Obituaries

Frances Christopher

1948-2019

Frances Christopher, age 71 a resident of Los Lunas, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.

Frances enjoyed crocheting and bead work. She was a talented artist, cartoonist and silversmith.

She is survived by her husband, David Christopher; children Jessie, DeMichael, Pauline, Frances, Nickol and Brenda; and numerous grandchildren.

All services were held on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas Chapel. Interment followed at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992 an online guest register book is available at noblin.com.

Wayne Lloyd McNabb

1936-2019

Wayne Lloyd McNabb, age 83, born March 22, 1936, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Nov. 23, 2019.

He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. Wayne was an adventurous, kind, funny and positive soul. He had a passion for handcrafted artistry and mechanic work, whether it was whittling, drawing and painting, he had a love for working with his hands.

Wayne was a veteran who proudly served in the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by siblings, Beryl Dean Ramos, Bob and wife, Barbara McNabb and Terry McNabb; children, Kenny McNabb and Kim Barnard; grandchildren, Drew Barnard and Sara Alexander and great-grandchild, Charlie Mae Alexander.

Please join us in remembrance for love, laughter and memories at the home of Lillie McNabb from 3-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, 1410 Caballo Lane, Bosque Farms.

Known for his wit, charm and silly jokes, Wayne will be missed by all who adored him.

Please sign Wayne’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com.

Connie Spiers

1934-2019

Connie Spiers, born on Jan. 3, 1934, to Ernest Shepard and Helen Britton in Lansing, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.

She attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1953, receiving a B.A. in English. She was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

Connie worked for H&R Block for 35 years, as well book-keeping for other local businesses. She is a founding member of the New Mexico Wine & Vine Society and Rio Valley Cellars.

Connie has lived in central New Mexico since 1971, but traveled extensively in the United States and internationally.

She is preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Helen Shepard; husbands, David Koch, Rodney McLean (military fatalities) and former husband, Don Spiers (natural causes).

Connie is survived by her sister, Nancy Claytor; sons, David Spiers (Bernardine), Scott Spiers (Rae) and Chris Spiers (LuAnn); five grandchildren, Lakota, Alex, Anabel, Matthew and Laura; and three great-grandchildren.

A private family burial will take place at Our Lady of Belen at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fisher House Foundation or American Kidney Fund would be appreciated.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992, an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Col. Joseph “Mike” Romero

1939-2019

Col. Joseph “Mike” Romero, USMC (Ret.), age 80, a resident of Bosque Farms, passed away on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.

He was born in Capulin, Colo., the second of five children born to Jose and Marcelina Romero. The family lived in Monte Vista before moving to Pueblo, where he graduated from Central High School in 1957.

He was an outstanding athlete, playing catcher on a state championship baseball team, and also center on the Wildcat football team, earning him a football scholarship for college. He spent the summer between high school and college at boot camp — he thought he’d spend a few years in the Marine Corps (in the end, he proudly wore his uniform for 40 years).

He graduated from Pueblo JC in 1959, from Colorado College in 1962 with a BA in psychology, and the University of Northern Colorado with an MS in sociology (urban development) in 1974.

He retired from the Marine Corps in 1988 at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, D.C., before returning to Albuquerque, where he taught MCJROTC for eight years at Rio Grande High School, before opening up a brand-new program at La Cueva High School, where he remained until his second retirement in 2001.

While at RGHS, he developed a one-of-a kind bilingual JROTC program to help students who were predominantly Spanish-speakers learn English; he was awarded the innovative teacher award while at RGHS. He was a staunch supporter of the JROTC programs, and he thoroughly enjoyed teaching his students skills to help them become good citizens, including public speaking, leadership and teamwork, and even how to iron a shirt/uniform or sew on buttons, along with military skills.

He was always strict but very fair. His JROTC rooms/buildings were gathering places, not only for cadets but also for their friends and their parents. Cadets looked up to him when they were in his programs, and many have kept in touch with him over the years. He loved his cadets, and they loved him.

