Obituaries (Jan. 6)

Jake Chavez

1979-2021

Jake Chavez, age 42, a resident of Jarales, passed away on Friday, Dec. 21, 2022.

He is survived by his brother, Jason (Yvonne); children, Doreen, Patsy and Ashley; partner, Craig Curtiss; son, Dominic; sister, Josephine; and her children, Ashley, Mary, Joey and Mathew; brother, Joseph and his children, Isaac, Monique, Roni and Tone; brother, Juan and wife, Kristina, and their children, Mariah, Darren, Alexandra, Miranda and Marrissa; and brother, Johnathan.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Charles Robert Collins

1932-2021

Charles Robert Collins, age 89, of Los Lunas, peacefully passed away on Dec. 28, 2021.

Charles retired in 1998 after 26 years of service to the BNSF railroad.  He loved spending time with his family, traveling, camping and fishing, mostly in the big mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. He served as president of the board for the Santa Fe Credit Union, and was a member of the BPO of Elks in Clovis, N.M.

Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eyvonne; children are daughter-in-law, Lisa Fulcher (deceased, James), of New Mexico, Judy Carol Schepp (Connie), of Wisconsin, Rhonda Sue Davenport, of New Mexico (Thomas, deceased), Gary Don Collins (Robyn), of Florida, Mary Frances Eagle (Stephen), of Iowa, and Susan Denise Tunnell (Carl, deceased), of Texas; 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; brother, Henry Collins (Judy), of Washington state; sister, Dora Welch, of Arizona; brother, John Collins (Susan), of Washington state; sister, Elaine Busby, of California; and brother, Richard Collins, of California; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Dolores; four brothers, Louis, Royce, James and Buddy; brothers-in-law, David Welch and Steve Busby; son, James Fulcher; and great-grandchild, Zander Tunnell.

A celebration of his long and wonderful life will be held later with family and friends.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Alan L. Eaton

Died 2021

Alan L. Eaton, age, 78 a resident of Bosque Farms, passed away on Dec. 18, 2021.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Eaton; father, Glenn Eaton; and brothers, Cedric Eaton and Elwin Eaton.

He is survived by his son, Alan Eaton Jr.; daughter, Teresa Eaton; wife, Carol Eaton; grandson, Andrew Eaton; granddaughter, Cassaundra Eaton; son, Scottie Eaton; and brother; Jay Eaton.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., SE Los Lunas, NM 87031, 505-866-9992.

 

 

Jayne Rose Gardner

1954-2021

Jayne Rose Gardner, age 67, died suddenly and unexpectedly at her Los Lunas home on Dec. 20, 2021. Her life was a mixture of global experience and local commitment.

She was born on Nov. 5, 1954, in the small farming town of Sidney, Neb. When she was young, Jayne’s father joined the staff of The Navigators, an international Christian organization, and the family moved around the country and the world pursuing the goal, “To know Christ, and to make Him known.”

Jayne came to know Christ personally at Vacation Bible School. There she heard about the reality of Hell, and understood that her sins separated her from God. She trusted that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, who died for sin and rose from the dead, and she prayed and asked Jesus into her life. Jayne lived her adult life committed to Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Bible as the Word of God.

Growing up, Jayne lived in Nebraska, Maryland, California, Colorado, Germany and Australia. In Australia, she graduated from high school and worked in medical records administration at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. It was also in Australia that Jayne met a young American college student named David R. Gardner, who was doing Bible study with her father. They would later share an Australian summer wedding and were married for almost 43 years.

Jayne’s son, Jonathan, was born in Lincoln, Neb., where David went back to school to earn his doctorate degree. Then the family relocated to New Mexico, where she would live for the rest of her life. Jayne loved the Manzano Mountains and came to incorporate green chile into special family dinners.

She delighted in being a mother; in New Mexico her daughter, Joanna, was born, and Jayne became a home-school mom. Teaching was part of Jayne’s life, whether it was meeting in Bible study with young women in Australia, teaching a children’s Sunday school class with David at the Community Bible Church of Los Lunas, or training volunteers in how to keep an eye on Valencia County elections.

She not only supported her children academically, she led Bible studies with other home-school families, took her son to chess tournaments, and attended all of her daughter’s Wildcat volleyball and basketball games.

