Services for Albert "Bo" Thomas Dela Cruz Sr., Osawatomie, were held Friday in St. Philip Neri Church.

Mr. Dela Cruz, 74, died unexpectedly Sunday, May 18, 1997 in the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn. He was visiting in the area when he became ill.

Born March 7, 1923 in Osawatomie, he was the son of Augustine and Nicolasa Tolado Dela Cruz. He grew up in Osawatomie, attended local schools and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1942.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II.

On Jan. 25, 1947, he and Neives Vasquez were married in St. Philip Neri Church of Osawatomie. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of four children.

He retired from Bendix Corp. in 1988 with 30 years of service. Prior to going to work for Bendix, he was employed in the Missouri Pacific Railroad shops in Osawatomie.

Mr. Dela Cruz was a lifetime member of the Hanlin-Kelly Post No. 2258 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Osawatomie and A.E.L. 314 Retiree Club.

Among those preceding him in death was a brother, Pete Dela Cruz.

Survivors include his wife, Neives, of the home; two sons, Steve Dela Cruz, St. Louis Park, Minn. and Tom Dela Cruz, Olathe; two daughters, Esther Collins, Ottawa, and Debbie Folsom, Osawatomie; two brothers, Salvador Dela Cruz, Iola, and Jesse Dela Cruz, San Antonio, Texas; six sisters, Carmen Fairman, Dodge City, Minnie Medina, Osawatomie, Juanita Fonesca, Gardner, Pauline Wilson, Las Vegas, Nev., Florence Reese, Osceola, Mo. and Elizabeth Romero, Lawrence; and seven grandchildren.

The Rev. Joe Cramer officiated. Carol Walker was the organist and Hazel Wilhiote was the soloist. Pallbearers were Jim Vasquez, Mike Vasquez, Joey Vasquez, Mike Medina, Tony Medina, Chris Romero, Dan Govea and Mark Govea. A military unit from Fort Riley provided military services at the graveside in Osawatomie Cemetery.