Salvador Rivera Ponce

Prayer Service for Salvador Rivera - Ponce age 82 of Levittown, Puerto Rico Visitation was Wednesday February 9, 2011 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home from 5 - 8 pm. He is survived by a daughter Miriam Leenda Thiele and husband Jim of Clearwater, NE, Lydia Rivera of Butler IN, and Salvador Jr. of Centerville VA. Mr. Rivera - Ponce passed away on Monday, February 7, 2011 at his daughter, Leenda's home in Clearwater. Salvador Rivera Ponce was born on the 20th of April of 1928 to Julio Rivera and Carmen Ponce in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. He graduated with the Class of 1947 from the high school in Luquillo, Rosendo Matienzo Cintron. On the 19th of April of 1954, he was united in marriage to Rufina Rivera Robles in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. Salvador was drafted into the United States Army on the 2nd of February of 1950 and discharged from active duty on the 31st of October in 1973 as Sergeant First Class (SFC). During this time, he received the Army Commendation Medal for his meritorious service. He served as a supply sergeant in the Transportation School Brigade in Fort Eustis, Virginia. SFC Rivera distinguished himself by rendering exceptional meritorious service. He contributed significantly to the implementation of the modern professional army within the brigade. His personal interest in the training of young soldiers coupled with his ability to identify and account for property valued at more than three-quarters of a million dollars denotes him as a soldier-manager to be emulated. SFC Rivera’s commendable achievements and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United State Army. After the service, Salvador was a paralegal for more than 20 years. He loved Puerto Rico and its hot weather. He loved reading the newspaper from cover to cover and he loved sharing stories and jokes that came from all the things he read. He was a member of the U.S. Army and the Lions Club of Puerto Rico. As a service man he traveled to most of the states in the United States. He is survived by his children Lydia Rivera of Butler, IN, Salvador Rivera Jr. of Centreville, VA and Miriam Leenda Thiele and husband, James Thiele of Clearwater, NE. Nine grandchildren: Jose Alberto Velez and wife Janelle, Carimar Arevalo, Nichole Haun and husband Scott, Veronica Rivera, Salvador Rivera III, Julia Thiele, Elijah Thiele, Alex Thiele, and Jesse Thiele. Two great grandchildren: Emilia Velez and Luca Haun. He is also survived by one brother Dionisio Rivera and wife Juanita, and one sister Malen Martas and husband Narsiso. Preceded in death by parents, wife Rufina Rivera, daughter Carmen Rivera, two brothers and two sisters.