1950-2012

Richard “Demus” Edward Smith, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on the early morning of Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Originally born in Oklahoma, graduate of Moore High School class of 1969. Richard became a resident of New Mexico during the early 70’s. Rick attended Oklahoma University until the move when he continued his college education at the University of Albuquerque. He remained until this day a diehard OU Sooner. Along with the Sooners, Rick was a huge Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and LA Lakers fan that could be found catching the latest televised football or basketball game while calling his brother, Bob, to discuss the scores and stats. He was also an avid reader and lover of US History and The Crusades. He enjoyed the outdoors, and it was no mystery when during his teen years when he was not only awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, but made history by becoming the first Cheyenne Indian to accomplish such a task. He went on to be a scout leader and along with his sister, Jan, encouraged his niece and nephews to join scouting as well. Throughout the early years of his life he was quite the traveler and even went so far as to own a boat in the Florida Keys so that he could live the ultimate “Parrot Head” life style. Richard belonged to several Fraternal Organizations such as the Elks, Moose, and other charitable foundations. The accomplishment that he was most proud of though was finding a closer relationship and understanding with his Heavenly Father, by joining and becoming a practicing Catholic. He was a man that loved whole heartedly and offered a kindness to anyone, and that will be sorely missed. He was a beloved Grandson, Son, Brother, Uncle, Nephew and friend who will be thought of, missed and endeared always. Richard is survived by his siblings sister, Jan Silver Reagan and husband, George, sister, Michelle L. McGuire and brother, Robert K. Smith and his wife, Penny; nephew, Kevin Potter and wife, Gina, nephew, Gary Reagan and wife, Dawn niece, Nicole Sterling and fiancé Bart Phillips, nephew, Spc. John W. Kostka and wife, Casey, nephew, Geoff Smith and wife, Amber, nephew, Dylan McGuire and fiancée, Jenn Viola, nephew, Ian Smith, nephew Jayson Smith and nephew, Patrick Smith; great-grandnephews, Brandon, Tyler, Koalbey, Nicholas, Braeden, Jack and Landon; great-grandnieces, Brandy, Kristina and Alice; aunts, Mary Ann Simpson and husband, James and Jimmie Lee Herrin; and many cousins. All services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome, on Tuesday, May 22 beginning with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. with a rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m. a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Tome Catholic Cemetery. Sign Richard’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1961-2012

Ollie “Bell” Sanchez, age 51, a resident of Belen, unexpectedly passed away at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012. She was preceded in death by her father, Clayton Haskew. Bell is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Charles; son, Adam and wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Tamera and Victoria; grandchildren, Adam Jr. and Joshua; mother, Esther and husband, Richard; sisters, Helen, Nancy and husband, George and Connie and husband, Sandy; and brothers, Clayton and wife, Jane and Billy and wife, Gloria. She is also survived by four nephews and three nieces. A visitation will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, on Friday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date. Sign Bell’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1922-2012

Frances T. Baca, age 89, a resident of Los Lunas, NM passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012. She was a WWII Veteran having served as an Army Medical Technician at various military hospitals, caring for the injured troops returning from the European Theater. She separated from the Women’s Army Corps. at the termination of the war. She met and married Gabriel M. Baca on his return home from the European Theater. They made their home in Los Lunas, NM. She was a life time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 9676 in Los Lunas. She was a charter member for assisting in the organization of the Ladies Auxiliary.  She was one of the first business women in Los Lunas by owning and operating Frances’ Beauty Shop until the late 1960’s. Upon terminating her career as a beautician she went to work at Belen General Hospital as a Nurse Assistant, which later became Presbyterian Hospital in Belen. She retired from Presbyterian Hospital after many years of service. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Gabriel M. Baca; parents, Edumenio and Anna Mae Wilson Trujillo; and brothers, Joe, Theoduro and Tony Trujillo. Frances is survived by her two sons, Walter Baca and wife, Theresa and Gilbert Baca; grandchildren, Brian Baca and wife, Jennifer, Claire and husband, Paul Cieremans, Jason Baca and wife, Christy, Claudine and husband, David Sanchez; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill and Ed Trujillo; and two sisters, Marie Rosano  and Rosie Phillips. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. All services will be held at San Clemente Catholic Church, beginning with a viewing on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Final visitation will be held on Thursday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at San Clemente Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian and Jason Baca, Paul Cieremans, David Sanchez, Libby Baca and Bill Phillips. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill and Ed Trujillo and Nita Crawley. The Baca family would like to thank Nita Crawley for her loving care as a caregiver, and the Presbyterian Hospice staff assigned to Frances in her final days. We would also like to say “Thank You” to all the family and friends for their expression of love and prayers. Sign France’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1931-2012

