Obituaries

STUART D. ORBESEN Oct. 3, 2016

Stuart D. Orbesen, 79, a new resident of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on October 3, 2016 surrounded by family.

Stuart is preceded in death by his father Clifford, his mother Helen and his brother Thomas. Stuart is survived by his wife Margaret and their beautiful blended family, son Randy Orbesen, wife Kai, daughters Robyn Buck, husband Thomas, and Karen Boise, husband Scott, and step children Charles Hickman, wife Teresa and Lisa Jackson, husband Alton, along with twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Stuart was a loving Read More

ROY DUMONT STONE Jan. 1, 1923 – Oct. 28, 2016

Roy Dumont Stone, 93, resident of White Rock, was born on January 1, 1923 and went to rest with God on October 28, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Pauline Stone; son, Dale Stone; and grand-daughter, Kathy Wheat.

Roy was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of World War II, where he was a photographer. He continued his photography with the Los Alamos National Laboratory until he retired.

Mr. Stone participated with his church, loved to sing the hymns of God, and loved gardening. He will be loved and missed by many family and friends.

Roy is survived Read More

THOMAS DAVIS Oct. 23, 2016

Tomas Davis, age 68, died peacefully on October 23, 2016 following a ten year battle with dementia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Hilda Davis.

Tom grew up in Barnesboro, PA. He attended Catholic University in Washington DC, graduating with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. After graduation, he moved west to the San Francisco bay area to work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a health physicist for their nuclear submarine program.

His work there led to a position at LANL initially in the health physics division and later for a variety of Read More

NANCY LOUISE RHYNARD HASTINGS Aug. 13, 1936 – Oct. 17, 2016

Nancy Louise Rhynard Hastings was born August 13, 1936 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. She passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and well respected woman who lived her Christian Faith daily.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Ray Hastings of Rio Rancho, NM; daughter, Kay Brown and husband Shawn of Corrales, NM; son, Daryl Hastings and Read More

MAX H. BAKER Jan. 9, 1951 – Oct. 19, 2016

After a two-year battle with cancer, Max H. Baker passed from this mortal sphere on October 19, 2016 at his home in Farmington, Utah. He was 65 years old.

Born January 9, 1951, Max was welcomed to this earth by parents Ray S. and Nelda Baker of Teton, Idaho. He learned much about hard work and integrity from his parents as he helped to work the family farm. His perseverance and tenacity carried over to his education, and after graduating from South Fremont High School in 1969, he attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a BA in History and going Read More

ROBERT J. ELLIOTT  Oct. 9, 2016

Robert J. (Bob) (aka Red/Rojo) Elliott, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2016, in Los Alamos, NM, in the arms of his family.

The world now has a void where Bob’s exuberant, gregarious, loving, joyful, giving, optimistic, larger-than-life personality has been so alive for the last 90 years.

He was the cherished father of Nancy and Randy Vaughn and the adored grandfather of his “Best in the World” grandchildren, Morgan and Tanner Vaughn, all of Santa Fe, NM.

Bob lived in Los Alamos for the last 65 years, proudly worked for LANL for 51 years, and previously Read More

SIGNE “JUNE” BABICH June 8, 1930 – Aug. 24, 2016

Signe “June” Babich passed quietly in her sleep on August 24, 2016 surrounded by her family.

Born on June 8, 1930 in Superior, Wyoming to Signe Bertina Carlson and Carl A. Anderson, Signe “June” was destined to become a motherly figure.  Being one of nine mouths to feed during the Great Depression and WWII, June knew that the love she was shown from her mother was exactly what she would portray in her own sibling interactions.  June knew that although her life was not filled with wealth and gold, it was filled with much more – family.

June Read More

MICHELLE LYNNE DECOTEAU (PADILLA) Sept. 20, 2016

Michelle Lynne Decoteau (Padilla) passed into the arms of angels on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Our beloved “Shelly Brown” or “Shell” as her family lovingly called her was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend to many.

Michelle was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Frances Padilla, and Lola and Ernest Hodson; uncle, Patrick Hodson; and father of her daughter, Nasario Maldonaldo. 

She was born and raised in Los Alamos, NM and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2003. Michelle earned an Associates degree Read More

EDWARD J. DOMBROWSKI Jan. 10, 1930 – Sept. 25, 2016

Edward J. Dombrowski was born as the first of eight children to Anthony and Josephine Dombrowski in Bridgeport, CT, on January 10, 1930. He passed away on Sunday morning September 25, 2016, at Sombrillo Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Los Alamos, NM.