After her home-schooling activities quieted down, Jayne became more involved in local politics. She walked into a Republican Party county convention and walked out as the county party secretary. Even once her officer term was over, she continued to support her husband, who was county party chairman from 2016-2021.

Jayne was strongly pro-life, which was reflected in her support for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Valencia County. She had a passion for ensuring elections were conducted according to the legal rules. She spent hours upon hours at the polls and at the Valencia County Clerk’s office as ballots were cast and counted, serving as a poll challenger and watcher. Just a few weeks before her death, Jayne was a poll watcher for the 2021 local elections.

Jayne is survived by her husband, David; son, Jonathan; daughter, Joanna; mother, father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, two sisters, three brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law, seven nieces and nephews, and many friends.

She loved Jesus. She cared for people. She is, and will be, sorely missed. Vaya con Dios.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, at the First Baptist Church of Los Lunas.

 

Katherine Hayes

1920-2021

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1920, a blessing from God entered our world in Hillsboro, N.M., and 101 years later on Nov. 10, 2021, our beloved mother entered the eternal Kingdom of God from Belen.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Elizabeth Hayes, of Tulsa, Okla.; and son and daughter-in-law, JT and Susan Hayes, of Los Lunas; seven grandchildren, Kathy Miscoe and husband, Mat, Chuck Hayes, Stephanie Rodriguez and husband, Reuben, Mat Hayes and wife, Julia, Dusty Cox and wife, Becca, Clay Cox and wife, Desireé, and Phillip Cox and wife, Kelli; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in passing by her husband, Clyde Earl; and eldest son, William (Bill) Earl Hayes.

She and Clyde raised their three children in Santa Fe. Our mom loved serving others, entertaining guests in her home and serving in Pilot Club International, the Woman’s Club of Santa Fe, Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi.

She was an executive assistant at the First National Bank of Santa Fe and later secretary to retired Gen. Patrick Hurley.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Bee Hive Homes of Bosque Farms, 1935 Bosque Farms Blvd., Bosque Farms, NM, 87068, or First Presbyterian Church of Belen, PO Box 218, Belen, NM, 87002.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Edna Ray Hennington

1923 -2021

Edna Ray Hennington, age 98, a resident of Belen, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Los Lunas. Edna was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Howard Ray, who passed away in 1987; also her late husband in her second marriage, Graham Hennington.

Edna is survived by her three sons, James H. Ray and wife, Shirley Ray, Kenneth Ray and wife, Tracy Ray, and Martin Ray and wife, Diana Ray; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family will be having private services.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Ray, Chris Ray, Phillip Ray, Trenton Bock, Darrel Massegee and Daniel Oyler.

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

 

Gerald Donald Maez II

1967-2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald Donald Maez II, age 54, announce his unexpected passing on Saturday Dec. 25, 2021, in Albuquerque.

Gerald, “Gerry,” was born in Roswell, N.M., to Lydia and Gerald on June 26, 1967. He attended Hondo Valley Public Schools, New Mexico State University and TVI (Technical Vocational Institute) in Albuquerque.

Gerry acquired his journeyman’s license in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). He worked with various contractors throughout Metro Albuquerque. Gerry was also employed with Los Lunas Schools for several years.

His hobbies included deer hunting with his friends, listening to 80’s music, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle to various rallies throughout the nation and, most of all, he loved the time he spent with his family.

When Gerry’s parents, Lydia and stepfather, Johnny, moved to Alaska, he worked as a DJ at various events in New Mexico. He was fondly known as the best chef in the family. Gerry loved grilling his signature barbecue chicken. Recently, he returned to his Hondo Valley to live his dream of going back home.

Gerry was happy to care for his mother after the recent death of his stepfather; Johnny.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Donald Maez; stepfather, Johnny Gomez; his maternal grandparents, Amanda and Ignacio Torrez; and paternal grandparents, Miguel and Ethel Maez.

Gerry is survived by his loving mother, Lydia Gomez; his sisters, Jacqueline Maez (Gerald), and Stacey Otero (Pio); his brother, Michael Maez; his nieces, Alicia Ann Maez and Kayla Lorena Otero; nephew, Matthew Otero; and his great niece, Aria Belle; many aunts and uncles, and a closely-knit group of cousins and numerous friends who loved him dearly.

