Obituary of Gregorio Hernandez

Gregorio (“Greg”/“Nunie”) Vital Hernández, North Liberty, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2024, at the age of 82, in the house he and his wife, Celedonia (“Cherie”), called home for 50 years. Greg was born on December 31, 1941, in San Benito, Texas, to Gregorio and Lydia Hernández, and was the third of nine children. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1961 and shortly thereafter moved to Colorado Springs, where he completed railroad telegraph school. In 1963, Greg married Celedonia, his high school sweetheart. They had two daughters, Patricia and Odulia, and after working for the railroad throughout the Midwest for several years, moved to Iowa in 1968.

Greg’s 40-year career in the railroad industry spanned roles with the Chicago & Northwestern, the Rock Island and the Iowa Interstate. He was a stock car and drag racing enthusiast, and loved his ‘71 Hemi Challenger, which he owned for 43 years. Greg was proud of his Texas roots and looked forward to his family’s annual trek back to “El Jardín,” the neighborhood in which he grew up. He loved ranchera music, was a backyard grill-master and was known to drive to Illinois for a case of Lone Star beer in the ‘70s.

Greg is survived by Celedonia and his daughters, Patricia Hernández and Odulia (Aaron) Halstead, both of Wisconsin. He also leaves behind his five beloved grandchildren, Stuart (Riley) Halstead, Sophia (Ian) Smith, Gregory Halstead, Cecilia (Ian Karls) Halstead and Quinn Halstead, and his two great-grandchildren, Inara Halstead and Jax Smith. He is also survived by three sisters, Jane Rodriguez, Domitila Tilton and Rosa Esquivel. He was predeceased by his parents and five siblings, Ramiro Hernández, Celestina Trevino, Dora Cruz, Homer Hernández and Hector Hernández.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 4330 St. Patrick’s Drive, Iowa City, on Friday, October 11, at 11:00 a.m. The family will greet visitors from 9:30 a.m. until shortly before the Mass begins. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Greg’s memory to Iowa City Hospice (1526 Sycamore Street, Iowa City, IA 52240).