Obituaries (Jan. 2, 2025)

Cruz F. Maes

1933-2024

Cruz F. Maes, age 91, born May 3, 1933, in Cleveland, N.M., went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 26, 2024, peacefully at home with family by his side.

Cruz was born to Sebastian and Juanita Maes, and lived his youth in Mora, N.M. He was the seventh and youngest child of the family.

Cruz was a true New Mexico cowboy. From his youth to his elder years, he wore his cowboy hat, boots, belt, buckle, a western shirt and blue jeans and he never left home without his front and back wallets. He learned to ride horses as a child and never lost his love for them. He rode many horses even into his elder years, but his beloved horse “Champ” was always in his heart.

Cruz loved reading his Bible daily. His favorite scriptures are Psalm 23; The Lord is My Shepherd and Matthew 6:9-13; The Lord’s Prayer. He knew these scriptures by memory and would recite them every time he began a journey in a vehicle.

He was a truck driver from the age of 15 and proudly worked as a cross country and southwest regional truck driver for many decades at Yellow Freight System and retired from there.

Cruz leaves a legacy of love and family to the fifth generation!

He is survived by his children, Harry Maes, Betty Jacobs, Juanita Lopez (Joey), Joseph Maes, Ron Maes (Carmela) and Pauline Eufemia Bruskas (Larry); 15 grandchildren; nine grandchildren-in-law; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren-in-law; and nine great-great grandchildren.

Cruz is preceded in death by his wife of his late years, Nadine Corral-Maes; son, Arnold Maes; granddaughter, Nanette Sanchez Candelaria; grandsons, Julian Aragón, Thomas Maes, Paul Maes and Angelo Maes; grandson-in-law, Jerry Sanchez; daughter-in-law, Janet Maes and son-in-law, Jake Jacobs.

On behalf of Harry, Betty, Juanita, Joseph, Ron and Pauline, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our niece, Bernadette Wiggins, her husband, Benito, who our dad called his “right-hand man” and our great-grandnephew, Josiah Aragon-Wiggins. Our dad lived with the Wiggins and they were his caregivers for many years. Words cannot express our love for you and for your dedication to our dad. Your Grandpa Cruz loved you deeply.

Urn bearers will be Benito Wiggins and Josiah Aragón-Wiggins. Honorary urn bearers are his surviving grandsons, Michael Wuttke, Carlos Wuttke, Christopher Aragon, JoeCruz Maes, Marvin Maes, Nathan Maes, Isaac Maes and Joshua Maes.

A celebration of life will be held at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley in Belen on Friday, Jan. 10. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with the service at 10 a.m. and reception will immediately follow. At 12:30 p.m., the family will drive to Los Lunas for interment at the Los Lentes Cemetery at Tondre Road and Don Pasqual Road. Anyone who wishes to attend the interment is welcome.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448.

Eloy Gil Padilla Jr.

Died 2024

Eloy Gil Padilla Jr., age 80, born in Garfield, N.M., and a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Dec. 20, 2024.

Eloy is survived by his daughter, Tina Padilla, and boyfriend, Donato Garcia; grandson, Angel Marquez; siblings, Josephine Padilla, Lorraine Spradling, Tenci Torres and husband, Pete, John Padilla and wife, Angela, and Chriselda Garcia; several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Mr. Padilla served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps.

A visitation will be held beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 6, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, 101-A N. 10th St., Belen. A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Resurrection to be celebrated at 10 a.m. The committal service will take place at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens, following the Mass.

Arrangements by Gabaldon Mortuary, 1000 Old Coors Dr. SW, 505-243-7861.

Gabriel Sahd

1931-2024

Gabriel Sahd, aged 93, passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, 2024 in Albuquerque. He was born Sept. 5, 1931, to Fehteh and Clara Sahd in Los Cerrillos, New Mexico.

He was husband to Doris Chenoweth (recently deceased), father to her four young children and one of their own, grandfather of nine and great grandfather of 15.

Gabriel was raised by his immigrant parents from Roumieh, Lebanon in small communities of northern New Mexico, the middle child of five brothers. They were members of a large extended Lebanese-American family.

He graduated high school in Tierra Amarilla in 1949, and helped his family run their mercantile business. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1952 through 1954. In 1956 Gabriel graduated from UNM with a degree in secondary education. In 1963 Gabriel earned his master’s in educational administration, followed by a second master’s in guidance and counseling. He retired in 1989 after serving New Mexico’s public schools for 32 years.

Gabriel and Doris traveled to many foreign countries after retirement. His hobbies were hiking, painting, woodworking, pottery, gardening, enjoying UNM Lobo sports and studying American history, even acting as an historical impersonator.

He is survived by his children, Ron Shannon and wife Helen, Cheri Wilcox and husband Mark, Jerry Shannon and wife LeeMei, Tanya Schula and husband Steve; grandchildren, Yvette Wilson, David Gallegos, Kathryn Feinauer, Stephen Wilcox, Daniel Wilcox, Matthew Wilcox, Chelsea Schula, Mabel Schula and Jackson Schula.

A celebration of Gabriel’s life will be held in January. Those who wish to attend are welcome. Contact gabesahd@gmail.com for information.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to make a donation in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project — woundedwarriorproject.org.

Joe E. Trujillo

1939-2024

Joe E. Trujillo, age 85, a lifelong resident of Belen, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.

He was a member of Our Lady of Belen Church.

Joe had his own plumbing business for many years and retired from Belen Consolidated Schools after 20 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, driving his tractor in his field, attending school sports events, going to family events and listening to rancheritas. He loved Belen, helping others and visiting his friends and family immensely. Joe was well known in the community and will be missed.

Joe is preceded in death by his son, Paul Trujillo; parents, Jose and Rumalda Trujillo; sisters, Angelina Garcia and Lydia Cortez; brothers, Alfredo, Eloy, Arsenio, Rosendo, Horacio, Sisario and Pat Trujillo.

He is survived by his children, Geraldine Trujillo, Elly Mae (Ron) Trujillo and Robert Trujillo; grandchildren, Julian (Sheresa) Jaramillo, Crystal Jaramillo, Jennifer (David) DeMarco, Stephanie Roth, Maya and Ariana Trujillo. Also surviving are 10 great-grandchildren, two great great-grandsons; brother, Dan Trujillo, and several nephews and nieces.

A special thanks to Kira, Natalie and Josephine, his hospice team.

All services will be held on Friday, Jan. 3, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning with a visitation at 9 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

An online guest register is available at noblin.com.