He joined the Marine Corps after high school and rose to staff sergeant over the next few years. He left the Marine Corps, married Patricia C. Rimkunas with whom he had five children. During that time he worked at Underwood Corporation and went to night school for a mechanical engineering Read More

MICHAEL ALLEN WOLF Oct. 6, 2016

Michael Allen Wolf (74), a loving husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM.

A natural tinkerer, Michael studied electronics in the Air Force. After his discharge in 1965, he was hired by Los Alamos Scientific Labs (now LANL) where he worked as an Electrical Engineer until 1991. Michael eventually settled in Albuquerque.

Michael is survived by his wife, Diane Bogan-Wolf of Corrales, three children (Robert Wolf, Nichole Evans and Monique Johnston), two step children (Christina and Andrea Herrera), five Read More

NONA BRANDT Jan. 25, 1927 – Oct. 4, 2016

Nona Brandt, beloved wife of Daniel “Danny” Brandt, and mother of Dennis Lee Brandt and Kenneth Alan “Ken” Brandt, died peacefully at home at the age of 89 on October 4, 2016.

Born Evelyn Nona Brandt to Ida Mae Fleming Kimbrel and John Walter Kimbrel on January 25, 1927 in Derby, Colorado, Nona lived in Colorado until she and Danny came to Los Alamos in 1951. Nona, who met Danny at a roller-skating rink in Derby, married Danny on April 26, 1947.

Nona and Danny, along with their sons and daughters-in-law, celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2007 with a trip to Kauai. Read More

ELLA CATHERINE LARKIN Oct. 15, 1933 – Oct. 7, 2016

On October 7, 2016, Ella Catherine Larkin went to be with the Lord surrounded by her loving family at the age of 82. Ella was a resident of Belen (Rio Communities,) New Mexico for the past 24 years. Before this, she resided in Los Alamos, NM for approximately 18 years. Ella was born October 25, 1933 to Frank R. and Matilda Adams in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

Ella married the love of her life, James E. Larkin, on February 26, 1955 and joined him on a life journey. She lived many places across the country while her husband served in the United States Air force Read More

KATHLEEN ANN JACKSON June 20, 1947 – Sept. 30, 2016

Kathleen Ann Jackson died on September 30, 2016 in Bellingham, Washington, from complications of polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder.

Kathleen was born June 20, 1947 in Seattle, Washington, and spent her childhood and early life in the Seattle area. As a child, she distinguished herself as an artist, bookworm and independent thinker, traits she retained for life. She was a 1965 graduate of Sammamish High School in Bellevue, Washington. After working as a hairdresser and attending community college for several years, Kathleen entered Read More

BEVERLY STRATTON Sept. 21, 2016

Beverly Stratton died on September 21, just shy of her 90^th birthday. She lived a full and happy life, never shirking from a challenge and always embracing friendships and love.  She will be remembered particularly for her motivation to care for others.

Beverly was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and worked in the Physics Department where she met Bill Stratton. Upon his graduation, they married and moved to Los Alamos, sight unseen for Beverly. This became her home for the next 61 years.

She loved New Mexico—its Read More

LUCY LUELLA HUNTER THOMAS Oct. 3, 2016

Lucy LuElla Hunter Thomas, 91, a resident of Los Alamos, NM, went to be with her Lord on October 3, 2016. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family after a long struggle with cancer.

Lucy was born in Tonganoxie, KS and graduated from the University of Kansas where she met the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Edgar Thomas. They moved to Los Alamos in 1954 where they were active members of the community and charter members of the Los Alamos Christian Church. Lucy served as a business teacher at Los Alamos High School from 1965 until Read More

ERIKA E. LONGMIRE Sept. 30, 2016

Erika E. Longmire, 96, a resident of White Rock, N.M., passed away on Friday, September 30, 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alwin and Marie Gläser and her brother.

Erika was a very loving and caring person. She had nerves of steel that endured a lot in her lifetime. She loved to cook and bake. She was an amazing seamstress. She reupholstered many of the furniture in her home as well as making a lot of her husband Calvin’s clothing. She loved to paint, many of her paintings decorate her home today. She loved to ski. She loved her dog Momo dearly and took him everywhere Read More

DOROTHY LEE TULLY STOLPE Dec. 20, 1928 – Sept. 20, 2016

Join me in honoring the passing of Dorothy Lee Tully Stolpe who departed this life in the early afternoon of September 20, 2016 at the age of 87. She was survived by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as admiring friends.

