Pastor Israel Ferdinand Rivera Hernandez, age 55 of Collinsville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

He was born May 24, 1968 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico to Julio Morales and Idania Hernandez.

Israel married Rachel (nee Palacios) Rivera at the Apostolic Church of Belleville on August 23, 2003. They were blessed with 20 years of marriage. Together Israel and Rachel started a Spanish ministry in the Metro East Community, Israel found special comfort leading others to the Lord.

Israel was a licensed Pastor with Southwestern Christian Center and beloved amongst his church congregation, Iglesia Apostolica Rios de Agua Viva, serving the Metro East area doing the works of the Lord. Israel was a volunteer police chaplain for the City of Washington Park, IL.

Israel worked as a truck driver for many years providing for his family, but it was his love for motorcycles that brought him to be a chaplain for the E-Sidaz Motorcycle Club. Israel enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping, traveling and most of all, spending time with his family and friends.

Surviving are his father, Julio Morales of Herndon, VA; wife, Rachel (nee Palacios) Rivera; seven children:  Victor (Ashland) Palacios of Shiloh, IL; Annalynn (Brady) Fulk of Terre Haute, IN; Daniel Coggins-Palacios of Flora, IL; Manuel Rivera of Terre Haute, IN; Evan Rivera of Troy, IL; Amanda Rivera and Reina Campos-Martinez of Collinsville, IL; eight grandchildren:  Braylin, Kinlee, Korvyn, Ayvree, and Brady ll, Collin, Manuel, and Zeaston.   Four siblings:  Ainadel Ojeda, Joshua Lozano, Percy Hernandez and Idania Wright. And many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Idania Hernandez.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.  Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the funeral home with Pastor Lenroy Johnson officiating.  Final resting place will be in Puerto Rico.

There will be a Repass Celebration of Life from 2 - 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge #1561, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville, IL 62062.

Memorials are suggested to the Illinois Center for Autism in Fairview Heights and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.