Peter Griffith Nelson Anderson passed away peacefully in his sleep in the wee hours of August 5, 2006, at his home in Boise, Idaho. He was born December 8, 1931, to Mildred Barnett and Rex N. Anderson, Sr. in Salt Lake City, Utah. After serving in the Air Force he completed his education at University of Utah and pursued a career in the mining industry. Among his numerous accomplishments, Griff was a pioneer of mining in an environmentally responsible manner. He married
Shirley Dawn Anderson January 26, 1951. She passed away December 22, 1978. He is survived by his children, Brent N. Anderson, Ely, NV, Jennifer A. Lee, Boise, ID, Mark N. Anderson, Boise, ID, and Michael Nelson Anderson, Las Vegas, NV. Also surviving are grandchildren, James N. Anderson, Boise, ID, Patricia Anderson, Denver, CO, Robin Kelsy Lee, Reno, NV, Sean M. Lee, Boise, ID, Nicholas N. Anderson, Boise, ID, Kylie Dawn Anderson, Las Vegas, NV, and Michael and Jeaneath Reyes, Ely, NV. Also surviving is his wife of 25 years, Charleen “Sally” Armstrong Anderson, Boise, ID. He left strict instructions that there will be no services, but that his ashes be strewn over his property on the South Fork of the Boise River. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, Boise.
John Fusek, 56, of Taos, passed away on Saturday evening, August 26, 2006, at the Holy Cross Hospital. He was born on June 8, 1950, in Burbank, CA, graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks in 1969, and attended Valley College in the San Fernando Val-ley. John loved nature and the simple life, which originally brought him to Taos in the early 1970's where he met his former wife and mother of his children, Genie Munson. He was, among many other things, a wood carver. He lived in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Wisconsin, California and Indiana. For the last several years of his life he enjoyed living on his land in the Three Peaks area of Taos.
preceded in death by his father Adolph Fusek, John is survived by his mother Margaret Fusek of North Hollywood, CA; 10 brothers and sisters of California and Oregon which are Jim Fusek, Polly Fusek, Monica de- Malleville, Kathleen Fusek, Bill Fusek, Tom Fusek, Jane Fusek, Tess Schallard, Joe Fusek and Margie Sagnotti; one son, John Fusek of Albuquerque; daughter Maggie Avants of Murrieta, CA; daughter Bethany Shecker of Chino Valley, AZ; and four grandchildren. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Thank you to the staff at the Holy Cross Hospital for the gentle care you provided him, and to anyone who may have befriended him over the years.
Marrill Mayhall Blevins, of Houston, TX, formerly of Taos, NM and Alexandria. VA, died on Sunday, Aug. 27. He was a decorated WWII hero, and served in the Foreign Service of the United States Department of State from 1947 to 1968. He retired from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome as Chief of Protocol after twelve active years. He was a licensed lay-reader at Christ Church, Alexandria, VA and played an important role in rehabilitating Mengo Hospital in Kaupala, Uganda. Merrill, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, was the beloved husband of Susan. In addition to his wife, Merrill is survived by his two daughters, Karen Roden and her two sons, Stephen and Nathan of Douglasville, GA, and MaryAnn Becker and her husband, Michael of Houston, TX. Donations in his name may be sent to Friends of Mengo USA, 118 North Washington, Street Alexandria, VA.
Elizabeth Romero, 47, of Taos Pueblo passed away on August 15, 2006. She is survived by her husband, Vern of Albuquerque, her children, Shannon D. Choneska, Damon L. Choneska, Shauvan R. Atcitty and Dominic H. Abeita, her siblings Kenneth Romero, Geraldine Loretta and Arlene Kinart. Memorial service was held on August 19, 2006 at the Haines Street Latter Day Saints Church in Albuquerque. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Eloisa López, 73, of Arroyo Seco passed away on August 18, 2006. She preceded in death by her parents, Candido & Anastacia Durán, brothers, Lucio Sr., Juan and Candido Durán. She is survived by her husband, Mauricio López, numerous nephews, cousins, caretakers and friends.
