Obituaries (Nov. 5)

Carmelita Sanchez Aragon

1931-2020

Carmelita Sanchez Aragon, age 88, a resident of Belen, went home to join our Lord on Oct. 31, 2020.

She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America. Carmelita Aragon, known by so many as “Carmen,” was born Nov. 3, 1931, in Belen. She grew up with eight siblings (seven sisters and one brother), and attended Belen High School and graduated in 1949.

After graduation, Carmen worked at an ice cream parlor, where she met the love of her life, Roldan Aragon. Carmen and Roldan were married on Feb. 3, 1950, and they raised their 10 children in Valencia. She was more than a wife and a mother, she was an amazing artist, friend, gardener and most importantly, the matriarch of a large and loving family. She could always make them laugh and feel like they were the most important person in the world (But if Maria was there, then you were second best).

Carmen blessed us with not only 10 children but also 36 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. She was a dedicated grandmother who was always there to listen, play, pray and dance. Carmen captured each and every one of our hearts with her laugh, smile, faith, kindness and love. Her children cherished that she was a wonderful friend and confidant.

Carmen’s faith was an important part of her life and she exemplified that through her generosity, her kind spirit and her commitment to the Catholic Church. We will miss her smile and her amazing spirit but we know that she is in heaven and will always be there to watch over us.

Carmen is preceded in death by her parents, Rafael and Eduvijen Sanchez; her husband of 49 years, Roldan Aragon; son, Charles Aragon; grandson, Joe Kenneth Trujillo; sons-in-law, Leon Louis and Alonzo Atencio; sisters, Lucy Romero, Tomasita Lambert, Cecilia C De Baca, Ramona Garrett, Rosie Harrison, Ruben Sanchez and Marylou Jaramillo.

She is survived by 10 children, Delores Aragon, Juan and Edna Aragon, Lucia Atencio, Priscilla and Jim Armer, Anne Aragon, Richard Aragon, Patricia Aragon Trujillo, Ana and Kenny Trujillo, Mona and Rick Gonzales, Jannette and Gary Mahaffey, and Maria and JJ Michael; 36 grandchildren, Roman, MaryAnn, Jody, Megan, Bryan, Kim, Christa, Erica, Greg, Ashley, Jennifer, Casey, Jamie, Mike, James, Melissa, Jacqueline, Monica, James, Rae Lynn, Matt, Heather, Richard, Julie, Charles, Nicole, Joey, Carlos, Melissa, Marisa, Daniel, Isaac, Tiani, Chase and Dmitri; 34 great-grandchildren, Diego, Dillon, Dominique, Roman II, Allyson, Zachary, Robert, Rylee, Ally, Noah, AJ, Hudson, Luke, Lilly, Joshua, Blake, Ryker, Aidan, Ella, Viviana, Treg, Wyatt, Vayda, Delila, Alissa, Aliyah, Leonidas, Mellody, Noah, Rhyan, Brody, Bentley, Carter and Josephine; her sister, Nancy Hissa; and her brothers-in-law, Albert Harrison and Al Jaramillo.

Services took place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with interment following at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Roman Madrid, Bryan Aragon, Greg Atencio, James Armer, Carlos Trujillo, Isaac Gonzales, and Leon Dmitri Louis. The honorary pallbearer was Richard Aragon II (military deployment).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in the honor of Carmen Aragon to St. Mary’s Catholic School, 101 N. 10th St., Belen, N.M., 87002, or Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

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

Angie Chavez

1918-2020

Angie Chavez was born in 1918, and was a lifelong resident of the Belen area. She passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at the age of 102.

In her youth, she and her family worked as migrant workers traveling to many western states, which she considered quite an adventure.

She was a member of the First Spanish Baptist Church of Belen, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She remained a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Belen until her death.

Angie was an excellent cook and an expert seamstress. She had an incredible sense of humor and often played good-natured pranks on her family and friends. Most of all, she had a very generous spirit and was a blessing and a beautiful testimony of God’s love and grace to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacobo and Valentina Gurule; her loving husband, Eduardo M. Chavez; her beloved son, Roy E. Chavez; six sisters and four brothers.

