1991
Obituaries and Articles
Compiled by Marcena Thompson
Return to Obituary Index
August 1, 1990
KISSMAN
Martha Kissman, 69, Las Cruces died July 27. Graham’s Mortuary Chapel.
STATEN
Gay H. Staten, 83 of Mesilla Park. Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Graham’s
Mortuary. Survivors: husband, Glen; one daughter, Rita Gay Wells, Las Cruces,
one son Robert T. Staten, Mesa, AZ., one sister, Laura Huffer of Sapulpa, OK.,
one brother, Brian Harmon, Cushing, OK. Wayne Whitworth of the Mormon Church
officiating. Died Tuesday
MORGAN
John G. Morgan, Jr., 72 died in Waco, TX. on Saturday. St. Genevieve’s Catholic
Church. Burial at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX. Getz Funeral Home.
StrOBEN
Leta June Stroben, 75, Las Cruces died Tuesday. St. Paul’s United Methodist
Church. Getz Funeral Home. Born in Chicago, Oct. 19, 1914.
FERRALES
Maria Ferrales, 90, of Tortugas died Wednesday. Getz Funeral Home. St.
Genevieve"s Catholic Church. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Preceded in death,
husband, Casimiro T. in 1982. Survivors: four daughters, Bernie Lucero of
Deming, Elsie York , Tucson, AZ., Polly Fierro, Mesilla Park, Maggie Madrid ,
Dona Ana, five sons, Frank P., Pino P. Arturo P. all of Las Cruces. Jose P.,
Tortugas, Manuel P. of Modesto, CA.
GARZA
Matilde M. Garza, 78, Las Cruces died Wednesday. Getz Funeral Home. Immaculate
Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
August 2, 1990
BIRD
John E. Bird, 68 of Las Cruces died July 29, 1990. Survivors: wife, Louise, one
daughter, Cathy Hoover, Albuquerque, two sons, John Dean Bird, Dallas, Benny
Joe, Las Cruces, one brother, Corke Bird of WA, one sister, Edith Pridgan of
Canyon, TX, Getz Funnel Home. Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery.
August 3, 1990
WITCHER
B. L. Witcher, 74, Las Cruces died August 3, 1990. Born in Ashland, TX, Sept.
11, 1915. Served with the 101st Airborne Div. WW2. Survivors: wife, Margaret,
two brother: Kermit of Melrose, NM, Osborn of Lake Havasu, AZ. Graham’s
Mortuary. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
CADENA
Enrique V. Cadena, 50, Chambrino died July 31, 1990. Preceded in death by his
parents, Benigno and Maria Cadena; two brothers,Scorro and Manuel Cadena.
Survivors: four daughters, Olga Becerra of La Pointa, CA., Elsa Cadena, San
Jose, CA., Laura Cadena and Angelica Cadena both of Baldwin Park, CA.,: six
brothers: Benigno of El Porvenir, MX., Robert, El Paso, TX., Guillermo of La
Palomas, MX., Emillio and Jesus both of Albuquerque, Refugio of Chambrino.
Chapel of the Crosses. Burial at San Luis Rey Cemetery.
BICKHAM
Alexander N. Bickham, 89 of La Cruces died Saturday. Graham’s Mortuary.
Survivors: wife, Emily; four daughters, Betty B. LE Jeune, El Cerritos, CA.,
Terry A Bickham and Terry L. Bickham both of Santa Barbara, CA., Linda N.
Bickham of Palo Alto, Ca; two sons Carl Heathman, Las Cruces, Donald Waters of
Fremont, Ca; four sisters, Helen Puckett Annie L. Ballard, Ruby Baxter, Polly
Robertson all of Shreveport, LA., four brothers, Francis of Beamont, James ,
Charles and Jack , all of Shreveport, LA.