Rosary was recited on August 21, 2006. Funeral mass was held on August 22, 2006. Both services were held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Arroyo Seco. Interment was held at Arroyo Seco cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Filemon R. Gutiérrez, 78, of La Cordillera passed away on August 18, 2006. He was a veteran of the Korean War and he retired as a teacher from Taos High School in 1985. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Gutiérrez Olonia. He is survived by his wife, Stella Gutiérrez and children, David Gutiérrez (Barbara) of Cordillera, Ernie Gutiérrez (Laura) of Santa Fe, Margaret Gonzales (Elbert) of Las Colonias, Joseph Gutiérrez (Lori) of Cordillera and James Gutiérrez of Albuquerque. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, brothers, Eli Gutiérrez (Grace) of Santa Fe and Lorenzo Gutiérrez Sr. of Cordillera and many other relatives.
Rosaries were recited on August 20, 2006 at Rivera Chapel and on August 21, 2006 at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church. Funeral mass was held on August 22, 2006 at San Francisco de Asís Church. Interment was held at Las Cruces cemetery in Taos. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Stephen Daniel Caldwell, 65, died unexpectedly August 19, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. The respected and well loved native New Mexican will be missed by all who knew him. He loved life and appreciated every moment. He cared deeply for those he knew and was always there to help anyone achieve their aspirations. Born in Springer, graduate of the US Air Force Academy, he proudly served his country flying F4 Phantom jets in Vietnam, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Returning to New Mexico in 1972, he founded and ran Caldwell Construction in Taos where he lived until 1980 when he moved his family to Albuquerque where he continued his career in construction management. He loved the creative process of construction and building to make the community a better place. He was involved in construction or renovation of several notable projects including the Hispanic Cultural Center, the Eldorado Hotel, La Posada Hotel, Bishop’s Lodge, the Bataan Memorial Building, Rainbow Vision, Ghost Ranch Worship Hall and Residences, and hundreds of homes across New Mexico. A proud father of six grown children, he was an active leader building and promoting youth soccer. In 1996 he moved to Santa Fe where in 2003 he met the adult love of his life, Bette Ridgeway. Together they shared beautiful days and nights filled with music, art, and Steve's lifelong interest, golf. Steve is survived by wife, Bette Ridgeway; children Karen, Kathleen, Jennifer, Matt, Ann, and Meghan; mother of his children and first wife of 32 years, Lynn of Albuquerque; six grandchildren; siblings Joe of Taos and Kass Atkinson of Santa Fe. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapel. Contributions in his honor should be directed to the cause of your choice or Oprah’s Angel Network.
Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 984-8600.
Walter R. Riddle, 91. Sunset Questa, NM, passed away on August 16, 2006. He was born to John Riddle and Alma Gannon. Sunrise December 29, 1914. He married
Pricilla Arellano in 1959. His hobbies included listening to music, fishing, and auto mechanics. He spent a lot of time caring for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters, one son; Ramón “Pard” Sánchez and one daughterin- law; Judith Cater. Walter is survived by three daughters; Debbie Riddle- Questa, June Riddle- Questa, Vangie (Richard) Gonzales Dixon, two sons, Roger Blanco Questa, Larry (Gloria) Sánchez-Questa, two adopted daughters, Dr. Anita Gómez Taos, and Denise AndersonTaos, 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 5 greatgreat grandchildren. Viewing took place on Friday August 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Service following at 7 p.m. at Weylen’s Funeral Home in Questa. Funeral service was held at Weylen’s Funeral Home in Questa on August 19, 2006 at 1pm with Burial following at Presbyterian cemetery in Cerro. Arrangements were made with Weylen’s Funeral Home in Questa, New Mexico. www.weylens- funeralhome.com
Mary Wagner of Taos passed away on August 15, 2006. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 24, 1926 to Timko and Theodosia Drabiak. She attended the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1945. She also attended the Actors Studio in New York City under Lee Strasburg. She was in several off Broadway plays and traveled the US with a professional acting company. She met and married
Arthur J. Wagner, a New York Fireman, in 1950 and retired from the stage. When her husband passed away in 1965 she actively pursed a career in art. She attended Traphagan School of Design and spent many years at the Art Students League. She moved to Taos in 1977, made friends and participated in the local art scene. She had a retrospective at the Harwood. She is survived by her children, Kaye Zbonack and Roberta W. Choate, grandchildren, Lynea and Tanya Zbonack, Rede Joseph and Moriah Rose Stanton, Charles Francis and Arthur Bishop Choate. And inquiries please contact roberta.choate@Verizon.net Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Filia M. Higgins passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2006 in Santa Fe, NM. She was born in Questa in 1918 to José Amarante & María Elena Martínez. Mrs. Higgins helped in WWII by working at the airplane factory in Deming, NM and later went on to work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was of one of the observers of the historic first atomic detonation on July 16, 1945 at Trinity Site, NM. She later moved to the Social Security Administration offices in Santa Fe, where she retired from in July 1979. Mrs. Higgins was active in local ballroom dancing, the Santa Fe Chapter of the National Association of Federal Retired Employees, an officer in the Catholic Daughters of America, and an officer in the American Business Women’s Association. She was married
to Jerome Higgins, who predeceased her in 1958. She is survived by her brother and sisters, Mrs. Stella M. Ortega, Mr. J.A. Martínez, Jr, and Alma Martínez, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Higgins was a member of St. Anne’s Parish. Visitation was held Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapel. A Rosary followed at 7:00 p.m. The Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Interment followed at Rosario cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service. 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505, 984-8600.
