Obituaries

JOSEPH (JOE) WILLIAM TAYLOR Sept. 3, 1925 – Sept. 4, 2016

Joseph (Joe) William Taylor peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 4, 2016; one day after his 91st birthday.

He was born on September 3, 1925, in Brownsville, Texas, to Caroline Dolores Taylor and Albert Joshua Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Albert. He is survived by Rosalie (Coffield) Taylor, his loving wife of 64 years; his brother, Roger Taylor of Florida; sister, Rosita Clark of Texas; son, Michael Taylor (Joanie) of Gilbert, Arizona; daughters, Marcella Hiebert Read More

CHARLES L. MADER II Nov. 7, 1962 – Sept. 3, 2016
 
Charles Lavern (C.L.) Mader II, of Redmond, Washington, died on September 3, 2016, at the age of 53. He was born November 7, 1962 in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

He attended the Los Alamos schools 1967-1980 graduating in 1980. He was a National Merit Scholar. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 1983 with a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics. He did graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of New Mexico.

He lived in Albuquerque, Read More

VANCE ALAN HATLER Aug. 29, 1968 – Sept. 2, 2016

Vance Hatler, age 48, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 2, 2016.

“I enjoyed biking with my dad and I’m glad it was the last thing he was doing.” – Kyle. We lost our loving husband and father, Vance Alan Hatler, on September 2nd, 2016. He was a devoted husband for 21 years who enjoyed his family, spending his valued time raising his children and teaching them to love God. “Dad would take us skiing, biking, and always read the bible at dinner.” – Caleb. His children Read More

ARLEIGH VAUGHN HUFF Feb. 6, 2001 – Aug. 29, 2016

Arleigh Vaughn Huff, 15, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016. He was born on February 6, 2001 to Johnny and Tania (Edgett) Huff in Los Alamos, NM. A loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin, and friend, Arleigh will be remembered for his shy but large personality.

He was a true leader with a magnetic personality. He loved to make people smile and laugh. He had recently been accepted as a Junior Firefighter Member with the La Cueva Volunteer Fire Department.

Arleigh had just started his sophomore year at Los Alamos High School and had previously Read More

LORRAINE “JAN” MORK Aug. 1, 1930 – Aug. 25, 2016

On Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, as the new day broke, Jan Mork arose as she always did and gave thanks for the day. Though her body was weak and tired, her spirit was in grateful appreciation for another day on Earth. She lived to love and cherish her husband and family, but was happy to leave when the Lord called her home. Jan passed away peacefully in her favorite chair while waiting in the morning sun for the arrival of her daughter.

Lorraine Janet Lees (Jan) was born the daughter of Nellie and Norman Lees in Ellendale, N.D., on Aug. 1, 1930, as the Great Depression Read More

GARY W. BEQUETTE June 13, 1939 – July 22, 2016

Gary was born in Hastings, Nebraska to Marcella and Bernell Bequette. They moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1951, where he was a long time resident.

Gary served the Community in many ways. He was involved in baseball, softball, Police League, Leader of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Los Alamos Posse Fair and Rodeo, Senior Appreciation Night, Emmaus, and Kiaros Prison Ministry.

Gary retired from the Los Alamos Police Department, as acting Chief, after 22 years of service. He also worked at the Los Alamos Ski Hill and Los Alamos National Laboratory Read More

HAROLD B. DAVIS Aug. 20, 2016

Harold B. Davis, age 86, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Saturday, August 20, 2016.

Harold was born a few weeks before the start of the great depression. It is said that people who grew up in these times came from “Hearty Stock” and he was no exception. Harold was a generous and loving father, husband and friend but he was also “Tough as Nails” with a “Soft Marshmallow Center”. As strong and determined as he was, Harold succumbed to a sudden illness and passed away in a very short time, which was a shock to all who knew and loved him.

Harold Read More

YVONNE ELAINE SMITH Aug.16, 2016

Yvonne Elaine Smith, age 80, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond P. and Winifred A. (Curran) Toy; brother, Jack Toy; sisters Marie (Toy) Blauser and Joanne (Toy) Stevenson; son, David D. Smith and twin infant sons; daughter, Nora Ann Smith; grandchildren, Bethany and James Smith.

Yvonne worked as a cashier for many years at Metzger’s in Los Alamos. Her true love for children was reflected in her own day care center, Little Treasure Day Care. Yvonne Read More

CHARLES ROBERT (BOB) EMIGH

Charles Robert (Bob) Emigh passed away after a brief illness at his home on the afternoon of 31 July 2016, surrounded by his family.  Bob was born in Seattle, WA, on 7 April 1920, and grew up in Seattle, Denver, CO, and Arvada, CO.

He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from U. of Colorado, Boulder, and worked for a short time with Westinghouse.  Volunteering for the US Navy, he trained in communications and radar.  In 1945, he was chosen by then-Captain “Deak” Parsons USN, Dr. Oppenheimer’s Associate Director, to join the Manhattan Read More

ABELINA ‘LITA’ LOVATO Aug. 14, 2016

Abelina “Lita” Lovato, 89, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away of a lengthy illness on Sunday, August 14, 2016.