CHAVEZ
Felipe N. Chavez, 93 of Mesilla died Sat. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Burial
at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Chapel of the Crosses. Survivors: wife, Consepcion;
two daughters, Maria De Jesus of San Jose, CA., Josefina Guzman of Berino; two
sons, Eduardo and Santos both of Las Cruces
FRANCO
Marta Estrada Franco, 97 of Mesilla died Sat. Getz Funeral Home. Burial at San
Albino Catholic cemetery. Preceded in death: husband, Edwardo L. in 1968, two
sons, Gilbert in 1974, Melquiades Garcia in 1984, one daughter, Esther Vaea in
1977. Survivors: two daughters, Guadalupe F. Lozano of Glendale, AZ, Celia F.
Benson of Las Cruces, four sons, Arturo E. , of Tracy, CA., Benjamin E. of
French Camp, CA., Eduardo of Mesquite, Manuel E. of Roseville, CA., three
brothers, Elias Estrada, & Eloy both of Mesilla, David, of Las Cruces: five
sisters, Delfina Allbiar, Lucia Sanez, both of Mesilla, Aurora Brock, Carmen
Green, Josefa Madrid, all of Las Cruces.
FRANKLIN
Don Franklin, 75 of Organ died Sunday. Getz Funeral Home. Married Lydia Ross,
May 25, 1989 in Martin, SD. Survivors: wife, Lydia; one sister, Joy McWhorter of
Las Cruces. Burial at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX.
NAVARRO
Santa Teresa - John V. Navarro, 39 died Sunday. Chapel of the Crosses.
August 7, 1990
MOLINA
Las Cruces - Joaquin B. Molina, 74 died August 4, 1990. Survivors: wife, Clara;
one brother, Arturo Hernandez of Las Cruces, one sister, Magdalina Hernandez of
Tortugas. Getz Funeral Home. St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church. Burial at St.
Joseph Cemetery.
August 8, 1990
OEDING
Las Cruces - Marjorie Ruth Oeding, 72 died Monday. Died in El Paso, TX. Burial
at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Harding-Orr and McDaniel Funeral Home.
Survivors: husband, Col. Ernst C. U. S. Army, Ret., two daughters, Pamela
Bateman and Karlene Valencia both of Las Cruces, one son, Ernst C., Jr. of
Kansas City, MO.
CHECK
La Mesa - Anna Liza Cajen Check, 24 died Monday. Survivors: husband, Tom , one
son, Bryson Andrew; parents Manula and Joe Cajen of La Mesa, twin brother,
Martin Cajen of La Mesa, one sister Maria Elena Kilcrease of Las Cruces. San
Jose Catholic Church. Burial at Missionary Ridge in Mesquite, NM. Graham’s
Mortuary.
August 10, 1990
August 11, 1990
GONZALES
Las Cruces - Emma T. Gonzales, 53 died Aug. 7, 1990 St. Genevieve’s Catholic
Church. Preceded in death, father, George Trujillo. Survivors: mother, Angelita
Trujillo, Las Cruces, three daughters, Betty Horrell, Josie and Concha of Las
Cruces; two sons, Alex, Jimmy of Las Cruces, three brothers, Lawrence, Sam and
David Trujillo, all of Las Cruces, three sisters, Esther Reynolds, Lydia Clark
and Amelia Grandos. Getz Funeral Home. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
BETANCOURT
Las Cruces - Manuel "Salvador" Betancourt, 75 died Wed. Born March 24, 1915.
Preceded in death, wife, Soledad. Survivors: three son, Salvador, Ramon both of
Las Cruces, Rudy of Honolulu, HI; three daughters, Eva Betancourt, Sandy B.
Orona, Lupita Velasquez, all of Las Cruces, one brother, Jesus "Chuy" of
Ontario, CA. San Miguel Catholic Church. Burial at San Miguel Cemetery. Martin
Funeral Home.
ELLIOTT
Las Cruces - Eunice Mae Elliott, 76 died Wed. Preceded in death, husband, Dallas
Elliott in 1981. Survivors: daughter, Eunice Smith of Windham, Maine; one
brother, Clyde Alexander. Getz Funeral Home. Burial at Masonic Cemetery.
