Obituaries (May 1, 2025)

Robert L. “Bobby” Buttram Sr.

1934-2025

Robert L. “Bobby” Buttram Sr., a beloved resident of Belen, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025, at the age of 90.

Born on 1934 in Springer, N.M., Bobby was the son of the late Robert and Myrtle Buttram.

Services will take place on Thursday, May 8, at the Los Chavez Baptist Church, 9 Los Chavez Park Road, Los Chavez. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m., with a celebration of life to take place at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

Bobby was a faithful member of Los Chavez Baptist Church, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Bonnie Buttram; his son, Bobby Buttram Jr.; his great-granddaughter, Kylee Silva; his parents and siblings, Nysa Walker, Jackie Jackson, John Buttram and Myrtle Atchley.

He is survived by his daughter, Darlene Barr and her husband, Greg; his sister, Phylis Pia and her husband, David; grandchildren, Jennifer Silva and husband, Quarai, Kim Nunn and husband, GT, Beverly McCluskey and husband, Patrick, Jerry Buttram, Jesse Buttram and wife, Brandy, and Travis Buttram and wife, Danielle; his beloved great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Shaylee, Damien, Baylee, James, Madison and Jason; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Bobby worked as a dedicated engineer for the BNSF Railroad for 45 years. Beyond his railroad career, he was well-known in the music scene as the frontman of his country band, Bobby Buttram and the Trainmen.

He was also an active entrepreneur with several business ventures throughout the Belen area. His legacy of hard work, music and unwavering love for his family and community will live on in the many lives he touched.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”— 2 Timothy 4:7

Please sign Robert’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Margaret Ann Costanza

1953-2025

Margaret Ann Costanza was born on Oct. 6, 1953, in Trona, Calif., where her father worked construction, building homes for a growing town. After their time in Trona, her family, father, Robert Costanza, mother, Jackie Costanza, and older brother, Edward, returned to their roots in Belen.

It was there the family grew with the additions of James, Laura, Lisa and Paul. Robert continued his construction work and, in 1963, he planted what would become the beloved Costanza apple orchard, where the children learned to grow, harvest and sell their locally cherished apples.

Margaret graduated from Belen High School in 1971 and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She later became the devoted mother of two daughters, Gina Finical and Jeannette Bendick.

After returning to New Mexico, Margaret resumed her life of hard work and service, raising her daughters with love and grace while helping run the family orchard.

Margaret would go to the family orchard in Belen, where her Dad would load her up with apples that she would take to area farmers’ markets to sell, along with her two children assisting her.

The testament to her demeanor is that both children are accomplished nurses with master’s degrees, and Gina is now pursuing her doctorate. Both are loving mothers, a reflection of the values Margaret instilled.

She is survived by four cherished grandchildren, Richard and his wife Callie, Aliyah, Aaron and Alexis, and was joyfully anticipating the arrival of her first great-grandchild.

Margaret gave of herself in every way. She volunteered in her community, showed up for those in need, and served quietly but consistently behind the scenes.

Whether organizing family reunions, preparing meals, offering support and prayer, sewing scrub caps and face masks for health care workers during the pandemic, Margaret was the heart of every gathering. She had an extraordinary gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel valued.

Margaret loved to dance, sew, craft and read, and her smile lit up a room. She was deeply religious, reading her Bible regularly and strived to live by its teachings. Her husband was always astounded at her ability to make decisions that were both morally grounded and practical — qualities that endeared her to those around her and built a circle of friends who became like family. She approached her imperfections with humility and a desire to grow — a quiet strength that made her even more beloved.

Though Margaret traveled the world for both business and pleasure, she returned to the orchard and made it her last home, a place where family and friends gathered for unforgettable reunions, milestone celebrations and quiet moments of togetherness.

Her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren, and she was endlessly proud of their accomplishments.

Following her father’s passing, Margaret stepped into the role of managing the family Costanza Orchard. She continued the family tradition of taking apples to farmers’ markets across the region, with Gina, Jeannette, Richard and Aliyah by her side, passing on the same work ethic and love for community that she had inherited. She was tireless, generous, and committed — not only to her family business but to her neighbors and community as well.