Clarita “Clara” Trujillo, age 80, a lifelong resident of Los Chavez, NM passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012. She was born to Francisco and Petrita Garcia Sedillo one of eleven children. Clarita married Eulalio “Eddie” Trujillo in 1947 and from that union came four children, Dolores, Janette, Deacon Manuel and Edwin. She worked for 30 years at the Belen Schools with outstanding service. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Eulalio “Eddie” Trujillo; grandsons, Michael and David Cordova, Jose Manuel and Matthew Z. Trujillo; and several loving brothers and sisters. Clara is survived by her loving children, Dolores Cordova and husband, Phillip, Janette Torrez and husband, Ralph, Deacon Manuel O. Trujillo and wife, Marcelle and Edwin Trujillo and wife, Patricia; grandchildren, Charles Torrez and wife, Lorene, Edward Torrez and wife, Andrea, John Torrez, Rafael Torrez, Christopher I. Trujillo and wife, Samantha, Nikki Boesch and husband, Stephan, Charlie Sanchez and Sara Jordan and husband, Aaron ; great-grandchildren, Charlene-Kirsten, Gabrielle, Daniel, Samuel, Hailey, Nathan, Iris and Jazmyn; sisters, Eulalia Collins, Tina Oberson; and sisters-in-law, Carmen Sanchez, Cidia Trujillo, Rose Leveque.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. All services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, on Wednesday, May 16, beginning with a viewing at 11:00 a.m. with a rosary to be recited at 11:30 a.m. a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Christopher Trujillo, Charles Sanchez, Edward and John Torrez, Freddie Sanchez, Dennis Sedillo and Joseph Garcia. Sign Clara’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1931-2012

 Leonard “Len” Strawderman, age 81, a resident of Los Lunas, NM passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012. Len was born in Nevada, Missouri. Growing up in Wichita, Kansas Len developed a life-long love of airplanes and flying. He served four years in the Air Force and for part of that time was stationed on Iwo Jima. Len studied engineering at University of Wichita. Len did design work for Coleman Company in Wichita. He moved his family to Albuquerque, NM in 1958 and began work at Sandia Corporation. After retirement from Sandia, he also worked for the Dale Bellamah Corporation in planning and design and the University of New Mexico Engineering Department. Through the years Len was active in all aspects of the real estate business, as a realtor, broker, contractor and drafter. He worked from home doing house plans for local builders up to his 80^th birthday. In his personal life, Len married Patricia Goben in 1953. Pat and Len had a son, Gary Strawderman in 1958. Len passed his love of flying on to Gary who is a pilot and FAA controller. Len married Carol Wright on January 1, 1978. After a short stint in Lubbock where Carol taught at Texas Tech, they returned to NM. Len and Carol designed and built their dream house in Los Lunas. Len and Carol were members of Peralta Methodist Church. He loved dogs and duck hunting. When his favorite dog, Zack, was too old to hunt, Len hung up his shotgun as well. Len enjoyed motorcycles and recently had a Honda Goldwing modified into a trike. Only three years ago he and Gary rode to Washington State and back. He was active in the Goldwing Road Riders Association. Recently Len was delighted by the arrival of grand-baby Gavin. He was preceded in death by his parents; and beloved wife of 27 years, Carol Strawderman. Len is survived by his son, Gary; grandson, Gavin Lee; two step-daughters, Barbara Wright and Rebecca Beeson and husband, Tom; two grandchildren, Noah and Cheyanna; step-son, David Wright and wife, Jane; and friend, Sallie Van Curan who has been a great comfort to Len since Carol’s passing. The family request that donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project.org. All services will be held at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 10 beginning with a Visitation at 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery.

1914-2012

Ramona Lopez, age 97, a resident of Bernardo (San Francisco), NM passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012. She was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Lopez; and two sons, Benny and Elusim Lopez. Ramona is survived by her 12 loving children; 39 grandchildren; 102 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Elfida Benavidez; and brother, Avilio Silva. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephew and friends. All services will be held at the San Antonio Catholic Church, beginning with a viewing on Tuesday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. A final visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Abeytas Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Baca, Benny Jr., Samuel and Ricardo Lopez, Ross Pino and Luciano Lopez. Ramona’s family would like to give a special thank you to Ambercare for the care and love you gave to her. Sign Ramona’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1931-2012