All services will take place on Friday, Jan. 7, at St. Jude Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Hondo Cemetery.

Masks are required at all services.

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

 

Mark Peña

1968-2021

Mark Peña, age 53, a resident of Los Lunas, peacefully passed away on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.

He was a Catholic and was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé. Mark was born in Belen on May 30, 1968, to Carlos and Mabel Peña.

Mark was a very talented person, great at whatever he put his mind to. He enjoyed oil painting  wildlife and nature landscapes, and working on vehicles. His passion was the great outdoors — hunting, fishing and camping in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Mark loved his mother, family and friends. He was a joker and had an infectious laugh that could be heard from afar. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Mark graduated from Belen High School in 1986. He worked for 30 years and he held several positions in his career as a plastics processor, injection molding technician, molding department coordinator, and as an independent contractor and consultant for various companies and corps; Poly-Flow Engineering, K-Tech Corp., Cooper Vision Ocular Sciences, Sud-Chemie Performance Packaging, Avonite, Clariant and Keeters. Mark recently worked at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens Cemetery as a groundskeeper, which he found very rewarding.

He is preceded in death by his father, Carlos Peña; brother, Johnny Michael Peña; and nephew, Johnny Michael Peña Jr.

Mark is survived by his loving mother, Mabel C. Peña; daughters, Rachelle Peña and Rhyannon Peña; sisters, Gloria Peña-Chavez and husband, Thomas; Mona Peña, JoAnn Chavez and June Peña-DeLoia; brother, Carlos Peña Jr. (Edwina); partner, Therese Guerrero; nephews, Matthew Cordova, Russell Chavez, Carlos Peña III, Christian Chavez and Angelo Chavez; nieces, Johnna Peña, Monique Perea, Raquel Chavez, Alexa Chavez, Brianna DeLoia, Gianna DeLoia and Desiree Romero; four loving aunties; cousin, Edward Chavez, whom he considered a brother, and many other cousins and friends.

Services are currently pending.

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

 

Sharon Romero

1962-2021

Sharon Romero, age 59, a resident of Tomé, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2021.

She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Lillian Romero; sister, Theresa (Char) Romero; nephews, Jesse Romero, Michael Sanchez and Christopher Montano; and niece, Tammy Gallegos.

She is survived by her siblings, JoAnn (Ben) Baldonado, Mary Lou Sanchez, Veronica (Ramon) Gallegos, Kenneth Romero, and Martha Shaw; nieces and nephews, Nikki (Kahil) Berry, Amare, Justice and Lilliana Berry, Chris Montano, Benjo Baldonado, Johnny Baldonado, Aaron Baldonado, Ramon Gallegos, Santiago Gallegos, Stephanie Sanchez and Jessica Romero; and many great-nephews and nieces.

All services took place on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé. Interment followed at Tomé Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Kahil Berry, Amare Berry, Justice Berry, Ramon Gallegos, Santiago Gallegos and Benjo Baldonado.

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

 

Betty Sarrels

1933-2021

Betty Sarrels, age 88, our beloved Grammy, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.

Betty was born to Wenonah and George Phelps on Nov. 10, 1933, in Hanover, N.M. The family soon relocated to Reserve, N.M., where Betty finished school and met her husband, Hugh Sarrels. They married on Nov. 5, 1955, and were married for 53 years.

Grammy grew up reading the Bible and found the Lord at a young age. She enjoyed listening to pastoral services, attending Sunday school, and listening to old hymns, especially those performed by her favorite, Alan Jackson.

Grammy delighted in her family, spoiling her grandkids, sharing an afternoon cup of coffee, and showing her love through her cooking. She was a fabulous cook, making her famous chocolate chip cookies, apple and pumpkin pies, bread, and cakes for every occasion. Grammy poured her heart into many wedding cakes, taking hours to ensure they were decorated to her idea of perfection.

Grammy also enjoyed crafting and spent many years as a member of the Crafty Ladies at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church.

Betty’s family spent the last year ensuring Grammy’s health and comfort, hours spent by her side, and advocating for her very best care.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, Hugh; sisters, Norma Foster and Wanda Jones; niece, Rene Garner; and nephew, Robin Jones.

Betty is survived by her dedicated and forever faithful daughter, Sandy; and son in-law, Tom Blaine.