Laura Cordova, 66, of Peñasco passed away on November 03, 2006. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Frankietta Gonzalez and her parents, Gomisindo and Prudencia Cordova. She is survived by her grandson, Jeremy J. Gonzalez of Penasco granddaughter, Camille Fulton of Ohio, sisters, Celestina Medina of Albuquerque, Mary Tafoya of Leadville, CO, Clusora Cordova of Nambe, CO, brother, Candelario Cordova of Minturn, CO, numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, cousins and other relatives and friends. Rosary was recited on November 04, 2006 at San Antonio de Padua in Penasco. Funeral mass was held November 05, 2006 at San Antonio de Padua. Interment followed at Llano Catholic cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home. .
Lois Claire Ebert, 75, of Talpa passed away on November 05, 2006. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Ebert in 1998. She is survived by her sons, Steve Ebert (Debra Weyerman) of Florida, Ken M. Ebert and David Ebert both of Talpa and sister, Jane Martin of St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Shirley Bogs, 87, died peacefully on November 1, 2006, at her home in Des Montes. She was born in Milwaukee, WI, on October 25, 1919, to George and Meta Nolte Bogs. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and received at Masters in Spanish from Middlebury College. Shirley had a long career teaching Spanish in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ecuador and at Highland Park High in Illinois. She loved her German Shepherd dogs, and to travel, read, discuss politics and garden. She resided in Taos for over 30 years. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Audrey Heckner. She is survived by her companion Joanie Donnelly, brother George (Joyce) Bogs, and nieces Kathryn Heckner Simpson, Margaret Heckner, Christine Bogs Pantry, Sally Bogs Alcazar and Susan Bogs Metzler. Honoring Shirley's commitment to community and service, please send any memorials to Mountain Home Health Care, PO Box 2566, Taos, NM 87571. We will celebrate Shirley's life at her home on Saturday, November 11, from 1 to 4 PM. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Frank Shaw, 73, passed away October 25, 2006 at his residence. He was born in New York City in 1932. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and taught English there as well. Frank was a veteran of the Korean War. He realized his dream of being in the entertainment industry, first as an actor in the movie “The Producers, ” then as a standup comic with 11 appearances on the Johnny Carson Show. He became a writer and producer with more than 750 hours of television credits, for Dick VanDyke, Bill Cosby, Glen Campbell and many others. In 1979 he cowrote the Frisco Kid staring Gene Wilder, and Harrison Ford. The next year Frank retired and moved from Hollywood to Taos, N.M. and in 1992 he moved to Wilmington, N.C. He was a loving husband and devoted partner for 31 years. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Shaw of Wilmington; and a son Daniel Rosenthal of St. Louis, Mo. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com. A Market St. Chapel Service
Antonia Rose Adelle Miera, 16, of Taos passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2006. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Rose Roybal, Edna and Rubén Miera, aunt, Ruby Miera. She is survived by her mother, Tammy C. Roybal (Daví Gonzales) of Taos, father, Anthony Miera (Francisca Chávez) of Ranchos de Taos, sisters, Tanya Miera and Christine Martinez, great grandmother, Margarita Anaya, aunts, Florence and Dolores Miera, uncle, Edward Miera, many other relatives and friends. Rosary was recited on October 27, 2006. Funeral mass was held on October 28, 2006. Both services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment was held at Arroyo Seco cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
