Obituaries

Richard Robin Baughman

Died 2018

Richard Robin Baughman, 64, passed away in Albuquerque on New Year’s Eve 2018, following a brief illness.

Robin is survived by his loving mom, Janette, of Bosque Farms; uncle, Sam Phillips, of San Francisco; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, R.C. Baughman.

Robin was a career truck driver and heavy equipment operator, driving anything with wheels with great skill. He enjoyed tractors and farming and could fix almost anything.

Robin proudly flew our country’s flag at home and loved seeing the United States through a Peterbilt windshield with his dog and best buddy, Nipper, at his side. He often took photos of beautiful sites and collected neat rocks he discovered. Robin had a kind heart, a big laugh and loved a good joke. While in the hospital, he remarked he had eaten so much chicken soup lately that he was going to grow feathers!

Robin will be missed by his mom, family and friends. The family offers a thank you to his special neighbors, Robina and Greg, and Brandi and Thomas, who helped him through many difficulties, and the Presbyterian Hospital fourth and fifth floor nursing staff for their kind care.

In his death, Robin was a gracious organ donor, helping others in medical need.

Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church, 25 Wesley Road, Peralta.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry.

Rosalina Blea

1935-2019

Our mother, Rosalina Blea’s work here is done; she has received a call from her Lord and Savior and returned home on Feb. 6, 2019.

She lived a wonderful 84 years in Los Lunas and shared 66 of those years with her best friend and husband, Bilialdo Blea, who will always love, miss and cherish his “Nina” for the rest of his days.

It is with great comfort to know that her parents, Pedro and Selsa Mireles and Eduardo and Nicolasita Blea, were waiting for her with loving arms wide open.

She will be greatly missed and her memories embraced by her children, Gloria, Billy and Kathy, Chris, Laura and Michael DeMmon. She so enriched the lives of her grandchildren by being the best “Nana” ever. Her “babies” were her pride and joy, and she showered them all with the greatest of love.

Nana’s hugs and kisses will be missed, but never forgotten by Kevin, Monica, Danielson, Jessica, Antonio and Diego. She will forever be “Little Nana” to great-grandbabies, Jaden, Jeremiah, Bella, Urijah and Deven. Rosalina’s memories will be treasured by her sisters, Viola Otero, Erla Gallegos, Jeanette Villegas and Prescilla Ponce; and brother, Clyde Mireles.

She has joined her brothers, Arturo and Ramon, in a place where music, laughter and love are guaranteed and pain is no more.

We thank her many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors for loving our mom and sharing your life with her. We were all so blessed to have enjoyed her wonderful cooking, tamales for Christmas and red chile that was the best ever. It was the best because it was made with lots of love. Our mom was a woman of strong faith and prayed her rosary every day. She was a member of San Clemente Catholic Church.

Services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church on Friday, Feb. 15. A visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m.

Our mom will be taken to her final resting place by her grandchildren.

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.

Lucille G. Briscoe

1927-2019

Lucille G. Briscoe, age 91, born in Bosque, on Nov. 6, 1927, passed away in Albuquerque on Febr. 8, 2019.

She was the daughter of Abram Gutierrez and Gregoria Montano. Lucille received a college certificate and worked as a teacher’s aid for Belen Consolidated Schools.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Abram and Gregoria Montano; loving husband, William Frank Briscoe; and siblings, Betty Chavez, Ralph Gutierrez and Jack Gutierrez.

Lucille is survived by her children, Evangeline Kessinger, William Briscoe and Gerard Briscoe; siblings, Melina Hodge and Margaret Phillips; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and another on the way.

All services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Thursday, Feb. 14. A public visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

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.

Claire Gaeto Ellermeyer

1927-2019

Claire Gaeto Ellermeyer, age 91, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away Feb. 5, 2019.

She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from Cleveland State University. Claire then accepted a teaching position at Belen High School, where she taught for 25 years before retiring. During that time, she obtained a master’s degree in library science at UNM and the University of Colorado.

In 1952, Claire met and married the love of her life, Herbert Ellermeyer, who owned Feil and Ellermeyer department store. She was a member of American Library Association, New Mexico Education Association, National Library Association and Classroom Teachers, Charter Member Beta Sigma Phi, Women’s Golf Association, Horizon Women’s Club and the Valencia County Historical Society.