Dot or Dottie was born December 20, 1928 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Bernice Leon Tully and Waneeta Augustine Russell. She spent all of her childhood years in Shawnee where she was involved in community activities, worked in local shops and theaters, and became an accomplished artist.

She went to School Read More

ROSEMARY (ROSE) DUBOIS Sept. 21, 2016

Rosemary (Rose) DuBois, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home, attended by her family, on September 21, 2016.

Rosemary, the youngest sister in a family of eight children, was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Andrew and Rose Peters on Valentine’s Day, 1926. Her parents and seven siblings: Ann Peters, John Peters, Marie Peters Bauer, Dr. Anthony Peters, Andrew Peters, Helen Peters Martinez, and Frank Peters, all are deceased.

Rosemary had a magnanimous heart that never ceased giving to her family, friends, and even to the earth’s creatures. Read More

MERCEDES M. RAY Sept. 17, 2016

Mercedes M. Ray, 89, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Los Alamos where she lived with her daughter Kristine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles (Chuck) Ray; son, Kurt Ray; son-in-law, Rick Scott and her 11 siblings.

Mercedes was a resident of Albuquerque for 64 years. She moved to Los Alamos after the death of her husband.

Mrs. Ray is survived by her four children, Karl (Kathy) Ray, Keith (Paula) Ray, Klaudia Scott and Kristine (Pete) Sandford; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited on Friday, September 23, Read More

MURL EUGENE (GENE) JENKINS July 28, 1931 – Sept. 17, 2016

Murl Eugene (Gene) Jenkins went home to meet the Lord, his loving wife and extended family on September 17, 2016, surrounded by his family, and animals after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

Gene was born on July 28, 1931 to Clifton and Cecil Jenkins in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University, and Texas Tech University after the family moved to Lubbock, Texas. He met and fell in love with Julia Pruette who was in nursing school there.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifton and Cecil Jenkins, his brother Read More

STEPAN GEORGIEVICH MASHNIK June 1, 1952 – Sept. 8, 2016

A beloved father, husband, grandfather and accomplished scientist, Stepan Mashnik, died after bravely battling lung cancer for 10 years on September 8, 2016 at the age of 64. Stepan’s life journey is a true testament of inner strength, perseverance and passion.

He was born in a small rural village of Republic of Moldova in Soviet Union and found a passion for physics and science at the age of 14, to which he dedicated his entire life. He received his PhD in Physics from Lomonosov Moscow State University and worked at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Read More

AUDREY C. MILLER Sept. 26, 1942 – Sept. 15, 2016

Audrey C. Miller, born September 26, 1942, passed away on September 15, 2016. Audrey was born in Indiana and was a long time New Mexico resident. Audrey was a loving and dedicated wife and mother.

Audrey is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Alvah; children, Alicia, Andrew and wife Sharon Agne, and Annette and husband Stephen Montoya; grandchildren, Ashley and Shayla Miller. Audrey is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Strever and husband Robert and her brother Darrell Sellers and wife Ona-Marie. Also left behind were many beloved extended Read More

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CLEMENT JOSEF BURKE Aug. 31, 2016

Clement Josef Burke, age 94, originally of Archabald, PA, passed into eternal life on August 31, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at his Littleton, CO residence.

Clem was preceded in death by parents Timothy and Anna (Inman); brother Richard; sister Elizabeth; son Michael.

He was the oldest of 4 siblings. Following in his father’s footsteps of serving his country, he was 18 when he joined the Army, serving from 1939 1945. He spent the majority of his military time in the Signal Corps, stationed in British Guyana and the Netherlands.

He was licensed Read More

GEORGE F. MELTON April 10, 1931 – Sept. 8, 2016

George F. Melton, age 85, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2016, after a long and difficult battle with dementia. A former resident of Los Alamos, George and his wife, Bobbi, lived in Peoria, AZ at the time of his death.

George F. Melton, Jr. was born in Carrizozo, New Mexico on April 10, 1931 to George F. Melton, Sr., and Frances Melton. After losing his father at an early age in 1935, George grew up on ranches in the Corona, New Mexico area where he attended schools in Corona, Alamogordo and Tularosa, New Mexico. He was very active in all sports Read More