(William Thomas) Tom Finley passed away unexpectedly on October 19, 2006 at the age of 79. Tom entered the U.S. Marine Corps on his 17th Birthday while in college. He was in combat on Iwo Jima, and spent nine months of occupation duty in Japan after the war. Among his many accomplishments, Tom received his Master's Degree in 1949. He became a Treasury Agent for the FBI where he was responsible for some of its largest conspiracy cases. With forty years experience in labor contract negotiations, Tom was among the top five management representatives in the country. He served on the Industrial Relations Committees for the National Association of Manufacturers, American Management Association, Manufacturer's Chemist Association and the University of Pennsylvania Advisory Council, to name a few. Tom negotiated with many of the top labor leaders, including Jimmy Hoffa. He wrote a book, "PapaSan: Fishing in the Desert" published in 2004, recounting his experiences while in Japan, and was in the process of writing three other books as well. Tom is survived by his wife Colleen, sons Michael, Shawn, James and stepson Stewart, and daughters Diane, Alison and stepdaughter Jamie. A celebration of Tom's life will be held at a future date. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Mr. William F. “Bill” Lechtenberg Jr., 87, died Monday, October 23, 2006, after a long bout with cancer. Born in Sioux City, IA, 1918, he graduated from Iowa State in Electrical Engineering. He worked for 42 years with Mobil Oil as a geophysicist traveling extensively around the word during the “golden age” of oil exploration. He retired in 1980 to Taos, NM, served on various government committees and was active in the Taos Archeological Society. Bill is survived by his wife, Willene; sons, Kurt (and wife Barb), Jim and daughter, Carol; brother, Robert; and grandsons Erik, Chris, Craig and Stephen. Graveside Services will be held on Monday, October 30, 2006, 11:00 a.m., at Santa Fe National cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Vista Care Hospice, 5639 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. French Mortuary Wyoming Blvd. Chapel (505) 823-9400
Gilberto C. Vargas, 77, of Des Montes passed away on October 24, 2006. He is preceded in death by his wife, Stella Vargas, parents, Gilberto and Herminda, brother, Frank and sister, Clorinda. He is survived by his children, Dorotea, Roger (Rose Mary), Carlos (Theresa) all of Des Montes, Patsy (Nick Jaramillo) of Arroyo Hondo and Stephanie (Paul) of Des Montes. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, sisters and brother, Luisa Márquez of Río Rancho, Julian Vargas (Amelia) of Bayard, Amelia Davis (Zarro) of Las Cruces, Teresa Martínez of Pueblo, CO and many other relatives. Rosaries were recited on October 26, 2006 and October 27, 2006. Funeral mass was held on October 28, 2006. All services were held at Holy Trinity Parish in Arroyo Seco. Interment was held at Arroyo Seco cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
Carlos “Charlie” Mondragon, 67, of Llano Quemado passed away on October 28, 2006. He loved driving his trucks and eating his munchies and milk. He is preceded in death by his parents, Max and Faye Mondragon, brothers, Bonifacio and Daniel Mondragon. He is survived by his children, Lupita Mondragon of Fresno, CA, Patsy Torres (Jessie), Joy Mondragon, Gene Mondragon, Valorie Mondragon (David) and Carlos Mondragon Jr. all of Llano Quemado, sisters, Maxine Baca (Martin), Barbara Mondragon, Roberta Romero (Daniel), 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Rosary was recited on October 31, 2006. Funeral mass was held on November 01, 2006. Both services were held at San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church. Interment was held at the New Llano Quemado cemetery.
Joe V. Murphy, 88, of Taos passed away on September 28, 2006. Joe was born to Joe Virgil and Lora Murphy in Texas and spent many years in McAllen, Texas. He was a journalism student at the University of Texas Austin, Texas where he graduated. During World War II he served as a war correspondent in Bolivia. His parents purchased a home in Taos Canyon in the early 50s and they kept spending more and more time there so they retired and moved to Taos permanently, living at their home they named the Perdanales. Joe also moved with them and helped with the antique business they started there. He also worked in several of the galleries in Taos and loved to hang out at the Taos Inn where he lived for a while. Joe loved the arts and literature. He enjoyed telling tourists all the great things about Taos, his adopted home. His last years were spent at Taos Living Center where many of his friends came often to bring him books and visit, which he appreciated very much. Services were held on October 24, 2006 at St. James Episcopal Church in Taos. Burial will be in the family plot in Holland, Texas at a later date. The family appreciates all the kindness Joe's Taos friends bestowed him. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
