Joe Gonzales Diaz of Blanket, Texas, passed away on May 26, 2011 after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his son, Joseph Diaz Jr. of Blanket; daughter, Doris Calder and Husband Eddie of Blanket, and son Carlos Diaz and wife Melba of Brownwood. Joe has 16 grandchildren, 18 great children, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Joe was born in Whon, Texas, on June 9, 1922, Coleman County. He later moved to Blanket in 1939 where he remained as a resident the remainder of his days. He was a member of St, Mary’s Catholic Church and a retiree of the 3M Corporation. He served in the U.S. Army in WWII both in the 101st Airborne division and participated in the D-Day invasion as a paratrooper and later linked up with and served with the 90th Infantry Division where he was captured and held POW by the German Vermacht for 9 months. He earned 3 Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.

He married Cresencia Hernandez in Mason Texas on June 30th 1945, and remained married for 58 years till her death in 2004. He greatly loved gardening, fishing, and most of all sports that included the Astros or the Texans. He will be greatly missed as a father, grandfather, and friend. He is preceded in death by his wife Cresencia, parents Sam and Maria Diaz of Blanket, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Wake Services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday Night May 30th Heartland Funeral Home Early Texas, with Church services at St, Mary’s Catholic Church at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday May 31st 2011 Brownwood Texas. Burial will be at Blanket Cemetery with Military Honors.