Angie is survived by her loving children, Sylvia (Charles) Storey, Ruben (Corine) Chavez and Rena (Richard) Melzer, her loving caregiver for the last 12 years; her five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (with one on the way). Also surviving her are one brother, Raymond (Josephine) Gurule; one sister, Teri Correa; and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of kindness, love and support through this difficult time. In lieu of flowers donations can be made online to BillyGraham.org.

Because of the current pandemic conditions, only a private graveside service will be held at Terrace Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6. As per New Mexico state mandates, masks will be required and social distancing will be observed.

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.

Elizabeth Ann “Lisa” Chavez

Died 2020

Elizabeth Ann “Lisa” Chavez, age 71, a resident of Belen, was called home to be with our Lord on Oct. 30, 2020.

A member of First Baptist Church, she was a loving wife and mother. She studied cosmetology after graduating from Belen High School in 1967, earning the prestigious Pivot Point degree.

She worked as a hairdresser for many years in locations in Belen and Killeen, Texas, and dedicated most of her adult life to caring for her family, friends and friends of her family. Generous, almost to a fault, she strove to treat everyone with kindness and respect. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Jose Antonio and Sara Gutierrez; brother, Eloy Gutierrez; and sister, Mary Gutierrez.

She is survived by husband of 50 years, Bill Chavez; children, Shiloh and Shenandoah; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Steven and Rhiannon; step-grandchildren, James and Tyler; and great-grandson, Hunter; as well as brothers, Richard and Anna Gutierrez, and Orlando and Dolores Gutierrez; and sister, Patricia Ionita; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Services are pending currently. Please refer to Noblin Funeral Home website for updates.

Adrian Daniel Gallegos

2009-2020

Adrian Daniel Gallegos, age 11, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448. Visit noblin.com, where a full obituary, service times and guest register are available.

David Marquez Jr.

1971-2020

David Marquez Jr., age 49, returned to his heavenly home on Oct. 24, 2020.

He was a kind and beautiful soul who touched the hearts of everyone he met.

David was preceded in death by his parents, David and Martha Marquez.

He was laid to rest in Tomé on Nov. 3.

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

Eddie Padilla

Died 2020

Eddie Padilla, age 79, a longtime resident of Tomé, recently residing in Albuquerque, passed away on Oct. 26, 2020.

Eddie was a farmer; you could always find him on a tractor in a field cutting, baling and hauling alfalfa. He was always a phone call away if you needed help on the farm; got yourself stuck in the mud, needed some mechanic or construction work done or were having a matanza. He worked with and for relatives and friends for more than 30 years.

His favorite pastime was eating peanut butter sandwiches and watching western movies, featuring John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Eddie had a contagious smile and was a friendly and compassionate person. He knew no strangers; anyone he came in contact with immediately became a friend.

Eddie is preceded in death by his parents, Vicente and Lucille Padilla; sister, Bernadette; and brother, Nemecio.

He is survived by his brothers, Louis, Bernie and Bobby; sisters, Margaret and Teresa; and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., Belen. Interment will follow at the Tomé Cemetery, located on Laura Lane east of La Entrada Road.

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

Roberto J. Peralta

1961-2020

Roberto J. Peralta, age 59, passed away on Oct. 20, 2020.

He is preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Peralta; and brother, Daniel Peralta.

Roberto is survived by his mother, Angelina Peralta; brothers, Gerald and Leonard Peralta; and sister, Marsha Peralta.

Services took place Oct. 26-27 at Romero Funeral Home Chapel and Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

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

Maria Inocencia “Nancy” Rodriguez

1935-2020

Born on Aug. 22, 1935, in Pintada, N.M., Maria Inocencia “Nancy” Rodriguez, age 85, passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2020, while residing in Belen.

She is preceded in death by her father, Isaac; mother, Poncianita; brother-in-law, Eugene; and sons-in-law, Joseph and Rod.

Maria is survived by her nine children, Richard, Jan, Yolanda, Olga, Yvonne, Edna, Irma, Lydia and Joseph; as well as countless grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings.

Known to most by Nancy or “Nana,” she loved to spend her days at the local senior center, playing bingo, visiting the casino and most of all cooking for her family. She was a kind, loving and fearless woman, and she will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

No services are planned at this time.

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

Benjamin Wheeler

Died 2020

Benjamin Wheeler, age 32, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020.

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