JOHN A. GERBER, 86, of Santa Fe died Sunday.
He was born in Idalia, Colo. to the late Henry and Pauline Gerber. He entered the University of Colorado, but interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Air Force in World War II. He served with distinction in England as a member of the 8th Air Force, 56th Fighter Wing, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-52 Reconnaissance planes in combat over Germany. At the war's end, he finished graduate studies in aero-space engineering at the University of Colorado while actively serving as a pilot in the Colorado Air National Guard. Upon graduation, he took a position with Lockheed Aerospace research in California. Health problems in his family brought him to Santa Fe in the 1960s where he worked for several years at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He ended his career as a design engineer with the New Mexico State Highway Department. He was a gifted man of many interests. He authored a book which evolved out of his wartime experiences and played a mean jazz trumpet. His lifelong love of flying and speed prompted him to construct and fly his own replica of the British Spitfire plane and also to build racing cars in which he competed at major races across the Southwest.
He is survived by his wife, potter Mary Ann Gerber; daughter, Nancy Dee Adams and husband, Doug; one grandson; stepdaughters, Connie Maurer and Janney Hendricks; stepchildren, Thane and Zeya Maurer; sister, Lois Gerber Franke and husband Paul; and many other relatives and friends.
A private burial will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 984-8600.
Dated: May 17, 2005
EVILA "MITA" ORTEGA, 79, of Taos died May 10.
She was employed by the Taos schools for 47 years. She cared deeply for her grandchildren, so much so that she stayed past her retirement date until the youngest went onto junior high, just to make sure they were well fed. She loved serving all the kids in the school and would make sure the kids were full. She had part-time jobs cooking after school at Don Pedro's and Roberto's Restaurant. She was well known in Taos. She loved everyone and would call everyone "Mi hita" and "Mi hito." Her hobbies were cooking for her family and friends, embroidery and crocheting.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Francis; parents, Josefita and Benjamin Cardenas; sister, Simonita; and brothers, Luis, Ben, Floverito and Luis. She is survived by her husband, Eduardo Ortega; daughters, Rose Garcia and Theresa Romero and husband Mario, seven grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Evita Quintana and husband, Bolivar; Manuelita Pacheco and husband, Leroy; Eloy and Henry Cardenas; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held at Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom
Hall in Taos with burial at Penas Negras Cemetery.
Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home, 758-3841.
Dated: May 17, 2005
GILBERT ALEXANDER "GILLIE" SANCHEZ JR., 24, of Las Vegas, N.M. died Thursday.
He was born to Gilbert and Joyce Vigil Sanchez in Las Vegas, N.M. where he resided for his life. He attended East Las Vegas City Schools. Most of his time was spent being a full-time father to his two children, Lexus and Fabian. During his spare time, he enjoyed camping, fishing, horseback riding, playing and watching sports, and especially drawing pictures of all types. He attended the Immaculate Conception Church where he received his holy sacraments.
He is survived by his children, Lexus Angelica and Fabian Eloy Sanchez; parents, Gilbert and Joyce Sanchez; sister, Antoinette Gonzales and husband, James; and many other relatives and friends.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the Immaculate Conception Church. A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the same church with burial to follow at the Nuestra Senora Del Refugio Cemetery in Los Vigiles.
Rogers Mortuary, Las Vegas, N.M., 425-3511.
Dated: May 17, 2005
ANNIE DARLENE VIGIL, 19, of Las Vegas, N.M. died Thursday at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe.
She is survived by her parents, Jose Arturo and Virginia Martinez Vigil of Las Vegas, N.M.; sisters, Patricia Vigil and husband, John Paul, and Veronica Vigil and companion Alfonso Trujillo, all of Las Vegas, N.M.; and brothers, Joseph Michael Randy Vigil and wife Jo Ann and Leroy Vigil of Las Vegas.
Cremation has taken place. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. today at Our Lady of Sorrows Church with burial to follow at the San Jose Cemetery. Billy G. Rogers at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 425-9319.
Dated: May 17, 2005
BENANCIO HERRERA, 78, of Las Vegas, N.M., died May 16.
He as born to the late Manuel Herrera and Rosa Martinez in a small village north of Las Vegas, N.M., called Los Alamos. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on May 6, 1946.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ida Garcia Herrera; sister, Fedelina Herrera; and daughter, Sally Herrera.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Herrera of the family home in Las Vegas, N.M.; sons, Herman Herrera and wife Nancy and Joseph Garcia and wife Alice; daughters, Gloria Herrera and husband Leo, Emily Williams and husband John, Josie Ceseña and husband Rudy and Jessica Herrera and husband Matt; stepchildren, Gilbert Ortiz and wife Lila, Lorraine Aguilar and husband Jose Louise, Cathy Garcia and David Martinez, Angelo Garcia and Edmund Garcia; 40 grandchildren; brothers, Alcario Herrera and wife Rita, Ray Herrera and wife Virginia, Jimmy Herrera and wife Peggy, Manuel Herrera and Art Herrera; sisters, Mela Arguello and husband Tony, Viola Martinez and husband Pasqual, Ernestine Montano and husband Manuel, Jannis Herrera, Dorothy Herrera and husband Chuck and Marcella Gamez and husband Phil; and many other relatives and friends.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Thursday at the same church with burial to follow at 2 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Nelson Funeral Home, 425-6551.
Dated: May 18, 2005
CASIMIRA B. MARTINEZ, 99, of Dixon died May 16 after a long illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Martinez; brother, Candido Barela; and parents, Amarante and Nieves Barela. She is survived by her daughters, Lydia Rodriguez and husband Lafayette, and Frances Romero and husband Barolin, both of Dixon; six grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Dixon Presbyterian Cemetery.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Española Valley, toll free (877) 747-3600.
Dated: May 18, 2005
ESTELLA RIVERA, 84, of Ribera died Sunday.
She was born to the late Lucio Dimas and Albinita Gallegos.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Filiberto Rivera; and sons, Lucio and Larry Rivera.
She is survived by her daughters, Martha Romero, Lugie Valdez and husband Rudy, Dorothy Martinez, all of Santa Fe, Rosanna Lynch of Philadelphia, Esther Aguilar of Pueblo, Colo., Marilyn Rivera of Denver and Christella Montoya and husband Florian of Chimayó; sons, Roger Rivera and wife Mary Jane, Filiberto Rivera Jr., Louie Rivera, Lawrence Rivera, all of Ribera, Henry Rivera and wife Marcella of San Juan, N.M., and Donald Rivera and wife Elieen of Las Vegas, N.M.; 40 grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at the San Miguel del Vado Catholic Church in San Miguel with burial at the San Miguel Cemetery.
Nelson Funeral Home, 425-6551.
Dated: May 18, 2005
