Margaret Ann Abeyta

Margaret Ann Abeyta

1952-2021

Margaret Ann Abeyta, age 69, a resident of Valencia County, passed away on June 13, 2021, at Enchanted Living in Albuquerque.

She was born in Willard, N.M., to Maximilano and Francesquita Tenorio and grew up in Martineztown with her brothers and sisters, Aneda, Rita, Stella, Alice, Guadalupe, Janice, James, Jose, Frank and Nick.

Margaret was a dedicated educator for 25 years with the Belen Consolidated Schools. She was a member of Our Lady of Belen Parish and the Legion of Mary.

Margaret was loved by many of her colleagues and former students.  Ms. Abeyta, as she was affectionately known, held a child’s education in high regard, even tutoring struggling students in her home in Belen.

She was a tireless advocate for the voiceless helping establish the NEA-Belen union, Somos Un Pueblo Unido Veguita, and supporting numerous elected officials across the state. She loved to sing and dance. Margaret found many new friends at senior centers in Valencia and Socorro counties.

She is survived by her husband, Gilfred Abeyta; children, Guadalupe Abeyta, of Bernalillo, and her partner, Manuel Baca, and Sisto Abeyta, of Albuquerque; her grandchildren, Annalicia Baca and Aayden Baca.

Services took place on Tuesday, June 22, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque.

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

 

Dane James Authement

Dane James Authement

1996-2021

Dane James Authement, age 24, a resident of Belen, born July 26, 1996, passed away on June 20, 2021.

He was an employee of the Valencia County Detention Center, holding the rank of sergeant. He was a loving son, caring brother, loving soulmate and heartfelt friend to everyone.

His many interests included working with his fellow officers, who are his brothers, sports of all kinds, MMA fights, basketball and especially football. He was known for having a full beard, that he was very proud of.

He had the prettiest smile, a contagious laugh and gave the best bear hugs, and had the most beautiful eyes you could never forget.

Dane was survived by his parents, Rick and Lydia Authement; sister, Skylar Authement (Tristan Hobbs); Amber Trujillo (soulmate); grandparents, Jose and Margie Garcia; nephew, Jasper Hobbs; uncles, aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 25, at Heritage Park in Los Lunas. Dane will be laid to rest in Mogote, Colo., in July.

Pallbearers are Rick Duran III, Marcos Salcido, Brendan Alarcon, Carlos Sanchez, Rudy Saiz, Martin Trujillo, Jordan Crespin, Salvador Epindola, Daniel Trujillo, Adrian Nevarez and Victor Lozoya.

We love you, Dane; you will be greatly missed.

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

 

Emma G. Baca

Emma G. Baca

1933-2021

Emma G. Baca, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on June 15, 2021, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

Emma was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. She lived her life to the fullest, and was one of the strongest and most loving people, who was a great cook and always cooked for an army. Emma loved traveling, going for rides, bingo at the casinos, dancing, softball games, politics (voiced her opinion with no hesitation) and was a taxi driver for so many.

Everyone knows she is a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. Family was her main focus and she loved family gatherings.

Our mother was preceded in death by her parents, Juan B. and Elena Serna Vallejos; in-laws, Tomas and Margarita C. Baca and Frank and Stella Chavez, Herman and Christina Kaneshiro, David and Rosie Baca and Benny Baca; husband, George C. Baca; sons, Lawrence, Tommy, Ruben and Fernando Baca; son-in-law, Danny Ramirez; siblings, Lilly Trujillo, Theresa Ferric, Lucy Guzman, Isabel Currie, Freddy, Felix and Arsenio Vallejos.

Emma is survived by her children, Dolores Ramirez, Patsy (Frankie) Sedillo, George Baca, Josephine Baca, Lorraine (Phillip) Delgado and Helen Vallejos; daughters-in-law, Diedra Baca and Virginia Martinez; siblings, sister, Ramona Moya and brother-in-law, Felipe Trujillo; as well as 30 loving grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, 24 great-great grandchildren and, in her eyes, everyone was family.

Services were held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Interment was at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Phillip Delgado, Isaac Delgado, Michael Vallejos, Jessica Baca, Isaiah Jaramillo and Steven Martinez. Honorary pallbearers were Margaret, Annamarie and Adam. The urn bearer was Adam Baca and the honorary Urn bearer was Margaret Calles.

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

 

George J. Koch

George J. Koch

1935-2021

George J. Koch, age 85, a long-time resident and active member of Rio Communities and Belen, passed away Sunday, June 13, in Albuquerque, following a brief hospitalization for pneumonia.

George moved to Belen in the mid-1970s from the Kansas City, Mo., area, and was known to many for his outgoing personality, contagious smile and mischievous sense of humor. His family and many friends are gifted with countless precious memories and he is deeply missed already.

George was born in Bonne Terre, Mo., and grew up in Jefferson City and Columbia. He graduated from University High School in Columbia with the Class of 1953 before attending the University of Missouri from 1953 to 1957. While attending MU, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served with the National Guard. George was awarded his bachelor’s degree from MU some 53 years later in 2010, completing a long-time personal goal.

He enjoyed an extended career in the real estate industry, including being a home builder and developer, agent, broker and appraiser.  George participated in several professional organizations, including the New Mexico Real Estate Board, the New Mexico Appraisal Board and the Appraisal Institute. He was an active member of the Belen Rotarians and the First United Methodist Church of Belen.

George was predeceased by his former wife, Virginia (“Ginger”) Bunger Koch; and his beloved granddaughter, Brandelin Duke Clark (Thomas).

