Saturday, January 7, 2006

In memoriam

A remembrance of some of those lost during 2005

Veterans, Foster Grandparents, teachers, preachers, business owners and volunteers were among the prominent folks who passed away last year. This annual look back is a way to remember, month by month, the many Valencia County residents who are no longer with us.

January

Victoria E. Davis, 47, of Los Lunas, an award-winning poet, died on Jan. 4.

Clarence W. Carmer, 87, served in the U.S. Army in the intelligence area for 26 years. He was active in the Belen Breakfast Optimists and the First United Methodist Church. He died on Jan. 5.

Cathryne Susan Griego-Guzman, 43, who'd been employed with Dr. Barkalow's office in Belen, died on Jan. 9.

Jack Melton, 90, who'd been in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and who'd served in the Navy during World War II, died on Jan. 9.

Martha DeAnda, 52, of Los Lunas, who'd worked at Sunshine Kids and Kids Korner Daycare and the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on Jan. 10.

Abel LeRoy Romero, 73, who served in the Army during the Korean War and was an expert calf roper and team roper, died on Jan. 12.

Carol Strawderman, who worked as a diagnostician and administrator for the Los Lunas Public Schools and played piano at Peralta United Memorial Methodist Church, died on Jan. 12.

David S. Garcia, 66, of Los Lunas, an avid hunter, outdoorsman and mountain man, died on Jan. 12.

Catalina "Lena" Salas of Bernardo, who was a padrino of San Antonio Catholic Church in Abeytas and who worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" in California during World War II, died on Jan. 14.

George Bryce Jones, 81, of Los Lunas, a Navy veteran of World War II who served in the Army Reserves, died on Jan. 14.

Lola Marguerite Skotchdopole, 77, of Los Lunas, a real estate broker in the area for more than 40 years, died on Jan. 16.

James Robert Blea, 70, of Los Chavez, died on Jan. 16. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and was a general contractor-carpenter.

Larry Torres, 65, of Belen, who worked for the City of Belen for more than 16 years, died on Jan. 18.

Maurine Virginia Bateman, 83, of Rio Communities, a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belen, died on Jan. 20.

Mark Louis McCrea Sr. 43, of Los Lunas, an assistant coach for his daughter's soccer team and the team dad for the Los Lunas Tigers YAFL team, died on Jan. 21.

Richard "Rich" Carbajal Jr., 44, of Belen, who played football for the Belen High School Eagles and who taught history and government at Los Lunas High School for 10 years, died on Jan. 23.

Julia A. DeAnda, 79, of Los Lunas died on Jan. 23. She had worked for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School for 25 years.

Olive E. Van Wickel, 84, of Belen, who'd made Hug-a-Bears to be given to frightened children by rescue personnel as a member of the Tele-phone Pioneers, died on Jan. 24.

Loyd Emmitt "Nick" Nickelson, 81, of Los Chavez, died on Jan. 25. He was an Army veteran who later worked for the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was active in the Belen Breakfast Optimist Club, holding many offices.

Domingo Becerra, 74, of Los Lunas, who played the guitar in the San Juan Diego Mission Choir for the past 10 years and who performed in mariachi groups, died on Jan. 26.

Candice Udell "Dell" Weathersby, 87, who was active in the First Baptist Church of Belen, died on Jan. 26.

George "Pappy" Martinez Sr., 77, a World War II veteran, died on Jan. 30.

Lena Florence Batt-Moats of Belen died at the age of 104 in Belen on Jan. 31. She was a member of the Methodist church.

February

Carl Ralph Calkins, 75, of Belen, was a veteran of the Navy who went on to work for the telephone company and the Federal Aviation Authority. He died on Feb. 1.

Vera Mae Fagan, 78, of Belen died on Feb. 1. As a young girl, she'd come west to work for the Santa Fe Railway.

Ignacio "Nash" Garcia, 94, of Belen had been an employee of the Rio Grande Conservancy District. He died on Feb. 2.

Concepcion "Connie" Gomez, 78, of Belen, died on Feb. 2. She had been a Eucharistic minister in California.

David Leroy Varady, 39, of Los Lunas, a veteran of the Army and a Mopar enthusiast, died on Feb. 2.

Ben C. Shough, 83, of Belen, who as a construction worker, helping build many bridges and highways throughout the state, died on Feb. 2.