August 13, 1990
GALVAN
Hatch - Consuelo M. Galvan, 74 died Thur. Getz Funeral Home. Our Lady of Mercy
Catholic Church in Hatch. Burial at Garden of Memories. Survivors: wife,
Lorenza, one daughter, Mary Jane Arellin of Silver City; three sons Alex of Las
Cruces, Rudy of Oxnard, CA., Fred of Yreka, CA, one brother, Richard Ramirez of
Hayward, CA., three sisters, Celia Soliz of Hayward, Mary Lou Garcia and Anita
Ramirez of Los Angeles, CA.
FISKE
Las Cruces - Donald Fiske, 41, died in Albuquerque on Sat. Graham’s Mortuary.
Survivors: wife, Susan of Las Cruces; two sons, Donald Jr., Robert both of Las
Cruces; four brothers, Gordon of MC., Melvin of Socorro, Tom of CA., and Leroy
of L. A., CA., Roberta Shirley of WA., Carol Epton of Alaska, Pat Schultz of
Maryland, Jan Pascoe of CA., mother, Clara of WA. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial
Gardens.
WRIGHT
Las Cruces - Noma Chrystine Wright, 77 died Thur. Calvary Baptist Church. Died
in El Paso, TX. Graham’s Mortuary.
August 15, 1990
HOSFORD
Las Cruces - Jessica M. Hosford, 91. Born August 19, 1892 in Chappell, Neb.
Burial at Lincoln, Neb. Chapel of the Crosses Funeral Home. Died July 13, 1990.
Jessica was elected to the Cowboy Hall of Fame for her book : You Bet Your Boots
I Can". Survivors: two sons.
MC KINNEY
Hatch - Lydia McKinney, 91 died Tuesday. First Church of God. Burial at Garden
Memory Cemetery. Getz Funeral Home.
August 16, 1990
HAMILL
Las Cruces - Mae Hamill born Mae Backer on August 7, 1893 to Bernhard Backer and
Elizabeth Lee Fry Backer in Benson, ILL. Married Don Hamill in Las Cruces.
Survivors: one son, Don Hamill of Las Vegas, NV., one daughter, Helen Garner of
Albuquerque, one sister, Margaret Phillips of Dallas, TX. Fitzgerald and Son
Funeral Home.
August 17, 1990
FREEMAN
Las Cruces - Delbert B. Freeman, 87 died Thursday. Our Lady of Health Catholic
Church. Burial at Masonic Demetery. Graham’s Mortuary.
ZIMMER
Las Cruces - Arthur C. Zimmer, 78 died Thur. Died on the 16th. Survivors: wife,
Lucille; two daughters, Dueline McDaniel of El Paso, TX., Montie Hampton of
Milwaukee, WI. St. Pauls United Methodist Church. Grahams Mortuary.
AGUIRRE
Rodey - Ramon S. Aguirre, 68. Chapel of Crossed. Our Lady of Mercy in Dona Ana.
Burial at Rodey Cemetery.
RAMOS
Chamberino - Daniel Ramos, 9 died Thur. Getz Funeral Home.
August 19, 1990
PEARCY
Las Cruces - Billy L. Pearcy, 74 died Fri. Grahams Mortuary. First Baptist
Church. Born in Stourtland, MO, on July 25, 1916. Survivors: wife, Helen; one
daughter, Sherry Baca; one son, Chris; one sister, Jessie Harrold of Richland,
MO.
SMITHHISLER
Las Cruces - Helen Smithhisler, 61 died Aug. 18. Survivors: husband, Jack; one
daughter, Nancy Smithhisler of Alexandria, VI; one son, John of Las Cruces, his
mother, Jane Fitzgerald. Grahams Mortuary. Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral
Church. Burial at Masonic Cemetery.
August 20, 1990
STEIDEL
Dona Ana - Rolf Steidel, 85 died Fri. Chapel of the Crossed Funeral Home.
August 21, 1990
ADAIR
Las Cruces - Maurice E. Adair, 70. Getz Funeral Home. Survivors: wife, June, one
son, Edwin of San Francisco, CA., two brothers, Orin of Nevada City, CA., Fred
of Kirkland, WA.,two sisters, Ruth Hickerson of Brooklyn IA, Naomi Henderickson
of Annadale, VA. Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery.
