Rosa Emelí Méndez & Juan Antonio “Tony” Méndez

After 52 years of marriage, Rosa Emelí Méndez, 81, and Juan Antonio “Tony” Méndez, 81, of Wichita, KS, passed away peacefully within 21 hours of each other. Emelí passed on Thursday, September 26th and Tony on Friday, September 27th. Rosa is preceded in death by her parents Sebastian Solórzano and Higinia Martínez, as well as two brothers and two sisters. Tony is preceded in death by his parents Gregorio Coca and Adriana de Jesus Urbina, as well as two brothers. 

Originally from El Salvador, at a young age, Tony had plans to become a Catholic minister but through circumstances his focus shifted, and instead he first became a teacher, later a lawyer, and finally found his pastoral calling as a Lutheran minister. Tony used his knowledge to help hundreds of individuals and families with immigration and citizenship needs over the years, something he was incredibly proud of. Emelí used her talents as a loving caregiver to become a teacher and later a childcare professional, helping educate hundreds of children over the years. Together they impacted the lives of so many individuals in so many ways. They were proud of their accomplishments and thankful that they were able to be of service to those around them. Tony and Emelí felt the love and appreciation of those they were able to help over the years. 

Together Tony and Emelí immigrated to the United States in 1983 bringing along their three children. As a family, they lived in Austin, Texas, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and in Garden City, KS. They move to in Wichita, KS in 2014 to be near their children.

Tony and Emelí are survived by their children, Leonel Méndez, Juan Carlos Méndez, and Nancy Méndez; and grandchildren Carlos Leonel Méndez, Nicholas Méndez, and Luke Méndez. Tony is also survived by three siblings and Emelí by five siblings. Both are survived by countless cousins, nieces and nephews who they loved and remembered fondly. 

At the couple’s request, a graveside service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Wichita, KS. Services have been provided by Cozine Memorial Group-Broadway Mortuary. Tony and Emelí’s children sincerely thank everyone for their patience as they fulfill their parent’s wishes for private services. 

For years Tony and Emelí have donated monthly to the ELCA World Hunger fund. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that you donate what you can in their name at this website: https://community.elca.org/hungerdonate. If you would like the family to receive a card from the organization, when filling out the form please list Nancy Méndez at 1147 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211.