Didio B. Salas of Los Lunas died on Feb. 3. He was a teacher who earned a master's degree in school administration and was a Socorro superintendent. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Corps, where he taught English as a second language. He later went on to own Didio's Mini Mart in Bernardo and was elected to the Socorro County Commission.

Karl P. Alminde, 78, of Belen, an Navy veteran of World War II and a retired machinist, died on Feb. 6.

George Campbell, a World War II veteran who served in the Normandy campaign, died on Feb. 7 at the age of 80. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 32 years.

Feliciano Montaño, 59, of Los Lunas, a Young American Football League coach known as Coach Grandpa, died on Feb. 7.

Lucile Violet Thies, 77, of Los Lunas died on Feb. 7. She had been active in Eastern Star and created quilts and afghans.

Paula Kay Shane, 43, a teacher at Valencia Elementary School, died on Feb. 9.

J.F. Manuel Marquez, 61, of Belen, who'd been an engineer for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 28 years, died on Feb. 10. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy.

Te-lah Eileen Foley Peterson of Los Lunas died on Feb. 12. She'd been an X-ray technician who was active at Valley Lutheran Church.

Marjorie Fifield Gleason, 90, of Belen, who'd operated a goat dairy for many years with her husband, died on Feb. 12.

Clifford O. Weir, 80, of Los Lunas, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, died on Feb. 13.

Faye Marie Weinberg, 71, who'd been the secretary to the warden at the penitentiary facility in Los Lunas, died on Feb. 15.

Edgar R. Burnett, 84, of Belen died on Feb. 17. He retired from the Santa Fe Railroad after 42 years and had an apple orchard.

Barney Silva, 53, of Belen, who'd worked for the railroad for 20 years as well as being a farmer and rancher, died on Feb. 17.

Robert Costanza, 78, of Belen, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a well-known general contractor throughout the state, died on Feb. 18. He owned the Costanza Orchard.

Lois "Jay" Chavez of Bosque Farms, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who won many ribbons and prizes for her quilts and dolls, died on Feb. 19.

Vivian Sandoval of Los Chavez, an active member of the Senior Citizens of Belen, died on Feb. 19.

Virginia M. Wood of Los Lunas died on Feb. 22. She had worked at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School for 21 years.

Doris Janice Nettleton, 82, of Belen and formerly of Los Lunas, died on Feb. 21. She'd been active in Eastern Star.

Betty Jo Hodge, who worked for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on Feb. 24.

Wences Chavez, 71, of Los Lunas, a veteran of the U.S. Army who loved music, died on Feb. 25.

Ruth Ann Frazier, 47, of Belen, who'd been proud of things she did from raising kids to racing stock cars, died on Feb. 26.

March

Ruth Becker of Peralta, the owner of Belle's Dairy Bar in Los Lunas during the 1960s, died on March 1.

Hannah Mayre Nesslage, 14, of Belen, a home-schooled ninth grader who loved animals, music and Disney cartoons, died on March 3.

Christobal B. Zamora, 82, of Belen, who'd been one of the first Hispanic U.S. Forest Rangers and who was a veteran of the Marines and fought in the South Pacific during World War II, died on March 4.

Marie R. Bryan, 49, of Belen, who'd been a Bible school teacher, died on March 5.

Donna Marie Morgan of Belen, who worked for the Bill Yates Steakhouse and at Seminara Pontiac as parts manager, died on March 5.

Kylee Angel Jaramillo, 2, of Los Lunas, who shared her zest for life and her smiles with her family, died on March 6.

Clifton Pete McGuire, 74, of Belen, served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War and was a general construction supervisor. He died on March 8.

Everett J. Ungemach, 87, of Rio Communities, a veteran of World War II and a mineral depletion and a tax manager for major corporations, died on March 10. He was active in many organizations including Optimists and Knights of Columbus and was a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

Jimmie L. Roberts, 84, of Belen, an Army veteran who participated in the D-Day invasion during World War II, died on March 14. He worked for years for the Santa Fe Railway and was active in the First United Methodist Church of Belen.

Wilbur H. Smith, 85, of Bosque Farms, a Coast Guard veteran of World War II, died on March 14. He'd been active in Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church.

Nadine Yvonne Kinder Tull of Bosque Farms died on March 14. She had been a longtime base housing project manager at Sandia Base.

Robert Wells of Los Lunas, who was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War, died on March 14. He had worked in real estate in northern Valencia County.

