Alejandro "Alex" Hernandez, affectionately known as Papa or Jando, age 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24th. Alejandro was born April 5, 1929 in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico to Pedro and Marcolina Hernandez.  He grew up on his family farm alongside his nineteen siblings and is survived by five.

Alejandro served his country in the US Army with a tour duty in Germany during the Korean War. He left Puerto Rico in 1957 with his wife Elba, and his first son Alexander. They settled in Gary, IN where he grew his family and spent 34 years working at Inland Steel.

Alejandro was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived and missed by his loving wife of 68 years, Elba; six children Alexander (Cathy), Iris, Ivette (Floyd), Janette (David), Ivonne (Andy), and Ruben (Jill); 10 grandchildren that he adored (Alexias, Athena, Rosa, Alex, Michael, Alex, Alyssa, Olivia, Kailyda, Katiana), and 7 great-grandchildren.

Alejandro was man of faith, strong-willed, a hard worker and had an enormous heart. Everything he did, he did for those he loved. He had sense of humor that was accompanied by a smile that extended ear to ear. He loved to enjoy life and was happiest when playing music with his guitar in-hand, and singing along with family and friends.

He will be remembered for all the joy he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them fiercely. Until the end, he carried himself with dignity, strength and full of love. He will be forever missed and always remembered.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Ave., Schererville, IN. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 30, DIRECTLY at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 9640 Kennedy Ave, Highland, IN with Fr. Gregory Bim-Merle officiating. Alejandro will lie in state at the church Friday morning from 10:00 AM until time of service.  Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crown Point, IN.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. https://www.stjude.org/donate