ZACHER
Las Cruces - Allan N. Zacher, no age given died on Sun. 32 degree Mason. First
Presbyterian Church. Survivors: wife, Eleanor A. children, Allan Zacher, Jr.
Ph.D., Stephen E. Zacher and Martha Elizabeth Bates. Burial at Masonic Cemetery.
AREVALO
Tortugas - Mary B. Arevalo, 81 died August 20, 1990. Immaculate Heart of Mary
Cathedral. Burial at Tortugas Cemetery. Chapel of the Crosses.
August 22, 1990
STEPHENS
Las Cruces - Margie Shortes Stephens, 76, died Sun. in a Houston hospital.
Burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Grahams Mortuary. Survivors: two
daughters, Phyllis Bernell of Las Cruces, Marilyn Tharp of Houston, TX, two
sisters, Irene Read of Hobbs, NM., Ina Folk of Seminole, TX.
JORDAN
Las Cruces - Thomas J. Jordan, 77 died August 18, 1990. Survivors: wife, Vivian,
two sons, Thomas J. Jordan, Niles Edward Jordan of Phoenix, AZ., one brother,
Rev. Dr. Warren C. Smith of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Getz Funeral Home.
Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery.
MONGE
Las Cruces - Louis C. Monge, 71 died August 18, 1990. Survivors: wife, Annie;
one daughter, Cecelia Kressa of Little Rock AK., one son, Arthur Monge of
Brooksville, FL., three brothers, Alfred of La Mirada, CA, Jesus and Joe both of
Silver City; one sister, Lupe Tannar of Silver City. Getz Funeral Home. Burial
at Ft. Bayard National Cemetery.
August 23, 1990
STITT
Las Cruces - Sam Stitt, 31 died Tuesday. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
Burial at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, TX. Martin Funeral Home, El
Paso, TX
CARBAJAL
Las Cruces - Ruben Carbajal, Jr., 31, died Aug. 20, 1990. Preceded in death by
his paternal grandparents, Marcos and Adela Carbajal, uncle Joe Carbajal.
Survivors: parents, Ruben and Celia, two sisters, Debbie Paz and Rosie Carbajal,
maternal grandparents, Santiago and Josefa Valles, all of Las Cruces. Immaculate
Heart of Mary Cathedral. Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery. Getz Funeral Home.
August 26, 1990
ROSE
Las Cruces - Elvia M. Rose, 89 died Fri. Getz Funeral Home. Burial at Masonic
Cemetery.
August 27, 1990
ERNST
Las Cruces - Arline Ernst, died Sat., no age given. Grahams Mortuary.
FAHRINGER
Las Cruces - Lois R. Fahringer, 82. Grahams Mortuary. Died Sunday. Burial at Ft.
Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX.
MOORE
Las Cruces - Edna M. Moore, 82. Grahams Mortuary.
PORTER
Las Cruces - Fern Porter, no age given. Died Aug. 26. Grahams Mortuary. Survived
by her husband, Harry; one son, Byron of Redondo Beach, CA., one sister, Frances
Shaw of El Paso, TX. Andrews Episcopal Church.
RANDALL
Las Cruces - Ruth Helen Randall, 93. Grahams Mortuary. Cremation. Died Sunday.
August 28, 1990
PENA
Las Cruces - Ignacio Pena, 75, died Sat. Chapel of the Crosses. Immaculate Heart
of Mary Catholic Church. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
PORTOR
Las Cruces - Fern Porter, 73, died Sun. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Cremation. Grahams Mortuary.
COPPY
University Park - Frank Lee, 27 died Aug. 25, 1990. Survivors: parents, Anton
and Marilyn of Las Cruces, maternal grandparents, John and Maude Floyd of Raton,
three sister, Frances Kampsky of Grants, Mary Gidney of Silver City, Connie
Garrison of Las Cruces. Getz Funeral Home. First United Methodist Church of
Grants. Burial at Elizabethtown Cemetery in Eagle Nest, NM.