Lucia Zamora, 86, of Belen, known for her excellent cooking skills, died on March 15.

Lizzie Mojarro, who died on March 22, was a past volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Richard Anthony Becerra, head basketball coach for Los Lunas High School in the 1977-78 championship season, died on March 21.

Dolores Munsell, 78, who'd worked for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School for 20 years, died on March 24.

Tomas A. Amador, 19, of Tomé, who served in the U.S. Air Force and was attending the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus, died on March 24.

Conception Montoya, 65, of Belen, who'd worked at as a Foster Grandparent at Central Elementary School, died on March 27.

Clorinda Padilla, 83, of Los Chavez, who'd worked for years as a cook for the Belen Schools, died on March 27.

William C. Clausen, 90, of Belen, who retired with honors from the U.S. Air Force, died on March 27.

Ricardo Salazar, 79, of Bosque, died on March 28. He served his country during World War II and was a bus driver for the Los Lunas Schools.

Hervey Earl Antrim, 74, of Los Lunas, who'd built several three-wheeler motorcycles and who'd attended the big Sturgis Motorcycle Rallies, died on March 29.

Heather Phillips, who worked as a registered nurse at the Belen General Hospital, died on March 29 at the age of 81. She had studied with one of legendary dancer Isadora Duncan's disciples and taught dance.

Dr. Norman A. Phillips, 81, of Los Chavez, the first veterinarian in Valencia County and a consultant to the Albuquerque Zoo, died on March 30.

Felis "Felix" Baca, 71, of Los Lunas, who'd served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, died on March 30. He owned Mt. States Wrecker Service.

Lugarda "Luggie" C. Leyba, 77, of Belen, who'd worked for Los Alamos National Labs for 15 years, died on March 30.

April

James E. Mulligan, who was scouted by Major League baseball before he was in a serious motorcycle accident, died on April 2.

Edward "Eddie" Gomez of Belen, a trucker who drove throughout the U.S. and who served in the army during the Korean Conflict, died on April 7.

Joe Zamora, 50, of Belen, had been active in Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and who had volunteered with Little League and AYSO teams, died on April 8.

Mabel Eileen Swaminathan Charles Kibble, 82, of Rio Communities died on April 11. She survived the hardships and rigors of World War II Japanese occupation of Singapore and Malaysia, was a member of the staff of the U.S. Consolate General in Madras, India, traveled throughout the world with her diplomat husband and earned a diploma in piano studies from Trinity College of Music in London. She taught piano in Belen and was involved in many organizations.

Lewis James "Jim" McKinley of Belen, who'd been a heavy equipment operator, owner-operator truck driver and farmer, died on April 9.

Michelle Ann Messer, 15, of Los Lunas, a seventh-grader at Manzano Vista Middle School, died on April 4. She was known for her winning smile.

Delmer "Del" Weldy of Belen, who was retired from the Army after serving in many spots around the world, died on April 9. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Moose Lodge.

Robert "Bob" Chavez, 66, of Belen, died on April 12. He worked as a journeyman electrician and consulted as an inspector for PNM.

Emma Bernal Marquez, 96, of Tomé died on April 14. She helped raise her six younger siblings after her mother died when she was 16. She worked on the family farm in Tomé during the Great Depression and saw that her five children received college educations.

Patricia Gail Kaneshiro, 47, of Belen, died on April 16. She was a student at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus.

Charles Wesley Buehler of Los Lunas, who'd received a medal for his service during the Normandy Invasion of World War II, died on April 17. He went on to work in the area for El Paso Natural Gas.

Andres "Andy" Anaya, 80, of Belen, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, died on April 19.

Janet Davis, 47, of Bosque Farms, who was certified in home health care and worked in a hospice and in other home care capacities, died on April 19.

Gerald Arthur "Gerry" Wheaton, a Pearl Harbor survivor who later served in the Coast Guard and worked for Boeing, died on April 21.

Marian Ruth Taylor, 99, of Belen, a onetime employee of the Harvey House, died on April 24.

Gerald Wayne Rutledge, 71, of Meadow Lake, who'd worked for the U.S. Navy and Sandia Labs, died on April 25. He built classic ship models.

Bettie Jane Bartholomew, 67, of Jarales, died on April 26. She spent most of her life caring for people with special needs.

Ruth Davis, 87, of Belen died. She opened Davis Floral in the 1940s and worked there for many decades and was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star.

