Baltazar Hernandez

ELOY - Baltazar Hernandez, 48, of Eloy died May 24, 2008 at home.


Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today at Rock of Living Waters Ministries. The funeral there will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, with Pastor Eli Ibarra officiating. Burial will be in Eloy Memorial Park.

Mr. Hernandez, known to family and friends as "Bala," was born Oct. 23, 1959 in Elsa, Texas. As a youth he traveled the Southwest as a migrant worker before coming home to settle in Toltec. He worked for a brief stint at Townley Manufacturing before going to the Hexcel plant in Casa Grande from 1986 to 2007. He was a machine operator.

His early hobbies included mechanical work, playing pool and target shooting. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1985, which he considered the greatest moment of his life. Not long after, he began attending Templo El Valle Church in Eloy, working as a deacon and general secretary. In 1999 he felt a call to start his own church with his family, Rock of Living Waters Ministries. He served as pastor until his death. He loved life and encouraged others to do the same. His motto was "It's all about Jesus."

Survivors include his wife, Angelina; three daughters, Crystal, Victoria and Sarah Hernandez, all of Eloy; his mother, Herminia E. Hernandez of Eloy; three sisters, Rebecca H. Nunez and Rachel H. Lerma of Eloy and Esther H. Cordova of Avondale; and five brothers, Jose Espinoza, Oscar, Jesse, Noe and Encarnacion "J.R." Hernandez, all of Eloy. He was preceded in death by his father, Encarnacion Hernandez.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Valley Chapel is in charge of arrangements.