Mercedes Gonzalez (née Naves), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away after a prolonged illness on May 17, 2026, at the age of 94. A first-generation American, she was born on January 7, 1932, in Cherryvale, KS to Jose (Joe) and Josefa (Pepa) Naves who immigrated to the U.S. from Piedras Blancas, Asturias, Spain. The family ultimately settled in Fairmont City, IL, which is near East St. Louis. Mercedes was the eleventh of twelve children; she had seven brothers and four sisters.

Mercedes and most of her family relocated to Pittsburg, CA after WWII. Several of her brothers had trained at Camp Stoneman during the war, and her uncle had found work at Columbia Steel. Mercedes' first job in Pittsburg was at the Pirate Drive-in when she was 15 years old and then at Affinito's Quality Market. Subsequently, she spent thirty-five years working at Safeway in Clayton, CA.

Mercedes is survived by her children, Donald DeCoy (Michelle DeCoy) and Richard DeCoy, both of Pittsburg, CA, her treasured grandchildren, Dominica, Natalia, Donald and Gabriella, her 7 great-grandchildren, and her beloved sister, Mary Tiscareno.
Known as "Wela" to those who knew her best, she devoted her life to her friends and family, always putting others before herself and offering generosity, strength and unconditional love. She was active in community events and was loved by all who knew her. To say that she will be missed is an understatement.

Mercedes, our "Wela," will live on forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Mercedes' honor to the Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org/