Obituaries

Jan 26, 2009

Jan 25, 2009

Jan 25, 2009

Rose Mai Squires, 78, of Las Cruces, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 surrounded by her children and friends. She was born May 18, 1930 in Havana, Arkansas to Jessie and Vera Parks Lewis. After graduating from high school in Denison, Tx, Rose attended North Texas State University, moved to Las Cruces in 1950, and soon after started working at White...

Jan 21, 2009

The family of Lorraine "SUNSHINE" Henderson announces the recent loss of their beloved mother on January 21, 2009. "SUNSHINE" as she was fondly known was born July 30, 1926 in Chicago, ILL. She moved to New Mexico in 1954 and settled in Las Cruces in 1959 with her husband and children. Lorraine enjoyed reading, dancing, bingo and the many trips...

Jan 19, 2009

James C. Ryan Jr., 79, of Las Cruces, NM, died Monday, January 19, 2009. He was the oldest of 12 children, born Nov. 6, 1929 in Moore, OK to James and Marie Ryan Sr. He was a veteran of the US Army where he served his country honorably. James moved to Las Cruces in 1964 and retired from NMSU as...

Jan 18, 2009

George R. Garcia passed away quietly surrounded by his family on January 18, 2009. Born and raised in Las Cruces, George graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1952. George will be remembered for his love of his family and sports. George was a member of the Las Cruces Bulldawg 1952 State Championship Baseball Team, the Farm Team of the...

Jan 18, 2009

Jan 15, 2009

Garnett R. Burks, Jr. 74, of Las Cruces, N.M., died on January 15, 2009 at Mesilla Valley Hospice La Posada. He was born January 4, 1935 in Socorro, N.M. to Marian and Garnett Burks, Sr. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and earned a bachelor's degree in...

Jan 14, 2009

Helen C. Thomas, 90 of Las Cruces, NM died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at her home. She was born January 7, 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and had been a supervisor with the United States Armed Forces Club. Helen was also a member of the Catholic Church. Cremation has taken place and Inurnment of her ashes will be held at...

Jan 13, 2009

Thomas P. Massad Jr., 47 of Las Cruces, NM passed away on Tuesday January 13, 2009 after a long fight with CIDP. He was born April 30, 1961 in Gloversville, NY to Thomas P. Massad Sr. and Janice Massad. He had been a member of The Las Cruces Police Department until his illness disabled him in December 2003. Despite the...

Jan 12, 2009

Henry Daniel "Dan" Saastamoinen passed away on Monday, January 12, 2009, at Thomason Memorial Hospital, El Paso, Texas, at the age of 87. He was Born Heikki Daniel Saastamoinen to Niilo and Emma Saastamoinen on March 24, 1921, In Hibbing, Minnesota. Dan served his country in the United States Army from October 1942 to December 1945, including deployment to Australia...

Jan 11, 2009

Richard S. Martinez, 72, of Radium Springs, NM, passed away Sunday, Jan. 11,2009 at Memorial Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 2, 1936 in Carrizozo, NM to William and Carolina Martinez. Richard was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #4038 in Las Cruces, NM and currently an active member at Aerie...

Jan 11, 2009

Dennis Woodard, a gifted musician, artist, teacher and extraordinary husband, brother and friend, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Jan. 11, 2009 while working in his yard. He was 61. A popular fourth-grade teacher at Hillrise Elementary School, "Woody" was elated about the birth of his first grandchild and was planning to travel to Sacramento, California the following weekend...

Jan 11, 2009

Ignacio C. Navarro, 60 of Las Cruces, New Mexico died Sunday, January 11, 2009 at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. "Nacho" as he was fondly known was born April 29, 1948 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Ricardo and Marie Navarro. He served his country honorably in the US Army and the National Guard. Nacho loved...

Jan 10, 2009

Billy J. Spence, 80 of Rincon, NM died Saturday January 10, 2009. He was born Dec. 27, 1928 in McHenry, W.VA, to Herman and Minnie Spence. He was retired from the US Government after many years of faithful service. He had a passion for wood-working, helping his family and friends with electrical problems and traveling throughout the 48 states. Billy...

Jan 8, 2009

Tommy E. Essex, 65, of Las Cruces, died Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. He was born Sept. 29, 1943 in Artesia, NM to D.D. and Winnie Roberts Essex. The three most important things in his life were faith, family and football, but his passion was for football. He was the former Head Football Coach at Onate High School.

Jan 8, 2009

Jan 7, 2009

Celia M. Tellez, 78, lifelong resident of the Mesilla Valley, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. She was born April 24, 1930 in Hill, NM to Demecio and Delfina Telles Madrid. Celia was a member of Our Lady of Health Catholic Church and was very involved with the Sacred Heart League where she worked faithfully. She had a love for arts...

Jan 5, 2009

Elijah Malik Cotton, infant son of Ronald Cotton and Victoria Trejo died Monday, January 5, 2009 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He was born October 20, 2008 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Though Elijah's time with us wasn't long, he filled our hearts with joy and love everyday. Elijah is survived by his parents, his grandparents, Sandra Madrid of Las...

Jan 3, 2009

John "Grandpa" L. Malfer, 94 of Las Cruces died Saturday January 3, 2009. He was born April 18, 1914 in Innsbruck, Austria to Joseph and Emaly Malfer. Grandpa loved to travel all over the country with his wife Charlene who preceded him in death in 2006. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends who knew...