WILFRED "WILLIE" GARCIA, 63, of Las Vegas, N.M., died Saturday of a sudden illness.
He was born in Trementina and was a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, N.M. He was an avid outdoorsman with many special friends. He was employed by the Las Vegas Daily Optic in various capacities ranging from paper carrier to typesetter from the ages of 6 to 17. He graduated from Robertson High School in 1960. He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after granduation where he served on the USS Vancouver and USS Alamo for four years and was honorably discharged in 1964. He was married to Rita Marie Sanchez in 1962 in Las Vegas, N.M. He served in the Las Vegas City Police Department and the Santa Fe Police Department, respectively. After graduation from New Mexico Highlands University in 1970 with his degree in business administration, he went to work for the attorney general's office as a special investigator in Santa Fe. In his 19 years of service, he served under seven attorneys general. After retiring from the attorney general's office in 1988 he continued to work as a private investigator with various attorneys, the district attorney's office and the public defender's office.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio and Eulalia Garcia; sister, Toni Archuleta and brother, Benerito.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Marie of the family home in Las Vegas, N.M.; children, Terence, Leroy and Iolanda and husband, Brian; five grandchildren; niece whom he raised like a daughter, Michelle "Mitchie" Ebell; special cousin, Gilbert Garcia; brothers and sisters, Dan and wife, Flora, and Navor and wife, Arabella, all of Las Vegas; Fred and wife, Molly, and Priscilla DeLeon, all of Denver, Lorenzo and wife, Maria, and Veronica Bustamante and husband, Abel, Marcella Garcia, Ernestine Dykstra, Christine Gonzales, Linda Garcia, Mary Helen Delgado and husband Robert, all of Albuquerque; and many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation will be held 1-5 p.m. today at the Nelson Funeral Home Chapel, 801 Douglas Ave., followed by a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Vegas, N.M. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same church followed by cremation. A private burial will take place at his ranch in Ojitos Frios at a later date. Flowers are being accepted, however, in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Nelson Funeral Home, toll free (877)542-2421.
Dated: September 14, 2004
CECILIA V. LUJAN, 84, of El Macho (Pecos Canyon) died Friday.
She was born in Los Vallecitos (Cow Creek). She was a member of St. Anthony's Parish in Pecos and a mayordoma at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at EI Macho. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 74 in Moriarty.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Lujan; parents, Flora R. and Antonio A. Vigil; brothers, Andres and Ramon Vigil; and sister, Natalia V. Herrera.
She is survived by her sons, Oscar J. Lujan; Joseph C. Lujan and wife, Linda; Arthur G. Lujan and wife, Emily; Frank L. Lujan and wife, Rosemary, and Tony R. Lujan and wife, Yolanda; daughters, Yvonne Roybal and husband, Guillermo, and Maria Lujan-Sena and husband, Joe; seven grandchildren; sister, Eleuteria and husband, Teddy, Cannon and husband,Carl; and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at 3 p.m. followed by a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. today at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Pecos. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the same church with burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 984-8600.
Dated: September 14, 2004
TIMOTEO MARTINEZ, 64, of Chamita died Saturday after a long illness.
He was born and raised in Coyote. He was a logger and rancher. He loved to ride horses. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping and was a self-taught mechanic. He was a loving grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Josefa Martinez; sons, Louie, Donald, and Gary Martinez; and father and mother-in-law, Eduardo and Luisita Martinez.
He is survived by his wife, Rosel Martinez of the family home; daughters, Darlene Martinez and companion Roy Campbell of Los Luceros; Elaine Martinez and son Morris Martinez of the family home; four grandchildren, all of the family home; brothers, Max Martinez and companion Beverly Martinez of Coyote, Alberto Martinez and wife Olivama of Farmington; sisters, Romelia Martinez and companion Carlos Gallegos and Claudina Martinez, all of Farmington, Antonia Velasquez and husband Rudy of La Mesa Poleo; and many other relatives and friends.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. today in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of De Vargas Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at San Jose Catholic Church in Coyote with burial to follow at Coyote Cemetery.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley, (505) 747-7477.
Dated: September 14, 2004
CECILIA MARIA RIVAS, 66, of Chama died Thursday.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Francisco Rivas; sons, Fabian and Ramon Rivas; and parents, Maximiano and Euphemia Pacheco.
She is survived by her children, Anthony Rivas and wife Maxine of Sioux Falls, S.D., Alex Rivas of Center, Colo., Veronica Ornelas and husband, Luis; Cathy Torrez and husband, Manuel; Reyes Salazar and husband, Patricio; Jerry Rivas and wife, Nacha, Melissa Trejo and husband, Marco and Max Rivas, all of Chama; 24 grandchildren; and many other relatives.
Services have taken place.
Block-Salazar Mortuary of the Española Valley, (800)443-4854.
Dated: September 14, 2004
CARL H. ROMERO, 37, of Dixon died Sunday after a long illness.
He was a cement finisher while working with his father. He loved to collect oldies and motorcycle models. He enjoyed hunting, camping and listening to music.
He is survived by his son, Carl Romero Jr. of San Juan Pueblo; parents, Ernesto and Elva Romero of Dixon; fiancé, Beverly Salazar-Duran and her children Josephine and Joseph Salazar, all of Dixon; brothers, Ernest Romero Jr. and wife Jenny of Fairview and Jimmy Romero of Dixon; sister, Juanita Romero; and many other relatives and friends.
A public visitation will be held at 6:30 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. today in the Sangre De Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home. A second rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in Dixon. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the same church with burial to follow at Dixon Catholic Cemetery.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley, 505 747-7477.
Dated: September 14, 2004
RICHARD JOSEPH "PELON" ROMERO, 21, died Thursday due to injuries sustained in an auto accident.
He was born in Santa Fe to Danny and Georgia Romero. He lived each day to the fullest. He had an intense passion for his family and his New Mexican heritage, but most of all, he had an endless love for the game of basketball. He graduated from Desert Academy in 2001. He and his brother then went on to play basketball for Otero Junior College in Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Leo and Christine
He is survived by his parents, Danny and Georgia Romero; sister, Sarah Vereen and husband Stacey; brother, Danny Romero, Jr. and wife Alicia; girlfriend, Vashti Anaya; and many other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. today followed by a service at 7 p.m. at McGee Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same chapel with burial to follow at La Cienga Cemetery.
McGee Memorial Chapel Mortuary, 983-9151.
Dated: September 14, 2004