Nestor S. Gallegos, age 80, a resident of Belen, NM passed away at Lovelace Hospital surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, April 29, 2012. He was born in Jarales, NM to Ignacio and Estella Sanchez Gallegos. Nestor was known for his wit and bolo tie which he always wore. Nestor loved to go for coffee every morning with his buddies at McDonalds and Frances’s Restaurant. His wife would tease him about them saying women were mitoteros but it was them that were mitoteros. He served as City Manager in Belen and Taos, Director of Collection and Enforcement for the State under Governor Dave Cargo, 16 years in the PERA Board, 12 years as Director for the State of Credit Union and later retired from the State. He was also a 37C and 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus member. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Juliana “Becky” Sackett, which he missed very much; his parents; three brothers, Moises, Fr. Albert and Alfred Gallegos; three sisters, Carmen Flick, Diana Baughman and Bernadette Gallegos; father and mother-in-law, Estevan and Rebecca Archuleta; three brothers-in-law, Abelino Sanchez, Bob Flick and Tony Archuleta; and two sisters-in-law, Aurelia Gallegos and Maria Martinez. Nestor is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Archuleta Gallegos; two daughters, Darlene Cook and husband, Paul and Loretta Levy and husband, Larry of Albuquerque; two sons, Steven Gallegos of Albuquerque and Charles and Rose of Belen; six grandsons, Gerrad and Tyrell Sackett of CA, Aaron Cook of IN, Michael Levy of CA, David Levy of Albuquerque and Ryan Gallegos of Belen; and one granddaughter, Corynn Sackett of CA. He loved his children and grandchildren very much. He is also survived by his three brothers, Ignacio Gallegos and wife, Alicia of NJ, Manuel Gallegos (twin brother) and wife, Theresa of Belen and Fr. David Gallegos of CA; one sister, Mary Sue Sanchez of Belen; three sisters-in-law, Vergie Gallegos of Belen, Emma Herrera and husband, Lorenzo of Nambe and Arabella Giron and husband, Juan of Nambe; one brother-in-law, Leo Archuleta and wife, Perfie of Albuquerque; and many loving nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. A final visitation will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jarales on Saturday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held following the burial at Our Lady of Belen Parish Hall. Sign Nestor’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1931-2012

Maria B. Mendoza, age 80, a lifelong resident of Belen, went home to be at peace with the Lord on Saturday, April 28, 2012. She was loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends. She loved to go play Bingo and lit up every time she saw her grandchildren. Maria was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernesto Mendoza; parents, Raymundo and Petra Fajardo Baldonado; and siblings, Juan Baldonado and Manuelita Jiron. Maria is survived by her eight loving children, Tina Tafoya, Rose Santillanes and husband, Manuel, Lillian Garley and husband, Bobby, Ernesto F. Mendoza Jr. and wife, Debbie, Maria Lucia Cole and husband, Harrison, Janet Baca and husband, Danny, Lorraine Mendoza and fiancé, Leo Ortega and Moncia I. Baldonado; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Placido Baldonado and wife, Jennie, Ray Baldonado and wife, Carmen; sister, Ursula Peralta; sister-in-law, Lydia Romero; and two brothers-in-law, Daniel Mendoza and wife, Maggie and Adolpho Mendoza. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, May 2, at 5:30 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. A final visitation will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Thursday, May 3, at 11:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Sign Maria’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

 1915-2012

Aurora B. Rivera, age 96, a resident of (Los Chavez) Belen, NM passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012. She was a member of the Catholic Church and a devoted Christian. Aurora was a mother with a nurturing spirit. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Buddy U. Rivera; son, David; parents, Florencio and Fermenia Ortega Benavidez; sisters, Amelia Perea, Florencia Perea and Lupe Benavidez; and brother, Frank Benavidez. Aurora is survived by her loving son, Buddy L. Rivera and wife, Sheila; grandchildren, Nicole Rivera Shelton, Chandelle Rivera, Kaleb and Krizma Shelton, Briana and Brandon White, Michael, Phillip and Victor Rivera; several great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mary B. Olguin of Los Lunas and Agneda August of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery. Sign Aurora’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

1944-2012

 Karol “Charlie” Kessler, age 68, a resident of Belen, NM passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2012. He was born in Romania in 1944 to Ioan Benyi and Sofia Kessler and immigrated to the United States in 1982. Charlie retired from the City of Belen in 2010 after 16 years of outstanding service. He loved fishing and being outdoors. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Margareta Kessler; two daughters, Klaudia Sanchez and husband, Steve and Monika Trujillo and husband, Darren; five grandchildren, Enriques, Gabriella, and Estevan Sanchez and Azsa and Miklo Trujillo. A Final Visitation will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Enriques and Jesus M. Sanchez, Ray Trujillo, Vali Suteu, Nicolae Spilca, and Frank Baca. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gabriella and Estevan Sanchez, and Azsa and Miklo Trujillo.