Deaudin "Lin" Griego, 80, of Belen, a longtime employee of Sandia Labs, died on April 28. He was a dedicated parishioner at Our Lady of Belen.

May

Marvin E. Schafer, 83, of Los Lunas, who'd served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, died on May 1.

Dorothy VanderZee, 72, who'd been a teacher in Los Lunas for years, died on May 1.

Frankie Whaley, 98, who was a Sunday school teacher for 35 years at the Bosque Farms Church of Christ, died on May 1.

Rosendo "Ross" Serafin, who'd worked for 41 years for the railroad in Belen and who was active in the Knights of Columbus, died on May 3.

Lucille Gonzalez, 67, of Los Lunas, who'd worked for the Max Factor cosmetics company for years in California, died on May 3.

Lena K. Castillo, 31, of Los Lunas, who'd worked at Brad Francis Chevrolet, died on May 5.

David Neal Jackson, 40, of Los Lunas died on May 8. He loved animals and opened Troolies Complete Pet Supply in 2004.

Reymundo L. Kirker, 79, of Bosque Farms, who'd served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, died on May 8. He also worked for 35 years at the Veterans Administration Hospital and was a member of the American Legion.

Pacing Gurule, 46, of Los Lunas, who'd worked at Henrietta's in Los Lunas for 10 years, died on May 11.

Josefita C. Martinez, 98, of Valencia, died on May 11. A member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, she was a Billy the Kid fan and attended the yearly pageant in Lincoln.

Margaret V. "Maggie" Jones, 73, who operated an antiques store in Los Lunas, died on May 12.

Isabel Stubblefield, 100, of Los Lunas, who put herself through college after being widowed and became a teacher, died on May 13. She taught for years at Los Chavez, Adelino and Central schools.

Edwin Gabaldon, 75, of Belen, who operated a plastering business, died on May 21.

Juanita Pacheco, 85, of Belen, who worked as a Foster Grandmother at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on May 22.

Leonor Luna Gabaldon, 79, of Los Lunas, who'd been a personal assistant to pioneering physician Dr. William Wittwer for many years, died May 23.

Patrick S. Espinosa, 51, of Belen, an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam era and an employee of Kirtland Air Force Base, died on May 25.

Claude Arthur Guess Jr. of Los Lunas, who fixed irrigation pumps on farms and dairies throughout the state, died on May 27.

Mattie Rosetta Clayton, 93, of Belen, who'd worked for years at TG&Y and Feil and Ellermeyer's, died on May 27.

Elger "Al" M. Dahl, 69, of Belen, had been a Milwaukee police officer for 25 years and worked in real estate full time. He died on May 27.

Jose E. Luna, 67, of Casa Colorada, an avid hunter and fisherman, died on May 30.

June

Lupe C. Duran, 65, of Tomé, who retired from Digital Corps and provided a Lenten dinner to those making the Tomé pilgrimage, died on June 1.

C.W. Gray of Los Lunas, a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, died on June 2.

Teresita M. Carrillo, 93, of Casa Colorada, a former Foster Grandparent at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School and an active member of San Jose Catholic Church, died on June 3.

Raymond Everett Hawthorn, a mechanical engineer who reached the fourth level of Bible study at the First Methodist Church, where he was in the choir for years, died in June. He served in the U.S. Army, passed away in June.

Leo Castro, 82, of Los Lunas, a longtime miner who loved gardening, died on June 6.

Danny Marez, 48, of Belen, who'd served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked for the U.S. Post Office for years, died on June 7. He was a master carpenter and craftsman.

Thelma Louise Green, 80, of Belen, died on June 7. She was a former Foster Grandparent at the Adelante School and was a member of the Moose Lodge.

Fermin Reyes Gutierrez, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in Korea, worked for the New Mexico Highway Department for 27 years. He died on June 7.

Ernest A. Ulibarri, who served as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam era, died on June 7.

Roland Lloyd Cox, 75, of Belen, a longtime Mason whose family pioneered settlement of Bosque Farms, died on June 9. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and worked as a machinist for General Electric.

Preme Ulibarri, 79, of Belen, who retired from Sandia Base where he worked as a lab technician, died on June 9. He had been an usher at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church for 25 years.

John William Spradling of Los Lunas, a longtime New Mexico educator and businessman, died on June 15.

Tom E. Kelton, 90, of Belen, who was retired after years of working for the railroad, died on June 16.

