Reuben Perez Rivera, Sr. 82, of North Platte, NE, died Friday, November 15, 2013, at the Golden Living Center in Cozad, NE.

Reuben was born February 25, 1931, at Roscoe, NE to William ‘Bill’ Munoz and Lenora Hernandez Perez Rivera. He grew up in Roscoe and in 1942 the family moved to North Platte where he attended St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. Reuben entered the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served on the U.S.S. LST-611 and the U.S.S. PCE-895. Following his discharge in 1951, Reuben returned home before moving to California for several years. He lived in Aurora, CO for 11 years then returned to North Platte in February 2011.

Reuben married Nancy Vieyra in North Platte and to this union five children were born. They later divorced. Reuben was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and V.F.W. Post #1504.

Survivors include five sons, Reuben Rivera, Jr., of McPherson, KS, William ‘Willy’ Rivera, of Lexington, NE and Tom Riveria, Sonny Arellano and Jerry Arellano, all of Omaha, NE; three daughters, Gloria Rivera Mata, of Lexington, NE, Patty Rivera Lazona, of Omaha, NE and Lucy Ramirez, of College Station, TX; a stepdaughter, Tonya Rivera, of Omaha, NE; his brother, William (Martina) Rivera, Jr., of Santa Ana, CA; two sisters, Anita ‘Annie’ Vieyra and Esther (Rosendo) Duran, all of North Platte; 26 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill, Sr. and Lenora Rivera; a sister, Nadine Dominguez; a stepdaughter, Rosie Rivera; and a niece, Ramona Duran.

Cremation was chosen. Services will be Tuesday, November 19, 2013, with a rosary at 1:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Father Jim Golka officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow in the North Platte Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or before services on Tuesday.