Lompoc native, Meryildo Hernandez passed away Friday, February 2, 2007, at the age of 79.

Meryildo was born in Lompoc on April 9, 1927 to Jose and Maria De Jesus Gallo Hernandez. He was a house painter for many years and retired as a painter from the Lompoc Unified School District after 30 years in 1989. He made Colorado Springs, Colorado his second home in 1998.

Meryildo was an active member of La Purisima Catholic and served for many years as a Eucharistic minister. He was also a member of the Guadalupana Society and the 20/30 Club in Lompoc.

Meryildo is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Rosemarie and Pascual Machuca of Colorado Springs; sons, Jack and Jim Hernandez both of Lompoc; brothers, Alex Hernandez of Goleta and Joe Hernandez of San Jose; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife Louise Guevarra Hernandez in 1980; parents Jose and Maria Hernandez; daughter, Susie Hernandez Clem in 1972; brothers John, Peter and Joaquin Hernandez, and his sister Margarita Hernandez.

The visitation will be on Thursday, February 8, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with an evening vigil at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. The mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. at La Purisima Catholic Church by Father Tom Cook and Monsignor John Fitzgerald. Interment will following in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.