Jose Bernadino "Bernie" Baca, 75, of Belen died on June 18. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a gardener who loved to give away his produce.

Eric Robert Contreras Jr., 15 months old, died on June 18. He was a baby who brightened up his family's lives.

Joey Jesus Lopez, 13, of Meadow Lake, died on June 18. He enjoyed drawing on the walls of his room and being with friends.

Jose Amarante Silva, 77, of Tomé, who loved farming and competing in senior roping competitions, died on June 21. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Hank Joel Talbot Gordon, 5 months old, died on June 26. He was a joy to everyone who knew him.

Markus D. Gurule, 34, of Veguita, who had just completed his education at Concorde Career Institute for Nursing, died on June 26. He was an Air Force veteran.

James Radford Sherrill, 86, of Belen, a fiddler and member of the Old Time Fiddlers of New Mexico, died on June 28. He served in the Philippines during World War II.

July

Elizabeth "Betty" Juanita Martinez, 79, of Belen, who'd dedicated her life to uncovering the truth about her son Eddie's death in the Vietnam War, died on July 2.

William W. Peters, 87, of Peralta, an Army Air Force veteran of World War II who went on to a long career with Sandia Corporation, died on July 3.

Rex Fuller of Los Lunas, a conductor for the Santa Fe Railway for 43 years, died on July 4.

Paul J. Cruz, 77, of Los Lunas, a Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, died on July 8. He was State Secretary of Labor under Gov. David Cargo and director of the human rights and personnel departments for the City of Albuquerque.

William Irvin Holley, 89, a longtime resident of Belen and employee of the Santa Fe Railway, died on July 9.

Caroline Alice Lasky, 71, of Los Lunas, who served as a nurse in the Women's Army Corps in the South Pacific, died on July 12.

Julian Mora Mestas, 85, of Los Lunas, a diesel mechanic, truck driver and part owner of Anzac Transportation of Gallup, died on July 14.

Thomas Paul Viscusi, who worked for Wal-Mart in Belen, mostly as a people greeter, died on July 17.

Jack Peters, 82, of Belen, who served in the Coast Guard during World War II, died on July 18. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 33 years.

Dorothy Loyd of Los Lunas, who was a volunteer at the Bosque Farms Christian Academy from 1992 to 2001, died on July 20.

Frank Warden, 74, of Bosque, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War, died on July 30.

August

Fermin Vallejos, 94, of Adelino, died on Aug. 2. He retired from Sandia National Laboratories after 25 years of service and was known as an outstanding gardener.

Alfred Cullen Tarpley of Belen, a veteran of the Korean War, a woodcarver and a loyal member of the First Baptist Church of Belen and the Belen Senior Center, died on Aug. 3.

Walter H. Sonnenberg, 81, of Los Lunas, a veteran of World War II who operated the Belle 85 Barber Shop in Los Chavez, died on Aug. 5.

Norman L. Richard, a World War II veteran who later served with the Valencia County Sheriff's Department, died on Aug. 10. He was a member of the Masons, Optimists and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Gladys Fox Teller, 98, of Belen, who had been a nurse and a longtime volunteer with the Colorado State Historical Society, died on Aug. 10.

Charles Ward, 71, of Bosque Farms, a Navy veteran of the Korean War, died on Aug. 10.

Flavio Otero, 78, of Los Lunas, died on Aug. 11. He had worked as a hay broker and later retired from the Los Lunas Schools.

Elizabeth M. McLaughlin, 88, of Belen, who'd worked in the bookkeeping department of the First National Bank of Belen for many years, died on Aug. 17.

Carolyn Joyce Bierman, a Rio Communities attorney, died on Aug. 19.

Marilyn Romero Drake, who'd worked as a professional nanny for 20 years, died on Aug. 19.

Dr. Gretchen Benavidez, 46, of Bosque, who was a veterinarian at Valencia Animal Clinic in Belen, died on Aug. 20.

Marcos Alejandro Torres, 25, of Tomé, a carpenter and mechanic who loved working on cars, died on Aug. 20.

John L. Armijo, 31, of Belen, who'd won a state championship in boxing in his weight class, died on Aug. 21.

Eugenio Baca of Belen, who'd served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II as a Secret Service messenger, died on Aug. 23. He was a well-known farmer.

Deborah E. Culler Henniges of Los Lunas had worked at Sandia Labs as a glass melt technician. She owned and operated Amajen Enterprises horse farm. She died on Aug. 26.

