Raymond Paul “Ramoncito” “Brother” Baldonado

1965-2021

The greatest gift our parents gave us was each other. Raymond was a loving and generous man, loved by everyone he met. He would literally give you his last dollar … or borrow yours.

He was a simple man, but rich with family and friends in the community of Bethlehem, where he was born and raised. Raymond’s personality was second to none; he was truly one of a kind. He had a kind heart and soul. He will be greatly missed by many.

He loved sports, and if you asked him a question, he’d share his vast knowledge of current and past events. He had so many friends he loved like they were family.

He was the eldest of nine siblings, seven sisters and one brother, Jeanette Story (Gil), Pauline Olon (Paul), LouAnna Pino (Charles), Consuelo Layton (Michael), Carlos Baldonado, Elizabeth Baldonado (George Ventura), Mariah Baldonado and Trinity Tolbert (Zach). He was uncle to 10 nieces, nine nephews, eight great-nieces and 12 great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe Baldonado and Carol Westfall; nephews, Joey Taylor Baldonado and Devon Baldonado; grandparents, Avelina and Remijio Baldonado and Eloisa and Ramon Sanchez.

After your season of suffering, God in all his grace will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday May 28, at Our Lady of Belen Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jose Barreras, Isaiah Vigil, Dadrien Baldonado, Lazarus Layton and Mythias Layton.

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.

Lydia Trujillo Cortez

1942-2021

Lydia Trujillo Cortez, age 79, passed away Monday, May 17, 2021.

She was born in Belen on April 3, 1942. Lydia graduated from the University of Albuquerque with a degree in education. Some of her favorite past times included going to the casino and playing bingo, and was happiest when surrounded by her family and close friends.

She enjoyed her many nieces and nephews, and brought smiles to the faces of those in her life with her charismatic personality. Lydia raised two children, Joseph and Katherine.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rumalda and Jose Trujillo; siblings, Alfredo, Arcenio, Eloy, Angelina Garcia, Rosendo, Ray, Sesario, Horacio, Refujia and Pat Trujillo.

Lydia is survived by her children, Joseph (Violet) and Katherine (Will); siblings, Joe and Daniel Trujillo; longtime companion, Jose Boreno; and her grandchildren, Christina, Shary, Joseph, Jason, Micayla, Sydnie and Violet.

A graveside service was held on Friday, May 21, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

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

Delores “Dort” Smith Culp

Died 2021

Delores “Dort” Smith Culp, 88, joined the Lord with her family peacefully by her side on May 15, 2021.

Dort was preceded in death by her father, Fredrick Smith; mother, Alice Mae Summerson Smith; sisters, Elizabeth McRae and Roberta Kaufman; brother, Frederick Smith; and grandson, Keane Morrison.

Dort was raised in Lock Haven, Pa., and represented a long line of British ancestors and colonists who were feisty, strong-willed and hard working with contagious laughter. She enjoyed beautiful creeks, rivers and spending time in her own yard among the trees and flowers.

She shared her love of cats, dancing, roller-skating, playing tennis and being a card shark with her daughters and beloved grandchildren. Even in the end, she represented being a strong woman, taking no BS or putting up with anything that displeased her.

She leaves behind Kendra Morrison de Marquez (Martin Marquez), of Los Lunas, Sherri Tomko-Davis (Phil Davis), of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren, Atisha Morrison (Jackson Brockway), of Austin, Texas, Aidan Morrison, of Los Lunas, and John Tomko (Amanda Tomko), of San Antonio, Texas; and one great-granddaughter, Makena Rose Tomko.

Dort will later be interned in Lock Haven, Pa., at Rest Haven Memorial Park next to her mother, Alice, this fall. In lieu of any flowers, we ask that donations be made in her memory to the Animal Humane New Mexico.

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

John W. Pope

1947-2021

John W. Pope, 74, of Rio Communities, passed away on May 18, 2021, after a long illness.

A former district court judge, he had a passion for the law. A lifelong Democrat, he was active in politics, both in Valencia County and statewide. He was a dedicated teacher, and taught at UNM-Valencia campus for more than 20 years. He delighted in mentoring political science students, and was always willing to share his knowledge and opinions with anyone who was willing to listen.

A gregarious man, he was active in a huge variety of organizations and causes. He was an avid golfer and loved the arts.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Pope; his mother, Florence (Kline) Pope; brother, Thomas Pope; and family friend, Helen Radcliffe.

