ROBERT PROTHERO
Robert (Bob) Prothero, who was well loved by the community, passed away June 26.
Bob, born in Johnstown, Pa., was a professional dancer and actor in New York and California. He moved to Albuquerque and opened Dance World Studio. He also taught country western dance at UNM's Continuing Education. He retired to the East Mountains and opened Marco Polo's Restaurant. Bob and his wife were recently given a tribute by the Belly Dancers of New Mexico for starting and promoting Oriental dance.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Libby Paton Prothero; son Michael, and his wife Carrie and grandson Alex Prothero; son Steven Prothero; daughter Tammy and son-in-law Patrick Lane; brother William Prothero; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at his son Michael Prothero's home at 1808 Gretta NE, Albuquerque.
Dated: June 30, 2005
JOHN EDWARD PETERSON
John Edward Peterson, 57, passed away peacefully on June 24 after a valiant 18-month struggle with brain cancer.
John was born May 13, 1948, in San Francisco. He spent many years in Prescott and Tucson, Ariz., and the last seven years in the East Mountains. John was an extraordinary man— very loving, compassionate and generous; a profoundly spiritual man of many talents. He worked as art curator at SBCC and KiMo Art Galleries and as exhibits director of Tucson Children's Museum. He was an artist, poet, visionary, artisan, builder, sculptor, gardener, inventor, alternative energy advocate and recycler, overall handyman and self-proclaimed American rebel.
John is survived and dearly missed by his spouse, Connie Mazzella; son, Aaron Peterson; sister and spouse Candyce and Ken Howard; niece Cristina Archibald; uncle and aunt Ray and Donna Peterson; Susan Peterson, ex-wife and mother of Aaron; and numerous beloved friends and co-workers.
A memorial/life celebration/anniversary was held Monday in the East Mountains.
Dated: June 7, 2005
ELIZABETH CONSTANT LeROUX
Elizabeth Constant LeRoux, 84, of San Francisco, Calif., and formerly of Estancia, died in San Francisco on May 30 after an extended illness.
She was born Elizabeth Jean Constant on March 6, 1921, to J.A. and Verlinda Constant in Estancia, where she grew up. After high school, she moved to Austin to major in art and music at the University of Texas. Her studies were interrupted when she met and married Lt. Ernie LeRoux of the U.S. Army Air Corps.
The next 20 years saw Elizabeth live all over the U.S. and in Germany for three years while raising her four sons.
In 1964 she moved her family to Corvallis, Ore., after her husband retired from the Air Force. Several years ago, deteriorating health forced Elizabeth to sell her beloved house and move to San Francisco where she could get proper care.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979. Survivors include her brother, Thomas Constant of Seattle; sisters Connie Hollenback of Albuquerque and Mabel Dorothy Turner of Puyallup, Wash.; four sons, Thomas LeRoux and Jeffery LeRoux of the San Francisco Bay Area, Bruce LeRoux of Salem, Ore., and Ben LeRoux of Corvallis; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
In accordance with her wishes, no formal service will be held. A small family observance will be held at the Shambhala Buddhist Center in Berkeley, Calif.
Dated: July 14, 2005
W. LEE THOMAS
W. Lee Thomas, 88, of Mountainair passed away July 10.
Lee was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Willard to Walter William and Sarah E. (Castlebury) Thomas. He married Dorothy Ruth Flemins on July 24, 1936, in Los Lunas. Lee worked for the Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative in Mountainair for 291/2 years before retiring. He was active in the Mountainair Senior Citizens Center. Lee will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Dorothy; a daughter, Carolyn Ruth Hollon and husband Carl; grandchildren, Lee and Crystal Hollon, Tom and Kandy Perkins, and Shawn and Lori Perkins; step-granddaughter Cheryl Kelley, her daughter and grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several special nieces and nephews.
A daughter, Pat Perkins, and a grandson, Allen Hollon, preceded him in death.
A funeral service was held Tuesday at the Mountainair Assembly of God church in Mountainair. Pastors Ed Rimer, Vernie Wells and Norman Lindsey officiated. Interment followed at the Roundtop Cemetery in Mountainair.
Harris-Hanlon Mortuary, Mountainair.
Dated: July 14, 2005
WILLIAM BENJAMIN BURNS
William Benjamin Burns, 85, of Estancia passed away July 13 in Albuquerque with his loving family around him.
Ben was born to George W. and Anna Belle (Eddy) Burns on March 6, 1920, in Becton, Texas. He married Claudia Lorraine Caudill on Dec. 13, 1938, in Reserve, N.M. They moved to Estancia in 1953.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorraine; son Neil Burns and wife Donna of Belen; daughters Kay Brown and husband Adron of Estancia, and D'Aun Morris and husband Raymond of Torreon; brothers, Johnny Burns and wife Leoda of Hobbs, and Alton Burns and wife Betty of Green River, Utah; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
His parents preceded him in death.
Ben will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to Harris-Hanlon Mortuary, Moriarty.
Dated: July 21, 2005
WILLIAM FRANKLIN KOHLER
William Franklin Kohler, 70, of Mountainair passed away July 11 at his residence with his loving family around him.
William was born in Long Beach, Calif., on Nov. 14, 1934, to Hugo Franklin and Frances Marine (Berry) Kohler. He married Doris Rose Edwards on Dec. 25, 1958, in Monte Vista, Colo. They moved to Mountainair from Bulla, Wyo., in 1990.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. William was a member of the Masonic Lodge, NM Gun Collectors and the National Rifle Association.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; sons, Claude Herbert Kohler and wife Mei of Albuquerque, and Robert Vernon Kohler and wife, Agnes Ann, of Mountainair; daughter, Misty Rose Wood and husband, Luke, of Santa Fe; sister, Jane Ann Travis of New Jersey; and three grandchildren.
William will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Arrangements for cremation were handled by Harris-Hanlon Mortuary, Mountainair.
Dated: July 28, 2005
