Obituaries (March 18)

Leo Aragon

1944-2021

Leo Aragon passed away on March 11, 2021, at his home in Rio Communities.

He was born in Aragon, N.M., on Sept. 28, 1944. Leo had many found memories at the family ranch in Aragon.

He was preceded in death by parents, Manuel and Ramona Aragon; brother, Leoandro Aragon; sisters, Isabell Bustimante, Lucy Martinez and Sally Tanuz; brothers-in-law, Lester Garcia, Robert Martinez, Mike Jaramillo, Nazario Griego, Art Tanuz and Thomas Pope.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Aragon; son, Eduardo Aragon; daughter, Lalena Aragon; grandchildren, Tayshaun Williams and Estella Silva; granddog, Puffy; brother, Eddie Aragon (Barbara); sisters, Lala Griego, Bernadette Torres (Ernest), Frances Jaramillo, Josie Garcia, Bertha Aragon, Dixie Davidson (John) and Debbie Disanti (Dave). He was a beloved uncle to many nephews and nieces.

Leo was a good man, beloved brother, husband, father and grandfather. Being a grandfather is what he enjoyed the most. He graduated from Belen High School in 1963.

Leo maintained a close friendship with, Arturo Saiz, Earl Jaramillo, Bobby Romero, Dan Trujillo and Ronnie Barnet.

A Memorial Service was held on March 17 at Vista Del Rio Club House Rio Communities.

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 M. “Jonsey” Archuleta

1951-2021

Lucille M. “Jonsey” Archuleta, age 70, gained her wings on March 11, 2021.

She was such a loving mother, grams, wife, sister, aunt and friend. She was the nicest, sweetest person you ever met. Lucille loved the beach, surfing with her long board in Venice Beach, Calif.

Her family was her love and life. Mom, we are sending you to rest in paradise with an icy-cold Bud Light Platinum and a shot of Hot Damn! Love you.

Lucille was preceded in death by her mother, Theresa A. Mason; son, Robert Mason; brother, Thomas Mason; and sister, Juanita Gardner.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Tobias Archuleta; loving brother, Gilbert Mason; children, Thomas Mason, Tammy Mason, Charles Fleming, Corey Petersen and Paul Ballou; only son-in-law, Patrick Neder; grandchildren, Jazzmin, Deziree, Valintino, Jessica, Romero, Dominic, Tyler, Robert Jr., Johnnie, Mary Jane, Jordan and Charlie; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Bobby, Addilynn and Camilla, set of twin girls; godsons, Paul Ballou and Michael Stevens, and many more loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

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

Mari Jo Connelley

1932-2021

Mari Jo Connelley, 89, beloved mother, was called to her eternal resting place on Friday, March 5, 2021, in Albuquerque.

She was born on Saturday, Jan. 30, 1932, in Lockney, Texas.  Her parents were Edward Marion Thomas and Lucy Olive (Mathis). Both of Mari Jo’s brothers died as infants.

Mari Jo spent her childhood in Texas but had moved to Clovis by high school. She attended Clovis High until 1949.

Mari Jo was a 28-year employee of Mountain Bell, and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was also a member of the Zia Drifters Family Campers.

Before she moved to residential care, she attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church in Peralta.

Mari Jo is survived by the only surviving child of her first marriage to Carlos Hall, Karla Gutierrez (Michael); grandchildren, Christopher (Becky), David and Manni; great-grandchildren, Devon, Jasmine, Emilio, Rene, Tony, Gabriel and Anthony, Virginia (Sena) Hall, wife of Carlos Jr. (deceased), and their daughter, Jamie; and grandson, Quentin.

Mari Jo’s children from her second marriage to Nelson Johnson are Jayson aka Maria (Tami) and Edward.

From her marriage of 47 years to Jack “Skip” B. Connelley, she is survived by Kelly Freeman (John); grandsons, Michael (Angelica), Jack, Edward “Tommy” Thomas; and great-grandson, Mason; daughter, Priscilla Baratta, and her children, Kevin, Tim and Katie; and granddaughter, Gracie.

She is predeceased by son, Paul E. Connelley.

