Obituaries (Nov. 11)

Ernestina Esquibel Barela

1925-2021

 

Our beloved mama, Ernestina Esquibel Barela, age 96, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Ernestina was a lifelong resident of La Joya, a lifelong member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, and a retired U.S. Postal service employee of 29 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Pabla Carrillo Esquibel; husband, Jose I. Barela; sons, Abran and Earl Barela; granddaughters, Michelle Chavez and Joslyn Vigil; stepdaughter, Bernice Barela; great-grandson, Cruz Chavez; son-in-law, Edward Sanchez; and her siblings.

This beautiful soul and matriarch of our family is survived by her beloved children and their spouses, daughters, Mary Ann (Andy) Ortega, Jean (Bernie) Chavez, Pauline (Phil) Tafoya, Selma Barela, Mary Lou (Larry) Vigil, Shirley (Dennis) Schmock and Maxine (Gary) Schmock; sons, Joseph (Diane) Barela and Gilbert (Libby) Barela; daughters-in-law, Mary Alice and Lorraine Barela; 29 grandchildren, Belinda (Gerald), Aaron, Andrew (Lynn) Angelo, Bernie, Mario (Elaine), Geno (Valerie), Timmy (Sueann), Erik, Brian (Suzanne), Eloy, Chris, Jennifer (Louis), Paulette, Joylene, Bobbie Jo, Danielle, Deanna (Jasmine), Joseph (Tesa), Cynthia, James (Lisa), Janet, Abran, Justin (Lyndsie), Desiree (David), Michael John, Jared and Jeralyn (Zeke); 52 great-grandchildren, Breanna, Adrian, Rebekkah, Brittney (Dylan), Brandy, Gavin, Gabriel, Garik, Chris, Caity, Jesse, Troy (Maddie), Joshua, Taylor, Luke, Turcillia, Nativity, Ethan, Annie, Mia, Gianna, Thiago, Shiloh, Carlos, Casey Joe (Matthew), Hilary, Vail, Keiana, Edward, Jericho (Shasta), Sabrina (Isaiah), Elias, Ariana, Johnna, Jason, Savanah (Jordan), Jakob, Abrie, Samantha, Harlee, Danilynn, Michelle, Lilyana, Nicholas, Adriano, Samuel, Acadyn, Titus, Willow, Eli, Ila, and Leo; 11 great-great grandchildren, Caadyn, Xander, Kaelem, Alyssa, Buddy, Brianna, Danny Boy, Isaiah, Zia, Daniel and Eliyah; and her beloved sister, Lillian “Lala” Abeyta.

Services were held on Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6. Interment followed at La Joya Catholic Cemetery.

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

 

Joan Fern and Eddy Erven

Died 2021

Joan Fern Erven left this earth on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at her home in Casa Colorado.

Joan was a beloved wife to Eddy Erven, who left us an hour after she passed, which, in all honesty, does not surprise people that knew them. They were always stuck at the hip and together.

Joan was a loving mother and is survived by her children, oldest to youngest, Susan Randall and husband, Peter, Deborah Peters-Randall, Thomas King, Jessica Malsam and husband, Andrew Erven and wife, Evy, Rebekah Johnson and husband, Richard; grandchildren, Devon, Adrian, Leanna, Christine, Jeffrey, Anthony and Scotty, Thomas, Ashley, William, Riley, Nia, Andrea, Izac and Zenae, and Austin and Dakota. She was a loving sister to Susan Cheney and husband, David, Patty Noe and husband, Ken, Susan Jack, Laura Devlin and husband, Dave, Nancy Paciga and husband, Robert.

In addition, Eddy is survived by brothers, Ricky, Johnny, Billy and Tommy; and a sister, Peggy; and many nieces and nephews.

Joan and Eddy were members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Los Lunas. Eddy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and family man. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.  They were both longtime members of the Valencia County Sheriff’s Posse.

A prayer service will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at the Noblin Funeral Service, Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave.  Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

An online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Angelita “Helen” Flores

1937-2021

Angelita “Helen” Flores, age 84, passed away on Nov. 7, 2021.

Services will take place at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning on Friday, Nov. 12, with a public viewing at 6 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 13, there will be a final visitation at 9:30 a.m., a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., and interment to follow at Abo Cemetery.

For full obituary and to sign Angelina’s online tribute, please go to at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

 

 

 

David Joe Franzoy

1959-2021

David Joe Franzoy went home to be with his Lord and Savior Oct. 23, 2021, with his wife by his side after a valiant battle with cancer.

David was born Aug. 31, 1959, to Stanley Franzoy and Barbara Johnston Panetti, in Las Vegas, N.M. David was raised in Las Cruces with his five siblings, where he met the love of his life, Christine Bottini. They wed on June 9, 1979, and had five children of their own.

David enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, raising animals, camping and spending time with family. David had a sense of humor like no other and was often telling jokes, and pranking friends and family.

He owned his own business, David & Sons Communications, installing phone systems for businesses throughout the community for 30 years. David loved spending time with his 10 grandchildren, with one grandson due February 2022, who he was excited to know would be named after him.

His family was his biggest treasure, and he was a blessed father. He was very proud of his kids, Amanda (Frank) Cerkleski, Zane (Andrea), Louie (Alyssia Tays), Molly (Andrew) Hagerl and Noah (Melissa). He loved his grandkids as well, Zao, Cadence, Gaige, Kayla, Bailey, Reese, Weston, Loretta, Grayson and baby David due February 2022.

David is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 42 years, his children and grandchildren, parents, siblings, Alan (Debbie), Karen (Rudi) Schmidt, Suzy (Jimmy) Head, Dianne Garcia and Laura (Neil) Roberson. He is also survived by in-laws, Deborah Pena, Brenda Spencer, Richard Bottini, Cynthia Bottini, Marie Sullivan and Daniel (Trish) Bottini; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his stepfather, Hugh Gardner; stepmother, Margie Franzoy; his father and mother-in-law, Louis and Rosemary Bottini; brother-in-law, David Spencer; brother-in-law, Ron Garcia; and brother-in-law, Barry Bottini.

Memorial service were held Nov. 5, at First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms. Burial took place at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Hatch, N.M.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the UNM Cancer Center and the health care team who took care of David the 18 months.

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

Kenneth Ray Watkins

1931-2021

Kenneth Ray Watkins, 90, of Rio Communities, passed away in Belen on Oct. 25, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born on June 23, 1931, in Frionna, Texas. He and Thelma Agnes Mayo married on Nov. 7, 1952. They lived in Frionna for many years.

Kenneth was a Navy Seabee veteran. He barbered at Taylor’s Barber Shop for many years before becoming a bookkeeper for Paco Feedyard, retiring from that role.

Kenneth is preceded in death by two sisters, and two brothers.

He is survived by his son, Harry “Butch” Watkins, of Los Lunas; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services for Kenneth are currently pending. He and Thelma are to be laid to rest together at the Santa Fe Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at a later date. May they Rest in Peace.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kenneth’s name to a charity of your choosing.

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.