Obituaries (April 14)

Michelle Aragon

1977-2022

Michelle Aragon, age 44, a resident of Los Lunas, was greeted at the Heavenly gates by our loving Father on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta. Michelle was born on Nov. 14, 1977. She was a loving daughter, sister, auntie and friend. Michelle truly loved life and was an amazingly strong woman who fought courageously her entire life. She left this world too soon and her bright smile will be truly missed.

Michelle loved to laugh and dance. She never knew a stranger. She brought joy to everyone around her and will be missed dearly by her family.

She is survived by her parents, Antonio and Betty Aragon; her sisters, Melissa (Zach) Adkins and Victoria (Marcos) Zamora; and brother, Antonio (Dianah) Aragon. Michelle was a proud auntie and loved nothing more than spending time with her nieces and nephews, Juan, Isaiah, Diego, Zaylon, Gabby, Zane, Ethan, Zavannah, William and Zoey.

Michelle was kind-hearted and fun-loving. Michelle was loved by so many but she will especially be missed by some of her favorite people, grandma and grandpa Blea (“Granny and Papu”), auntie Angela, auntie Isabel and uncle Andy, uncle Gilbert and many cousins.

A special thank you to her caregiver, Crystal Lopez; therapists, Steve, Monica and Stasha; nurse, Amber and to the many people who prayed for Michelle and to those who cared for her in recent months. Her care team truly brought her joy and happiness during a difficult time.

We vow to honor her legacy by laughing a little louder.

The family is requesting masks to be worn at all services. Services will take place on Thursday, April 21, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta. A visitation will take place at 10 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.

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

 

Merlin Lucero

1936-2022

Merlin Lucero, age 86, a resident of Rio Communities, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

She was preceded by her husband, Joe Lucero; son, Benjamin (Benny) Lucero; grandson, Levi Bruce; parents, Leopoldo (Polo) Baca and Victoriana (Tana) Baca; brothers, Leo and Donald Baca; and sister, Theresa Leaton.

Merlin is survived by her children, Vickie (Robert) Jaramillo, Debbie (Richard) Strand, Michael Lucero and Priscilla Otero; sisters, Carmen Chavez, Connie (George) Gabaldon and Gladys Lucero. She is also survived by many loving grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

R.C “Dody” Roberts

1932-2022

R.C. Roberts, of Los Lunas, passed away comfortably at home on March 19, 2022.

R.C. was born in Whittenberg, Texas. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Air Force. He worked in construction as a building contractor in Albuquerque for many years.

He was a member of the DAV, VFW, New Mexico Old Time Fiddlers Association in T or C, N.M. He was also a member of the Bosque Farms Fiddlers Association.

R.C. married the love of his life, June Day Roberts, in August 1954.

He is also survived by three children, Jerry Roberts and wife, Denise, of Albuquerque, Jackie Pulis and husband, Robert, of Albuquerque, and Chip Roberts and wife, Beverly, of Durango, Colo. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grand children.

 

Elisandro “Alex” Romero Jr.

1946-2022

Elisandro “Alex” Romero Jr., age 75, a resident of Jarales, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2022, in his home with his family.

Alex was born on Nov. 13, 1946, to Elisandro and Leonarda Maestas Romero in Jarales. After graduating from Belen High School in 1964, he went on to study communication at the University of Michigan. After graduation, he joined the National Guard, where he served for seven years.

Alex landed his first job, where he served in communications at Bell Atlantic for four years. In 1970, he opened the very famous bar, Rocco’s, in Los Lunas. He had the bar for 16 years, then he went into car sales for 40 years, and worked all over Valencia and Bernalillo counties.

Alex has seven children, Yvette Romero (Alan), Judith Sakolosky (David), Christopher Romero (Ericka), Alex Romero III (Miranda), Leandra Chavez (Matthew), Jacob Romero (Amber) and Luicano Romero (Danielle); 15 grandchildren, Joshua Chavez, Nichloas Chavez, Luke Romero, Erin Sakolosky, Ryan Sakolosky, Grant Sakolosky, Christopher Romero, Dominick Romero, Cailean Romero, Sophia Chavez, Mateo Chavez, Uriah Chavez, David Alex Chavez, Gavin James Romero and Sienna Rose Romero; one great-grandchild, JJ Chavez, and another on the way.

Alex was a Godly, loving, selfless, genuine, hard-working man and very determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his kids and grandkids.

He was unendingly proud of his children, Yvette, Judith, Christopher, Alex, Leandra, Jacob and Luciano. Alex’s greatest achievement were his children.

Alex was also passionate for music and dancing. If the music had a beat, he could dance to it. He also loved to sing and play taps with his trumpet for his beloved friends/soldiers who went before him. He loved going to breakfast with his close friends, Joe Maestas, Tudi Saize and Fidel Tabet.

He loved the Lord and was a man of faith, he loved praying, and was always so positive and saw the good in everything. Every year, he would drive by the chile and alfalfa fields and pray over them; he would pray for “a bump of crop.”

Anyone who knew Alex knew he was the most loving father and grandfather his family could ask for.

Alex was preceded by his father and mother, Elisandro and Leonarda Romero; his brother; Albert Romero.

He is survived by his sisters, Frances Castillo and Helen Chavez; his children, Yvette Romero, Judith Sakolosky, Christopher Romero, Alex Romero III, Leandra Chavez, Jacob Romero and Luciano Romero; and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

All services will be held at Calvary Chapel New Harvest, 701 Main St., Monday, April 18. A visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m. The family will have a reception at Valencia County Sheriff’s Posse following the services.

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