After moving to Albuquerque, she was a docent at the Albuquerque Museum and a volunteer at the Albuquerque Read’s Program.

She will be greatly missed. Claire wanted all to know she was blessed with a wonderful life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Pasquale Gaeto; her dear brother, Sam Gaeto; and her loving husband of 50 years, Herbert Ellermeyer.

She is survived by her son, Dr. William Ellermeyer (Jeanne) of Southlake, Texas; daughter, Lynn Ellermeyer (Dr. John) Matte, of Albuquerque; her five grandchildren, Dr. Amy Matte, Katlyn (Jason) Robbins, Dr. Matthew Matte, Rory (Justin) Brumbaugh and Will (Chrystina) Ellermeyer; two great-grandchildren, McKinley and Colton Robbins; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Services will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning with a public visitation at 11 a.m., a Rosary to be recited at 11:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

Special thanks to Ashley Silva for her wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Claire Ellermeyer to ARCA, 11300 Lomas Blvd., Albuquerque, NM, 87112, or Animal Humane Society of NM, 615 Virginia St., S.E., Albuquerque, NM, 87108, or charity of your choice.

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

Ignacio “Nash” B. Garcia

Died 2019

Ignacio “Nash” B. Garcia, 81, went home with the Lord on Feb. 12, 2019.

He is the son of the late Damacio and Longinita Garcia, of Los Chavez. Nash lived in Tucumcari, and worked most of his life as a truck driver.

After his retirement, Nash continued driving part-time for various trucking companies; he loved his truck driving. He had won awards for being a safe driver. He enjoyed and was proud of their landscaping in their backyard. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Ilene Garcia; son, Jeff Garcia; daughters, Kim Singleterry and Lou Ann Fitzpatrick; several grandchildren; sisters, Nellie Herrera (Frank) and Deborah Carrasco (Nick); and brother, LeRoy Garcia (Betty); and many nieces and nephews.

Irene L. Paiz Gallegos

1937-2019

Irene L. Paiz Gallegos, age 81, a resident of Belen, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 8, 2018.

She was a member of the Elks Lodge in Belen.

Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband, Louis Gallegos Sr.

She is survived by her daughter, Anna (Dwayne) and her five children, Antonio, Gabriel, Alicia, Nicholas and Carolina; and two sons, Louis (Ann) and Greg (Elena).

A graveside service will take place at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all the medical community for all their help and compassion they provided to their mother for more than two years. Without their help and the commitment, she would have suffered unnecessarily.

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

Leonella Gould

Died 2019

Leonella Gould, age 80, a resident of Belen, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019.

She was a member of Rio Grande Valley Church of Christ. Family was her greatest joy, along with the people she worked with at Walmart.

Leonella was preceded in death by her parents, Vicente Chavez and Matilda Silva-Chavez; and six brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by sisters, Aurora Jaramillo and Elena Mueller; daughters, Rose Gould and Tammy McMillin; grandson, Eric Gurulé; granddaughters, Alisha Gurulé-Willey and Rachel McMillin; and six great-grandchildren.

Services have already been held.

Arrangements were handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448.

Jeffrey E. Kunzman

1953-2019

Jeffrey E. Kunzman, age 65, passed away suddenly Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Los Lunas, NM. He was born on December 4, 1953 in Fairfield, IA.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Caroline and Wallace Sr. Kunzman, his brother James Kunzman, sister-in-law Dee Ann and nephew Cole Kunzman.

Jeffrey is survived by his life-long love and best friend Lucille Giron; his daughter Babette Amber Cooper; his grandchildren Natasha, Austin, and Dylan Cooper; two great-grandchildren Elleia Lawrence and Mallory Stevens; adopted daughter Melinda Lynn; his brother Wallace Jr.; nephew Jamis, and niece Ashley; sister-in-law Deborah Kunzman; nephews, Samuel and Mark Kunzman; his aunts Pauline Parks, Shirley Kunzman and uncle Charley; step-mother Doris Kunzman; step-brother Jeff Valentine and his children Courtney and Kyla; step-sisters Jodene Hanna and Jeri Mowry, including several additional family and friends.

