Obituaries (Sept. 17)

Barbara Ellen (Vasselli) Alefeld

1942-2020

Barbara Ellen (Vasselli) Alefeld, of Belen, was called to the Lord on Sept. 5, 2020.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents, Angela and Carl Vasselli; and her husband of 48 years, Joseph.

She is survived by her two sons, Joseph, of Belen (a truly wonderful caregiver) and Christopher of Nevada; and granddaughter, Angela.

Barbara is also survived by her sister, Francesca (Patricia) Fabrizio, of Normandy Beach, N.J., and her children, Michael Pannullo and Noelle Brown, and brother, Carl (Tamara) of Cary, N.C., and their children Giancarlo and Angelina.

Barbara was a favorite “Aunt Bobbie” to her grand nephews, Jonathan Pannullo, Adrian and Harrison Brown, and Michael Chiambriello. Barbara will also be so very missed by her many cousins.

Barbara was born on Dec. 24, 1942, Christmas Eve, and was truly a gift to our family. She was raised in New Jersey and graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood and the Berkeley Secretarial School.

Upon moving to Belen, Barbara became an active member of her parish, Our Lady of Belen, where she joined the Catholic Daughters of America and served as a CCD teacher as well as a substitute teacher. She was also an enthusiastic member of her local square dancing troupe.

Barbara’s legacy should be admired by all. Barbara was a kind and gentle woman who always spoke well of others and proved to be a true friend of the many who knew her.

Our special thank you to Rita, a most caring neighbor who was there for Barbara day and night.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara’s family asks that donations be made to Our Lady of Belen Church, Belen, New Mexico, 87002, in her memory.

Services are pending at this time.

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 Sue (Hanff) Hartman

1950-2020

Carol Sue (Hanff) Hartman, of Belen, died on Aug. 29, 2020, at the age of 70.

She was born on May 14, 1950, in Albuquerque. Carol’s parents, Walter and Hester Hanff, lived in Belen. She graduated from licensed vocational nursing school in 1977.

Carol loved her family, and enjoyed making crafts for all. She excelled at crocheting and knitting, and spent hours dedicated to handmade treasures. She loved and valued her dear friends and community at Rio Verde Apartments.

Carol will be loved and missed by surviving children, Cheryl and Curt Capps; sisters, Harriet Wiley and Margaret Madrid; brother, Walter Hanff; and grandsons, Ehron, Jared and Ayden Capps, and Brandon Browning; nieces, Michelle Douglas and Kailan Madrid; and nephews, Michael Douglas and Justin Madrid.

She is predeceased by her father, Walter; and her mother, Hester.

At the family’s request, no public services will be held. If you would like to donate in her memory, her favorite charity was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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.

Alice Irean Hobbs

1959-2020

Alice Irean Hobbs passed away peacefully in Alamogorodo on Sunday, Sept. 6. 2020.

Born on April 21, 1959, in Socorro, she lived in Deming before settling in Belen.

Alice is preceded in death by her mother, Joann Duncan Patrick; and her sister, Cindy Boyer Patrick.

Alice is survived by her ex-husband, Donnie Hobbs; her father, J.W. Patrick; brothers, Butch and Stephan Patrick; her three children, D.J., Melissa and Amy Hobbs and their families. She has eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

What Alice enjoyed most in her life besides her family was the time she spent being a first responder and firefighter with the Rio Grande Estates Fire Department and Belen Fire Department.

Services were held on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Sunshine Church in Belen.

Martin “Marty” Rael

1963 -2020

On Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, Martin “Marty” Rael, age 57, lost his life while riding his motorcycle in his hometown of Peralta. Despite the valiant efforts of bystanders to move Marty out of harm’s way, he died instantly upon impact.

Marty was born in Belen on March 22, 1963. He graduated from Valencia High School, enrolled in college in Arizona, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force soon after. He was sent to Germany, where he and Jerri Lynn Chavez, of Los Lunas, began sharing a long-distance pen pal romance. They married while in Germany, and gave birth to Charity.

Later, the family moved to Las Vegas, and Brittani was born. After quickly rising in Air Force ranks to jet engine expert, he had received seven medals by the time he retired with honors.

Marty spent the majority of his life as a father, contractor and landscaper. He loved to fish, work on cars and spend time with his grandchildren.

Marty is survived by his daughters, Charity Rael and Brittani Lebouff; his grandchildren, Talon and Cadence; his parents, Ramon and Enedina Rael; and his siblings, Everette Rael, Patrick Rael, and Janna Serna.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife Jerri Lynn Rael, 20 months ago.

His tireless love, hard work, devotion and pride in his family was evident every day, and our best comfort is knowing that he and Jerri are together again.

Private services will be held. Please sign Marty’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Donn Thompson

1926-2020

Donn Thompson died peacefully in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Aug. 25, 2020, at the age of 94.

Donn is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of 73 years; and their sons, Jim and wife, Joannie, Tim and wife, Barbara, and Jonn and wife, Susan.

Donn has five grandchildren, Brent Thompson (Whitney), Tanja Champagne (Matt), Ashley Clemmons (Chris), Samantha Modeland (Neil) and Sasha Thompson; and six great-grandchildren.

Donn was born in Fullerton, Neb., April 16, 1926, to Carroll and Pauline Thompson. He married Marjorie Gress, his high school sweetheart, in 1947.

After graduating high school, Donn enlisted in the Navy; and after the war, he pursued a career as a meteorologist.

The family moved to Belen in 1965 and opened the Thompson’s Gambles hardware store. Donn loved owning the hardware store and continued with some similar hardware businesses through 1986, when he finally decided to spend more time with friends and touring the country in their motor home with the first of their precious “little black dogs.”

Donn was passionate about all things automotive, belonging to Poco Quatros Model A Club, the Early Ford V8 Car Club, and the Vintage Motor Car Club of America for many years.

Donn was very active in the community, belonging to the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belen.

Donn will be put to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.