Newest Obituaries
BACA -- Venancio C. Baca was born on May 18, 1940 in Mesa Rica, NM to Fulgencio and Monica Martinez Baca and passed from this life on August 26, 2008. After spending his childhood in Mosquero, Dawson and Pastura, NM the family moved to Vaughn, NM after the passing of his mother in 1959. That same year, Venancio graduated from Vaughn High School. In 1961 he met the love his life, Catalina Chavez. They married on November 3, 1962 and recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on a cruise with family and friends. After graduation, Venancio worked as a service station attendant and then worked for the Department of Transportation. In 1972 he began working for the Santa Fe Railroad as a trackman. He continued to work for the Railroad for 28 years until his retirement in 2000. Venancio had many talents and joys in his life. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing to Spanish and oldies music. He also enjoyed experimenting with new notes and chords on his keyboard. For many years he played and sang in the Church Choir with his brother Benji and his sister-in-law Bertha. Throughout the years he played the guitar for many bands including the Gay Notes, Los Vatos, Revilion de Von and the Baca Brothers. Venancio loved being with his family and had a nickname for every one of them. He is survived by his wife, Catalina, of the family home in Vaughn; four daughters and sons- in-law: Ramona (Lazaro, Sr) of Taos, NM, Victoria (Ismael) Castillo, Veronica (Richard) Luna, and Pamela (Ernesto) Baca all of Albuquerque; two grandsons: Derrick (Crystal) Castillo and Lazaro Cardena, Jr; seven granddaughters: Breanna Castillo, Meghan Gutierrez, Tatyanna Gutierrez, Anjelica Gutierrez, Mia Luna and Mykayla Roybal; one great-granddaughter, Jaylynn Castillo. He is also survived by one brother, Benji (Bertha) Baca of Vaughn and one sister, Helen (Gifford) Crowe of Tucumcari as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents Cruz and Tita Baca, Miguel and Maria Martinez; one granddaughter, Petrina Castillo; a sister, Pauline, who died as an infant; a brother, Mike Baca; sister, Martha Garcia; three nephews, Larry Baca, Ambrossio Chavez and Rafael Chavez, Jr. and his mother-in- law, Ceria Chavez. Rosary services will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 7:00 PM from St. Mary's Church in Vaughn. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, at 10:00 AM also from St. Mary's Church with Father Steve Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Chris Arguello, Robert Luna, Michael Baca, Mike Montoya, Pete Zamora and Herry Baca. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, nephews and nieces. All services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St. Santa Rosa, NM (575) 472-3369. For online condolences please log onto www.chavezfuneralhome.com. 
Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
CANDELARIA -- BOBBY F. It's been three years but it seems like yesterday that you left us to be with the Lord. We Love and Miss You! Your Loving Family Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
CHELF -- Erneal Chelf age, 87, a resident of Albuquerque for the past 57 years, passed away on Sunday August 24, 2008. She is survived by her children, Glen Chelf and wife, Lorraine, Brenda Williams and husband, James, Robert Chelf, and Linda Baker and husband Eugene; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. A Visitation will be held on Thursday August 28, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Daniels Family Funeral Services Palm Chapel 1100 Coal Ave. SE. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday August 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church 608 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Funeral services are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave. SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-842-8800 www.danielsfuneral.com Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
DEMPSEY -- Helen Matilda Canon Dempsey died December 19, 2007 at the home of her daughter, Kathleen Enid Dempsey, MD, in Belmont, Massachusetts. She was born in 1910 in Franklin, PA into a large prosperous pioneer family. Seeking adventure and opportunity, she went to Albuquerque with her sister, Kathleen, in the mid-1930's. Her fiance, Glenn Arthur Dempsey of Dempsey Town, PA, soon followed, and they were married in 1935. Helen began a long career as a wife and mother devoted to supporting her husband's career as a federal government administrator with Soil Conservation Service and General Service Administration, and her two children's well-being. During WWII while Glenn was a scout with the 42nd Rainbow Division M.P. Battalion in Europe she nurtured the children at home. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Erasmus Canon and Katherine Hollobaugh Reed Canon; her older brothers, Lawrence and Wesley; her older sisters, Grace Gregg and Kathleen Watt; and her younger sister, Muriel Wallace. She is survived by her son, Glenn Michael Dempsey, M.D. and his wife, Geraldine Orange Dempsey of Albuquerque; granddaughter, Rebecca Anne Dempsey and her two children, Grace Katherine Chapman and Noah Reed Chapman of Rio Rancho; grandsons, Matthew Michael Dempsey and wife, Mandy Kissinger Dempsey of Aurora, CO, Bradley Glenn Dempsey of Albuquerque. Also her daughter, Kathleen Enid Dempsey, M.D. and son, Michael Joseph Dempsey of Belmont, MA. Helen had a wry sense of humor and while terminally ill with lung cancer after an 80 pack-year history of cigarette smoking was able to chuckle when her grandson Matthew wise-cracked that if she had not smoked she might have lived to be 98. She was a repository of family lore such as the ancestor who escaped from a Southern POW camp during the Civil War and ate raw frogs as he made it back to the U.S. lines, or her maternal grandfather, John Wesley Reed, who was the only one of four brothers in the 100th P.A. volunteer "Round Head" regiment to survive the Civil War. Her sense of humor and devotion to family are greatly missed. Funeral Services will be at Albuquerque First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a celebratory church dinner. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Glenn's grave-site at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
DIAZ -- Ezequiel "Zeke" Diaz, age 63, beloved husband, father, tata, and brother, was called home by the Lord Tuesday, August 26, 2008 after courageous battle with cancer. Services are pending and will be announced. Funeral Services are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Alameda Mortuary 9420 Fourth Street NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87114 (505) 898-3160 www.danielsfuneral.com Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
DOWDY -- Peggy Whitehead Dowdy, age 65, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dedicated follower of the faith, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was preceded by death by her mother and father, Doris and Charles Whitehead. She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Norman; two children, son, Mark Dowdy, of Albuquerque and daughter, Kathleen Lloyd and her husband, Jim Lloyd of Las Cruces; two grandchildren, Ian and Grace; one sister, Carolyn Lewis, brothers, Charles Whitehead II and Tom Lindsay; brother-in-law, Mike Lewis, sisters-in-law, Mary Whitehead and Maryanne Lindsay, Jann Walton and Barbara Dowdy. Peggy is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends she held very dear to her heart. Peggy was a very active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, a member of Daughter's of the King and served as Senior Warden. She taught high school biology for over 30 years, 22 years in Albuquerque Public Schools. Peggy was a devoted wife and mother. She touched many lives and will be remembered for all her kindness, generosity, joy of life and sense of humor. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Presbyterian AICU staff for the compassionate care they gave to Peggy. A Celebration of Peggy's remarkable life, spirit and accomplishments will be held Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 1500 Chelwood Park Blvd. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church Fellowship Fund. Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
GREINER -- Lawrence A. "Larry" Greiner, 78, a resident of Albuquerque since 1957, passed away at his home, Monday, July 28, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 48 hears, Nome Greiner; sons, Larry Songster and wife, of Arizona, Gary Songster and wife, Deb of North Platte, NE; daughter, Gayle Greiner of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Justin and wife, BJ Songster or North Platte, NE, Judd and wife, Natalie Songster of Thorton, CO, Drea Overton and husband, Van, Jason Sisk, Jeff Sisk, Leighanne Millligan, all of Albuquerque, Nason Milligan of Arizona; great-grandchilddren, Ashlyn, Taylor, Broc and Cole Songster, all of North Platte, Kailin Overton and Alyssa Sisk, Allison Milligan, all of Albuqueque; nephews, Stanley, Mark, Steven and Michael Greiner of Texas; dear and close friends, Ted and Arlene Bozanich of South Dakota. Mr. Greiner was preceded in death by parents; brothers, Burton and Stan Greiner; daughter, Debbie Greiner Milligan; and granddaughter, Jennifer Songster. He was born in Chapell, NE and moved to North Platte where he graduated from North Platte High School. After graduation he served in the United States Navy. He had a career with the FAA for 32 years before retiring. His family and friends were the most important part of his life. His lifelong passion was flying his antique aircraft. He was our hero, and we will miss him and his sense of humor. Cremation has taken place. Graveside services were Friday, August 1, 2008 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska. Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2008, 1:00 p.m. at Vineyard Retirement Clubhouse, 6118 Edith NE. Should friends desire, Memorial contributions may be made to Make a Wish of Albuquerque, 144 Louisiana Blvd NE 87108 or Joy Junction, 4500 2nd St. SW 87125. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
GROVE -- James Otto Jr., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, August 25th, in Albuquerque, NM. Jim Grove was born in St. Louis, MO to James, Sr. and Bessie Grove (nee Clary) and moved to NM at a young age. He married Mona Bradford in 1953 and they had two daughters, working as a cook and later as a mechanic in California. Wishing to return to NM moved to Cedar Crest in 1978. During their 30 years in the area they developed many friends and were active in the community. Jim was a gracious man who treated everyone that he knew with kindness. He was widely known as a good, honest mechanic who probably at one time or another worked on just about every car in the East Mountains. A man of simple means, yet he was always ready to help out whenever anyone needed it. He left the world a better place and will be sorely missed. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a half-brother and two of his sisters. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind a sister Effie Feld of PA, a brother Ernest Grove of CA, daughters Lydia of Jemez Springs, NM, and Cheryl of Palmdale, CA, two sons-in-law, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Direct Funeral Services of Albuquerque will handle cremation. There will be a Memorial for Jim at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 30th at the Grove home. Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
HARMER -- Raymond Harmer Jr. passed away Sunday, August 10, 2008 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1954, he returned to serve in the New Mexico Air National Guard and retired in 1992 earning the rank of Master Sergeant. Ray worked for George Rutherford Construction Company and Summit Construction Company in Albuquerque, NM for approximately 23 years before retiring. Ray was preceeded in death by his father; mother; brother; wife, Iva and son, Barney. Daughter, Melody Bassett of Colorado Springs, CO and Sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Price of Williamstown, NJ remain. Ray Harmer will be laid to rest in Albuquerque, NM with his beloved wife, Iva at a graveside service Sunday, August 31, 2008 Published on: Fri August 29, 2008
KOONE -- Marion Koone, 89, born November 9, 1918 in Brooklyn NY passed away August 22, 2008 in Roseville CA. Was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Willard. She is survived by son, John Koone of San Antonio TX; daughters, Gail Koone and Eileen McGuire and her husband, Larry of Sacramento CA; grandchildren, Matt Koone of Fredericksburg TX and Brittany Koone of Knoxville TN, nieces, nephews and many other caring friends. She was a devoted mother and military wife. She was involved in the White Shrine and active in Sombra del Monte Christian Church in Albuquerque prior to moving to Sacramento CA six months ago. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Sombra del Monte Christian Church, 2525 Vermont St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Cremation arrangements by the Neptune Society of Northern California. (916) 338-1111. Published on: Fri August 29, 2008