Juan V. Ornelas

Juan V. Ornelas

Juan V. Ornelas, age 87, of Millville, died Friday morning, June 17, 2011 at South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center, Vineland. He had been in declining health for five years.

Born and raised in Texas, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a cook on a ship in the Panama Canal Zone during WWII. He was also stationed in Wildwood with a Sea BeeÕs detachment.

After serving in the military, Mr. Ornelas stayed in N.J. and worked for Millville Manufacturing in the cotton mill. He also worked for the Holly Farm and then for N.J. Silica Sand as a maintenance man, and retired at the age of 58.

He was a very active member of St. John Bosco Catholic Church of Millville. Mr. Ornelas was a member of Security 65 union, and the American Legion Nabb-Leslie, Post No. 82 of Millville. He enjoyed dancing, hunting, and duck hunting. He ran an antique shop in Center Grove, and he volunteered at Bishop McCarthy Residence of Vineland.

Mr. Ornelas is survived by his wife Doris (James); one son Eldridge "Jimmy" Lore and wife Judith of Bridgeton; four daughters, Evelyn Christiano and husband Anthony of Brick, Dolores Pringle and husband John of Fortescue, Juanita Abbott of Millville, and Deborah Campbell and husband Dennis of Millville; three stepdaughters, Patricia Brooks and Debra Chabuel, both of Cherry Hill, and Janet Damaino of Wyoming; one brother, Tomas Ornelas of Presidio, TX; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; five step grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy (Lupton); one son, Joseph Lore; and two sisters, Manuelita and Alvinia.

A funeral liturgy will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 in St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 2 Hillcrest Ave., Millville. There will be a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the CHRISTY FUNERAL HOME, 11 W. Broad St., Millville. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Millville.

Written tributes may be sent to www.christyfuneralservice.com.