Obituaries

Salomon “Sal” Artiaga

1946-2019

Salomon “Sal” Artiaga, 72, of Palm Harbor, Fla., passed away Feb. 16, 2019.

He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Maglene Diaz Castro; children, Michael Artiaga, Jeanne (Bill) Dotson, Terence (Jenn) Artiaga and Erin (Omar) Delgado; stepsons, Luis A. (Eimy) Blanco and Luis D. (Brianna) Diaz; sisters, T. Eileen (Steve) Torrez and Carolyn (Gerry) Geyer; grandchildren, Jerica Dotson, Aerith Delgado, Raylynn Artiaga, Emberly Diaz, Finley Artiaga and Luis Ignacio Blanco; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Susie Chavez Artiaga; and parents, Napoleon and Flora (Marquez) Artiaga.

Sal was born in Los Lunas on Aug. 4, 1946. He has been a Tampa Bay resident since 1983. Sal was a baseball executive, whose most significant role was as president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues from 1988 through 1991. He spent many years mentoring young Latino baseball players and publishing books on the subject.

He worked for many teams, including El Paso Sun Kings, Tampa Tarpons, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals. Sal retired in 2012 after 48 years of service in professional baseball.

A Rosary will be held at 10 a.m., and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 23, at San Clemente Catholic Church, 224 Luna Ave NE, Los Lunas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in his memory.

Richard “Bibbs” Bibiano Sr.

1946-2019

Richard “Bibbs” Bibiano Sr., age 72, a resident of Jarales, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019.

He was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Bibano; father, David Sr.; mother, Virgina; sister, Patsy Chavez; brother, Sato Bibiano; and sister-in-law, Beatrice Bibiano.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Louisa Bibiano; children, Sandra Bibiano (Johnny), Johnny Gutierrez (Josephine), Richard Bibiano Jr. (Bernadette) and Maria Elena Gutierrez (Eliseo); brother, David Bibiano; sister-in-law, Pam Bibiano; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services took place on Monday, March 18, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, and interment was at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Johnny Gutierrez, Nathan Gutierrez, Ethan Bibiano, Todd, Scott and Brandon Bibiano. Honorary pallbearers were Edward Davis, Sean Hockman, Mark Louett, Eric Lanzo and Johnathon Chavez.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fresenius Kidney Center in Los Lunas.

Thank you to all the care givers of the dialysis center and Presbyterian Hospice Family and friends near and far.

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

Oral M. Bjorem

1931-2019

Oral M. Bjorem, age 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Albuquerque, with his loving family next to him on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

He was born in 1931 in Ada, Minn., to Sam and Hilda Bjorem. He was an active member of Valley Lutheran Church in Tomé.

He served in the Korean War, where he was decorated with the Occupational Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Oral also was active with the VFW. Following his service, he worked at IT&T in communications, then moved to Bosque Farms, where he retired from US West communications. He was known as a dependable, hardworking and intelligent employee.

Oral had a passion for riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. He owned several Harleys throughout his life and he rode well into his early 80s. Every winter, he would RV along with his loving dogs, travelling everywhere from Alaska to New York and throughout the United States.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeramy and Charlene Bjorem, of Albuquerque. He is also survived by his sister, Verna Wilson, of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; and his brother, Dale Bjorem, of Moorhead, Minn.; and all of his loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, 609 N. Main St. in Belen, beginning with a visitation at 6 p.m. and a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Worship services with communion will be held at 9 a.m., Sunday, March 24, at Valley Lutheran Church, 3259 NM 47, in Los Lunas.

Other funeral services will be held at the Fredrickson Funeral Home in Ada, Minn. Interment will take place at Hegne Cemetery in Ada, Minn.

For further information, contact Romero Funeral Home. Please sign Oral’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Richard Manuel Covarrubia

1949-2019

Richard Manuel Covarrubia, age 70, a longtime resident of Los Lunas, passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Louisa; son, Chris; and daughter, Naomi, by his side on Sunday, March 17, 2019.

Richard was born in Morenci, Ariz. He worked many years in the construction industry. Richard was passionate about his family and enjoyed family road trips, spending time with his favorite dog and raising animals.

He loved the outdoors and going on camping and fishing trips with his children and grandchildren. Richard’s favorite hobbies included playing pool, horseshoes and selling goods on KARS radio and at the flea market.

Richard was a music lover, loyal friend and mentor to many. Richard always had a way to make people laugh with his classic one-liners and he will be missed dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eliseo and Mary Covarrubia; and his brother, Alex Covarrubia, of Alamogordo, N.M.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Louisa Covarrubia; his children, Chris Covarrubia (girlfriend, Jennifer), Naomi Ortega (Carlos), Ricky Covarrubia (Heather), Benito Covarrubia (Valerie) and Angela Covarrubia; four sisters and one brother, 14 grandchildren, many loving nieces, nephews and family friends.

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.

Raymond John Olver

1942-2019

Raymond John Olver, age 76, a resident of Los Lunas since 2005, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

He was born on April 2, 1942, to Jack and Elizabeth Olver, in Carbondale, PA. Raymond served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1964 with an honorable discharge.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack; and is survived by his mother, Elizabeth; his wife of 53 years, Maria M. Olver; their daughter, Michelle M. Crowley; ex-son-in-law, Mike, and their son, Franklin; daughter, Lisa M. Bockisch and husband, Bernard, and their children, Sarah, Nathan and Rosie; brother, Jack Olver and his wife, Tama, their son, Otra, and wife, Becky.

He will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Maria Luisa Valdez

1933-2019

Maria Luisa Valdez, edad 85, residente de Belen, Fallecio el Lunes, 18 de Marzo de 2019.

Ella era miembro del senior citizen center in Belen. Maria sera recordada por su carisma, generosidad, Dulcura y caracter peculiar.

Le soreviven sus ll hijos, nietos, bisnietos, hermana sobrinos y sobrinas. Sera extrañada enormemente por todos.

Cremacton ha tenido lugar. Servisios no estan programados en este momentos.

Por favor firme homenaje online de Maria en romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Veva M. Houston

1940-2018

A memorial service for Veva M. Houston will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 30, at 9 Parker St. in Belen.

For more information, call 505-730-4041.