HASLAM
Las Cruces - Georgia K. Haslam, 88 died Aug. 25, 1990. Survivors: son, Jim
Haslam. Magadalena Church in Magdalens, NM. Grahams Mortuary.
HIGHSMITH
Las Cruces - Dolly Beth Highsmith died Aug. 18. Formerly of Mineral Wells, TX.
Survivors: one son, Robert M. of Las Cruces, two sisters, Auda Lummus of Ranger,
TX., Nola Garland of Mineral Wells, TX. Getz Funeral Home.
Baum-Carlock-Bumgardener Funeral Home, TX. Burial at Palo Pino Cemetery, Palo
Pinto, TX.
PENA
Las Cruces - Ignacio B. Pena, 78, died Aug. 25. Our Lady of Guadalupe
Corporation. Chapel of the Crosses Funeral Home. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial
Gardens. Survivors: children, James L. Barela of Chula Vista, CA., David W.
Pena, Isabelle P. Pena both of Las Cruces, Martha J. Pena of Arcadia, CA,
sisters, Susie Pena of Las Cruces, Anna Bracklesberg of Las Vegas, NV.,
Josephine Zuniga and Clara Olivas of Las Cruces.
August 29, 1990
HENDERSON
Hatch - Thelma Henderson, 77 died Wednesday in Santa Fe. Grahams Mortuary.
Burial at Garden of Memory Cemetery in Hatch. Survivors: husband, Andy, four
sons, George of Hatch, David of Pocahantes, AK., Stanley of Orland, CA., Kenneth
of Glorieta, NM. First Baptist Church in Hatch.
GARCIA
Dona Ana - Fernina Garcia, 76 died Thursday. Getz Funeral Home.
April 1991
Harry H. Dunning, Sr., 96, died April 28, 1991 at the Good Samaritan Village.
He was a retired loan officer from the Federal Land Bank of Wichita, KSW. He was
a U. S. Army veteran, serving in World War 1 and was a former member of the
Oklahoma State Legislature. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in
Vinita, OK. He was a member since 1920 of the American Legion Post, Vinita, OK.
He is survived by his wife, Viva of Las Cruces; one son, Harry Dunning Jr. of
Mesilla Park; two daughters, June Richey of Tulsa, OK; and Joan Schneble of
Texarkana, TX; one sister, Marion Brown of Seattle, WA; five grandchildren and
four g-grandchildren.
Visitation at Getz Funeral Home. Graveside services at Masonic Cemetery with
Rev. Bill Anderson, Good Samaritan Village officiating. Getz Funeral Home
Sept. 25, 1991
BELIVEAU
Mary A. Beliveau died 24 Sep 1991 at the age of 73.
Born March 1918 in Attleboro, Mass and was a homemaker. She was a resident of
Hialeah, Flordia for 35 years before moving to Las Cruces a year and a half age.
Survivors: husband, Antione; two daughters, Carol Dare of Las Cruces and
Patricia Taylor of Las Vegas, NV.; one sister, Jennie Campbell of Vincentown,
N.J.
*
TALLEY
Max Eugene Talley died 24 Sep 1991 at the age of 78. Born July 1, 1913.
Survivors: wife, Beverly Talley; his daughter, Patricia Talley Jacobs of VA; one
granddaughter, Melissa; four grandsons, Richard, Michael, Kent and Kurt.
Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Graham's Mortuary.
*
Las Cruces
Dec. 6, 1991
CHAVEZ
CHAVEZ, Daniel E., 57, of Las Cruces, died Dec. 4, 1991 at University Medical
Center in Tucson, AZ. He was a lifetime resident of the area, he was a member of
The Holy Cross Catholic church and also a member of the Nights of Columbus. He
was also on the Advisory Board for Parks and Recreation for the City of Las
Cruces. He is survived by his wife, Mary CHAVEZ of Las Cruces; two sons, Daniel
D. and James CHAVEZ of Las Cruces; two daughters, Mandy CHAVEZ of Las Cruces and
Monique CHAVEZ of Albuquerque; three brothers, Robert CHAVEZ of Walnut, Ca.,
Bill CHAVEZ of Albuquerque. and Frank CHAVEZ; two sisters, Norma SILVA of Santa
Fe, NM and Thelma ASBURY of Pleasonton, Ca., he is also survived by his mother,
Hellen LEGGETP both of Las Cruces; He was preceded in death by his father,
Primitivo CHAVEZ in 1983. Getz Funeral Home.
