Francisco Palafox, 89, of Patterson died Nov. 30 in Modesto. He was born in 1921 in Gabriel Lopez Zacatecas, Mexico.

He was a laborer for 40 years and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Patterson. He enjoyed singing, spending time with family and raising horses.

He is survived by his sons, Humberto Palafox and his wife, Olivia of Patterson, Jose Palafox and his wife, Rita of Stevinson and Rafael Palafox and his wife, Gloria of Modesto; daughters, Rosalina Palafox and her husband, Miguel Gonzales of Mexico, Marina Ruvalcaba and her husband,Guadalupe of Anaheim, and Maria Eliasar Mejia and her  husband, Ramiro; 18 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maria de Los Angeles Palafox in 2004.

A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 West Main St., Turlock. A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 529 I St., Patterson. Burial will be at Patterson District Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service of Turlock, www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com.