Anastasia "Annie B. Saiz of Belen, who'd worked at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School and was a member of the Sacred Heart League, died on Aug. 29.

September

Gene “Blackie” Lee Heth, 77, of Jarales, who’d worked for the railroad for 42 years and was a founder of the local chapter of People Living Through Cancer Support Group, died on Sept. 5.

Doris Talbot Bleer Jamison of Los Lunas, who’d been a Bible school teacher at the First Assembly of God, died on Sept. 6.

Arthur “Buddy” Armijo of Peralta, a veteran of the Navy who’d served on the carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War, died on Sept. 8.

Col. Burton E. McKenzie, USAF Retired, of Tomé died on Sept. 16. He’d graduated from West Point and served as a fighter pilot during World War II. Continuing his career in the military, he was stationed in Iceland, Afghanistan and Peru, among other places. He retired as a farmer in Valencia County.

Rosalind Shane Shaver, 36, of Peralta died on Sept. 26. She was the 1989 Valencia County Fair Queen and served in the Air Force Reserves.

Bernard H. Yirka, 77, of Bosque Farms, died on Sept. 23. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Robbie Jones, 20, of Los Lunas, who’d been a valedictorian at Los Lunas High School who excelled in swimming and music, died in an accident on Oct. 1. He was a student at New Mexico Tech.

Patricia Owsley Spellmans of Los Lunas, who’d worked at the Tomé Greenhouse and Spellmans Diary, died on Oct. 2.

Linda L. Pierson, 52, who’d taught for 28 years at schools including Los Lunas Middle School, died on Oct. 2.

John Wayne Elledge, 56, of Los Lunas, who had been a member of the Valencia County Sheriff’s Auxiliary for 14 years, died on Oct. 3.

Praxedes Padilla, who was active in the Blessed Sacrament League at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, died on Oct. 4.

John Sanchez Gabaldon, 82, who loved farming the historic lands of his childhood in Los Chavez, died on Oct. 5. He was a Navy gunner on a warship in the Pacific during World War II and then transferred into the Air Force where he made a career as an ordnance specialist.

Everett B. Breck, 83, of Belen, who served on the USS Belleau Wood during World War II, died on Oct. 6.

Emilia Aragon de Torres Moya, who’d been active in the Altar Society and People’s Eucharistic League at the Tomé Catholic Church, died on Oct. 6.

Herman C. Sanchez, 78, of Belen, a Navy veteran of World War II, died on Oct. 9.

Duane Broyles, 78, of Los Lunas, who served in the Navy during World War II and who was an avid woodworker, died on Oct. 18.

George A. McSparran, 62, of Belen, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict, died on Oct. 26.

Leroy Pino, 46, of Los Lunas, was deputy warden at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility. He died on Oct. 29.

Stella P. Graham, 74, of Belen, who’d been an over-the-road truck driver with her husband, died on Oct. 30. She was an avid fisherman.

Nabor Rael, who’d retired from Sandia National Laboratories, died on Oct. 31.

Bennie S. Garcia, 70, of Peralta, who’d been a 36-year employee of the Los Lunas Public Schools, died on Nov. 2

Antonio B. Sedillo, 78, of Peralta, a veteran of the U.S. Army who’d worked for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School for 25 years, died on Nov. 6.

William A. “Bill” Baca, 62, of Belen, a member of the Tierra del Sol Country Club and the Moose Lodge, died on Nov. 7.

Ryan Davenport, 20, of Los Lunas, who’d been a member of the Los Lunas High School ROTC and loved sketching, died on Nov. 7. He’d planned to join the army.

John W. Parrish, 70, of Los Lunas, a longtime auto mechanic who loved woodworking and fishing, died on Nov. 7.

Philbert and Lydia Gabaldon of Tomé died on Nov. 10 in a motorcycle accident on their way to Mexico. Lydia operated a beauty shop for 30 years and Philbert had worked at General Electric for 38 years. He had just retired.

Joe J. Gabaldon, 84, of Belen, a longtime employee of Hadley Auto Transport and a District 21 precinct judge, died on Nov. 13.

Minna Fagg Frey Bettinger, 107, died on Nov. 14. She was a Life Master of American Contract Bridge League and worked in many jobs throughout her life. She was born in Oklahoma when it was known as Indian Territory.

