Obituaries (Sept. 2)

Albert Baca

Died 2021

Albert Baca, 64, was called to his eternal resting place Aug. 21, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Filomeno and Grace; his brothers, Leroy, Leo, Dennis, Eddie, David and Sammy; his sisters, Maryanne, Barbara and Corine; his daughter, Julianne; and his nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his son, Joseph; brother, Danny; sister, Jenny; and many nieces and nephews.

We will miss him but take comfort in knowing that he is at peace.

 

Richard R. Barela

1938-2021

Richard R. Barela, 83,  passed away on July 22, 2021, in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was born in Belen on May 9, 1938.

Richard’s life celebration Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

To view Richard’s online guest book and full obituary, please visit romerofuneralhomenm.com.

 

 

Charles Birner Sr.

1932-2021

Charles Birner Sr., age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Albuquerque on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. He was surrounded by his loving family with his wife of 37 years, Sharon Birner, at his side.

He was born in 1932 in Lemitar, and was raised in Belen. While attending Belen High School, Charlie worked after school delivering groceries for F&E Department Store. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 at the age of 17, and was proud to serve his country as a sergeant in the Korean War until receiving an honorable discharge in 1954.

After the military, he was employed by the railroad in Belen. Charlie later went to work for PNM, where he retired in 1984 after 30 years of service. He was the Belen union steward for IBEW Local 611.

Charlie was preceded in death by his son, Nestor Birner; parents, Frank Birner and Inez Bourguignon-Birner; brothers, Eddie, Nestor and John Birner; and brother-in-law, Roy Storey.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Birner; sister, Sarah Storey; and sister-in-law, Celia Birner; children, son, Charles Birner Jr., daughters, Charlein Megherby and husband, Richard, Angela Wilkinson and husband, Craig, and Jodi Wolfel and husband, Fred. He was a loving grandfather to seven grandchildren, a great-grandfather to seven, and a great-great grandfather to two. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Friday, Sept. 3, beginning with a visitation  at 8:30 a.m., a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Charlie will be interred with military honors at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be David, Colin and Aiden Brown, Christian Megherby, Frank and Rod Storey, Matthew Wilkinson, and Fred and Logan Wolfel.

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

 

Lawrence “Larry” Kijowski

1947-2021

Lawrence “Larry” Kijowski, age 73, of Bosque Farms, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on Aug. 27, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice Hylek-Kijowski; brothers, Bernie and Lee Kijowski; and grandbaby, Malachi Rascon.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Brenda (Deison) Kijowski; children, Alexis (Enrique) Rascon and Garrett (Jessica) Kijowski; sister, Nancy (Jack) Pelc, of Lockport, Ill.; and eight grandchildren, Dominic Rascon, Amelia Zuni, Madison Silva, Juliet Silva, Uriah Rascon, Lanie and Lawrence Kijowski and Averyi Rascon.

Larry enjoyed being outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing and spent many hours in his garden. Larry had a passion for riding his Harley.

He had unconditional love for his grandkids and could spend hours playing with them and making them laugh and giggle. Larry made an impact on all those he knew, with his sense of humor, his true compassion and his loyalty to his brothers, friends and family. He will be greatly missed by all.

A special thank you to all the VA doctors and nurses, the amazing people from Ambercare and his personal nurse, Miriah.

In lieu of flowers, Larry would want you to express your love to those you value.

A motorcycle procession will leave Larry’s house at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, to his celebration of life that will take place at 10 a.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in Los Lunas. Private interment will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

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

 

Raymond Angelo Padilla

1993-2021

Raymond Angelo Padilla, age 28, passed away on Aug. 22, 2021.

He was a soul too sweet, too kind, a heart too loving, too gentle. The world didn’t deserve him, so God took him back.

Raymond is preceded in death by his heavenly family, his beloved mother, Judy Bibiano; uncle, Raymond Chavez; grandfather, Sato Bibiano; and grandmother, Jessie Perez.

He leaves behind his family on earth his wife, Elyse Eversole; sisters, Erica and Elizabeth Padilla; father, Manual Padilla; beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel in Belen, beginning with a visitation at 9 a.m., and funeral service at 10 a.m. Reception to follow. Interment will take place at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 10, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

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