Adele Pope Coplen

1927-2021

Adele Pope Coplen

Adele Pope Coplen (nee Blais) passed away Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at the age of 95.

Adele is survived by her children, Angela D’Ambrosio and husband, Rico, Emily Hildenbrand and husband, Richard, Joan Artiaga, widow of Pasqual Armijo, Margie Rothchild, Anthony Pope and Pierre Pope and wife, Sonya. She is also survived by many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was the widow of Frank Coplen. She is also survived by Frank’s children, who she called her “Coplen children,” Ellen, Richard, Bob and Doug.

Adele was born in Chicago to Oliver Blais and Lillian Horak. She became a New Mexican in 1968. She was a retired registered nurse, working in both Los Lunas and Albuquerque. Then her career continued as a volunteer in numerous non-profit organizations, some of her favorite being the Rio Grande Jazz Society, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the New Mexico Westerners and the Valencia County Historical Society. She received numerous awards for her hard work.

Adele loved Jesus, people, writing poetry, chocolate fudge, jazz and she loved to make people laugh. She was loved and will be sorely missed.

Funeral services were held for Adele on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque. Burial followed at the Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen.

In lieu of flowers, Adele asked that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and to Joy Junction.

Please visit the online guestbook for Adele at FrenchFunerals.com. FRENCH – Westside, 9300 Golf Course Road, NW, 505-897-0300.

 

Loren Tommy Dils

1966-2021

Loren Tommy Dils

Loren Tommy Dils, age 55, passed away on Nov. 3, 2021.

He was a New Mexico native, graduated from Belen High School in 1984, received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology/business from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 1989, and a master’s degree in business from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1994.

Loren was well known for his numerous accomplishments in tennis. He was a two time State High School Doubles Champion at Belen (1983-84), a two time Big Sky Conference Doubles Champion at NAU (1985-86), as well as the 1989 Male Student Athlete of the Year at NAU.

Dils was assistant men’s tennis coach at New Mexico State University (1990-91) and UNM assistant men’s tennis coach (1991-2008), four time Regional Collegiate Assistant Coach of the Year, and was the Lobo Tennis Club Director (2008-11). In 2009, the US Tennis Association SW Section Inspiration Award went to Loren, and in 2011 he was an inductee to UNM Alumni Letterman’s Hall of Honor.

Dils was the Jefferson Middle School Tennis Coach (2017-20), where they were champions in 2019. Loren, throughout his tennis career, to the very end, promoted local junior tennis in northern New Mexico.

Over the years, Dils enjoyed many other sports as well as fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, gardening, traveling and studying Southwest archaeology. Loren also loved getting together with family and friends.

Loren was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 2007. He survived more than 15 years with ALS, and was on a ventilator for the last seven years. Dils was an advocate for ALS awareness and research through that period of his life.

Loren is preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and “Joann” Dils; grandparents, Fred and Corra Dils and Clifford “Coach” and Marybelle Keith; and other loved ones.

He is survived by his two sons, Tanner and Connor Dils; mother of his children, Elaine Sanchez; brothers, Cliff Dils and family and Alan Dils and family; Geri Lynn Sanchez and family, Dena Davis and family, Karen Keith and family, Frances Roehrig and family, the Ruth Ellen and Fred Huning family, as well as many other valued friends and family.

A celebration of life service will be held at a date to be determined.

The family requests that any memorial contributions may be made to the Loren Dils Donation Fund, directly to Alan Dils or at any Wells Fargo branch.

Please visit our online register book for Loren Dils at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, 505-864-8501.

 

Gibson “Bill” R. Guernsey

1933-2021

Gibson “Bill” R. Guernsey

Gibson “Bill” R. Guernsey passed away at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque on Nov. 1, 2021, at the age of 87.

Bill was born on Dec. 24, 1933, in Dayton, Ohio, to Gibson Flynn and Sarah Francis (Dustin). He was the oldest of four boys.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie Joyce (Thiel); and his younger brother, Don.

He is survived by his two loving children, Belinda Guernsey, of Belen, and Lynn Slack, of Bedford, Texas. He has three grandchildren, Taylor Slack, of Grand Prairie, Texas, Johnny Slack III, of Bedford, Texas, and Braydan (Slack) Anderson, of Ogden, Utah. He was extremely proud to have a great-granddaughter, Allinia. He is also survived by two brothers, Roger, of Dayton, Ohio, and Douglas, of Ashville, N.C.

He was an avid aviation enthusiast, having restored multiple classic aircraft, and having built several home-built aircraft, including a Mustang II that won a Wright Memorial Award in 1982. He was the charter president of EAA Chapter 179, and also was involved in aerobatics and air racing.

He worked at Sandia National Laboratories for more than 40 years as a precision machinist/tool and die maker. He also had his own machine shop in Albuquerque.

He was known for having a passionate spirit and strong convictions, but also for being supportive and compassionate. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. May he fly high through the clouds of Heaven.

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.

 

Sally Holcomb

1934-2021

Sally Holcomb

Sally Holcomb, age 87, passed away on Nov. 12, 2021, in Belen, surrounded by her family.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, she had a love of politics and travel. Sally retired from the New Mexico State Senate after 20 years of service. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who loved spending time with her family.

Sally enjoyed a blessed life, being able to travel the world, engage in political conversations, going to the casino and playing cards with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life and travel partner, Joe Holcomb; and her parents, Augustin (Tino) and Teresa Chacon.

Sally is survived by her children, Louie Holcomb, Teresa Baca (Odie), and Danny Holcomb (Christina); her granddaughters, Megan Holcomb, Sonia Baca Bocanegra (Matt), Lea Leyba (David), Valerie Romero (Clarence) and Kimberly Ruggiero (Tony); nine great-grandchildren, who she adored and loved; brothers, Louie Chacon (Josie) and Robert Chacon (Lilian). She had many friends, but she especially adored the close friendship she had with Daria Quiniones.

A public viewing and a Rosary was recited at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Wednesday, Nov. 17. A final visitation will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Amaya Baca Bocanegra, Mateo Jose Leyba, Kenny Holcomb, Mark Chacon, Anthony Black and Lawrence Chacon. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Bocanegra, David Jose Leyba, Leonard Chacon and Martin Chacon.

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

 

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.