Jeff grew up in New Mexico and graduated from West Mesa High and UNM. His father, brother and himself entered financial services and sold insurance since the 1980s. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Cubs and delighted in their victory of 2016!

Jeff was truly ‘one-of-a-kind’ who was a very caring person and loved family most. He was known for his infectious laugh and loved to have fun. His family and friends will dearly miss him.

Services take place on Friday, February 15, 2019, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel in Belen. A public visitation begins at 10 a.m., and Celebration of Life at 11 a.m., with a reception following at 12:30 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Posse in Belen. Interment will take place at 3 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM.

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

Marcella “Audela” Baldonado Turrietta

1937-2019

Surrounded by her loving family, Marcella “Audela” Baldonado Turrietta, age 81, a life-long resident of Bosque, passed away from complications of pneumonia on Feb. 11, 2019.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Turrietta; her parents, Jose Ignacio and Ramona Baldonado; and siblings Isabelita Trujillo, Bessie Chavez, Jeova Saenz, Reynaldo Baldonado, Lillie Holguin, Hernandez Baldonado and Tercila Zambrano.

Audela is survived by her daughter, Denise Baldonado, of Los Angeles, Calif;, and by her devoted sister, Carmen Romero and husband, Leo Wilson, of Bosque.

She is also survived by her caretakers, niece, Marcella Melendez and nephews, David “Florenio” Trujillo and Philip Zambrano; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Audela worked for Pioneer Wear, and then the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School until retirement. She could always be found at many joyous events and gatherings in the company of her close-knit family. Her door was always open at her home in Bosque, where all were welcome. She will be dearly missed.

A public viewing will be held at 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel in Belen, followed by a Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. A viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Bosque Cemetery.

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

Jay Valdez

Died 2019

Jay Valdez passed away at the age of 81 on Jan. 28, 2019, at the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque.

He was a resident of Belen for the last 23 years with his wife, Eufemia Duran. Jay was an expert tool and dye machinist, a master gardener, an avid fisherman and a very skilled carpenter. He will be missed dearly by all of his family.

He is survived by his wife, Eufemia Duran; daughters, Donna Tollardo, Amanda Chavez and Loretta Valdez. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Tanya Flores; grandsons, David Tollardo III, Julian Chavez, Nicholas Tollardo, Gilbert Chavez Jr., Keanu Valdez and Elijah Torres; great-granddaughters, Victoria and Maria; great-grandsons, Santiago, Isaiah, Xavier and Robert.

Services were held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

The family is thankful for everyone’s support and condolences as we celebrate the life of Jay Valdez.

Arrangements handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448.

Dennis Varela

Died 2019

Dennis Varela, age 62, a resident of Valencia County, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019.

He is survived by his daughter, Erica Sandoval; son, David Candalaria; son, Zach Maynard; and step-son, Andre LeBlanc.

Services are pending at this time; please contact Noblin Funeral Services for more information.

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

John “Tom” Weiland

1936-2019

John “Tom” Weiland, age 82, a resident of Rio Communities, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Belen, where he held many positions and was as an usher and greeter. Tom was active in all communities he resided in. He was kind and gentle, and always willing to help.

Tom was in the U.S. Naval Reserves and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He later retired from the New Mexico Livestock Board.

Tom was a man of many hobbies; he loved Volkswagens, auto shows and restoration. Tom received several awards and trophies for his restored Volkswagens. He loved classic cars and was a model train enthusiast.

Tom also loved camping and traveling. His favorite music was blue grass, and Tom loved to play the banjo, ukulele and bass guitar.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia Weiland; sister, Anne Pinkerton; sister-in-law, Anne Weiland; son-in-law, Richard Madrid; and great-grandson, Aaron Guiswite.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn; daughters, Angie Madrid, and Carol Wilmesherr (Robert); sisters, Suzanne Weiland (Larry Berger) and Jean Eddy (Duane); brother, Charles Weiland; sister-in-law, Melanie Kistner; grandchildren, Eric Madrid (Christine), Sara Acree, Eddie Acree and Ilene Madrid; and great-grandchildren, Madysyn, Paetyn, Jaxyn and Justyn Madrid. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be celebrated at First United Methodist Church in Rio Communities at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church in Belen.

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.