Nico Macias Pineda

Nico Macias Pineda Nico Macias Pineda, 90, of Visalia, passed away on May 9, 2014, surrounded by his loved ones. Nico Macias was born in Redbanks, California, on November 29, 1923. He was the son of Elias Perez and Maria Macias. His father died while he was an infant and his mother later married Jose Francisco Pineda; Nico took his stepfather's name. He worked in the fields until he joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1942. Serving in the European-African Theatre, he flew 65 missions in a B-25 during World War II. He was wounded in battle and earned two Purple Hearts. After the war he returned home and married Ernestine Rios on September 23, 1945 at St Mary's Church in Visalia. The couple had two children, Robert and Sylvia both of Visalia. Nico had been an active member of American Legion Sierra Post 785 since 1955. His parents Jose and Maria, and sister Connie Ortega precede him in death. Nico leaves behind his wife Ernestine, children Robert (Janice) and Sylvia (Roy) Santellan grandchildren Nichole, Wendi, and Monique Pineda, Nicolas (Illene) and Cicely Rivera, and his great grandchildren Violet and Abbi Gregory, Adrianna Lowe, and Ezra Rivera. Nico also leaves behind his brother Frank (Audrey), his sister Sally, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as an extended family. He will be missed every moment. Viewing will be held on Monday, May 19, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with Rosary beginning at 6:00 pm at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 20, at 10:00 am under the Veteran Pavilion at Visalia District Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Veterans Memorial Building, 609 W. Center Avenue in Visalia. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to American Legion Sierra Post 785, P.O. Box 854, Visalia, California, 93279. Arrrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel.