Obituaries (Aug. 6)

Eloy “Alex” Chavez

1934-2020

Eloy Chavez, age 85, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Eloy was a member of Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley. He was a hard worker by heart, he enjoyed farming, fishing, camping and hunting. Eloy’s sense of humor always brought laughter and joy to all who knew him; he loved his family and friends.

In 1954, he married his loving wife; they just recently celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Eloy is preceded in death by his father, Processo Chavez; mother, Aurora Chavez; brothers, Milton Chavez, Remie Chavez and Robert Chavez.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elsie Chavez; four children, Faye Padilla and husband, Mario, Eilene Sultemier and husband, Karl, Emily Trujillo and husband, Michael, Martin Chavez and Andrea Chavez; grandkids, Anna, Olivia, Denise, Daniel, Gabriel, Corinna, Miguel, Martin Jr., Naomi and Derryke; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings, Angie Granger, Pearl Baca and Charles Chavez.

For service times, visit noblin.com. Interment will be taken place at a later date. Pallbearers are Corinna Trujillo, Miguel Trujillo, Martin Chavez Jr. and Aubrey Sanchez.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992.

Lola Jean Lopez

1952-2020

Lola Jean Lopez, 68, lost her three-year battle with thyroid cancer on July 22, 2020.

She was born in Magdalena on Jan. 16, 1952, to the late Rosa Gallegos and Felix Lopez. Lola was raised with her three siblings on Lopez Farms in Luis Lopez, N.M.

Lola worked for many years at Allen’s Department Store after graduating from Socorro High School. She then worked for the New Mexico State Highway Department, first in Socorro and then Belen, where she retired after 22 years.

Lola was preceded in death by her grandson, Devin Armijo-Pemble; and her brother, Richard Lopez.

She is survived by her brother, Joe Lopez; sister, Terry Lopez; her children, Rosa Armijo-Pemble and husband, Brandon, Julian Armijo and wife, Troylyn, and Jessica Lopez and partner, Leora Herron; her grandchildren, Joe, Julius and Isaac Armijo, Anthony Malone, Korbyn and Jastin Armijo-Pemble, Estevan and Alena Lopez and Michael and Evondra Roberts; great-grandchildren, Draven Armijo and Jaxtyn Malone.

Services will be held at San Miguel Church in Socorro on Aug. 14, beginning with a Rosary at 9 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m.

Lola’s final wish was to be buried between her mom and dad at the San Jose Cemetery in Luis Lopez.

Jessica Crystal Molina

1987-2020

Jessica Crystal Molina, age 33, a resident of Los Lunas, was called home on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020.

She was a member of the Belen Catholic Church. Jessica was a loving mother, daughter, sister and fiancé. She enjoyed spending quality time with family and close friends.

Jessica was preceded in death by her daughter, Mariah Hildalgo; grandparents, Eloy and Tommie Molina; uncles, Roland Sanchez and Jerry Simmons.

She is survived by her loving fiancé, Jose Hildalgo; sons, Camren and Jared; daughter, Briana; parents, Rose Molina and Ray Molina; sister, Julie Molina Sanchez and husband, Max; mother- and father-in-law, Sandra and Adrian Loe; brother- and sister-in-law, Ramon and Frances Hidalgo; nephew, Andy Molina; and niece, Keri Sanchez.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Monday, Aug. 10. A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are Andy Molina, Max Sanchez, Eric Perea, Roland Sanchez, Ramon Hidalgo, Jonathan Apodaca and Frank Apodaca. Honorary pallbearer will be Keri Sanchez.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Leroy B. Montoya

1961-2020

Leroy B. Montoya, age 58, a resident of Belen, raised in Casa Colorada, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July, 29, 2020.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ernestina Baca; and his brother, Joseph Montoya.

He is survived by his daughter, Monica M. Griego and spouse, Mark; his son, Toby Gilbert Montoya and girlfriend, April; his son, Leroy Montoya Jr.; three grandchildren, Holly M. Griego, Esmeralda R. Griego and Izayah Montoya and his girlfriend, Lisa Montoya; his sisters, Jessica M. Trevizo and spouse, Osbaldo, Theresa M. Cordova, Sandra Gonzalez and spouse, Martin, and Bernice D. Lares; his brothers, Abenicio Montoya and Alex L. Montoya.

Gilbert loved to help anyone he could. He was a great roofer and construction worker. In his younger days, he worked as a dishwasher at Belen’s Golden Corral. He helped build the McDonalds in Las Cruces.

He had so many different skills, loved to tell jokes, was fun to be around, loved Iguanas, and his mother’s cooking. He was very charming, and a peacemaker who cherished harmony above all.

He loved to spend time with his family and many loving nieces and nephews. He will be loved and forever missed.

Services were held at Noblin Funeral Home on Friday, July 31.