Hilario Mirabal Montaño

1940- 2026 Hilario "Lalo" Montaño, age 86, a resident of Belen, NM, passed away on March 27, 2026, surrounded by his family. Services will take place at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginning with a Visitation at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m. He is survived by his children; Donna Salas (Vince) and their children, Diane and Frank Holloway, Brittney Kellar (Skelly), and Vincent Salas II (Carmen); Janice Molina (Ruben) and their children, Shawn Montano (Selina), Vanessa Lucero (Michael); and Karol Vallez (Ernie) and their children, Justin Romero (Megan), and Bradley Vallez (Jenna); Allison and children James Morrison III, Hilario Herrera; and Alan Montaño (Bernadette) and their children Gerome Montano (Venesha), and Alan Montano Jr.; Misty Montaño Torres and children Allen Torres Jr and Aaron Torres; 22 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and his longtime partner and dearest friend, Juanita Apodaca. Lalo was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dolores Maes; parents, Candido and Lugardita (Lita) Mirabal Montaño; daughters, Maryanne and Allison Montano; siblings, Max Montano Sr. (Mary), Monica Salazar (Benny), Teresa "Terry" Salazar (Arturo), and Ida Vallejos (Andy); In-Laws, Prudencio Maes, Richard and Bertha Lovato, Margie Tafoya, Jimmy Maes, Joe Lucero, Celestino Ortega, and Nick T. Chavez; along with many other beloved relatives. He was born on January 30, 1940, in San Mateo, NM, at the base of Mt. Taylor to Candido and Lugardita (Lita) Mirabal Montaño. He graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1958, where he was an outstanding all-around athlete and an MVP basketball player. In 1958, Lalo married the love of his life, Dolores Maes. Together, they built a strong and loving family and were blessed with six daughters and one son. He was a jack-of-all-trades, even building his family two homes. Lalo was always ready to help family and friends with his skills and labor. He retired from Sandia National Laboratories, where he was, last, an explosives handler. Lalo loved fishing, hunting, Matanzas, sports, camping, family gatherings, but most of all, going to the Casino in his later years. We would like to give a huge Thanks to Juanita Apodaca, Pam Montiel, Amber Care Hospice, Crystal, Valeene, Richard, and so many volunteers and caregivers who made a huge difference in Lalo's journey.

Hilario Mirabal Montaño

January 30, 1940 - March 27, 2026