Mari Jo loved all the babies in her family and gave the best hugs. She loved the Lord, and prayed, sometimes three times a day, for all of her loved ones. During her 47 years of marriage to Skip, they traveled all around America in their RV. Mom loved the color red, chocolate, apple fritters and Starbucks.

We love her and miss her, and we are sure she is praying for all of us from heaven, maybe more than three times a day.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 27, with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., a Rosary at 10 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Peralta. Interment will be at Mountain View Commentary in Capulin, N.M.

Please visit our online guestbook for Mari Jo at FrenchFunerals.com. FRENCH – University, 1111 University Blvd. NE, 843-6333.

Joseph Ray Hobbs

2009-2021

Our angel Joseph Ray Hobbs, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021.

At only 11 years old, it’s hard to find the words to describe his amazing character. Joseph was a loving brother and an amazing son. He was full of life and, no matter what, he always made lemonade.

Joseph dreamt of being a “rockologist,” so he could travel all over looking for gems, crystals, rocks and see the world’s volcanos. Joseph loved his cats, dogs and his hermit crabs. He was also very interested in bugs and enjoyed his science projects.

Joseph was always full of questions, ready to learn and eager for knowledge. He loved to always ask “What’s your favorite … ?” Joseph was always curious about anything and everything; he loved to know the things they liked in life.

Joseph always had a smile on his face and could make any day brighter with just his presence. His brother Joshua Hobbs, was constantly asking him for help and Joseph was always willing to oblige. He was always willing and ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Joseph will be terribly missed but we know our little ray of sunshine is flying high with his uncles and watching over us making sure to light up our world every day.

Services will be held at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley on Thursday, March 18. A public viewing will begin at 12 p.m., with a funeral service to be celebrated at 1 p.m.

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.

Kristin M. Romero

1973-2021

Kristin M. Romero, age 47, a resident of Las Nutrias, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Our beloved Kristin went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family and friends, after a four-year battle with cancer. We are so grateful to our family, friends and neighbors for their support and prayers. Your outpouring of love will always be cherished and held near to our hearts.

Kristin’s final wishes to her family and friends is “love like there is no tomorrow.” Her children and grandchildren were the focus of her life only surpassed by her love for Jesus Christ.

Kristin is survived by her loving husband, Jose Romero; children, Dominic Otero, Jordan Otero, Cheyenne Ortega and Sky Romero; stepchildren, Cynthia Bland and Phillip Romero and family.

Services will be held at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, March 20. A visitation will begin at 2 p.m., with a funeral service to be celebrated at 2:30 p.m.

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.

Mary Turknett

1942-2021

Mary Irene (Christmas) Turknett went to be with our Lord and her loved ones, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, after a lengthy illness.

She was born Jan. 13, 1942, in Hopkins, S.C., to Hugh Wilder Christmas and Gladys Berlene Christmas.

Funeral services were held Feb. 20, 2021, at Whitt Funeral Home in Duncan, Okla. Her grandchildren were her honorary pallbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.

Mary had seven children, Brenda (Rusty) Floyd, of Eastover, S.C., Doris (Henry) Anderson, of Belen, Lisa Zeiler, of Duncan, Okla., Cathy (Ronnie) Sparks, of Duncan,  Okla., Stephen (Velia) Turknett, of Chugiak, Ark., Rebecca Wheat, of Albuquerque, and Linda (William) Turknett, of Belen; 28 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and many longtime friends, who meant the world to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Turknett; sister, Grace; brother, Hubert; and three grandsons, Adam, Lucas and Burton.

Mary lived in South Carolina until 1972, then moved to New Mexico, where she met the love of her life, John E. Turknett. He preceded her in death in May of 1999.

She loved taking care of people, her children, grandchildren and anyone who needed her. She loved her church family, studying her Bible and serving others. She also enjoyed auto mechanics, gardening (she loved flowers of any kind) and playing the guitar.

The family wants to extend a very special thank you to Dr. McGouran, Abby RN and the entire Accentra Hospice team. They were amazing and took such special care with Mary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences can be made to the family at whittfh.com.