She is also survived by her son, John Ray and wife, Kay, of Longview, Texas; grandkids, Chris Ray (wife, Katherine), Chris Blaine (wife, Kim), Caitlyn Blaine, and Sam Blaine (wife, Meghan); great-granddaughter, Nora Ray; beloved nieces, Paula Darner (husband, Kirt) of Delta, Colo., and Lynna Rowell (husband, David), of Silver City; nephew, Bryant Foster, of Silver City; and many great-nieces and nephews, who loved her and those children and grandchildren who she “adopted.”

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 7, at Peralta Memorial United Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Crafty Ladies of PMUMC or Lad S. Gordon Wildlife Refuge in memory of her love of watching the cranes.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Carlos Vigil

1985-2021

Carlos was born on July 20, 1985, in Albuquerque, to Elizabeth Sambrano and Marty Vigil. Carlos was a devoted son, fiancé, daddy, brother, tio, friend and coach.

Carlos and Erica started their life on Dec. 19, 2002. Since then, they have built a beautiful life together over these years.

Carlos was blessed with four amazing, beautiful and talented children. Carlos enjoyed so many things in life, which included coaching his children in sports and being a positive mentor to everyone he came in contact with. Carlos loved his family, baseball, softball, basketball, golfing, cornhole, playing pool, hunting, fishing, football, camping, outdoors, betting and winning.

Carlos was always the life of the party. His contagious laugh would light up a room, Carlos strived daily and worked hard to make sure his family was always taken care of. Carlos was never selfish. If somebody needed anything at all, he would be the first to lend a hand or give great advice.

Carlos had a passion for his faith, the 49ers, crosses, rosaries, music, concerts, DJing, cooking, his plants, reggae music, and hanging out with family and friends.

Carlos loved spending quality time with Erica, Aaliyah, Phillip, Aubree and Ariana; making sure each day they knew just how much he loved them. Carlos will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

A viewing for Carlos will take place from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 6, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley in Belen. A memorial mass will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Rio Rancho; reception to follow.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., SE Los Lunas, NM, 87031, 505-866-9992.

 

Roger Allen Wells

1954-2021

Roger Allen Wells, age 67, died on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Bloomfield, N.M.

He was born in Bernalillo on Aug. 20, 1954, to Wayne and Mable Wells. Roger has one older brother, Ronald Wells.

He leaves behind four kids, Lisa Gonzales, Forrest Wells, Casey Wells and Amanda Wells; 11 grandkids, and three great-grandkids.

Roger was a graduate from Espanola Valley High School. In his teens, he rode dirt bikes and flat tracked. He chased the rodeo scene, and was well known for his bull riding and bareback horse riding. Roger was a small business owner in Los Lunas for many years, but moved to San Juan County to work with a good friend of his.

Roger was daring and original, and put on this earth to break the laws, not to follow them. He will truly be missed by those that love him.

A viewing will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Farmington Funeral Home.

 

Polly J. Wilson

1945-2021

Polly J. Wilson, age 76, of Huxley, Iowa, passed away at her home on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021.

Born July 7, 1945, In Circleville, Ohio, Polly Jean Wilson was one of five children born to Gerald and Evelyn (Strauser) Davis. She moved with her family as a teenager to New Mexico, where she met and later married Richard Wilson. The couple was blessed with four children, Julie, Jean, Jolynn and Richard.

Polly was employed as a case worker with the New Mexico Department of Corrections for more than 20 years, retiring in 2005. She then moved to Iowa in order to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

She loved the company of her family, and was always up for a good game, especially poker and Scrabble. Polly loved to travel, especially on cruises and trips to New Mexico to visit friends and family. She enjoyed collecting angels, hot air balloons and hat pins. Polly was a mother figure to many and will be remembered for her giving, generous and loving nature.

Survivors include her children, Julie (Eric Blakley), of Ames, Jean (Tony) Reynolds of Huxley, and Jo Lynn (Jerry) Lund, of Ames, and Richard Wilson, of Ames; 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Jeri Hansen, of Idaho, Jackie (Mike) Walsh, of New Mexico, and Tina Landrum, of Ohio; as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Dale Davis.

Memorial services were held Friday, Dec. 31, in Iowa. Condolences may be expressed online at amesmonument.com.