He is survived by his daughters, Erin, Ana and Lauren; his sisters, Dixie (John) Davidson, Patricia Aragon and Debbie (Dave) DiSantis; many beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Linda Pope; and close friends, Rick Shand and Cynthia Ferrari; and his faithful cat, Remus.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers, neighbors and friends who helped care for him.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 12, at Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel.

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.

Carol J. Raget

1940-2021

Carol J. Raget, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on May 19, 2021.

She was born and raised in Tarentum, Pa., and made New Mexico her home after she retired. Carol graduated from New Kensington Business School and retired after 30 years of service with Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp. as an accounts payable clerk.

She enjoyed going to the casino, never missed an estate sale and enjoyed sewing and embroidery. Carol was blessed to have wonderful neighbors, who were more like family, Mary Fagen and Brian, Ralph and Michalene Rocco and Gordon and Jerreldine Neufeld; lifelong friends, Joyce Lockavitch and Marlene Jaros.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Irene Dohmen; and her brother, Donald Dohmen.

Carol is survived by her son, David Paugh; nephews, Ken and Scott Dohmen; niece, Melonie Pederson; cousins, Robert and Suzan Lukas; and her beloved cats, Nicky and Kelly.

A public memorial service will follow at a later date.

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

Brenda M. Sanchez

Died 2020

Brenda M. Sanchez, of Belen, passed away on April 13, 2020.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Sanchez; father-in-law, Jim F. Sanchez; mother, Jenny; and sister, Jeanette Maldonado.

Brenda is survived by her son, Jimmy Sanchez, of Belen, who graduated from Belen High School, and owns Landscaping and Demolition, and son, Eric Sanchez, and his four daughters, of Los Lunas; brother, Pete; five sisters, 22 nieces, 18 nephews, eight grand-nieces, five great-nephews; and her boyfriend of 10 years, Leonard.

She loved babysitting for her grandkids, riding her bike, going to church on Sunday, feeding her birds, and cooking for her family on the holidays. She was proud of her sons.

She is in heaven with all the angels watching over her family from heaven; our guardian angel, rest in peace our angel.

Jennie Ann (Chavez) Van Weart

1938-2021

Jennie Ann Van Weart left the family she loved so much and joyfully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 30, 2021. She died peacefully in her home in Albuquerque.

She was born in Gallup on Aug. 17, 1938, to a large and loving family. She married Medardo Gonzales in 1956. They spent 10 years in Arizona and California before returning to Crownpoint, N.M., and then back to Gallup. They later divorced, but remained friends and shared many conversations about their children.

In 1980, Jennie gave her life to the Lord and attended the Door Church, where she became involved in women’s ministry. She had many wonderful years there.

In 1982, she married Walter Ramon Van Weart in Gallup. They were a loving and devoted couple until his death in 2006.

In 1988, the family moved to Belen, where Jennie grew to love it very much. Their home was always filled with children and grandchildren. In 2007, Jennie moved to Grants to live with her daughter, Sylvia and husband, Tim. She later moved with them to Albuquerque.

Her devotion to Jesus Christ remained strong throughout her life and she joyfully attended Westside Christian Fellowship Church in her last years.

Jennie is preceded in death by her husband, Walter; two grandchildren, Joseph and Michelle Gonzales; brothers, Franklin Chavez, Steve Chavez, Bill Chavez and Ralph Chavez; sister, Mary (Chavez) DeLa Torre; parents, Patrocino and Lucy Chavez; and two sons-in-law, Terry Donithan and Jesse Reyna.

She is survived by two siblings, brother, Richard Chavez (Rosemary), of Albuquerque; and sister, Patsy Chavez (Telesfor), of Gallup; children, Adrian Gonzales (Wynema), of Cortez, Colo., Medardo M. Gonzales, of Albuquerque, Arnold Gonzales (Sandra), of Albuquerque, Barbara Donithan, of Albuquerque, Victor Gonzales (Rick), of Belen, Sylvia Martin (Tim), of Albuquerque, Monica Moran, of Belen, and John Gonzales (Victoria), of Belen; Medardo Gonzales, father of their eight children, of Albuquerque; two stepdaughters, Virginia Marquez (Loren), of Belen, and Christa Shaw, of Albuquerque, and their children.

She also left behind 26 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, who loved their “Gramma Grande” or “Gma,” as they called her. She, and all her love and prayers for them, will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of West Albuquerque, 6400 Golf Course Road NW, Albuquerque, at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 29, with a reception following. Presiding over the service will be her son, Pastor Adrian Gonzales, of the Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church of Cortez, Colo., and her Pastor Matthew Mauldin, of the Westside Christian Fellowship Church of Albuquerque, officiating.

Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque provided services.

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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.