fernando and Raephlea (Avalos) Calderon. He was married to Jean Sheehan on Jan. 17, 1970, in Stewartville.

He received his high school diploma from DeSalle University High School in 1971 and in 1975 a Diesel Mechanic Degree from Albert Lea Vocational Technical School. Jose was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church and Teams of Our Lady. Jose has been a resident of Albert Lea since 1973.

Jose served his country during the Korean Conflict and was in the National Guards for two years.

He was employed as an auto mechanic.

Jose was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Military Honors Group, Knights of Columbus.

He was a volunteer coach for the T-Ball and Baseball teams through the YMCA and volunteered with the Golden Gloves. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren.

Jose is survived by his wife, Jean of Albert Lea; children: Mark A. Calderon of Albert Lea, Christopher J. Calderon of Albert Lea, Heidi J. Thomas and husband Terry of Albert Lea, Maria (Rito) Medina of Robbinsdale, Ill., Mercedes Calderon of Chicago, Ill., and Monica

(Paul) Schultz of Oak Creek, Wis.; grandchildren: Addison J. Thomas, Nathan D. Calderon, Natasha Schultz, Sarah Schultz, Joey Schultz, and Ricardo, Francis and Nicholas Medina; great-grandchild: Adrienna Schultz; brothers: Fernando (Helen) Calderon of Gurnee, Ill., Ralph Calderon of Chicago, Ill., Lencho Calderon of Chicago, Ill., Philip Ayala of Cicero, Ill., Joe Ayala of Chicago, Ill., and Michael (Lynn) Ayala of Chicago, Ill;

sisters: Mary Calderon of Chicago, Ill., Theresa Ayala of Chicago, Ill., and Margie Ayala of Chicago, Ill.L; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Guadalupe Calderon; and one niece, Christina Calderon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to American Cancer Society or donor’s choice.