Margaret passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, who adored her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jackie, and her sister, Lisa.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, service and family. She is survived by her devoted husband, her daughters, Gina Finical and Jeannette Bendick; Jeannette’s husband, Nick; sister, Laura Costanza; brothers, Edward Costanza and his wife, Louella, James Costanza and his wife, Raynette, Paul Costanza and his wife, Marletta; and her grandchildren, siblings, many nieces, nephews, extended family and the many friends who became family along the way, Alan and Kim, Linda, Gail, Virgina, Carol, Anne and Howard, Kathe, Grant and Peaches, Marsha and Arley, John and Marisusan, Gary and Toni, Patrick and Josh.

Margaret’s life was a testament to the power of compassion, community and unwavering love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Please sign Margaret’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Christian James Alonzo de Franklin

1997-2025

Christian James Alonzo de Franklin (CJ), age 28, a resident of Belen, passed away on April 22, 2025.

A family service will take place later this summer.

Christian is survived by his devoted wife, Jazmin; his father, Michael; his siblings, Steven (Sheena), David (Kristy), Sean, Jake (Holly) and Rebecca; nieces, Shelby, Jessica, Mazikeen and Amberle; nephews, Logan, Lucas and Miles; sisters-in-law, Hayley and Olivia; mother-in-law, Paula; maternal grandmother, Celia Sanchez; aunts, Sylvia (Felipe) Resendez and Imelda Salinas; uncles, Armando Alonzo, Bob (Tanya), Mark (Dianne), Chuck (Lupe), John (Christine), and Russell Franklin; cousins, Jerry, Christopher, Veronica, Felipe Jr., Resendez, Justin and Aaron Garcia; Stacy, Jason, Kimberly, Grace, Morgan, Nicholas, Aaron, Gabriel, Adam, Simeon, Latisha, Nicole, Annalyce, Elizabeth, Avi and Michaila Franklin; and great-grandmother, Casimira Sanchez.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Laura Alonzo de Franklin; paternal grandparents, Bob and Dorie Franklin; maternal grandfather, Melesio Sanchez; aunt, Taneth Franklin; and cousin, Gregory Franklin.

Christian was introduced to his wife, Jazmin, by a mutual friend before Covid. He dog sat for her, and they became a couple. Christian loved his friends and family, motorcycles and cars. He liked to tell stories about how much fun his family had together no matter what they were doing.

He lit up talking about how much he loved his brothers and sisters-in-law. He loved teaching his new niece, Jessica, to cook. He and his best friend, Brian, were inseparable from the start. Family and friends meant the world to him through the bad and the good times.

Edward Lawrence Hobbs

1965-2025

Edward Lawrence Hobbs, 59, of Los Lunas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Born on May 16, 1965, in Albuquerque, Ed evolved into a driven, industrious, fun-loving man who always managed to evade the spotlight. However, his selfless, courageous, inspirational life deserves to be honored.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, James Hobbs.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; mother, Maryanne; children, Jennifer “Jen”, Heather and Edward B. “Eddie”; grandchildren, Penelope, Xander and Adeline “Addie”; and siblings, Loretta “Lori” and husband, Ed, MaryHelen “Cookie” and husband, Tom, and James “Jim” and wife, Debbie; and countless other family and friends he left his mark on.

Ed was a member of the fire service with Valencia and Socorro County for more than 20 years, serving others no matter where he went. He taught us what it really meant to be part of the brotherhood/family. Whether it was putting out your burning house, helping you change a tire or whatever you needed, he was up to the task.

It’s not often we have a true hero walk among us. Ed, until his very last breath, lived to serve and protect others. He dedicated his life to his family and his community, without the expectation of recognition or praise. He wouldn’t want us to shed a tear for him. He would want us to remember all the lessons he taught us, the memories we created, and the laughter we shared.

His flame may be extinguished, but his light will continue to illuminate our paths every step of the way. His legacy will live on forever. We’ll take it from here, Chief.

A celebration of life for Eddy took place on Saturday, April 26, at the Rio Communities Fire Station.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.