Ruben Sanchez, 80, of Belen, who’d worked as a barber, in a uranium mine and for the railroad, died on Nov. 17.

Arthur “Cap” Wagoner of Los Lunas, who’d served in the Navy during World War II and who’d worked as a printer in the newspaper business, died on Nov. 16.

Theo M. Godfrey, 80, of Belen, who’d been a nurse for the Belen Public Schools, died on Nov. 20.

Margaret Krassnitzer, 61, of Los Lunas, an immigrant from Austria who became a volunteer at the Los Lunas Senior Center, died on Nov. 22.

Jaynell Blatt of Belen, who worked for Adelante Development Center, died on Nov. 28.

Robbin K. Davis of Los Lunas, an Air Force veteran who later worked in security at the Isleta Casino, died on Nov. 30.

Jose Osbar Gurule, 78, of Tomé, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, died on Dec. 2. He worked for many years as a truck driver.

Andres J. Murillo, 12, of Los Lunas, died on Dec. 2. He’d attended Manzano Vista Middle School, where he played trumpet in the school band; he was a sharp shooter.

Joshua Romero, 17, of Los Lunas, who was active in sports, died on Dec. 2.

David Storey, 77, of Belen, a veteran of the U.S. Army, died on Dec. 3.

Jerry Lyn Lawson, 48, of Belen, an employee of Belen Sand and Gravel, died on Dec. 4.

Adealido Romero, 57, of Los Lunas, a silversmith with a family business, died on Dec. 5.

John Furnish, 68, of Belen, who’d worked for Sanchez Paint and Body and was active in the Belen Senior Center, died on Dec. 7.

Fred Gallegos, 95, a 1928 graduate of Los Lunas High School who worked as an auto and tractor mechanic, died on Dec. 8.

John C. Robbins, 74, of Los Lunas, who’d served as an infantryman for 23 years including in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, died on Dec. 9.

Jim C. Thomas, 81, who’d served in the Air Force in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, died on Dec. 11.

Kathleen Mary Cotton of Los Lunas, who counted birds for several ornithological organizations, and was secretary for the Los Lunas AARP, died on Dec. 13.

June Grandin, who was active in the real estate community, died on Dec. 13.

Marie Adele Widdifield Jones Blythe, 88, of Peralta, who’d worked for years at Sandia Labs and then opened The Gift Box in Peralta, died on Dec. 15.

Juanita Martinez La Font, 65, of Belen, a longtime teacher, died on Dec. 14.

Arturo E. Esquibel, 94, of Belen, who’d been a longtime educator in Rio Arriba County, died on Dec. 16.

Maria W. Cosper, 82, of Bosque Farms, had been a member of the American Business Woman’s Association for 40 years. She died on Dec. 17.

John Thomas Tull Sr. of Bosque Farms, died on Dec. 19. He’d served in the Navy during World War II and worked as a civil servant with the u.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Albuquerque and at Sandia Base.

Napoleon Aragon, 69, who’d worked for years for the railroad ice plant, died on Dec. 20.

Todd William Burningham, 45, of Los Lunas, died on Dec. 17. He served in the U.S. Navy, receiving several commendations and medals.

Melanie A. Ditrich, 61, of Belen, who’d been active in the Belen Stitchers and Los Lunas Senior Center Bridge Group, died on Dec. 21.

Walter H. Frederick Jr., an Army veteran of World War II who was also a ham radio operator and a private pilot, died on Dec. 21.

Joseph Michael Garcia, 52, of Los Lunas, who was an avid cook and gardener who rode his bike up to 10 miles a day, died on Dec. 22.

Margaret B. Sjostedt, 93, of Belen, active at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and a former treasurer of the Horizon Ladies Association, died on Dec. 20.

Marian Romero, 71, of Contreras, who’d served as a mayordomo at San Jose Catholic Church for successive years, died on Dec. 22.

Forrest C. Dobbs of Belen, who’d worked for the Santa Fe Railway for 43 years, died on Dec. 23.

J. Duane Kraushaar, 64, of Belen, a longtime electrical engineer with Honeywell, died on Dec. 27.

Marvin L. Evans of Los Chavez, who worked as a heavy equipment operator throughout the state, died on Dec. 28 at the age of 73. He was a cowboy at heart.

Paul Martin Wende, described as a quadriplegic with “strength, faith, spirit and a sense of humor,” died on Dec. 27. He was 45.