Obituaries (April 29)

Theresa Aragon

1934-2021

We console our hearts and minds, our Lord’s calling of you to Heaven above. With tear filled eyes and our souls with sorrow. Know our faith to see you again one day. In our Lord’s kingdom forever, today and tomorrow. God bless you mom.

Theresa Aragon, was born July 19, 1934. She was age 86, and a lifelong resident of Belen.

She is preceded in death by her sons, Terrance Aragon and Ray Aragon; and daughter, Pearl Aragon.

Theresa is survived by her sons, Adelino Aragon, Floyd Aragon and George Aragon; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Because of you, I have life, through you guided through life. In Heaven await us in eternal peace and life. We love you mom!

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 27, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic. Interment followed at the conclusion of services at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements entrusted to Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992. An online guest register book is available at noblin.com.

Sherry Wright Black

1959-2021

Sherry Wright Black, age 62, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on April 25, 2021, with her family, who loved her, by her side.

She was generous and loving to her family and friends. All who knew her will miss her in their own special way. Sherry was very involved with HART and AARP Tax Aide during her years in Los Lunas.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister, stepson, aunt and niece.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Glen; daughter, Yolanda Liestra (Mike); sister, Janet Wright (Steve); stepson, Patrick (Beth); stepdaughter, Kiley Black (David); nieces, Yvette Johnson-Rodgers (John) and Jessica Rodgers (Jared); and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hart NM or your local animal rescue/humane.

Services will take place on Friday, April 30, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, beginning with a visitation from 9:30-10 a.m., a funeral service at 10 a.m. and a private interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens at a later date.

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

Thea Elizabeth Diegel

1947-2021

Thea Elizabeth Diegel, 73, passed away at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family while in hospice care due to complications of COVID-19.

Thea was a loved member of not only her family but of the community in Los Lunas and Belen. She worked at Belen Meadows for 17 years, even through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thea is most remembered by the way she took to everyone; she loved and treated every single person as if they were a very own member of her family. She was on the forefront of women’s rights during the 1960s and 1970s. She also taught everyone in her family that you can be a strong loving parent and grandparent while having a career at the same time.

Thea is survived by her daughter, Katherine and her husband, Ralph, and their three children and their three grandchildren; son, Keith and his wife, Kenya, and their children; son Kevin; niece, Natalie; sister, Lynn and her husband, Robert, and their three children and their three grandchildren.

Thea’s wish was that no services will be held in her honor but that we all carry on the loving memories we have of Thea, in our hearts forever.

Mary Gutierrez

1932-2021

On the morning of April 19, Mary passed peacefully, and we like to think she took a ride to her final resting place in that black Oldsmobile.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Mary loved to spend her time with friends playing bingo, or spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gregorio and Edovijen Gutierrez; and brothers, Fermin, Benidito, Leopold, Julian and Orlando.

Mary is survived by her son, Greg and his wife, Rebekah, and their children, Ben, Clairessa, Richard and Edouijen; and her sister, Stephanie Carrasco.

A private service will be held for immediate family at a later date.

Jason A. Hatch

1974-2021

Jason A. Hatch, age 46, died on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Jason was born in Albuquerque on Aug. 12, 1974. He was raised in Los Lunas, and attended Los Lunas Schools. Jason had a diverse career in law enforcement and worked for Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, Bosque Farms Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Law Enforcement Academy.

Jason loved wood working, gardening, cooking and animals of all kinds, particularly his dog, Leo.

Jason is survived by his wife, Loretta Hatch; children, Jensen Hatch, Tanner Hatch, Kyera Black and Aden Bemis; mother, Pam North and stepfather, Rick North; mother- and father-in-law, Terry and Arthur Elliott; father, Andy Hatch-Kiley (Michelle); sister, Marci Wilson (Wayne) Many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends also survive Jason.

A celebration of life will be held later, as COVID-19 permits. Riverside Funeral Home has completed cremation rites.

Julian Leyba

Died 2021

Julian Leyba, husband, father, grandpa and man of God went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Julian became a Royal Ranger commander and loved to teach and keep the boys for Jesus. He taught them how to camp, fish, hike, make snow caves in the winter and set up tee pees to sleep in. Julian was a commander for more than 30 years.

He attended The First Assembly of God in Bosque Farms, where he taught Children’s Sunday School, and was involved in bus ministry; he would pick up children and take them to church. Many of those children became involved in Royal Rangers.

Julian went on to attend Grace Fellowship, where he also became part of Royal Rangers. While there, Julian started playing with the worship team on Sundays; he loved to sing, talk and tell everyone what Jesus had done in his life.

Julian was a commercial artist, who worked for various companies, before owning his own shop called Peralta Signs. Julian’s love of painting murals and other picture paintings for art shows. Rutillo’s in Los Lunas has his mural.

Julian loved showing his artwork at various exhibits, talking to people and learning the history of New Mexico — it was his favorite pastime. He was also a very skillful fisherman and hunter. His favorite kill was elk; he always wanted a trophy elk. Julian loved the outdoors and camping; he was a frontier man whose Dutch oven cooking won many awards; along with his favorite cobblers, that he would make for everyone to enjoy.

Julian leaves behind his loving wife, Trudy; son, Julian R. and wife, Melissa; granddaughter, Taylor Leyba; grandson, Ryan Leyba; sisters, Veronica Gurule and Maria Trujillo (Freddie); brothers, Andrew Leyba (Susan), Ernest Leyba, Dennis Leyba (Theresa) and Chris Leyba (Bessie); and many nieces and nephews, who loved their uncle, Julian.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph S. Leyba; mother, Eusebia Leyba; and brother, Louis Leyba.

Until we meet again, I love you and miss you — your loving wife, Trudy.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 1, at Grace Fellowship, with a reception following.

Arrangements entrusted to Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992. An online guest register book is available at noblin.com.

Charles Allen Pogue

1941-2021

Charles Allen Pogue, of Los Chavez, went home to the Lord on April 20, 2021.

He was born on Dec. 30, 1941, in Watertown, Minn. He grew up in Mound, Minn. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Navy. After serving in the Navy, Charles returned home and married Dorothy Cox. They moved to New Mexico in 1971, and settled in Los Chavez in 1975.

They had two children, a son, Billy, and a daughter, Penny. They have one granddaughter, Mekela Chavez.

He was a member of the Carpenter’s Union #1319. Charles worked in upholstery and garage doors. He retired in 1998. He was also active in his church, Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Margaret; one brother, Earl; three nephews, Michael Cottone, Robert Pogue and Scott Pogue; three nieces, Michele Pogue, Renee Cox-Nelson and Julie Cox Eidson.

He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Dorothy; son, Billy; daughter, Penny; granddaughter, Mekela; sister, Patricia Kocourek; brother, Larry Pogue and wife, Tracie; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A celebration-of-life service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 1, at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Rio Communities.