Mike adored his wife, Ruth. He often told people “she was the best thing that ever happened to him.” Together, they loved to travel, dance, design and build things on their little farm, go out to eat, listen to music, go to the symphony or to Lady Lobo basketball games, volunteer in their church and their community, or just sit home and spend time together with their menagerie of rescued dogs and cats.

They had a blended family of seven children, but Mike never considered them his or hers — they were always ours when he spoke with people. He loved them all and loved spending time with them and then later with their grandchildren.

He became a strong supporter of the Blue Star Mothers (and Dads) of Valencia County; he enjoyed helping with the packings and mailings to deployed troops, remembering how important it was to him to receive boxes from home when he was deployed.

He was active at the Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church, particularly enjoying his time serving the community through the food pantry. Also, after he took his Walk to Emmaus, he sincerely appreciated the Christian Fellowship from the Emmaus Community. He was the vice-president of the neighborhood association and particularly looked forward to the annual gatherings of neighbors and friends and good food.

Mike’s early assignments included platoon and company command at Camp Pendleton and Okinawa. Later he was assigned to the National Capabilities Division, Nuclear Weapons School, Defense Nuclear Agency (first of two tours in Albuquerque — the second tour he was the commanding officer at the Marine recruiting station, serving on the secretary of the Navy’s Minority Officer recruiting program).

In 1982, he was assigned as the executive officer, 27th Marine Regiment, first combined arms regiment; he was later reassigned to Quantico, Va., where he served as assistant to the Chief of Staff Services.

During his service, he earned many medals, including the Vietnam Service Medal with five stars, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the RVN MUC Gallantry Cross Color. He served two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V (although he argued that he should not have been singled out for the recognition as he believed all the men involved in the action should have received the Bronze Star). Mike was the combat cargo officer on the U.S.S. Boxer when they retrieved two Apollo space capsules, and also when they were positioned near Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion.

He was privileged to participate in the weddings of the children of President Johnson and President Reagan as a member of the Arch of Sabers (swords). Mike was invited to be a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness (helped develop the SemperFit program), a member of the school board in Quantico, Va., and he was selected as a member of International Military Sports Council to observe the Judo championships (1985) in Riccione, Italy.

He was a Marine’s Marine — an officer and a gentleman. He loved and believed in his country, his community and his faith. He loved his wife and family and friends and will be missed by them all.

He is preceded in death by infant daughter, Laura Lee; parents, Jose and Marcelina (Muniz) Romero; sister, Louella Louise Romero; sister-in-law, Trudy del Gaizo, and brother-in-law, Joe del Gaizo.

He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Ruth; children — his and hers combined — Michael Edward (Sondra) Romero (Albuquerque), Jennifer Romero (Castle Rock, Colo.), Rob Romero (Ft. Worth, Texas), Erika (Don) Yu (Lantana, Texas), Kristina Creel (Pollock Pines, Calif.), J’Amy Creel (Albuquerque), Casey (Amy) Creel (Edgewood); children —“acquired” — Robert (Amanda) La Fountain (North Carolina), Antje (Fred) Blumer (Germany); seven grandchildren; sisters, Pat (Art) Rampa (Pueblo, Colo.), Lits Wollnick (Reno, Nev.); brother, Dan (Sue) Romero (Eloy, Ariz.); sister-in-law, Margie (Hugh B.) McKeen (Glenwood, N.M.), and many beautiful cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, and one great-great nephew, and great-great niece.

All services will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church beginning at 1 p.m., with a celebration of life following at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PMUMC Food Pantry (Mike called this “his” ministry), 25 Wesley Road, Peralta, NM, 87042; HART (Homeless Animal Rescue Team) 501c3 (in honor of Chella Luna, the kitty that picked Mike), 500 Charlie Lane, Bosque Farms, NM, 87068; Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, in gratitude for the support of the Legion of Mary), PO Box 10, Peralta, NM, 87042.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992 an online guest register book is available at noblin.com.