He is survived by his children, Karl Koch (Cheryl), of New Bern, N.C., Rebecca Dedier (Steve), of Lillburn, Ga., Pamela Duke (Derrick), of Albuquerque, and John Barrett (Pam), of Pleasant Hill, Mo. He had 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (soon to be 13). George is also survived by his siblings, Karlene Voepel (Monte), of Rimrock, Ariz., and David Koch (Patricia), of Long Beach, Calif.

A celebration of George’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 30, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Donations may be sent in his honor to Best Buddies in New Mexico at bestbuddies.org/newmexico/donate.

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

 

Tony Ronald Lucero

Tony Ronald Lucero

1952-2021

Tony Ronald Lucero, 68, a resident of Los Lunas, born on Sept. 14, 1952, in Santa Fe, lived in Pateca, N.M., passed away on June 16, 2021.

Tony was a member of the Milan Baptist Church. He attended Grants High School, played football and basketball. He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He loved to go elk hunting and fishing, and going to the casino with his wife.

He retired after 35 years from the Department of Federal Service and was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 2008. He then was employed by the Pueblo of Isleta.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert Lucero and Ruth Leichtle Lucero; sisters, Charlotte Lucero and Joann Griego; nephew, Joseph Griego and Amy Griego.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Tonnie Hart Lucero; son, Tony M. Lucero (Cindy); grandson, Tyler Lucero; stepsons, Emmanuel, Anthony (Tiffany), Lucas (Jenny) and Matthew (Angela); grandkids, Alex Thompson, Katie Hart, Elijah (Buddy Lee), Savannah (Miss Rose), Joshua (Joshie) Emma Cambell, Autumn, Matthew, Madison and Achilles Barela; and great-grandson, Karlos Ciermans.

Pallbearers will be Emmanuel Hart, Anthony, Lucas, Matthew Elijah, and Joshua Barela.

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

 

Eduardo Guadalupe Palacios Jr.

Eduardo Guadalupe Palacios Jr.

1954-2021

Eduardo Guadalupe Palacios Jr., age 66, passed on June 3, 2021, at his home in Belen, with his partner, Teresa, by his side.

He always had a smile and a joke. He loved to paint, enjoyed fishing and riding his motorcycle. He loved helping people, and had a big heart. The best thing that ever happened to him was Teresa.

He will be missed by all of us who loved him. His love for family and friends will be missed.

Ed retired from GE as a machinist, and served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne.

He is preceded in death by Nadine and Eduardo Palacios

Rest in peace, brother, Ed!

 

Toribio “Toby” Sisneros

Toribio “Toby” Sisneros

1942-2021

Toribio “Toby” Sisneros, of Los Lunas, passed away on June 18, 2021, at the age of 78.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio Sisneros and Maria Aurora Garcia; his sister, Maria Eloisa Sisneros; and his brother, Francisco “Frankie” Sisneros.

He is survived by his wife, Elvia; his son, Anthony Sisneros; his daughters, Cindy Sisneros and Stephanie Janelle Ryan (Robert); his grandchildren, Samantha Torres (Aaron), Alexis Sisneros, Kyler Jackson and Corrina Ryan; his great-grandchild, Leo Torres; his siblings, Orlydia Sisneros, Inez Chavez (Jake), Teresa Ruiz (Maurilio), Michael Sisneros (Lila) and Judy Critchfield (Douglas); and sister-in-law, Inez Sisneros. He is also survived by uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

Toby’s family and friends are hosting a celebration of life at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 26, at the family home. All friends and family are welcome. Please wear red; that was Toby’s favorite color.

There will be a private burial for immediate family at a later time.

 

Peter “Julian” Torres V

Peter “Julian” Torres V

2005-2021

Peter “Julian” Torres V — son, brother, friend, gamer and avid swimmer — passed away on June 16, 2021, at his family home in Aurora, Ill. He was 15 years old.

Julian, meaning, “young at heart,” was born on Sept. 5, 2005, in Aurora to Peter Japhen Torres and Sarah (Gordon) Torres. Growing up, he attended St. Mary’s in Belen, Holy Angels in Aurora, and Aurora Central Catholic High School.

A brilliant mind, Julian remained on the honor roll throughout his school years. He would have been a sophomore. Julian possessed an intense passion for anything he set his mind to. His determination was stronger than a rock.

Julian was well known in the community for swimming, playing video games with his dear friends from Holy Angels, and golfing for ACC. He was an excellent student and among other things, served four years as an altar server. While Julian had a quiet demeanor, his love for others spoke volumes and was felt by all those encompassed in his life.

In addition to his parents, Julian is survived by his two sisters, Hannah Gabrielle Torres, of San Antonio, Texas, and Rebecca Grace Torres, of Albuquerque; his paternal grandparents, Pete and Hortencia Torres; and maternal grandmother, Jeanine Gordon.

His aunts and uncles include Joell and Farid Himeur, Johnnah Torres, Mary and Dr. Robert Peleman, Bridget and Chuck Neff, Heidi and Peter Doyle, and Gretchen and John Minyard. He is also survived by his cousins, Zach and Tia Montano, Lorenzo Sosa, Noa and Mai Ly Torres Baker, Jake Johnson, Emma and Randy Dziak, Eva, Liam and Luke Doyle, Rachel, Maggie, Michael, and Ryan Neff, Conor, Natalie, and Dr. Jack and wife, Amanda Peleman.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Eugene Gordon.

Julian’s visitation and Rosary took place on Tuesday, June 22. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 23, at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Aurora, Ill. The services for our family in New Mexico are scheduled for Monday, June 28, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church beginning with a visitation from 10-11 a.m., and Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Peter Julian Torres V will be laid to rest alongside his great-grandfather, Peter Torres II, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Peter, meaning “rock,” will live on supporting the lives of 22 individuals through his organ donation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, 110 W. Main St., Freehold, NJ, 07728.

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

What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
2
+1
0
+1
0

The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.