*
Las Cruces
ZOLAD, Frank, 70, of Las Cruces died today at Memorial Medical Center. Getz
Funeral Home.
*
Las Cruces
CHILDRESS, Fatma, 61 of Las Cruces died Dec. 3. 1991 at Sun towers Hospital in
El Paso, TX., she was a resident of the Las Cruces area since 1980 and was a
homemaker. Survived by her husband, Boyd CHILDRESS of Las Cruces; one son, Erkan
CHILDRESS of Las Cruces, one daughter, Tulay SIVA of Istanbul, Turkey; three
grandchildren, Gulay and Derya SIVAS OF Istanbul, Turkey and Alisha CHILDRESS of
Las Cruces. Getz Funeral Home. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
*
Las Cruces
Wingate
VASQUEZ, Manual, 30, died Sat. Winters Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at
Lakeview Cemetery. Born in Ballinger and moved to Las Cruces in 1983 and then to
Wingate in 1991. He was a ranch had and member of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha VASQUEZ of Las Cruces, his mother, Vicenta
VASQUEZ of Winters; his stepfather, Narciso CONTRERAS of Winters; his
grandparents, Andres and Maria VASQUEZ of Ballinger; three sons, John Felis and
Manuel VASQUEZ, Jr., all of Las Cruces; three brothers, Paul VASQUEZ of Winters,
Joe ESCOBAR of Germany and Sammy CHAPOY of San Angelo; and a sister, Silvia
MARTINEZ of San Angelo.
*
Nov. 20, 1991
Las Cruces
NELEIGH, James Emerson, pass away on Wed. Nov. 20, 1991. Mr. NELEIGH was former
mayor of Las Cruces. Funeral services were held in Las Cruces, Mon., Nov. 25,
1991. In memory of Mr. NELEIGH contributions may be made to the Ballut Abyad
Shrine Temple, Box 8410, Albuquerque, NM., 87718.
*
FURRY, Lucille, 79, a resident of Las Cruces since 1970, died at her home Nov.
29. 1991. She was a former Real Estate Agent and a member of the Welcome Wagon
since 1974. She is survived by her husband, Marion of Las Cruces; one son, Ron
FURRY of Australia; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Getz Funeral
Home. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Venus Chapel, 3210 Venus with
Bishop Mike GILES officiating. Burial at Masonic Cemetery.
*
Deming
Dec. 5, 1991
FLEMING, Stella L., 78, resident, died at her home Sunday. She was born March
13, 1913 in Hopewell, VA. She was a veteran of WW2 having served in the U. S.
Army. In 1975 she and her husband, Bill moved to Rockhound area South of Deming.
For many years she was active in the Parish Plant at St. Ann's Church. Baca's
Funeral Chapel. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery. She was preceded in death
by her husband, Bill in April of 1980 and is survived by numerous cousins which
locally include Dorothy and Tom JACKSON of Deming.
*
Dec. 15, 1991
Las Cruces
LONGWILL, Grace L., 93, l Las Cruces resident since 1946, died Monday, Dec. 4,
1991 at The Good Samaritan Village. She was a former housemother for the S. A.
E. Fraternity at New Mexico State University and she was also and Assistant
Dietician with NMSU and Memorial General Hospital. She is survived by one son,
Ben LONGWILL of Las Cruces; three daughters, Wanda MC NEIL of Las Cruces, Ione
BURTON of Alamogordo, Phyllis BRADLE of Roswell; one sister, Helen WOLEVER of
Mesa, AZ., forty five grand, great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in
death by her husband Benjamin, in 1945 and one grandson, James MCNEIL in 1986.
Getz Funeral Home. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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