Abelina was preceded in death by her parents, Abelino and Rose Lucero; daughter, Betty Roberta Lovato, son, Alex Lovato Jr.; sisters, Sophie, Mary, Esther, and Simon.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Alejandro “Alex” Lovato; children, Betty Ann Valdez, Rita Jo Romero (Leroy), Rudy Lovato (Madeline), and Elias Lovato; grandchildren, Debbie Roybal (Bryant), Norma Escobedo (Adrian), Mark Valdez, Maranda Lovato, great-grandchildren, Read More

Obituary: BLAINE MEYER HADDEN Aug. 6, 2016

Blaine Meyer Hadden peacefully passed away at the age of 55 in his El Rito home surrounded by family after a brief and courageous battle with a very aggressive lung cancer, on August 6, 2016.

Born in Crescent City, CA to Brenda and Staley Hadden, he was raised on ranches in southern Idaho and moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1978.

After serving in the Marine Corps and completing his Electrical Engineering degree, he married his “beautiful bride,” Marie-Louise Jalbert in 1993. Many adventures ensued including building a homestead in the Jemez Mountains, serving Read More

LORRAINE MARTIN Nov. 10, 1919 – July 29, 2016

Lorraine Martin (formally of White Rock) passed away July 29, 2016 in Jefferson, Iowa.

She was born November 10, 1919. She was proceeded in death by her parents John and Teckla Hendrickson of Shickley, NE, husband Charles (Bud) Martin of White Rock, N.W., brothers David and Kenneth and sister Dorothy of Shickley, NE and sister Delores Semke Young of Jefferson, Iowa. 

She is survived by niece Connie Semke, nephews Dennis, Terry and Mike Semke all of Jefferson, Iowa. 

A graveside service will be held this fall. Read More

ROBERT DARRELL WILSON July 22, 1924 – July 29, 2016

Robert Darrell Wilson, 92, of Ashburn, VA, died Saturday after a short stay in the hospital.

Cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he enjoyed a full, creative and productive life. Bob leaves a legacy of family and colleagues who followed their dreams as well as transformed university campuses across the country. He retired in the late 1980’s as Director of Facilities from the West Virginia Board of Regents after a career of award winning contributions to campus architecture and facility planning at Stanford University, Read More

VITO PETER PIZZUTO Sept. 22, 1922 – July 15, 2016

Vito Peter Pizzuto, 93, died July 15, 2016. Vito was born in Rockford, Illinois and was the only child of Sicilian immigrant parents. He worked many jobs while growing up to help support a poor family. His first full time job was as a tool and die maker for the Barber Colman Company. He then married his long time sweetheart, Helen Mitkusevitch, who was the greatest love of his life for over 71 years.

He was then drafted into the Army during WWII, was stationed in Okinawa where he rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. In 1952, he accepted a job as a tool and die Read More

SHIRLEY L. DAVIES May 22, 1925 – July 22, 2016

Shirley L. Davies, age 91 of Los Alamos died July 22 at Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a prolonged battle with dementia.

She was born on May 22, 1925 to William and Lucille Fay Davies in DeWitt, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lucille Davies, Brother, Morris and Nephew, Kevin.

The family relocated to Concord, California where Shirley graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1943.

Never satisfied with the traditional, at age 15, Shirley constructed her Soap Box racer, but being a girl she was not allowed Read More

ROBERT (BOBBY) STEEDLE July 23, 2016

Robert (Bobby) Steedle, 50, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on July 23, 2016 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Russel and Jean Steedle; and his maternal grandmother, Martha Jean Billings. He is survived by his loving fiancé Marilou Wallace, who took such good care of him during his illness and the 12 years they spent together previous to his diagnosis.

He is also survived by his parents, Jim and Jeannie Steedle; sister and brother-in-law, Jackie and Jason Leeches; nephew, Koby Leeches; Read More

LUCIANO A. TORRES July 21, 2016

Luciano A. Torres, 85, a resident of Española, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

Luciano is survived by his children, Bart Torres, Julie Torres, Mario Torres and Derek Torres.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society. Private services will be held.

The family of Luciano A. Torres has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505.747.7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com. Read More

JUNE E. AGNEW May 11, 1951 – July 19, 2016

June E. Agnew, loving mother to Ernie Agnew, Joe Agnew, Manny Bello, Cara Bello, Katie Hughes and T.J. Agnew. Wife of “Bud” Agnew for 36 years.

Passed away from complications of COPD. Cremated July 21, 2016 and returned home to stay with “Bud.”  Read More

MARIAN ALICE HONSINGER Aug. 13, 1939 – July 15, 2016

Marian Alice (McKeirnan) Honsinger, Age (76), of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully while surrounded by loving family on July 15, 2016 after a short battle with septicemia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Isabel (Graham) McKeirnan, and her siblings Patricia, Bob, Jean and Mike. Marian was born in Pomeroy, Washington on August 13, 1939 to Lester and Isabel (Graham) McKeirnan. On June 11, 1960 she married Richard Honsinger, a loving relationship that lasted for more than five decades. She graduated from Read More

BENEDICT ‘BEN’ LADABOUR July 20, 2016

Benedict “Ben” Ladabour, 75, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his beloved Marjorie Meyers; parents, Robert and Rufina Ladabour; aunt Minga and uncle Connie. Ben was a kind and gentle man. He enjoyed fishing and playing baseball. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh.

Ben is survived by his children, Doug Metford of Los Alamos, Benji Ladabour (Diane) of Fairfield Maine, Lori Seitz (Jerry) of Los Alamos, Benedict “BJ” Ladabour (Laura) of Puyallup WA, Angela Ladabour of Albuquerque; Read More

MARSHA LYNN WENZEL Sept. 30, 1953 – July 13, 2016

Marsha Lynn Wenzel, age 62 and long-time resident of Los Alamos, NM, died Wednesday the 13th at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe.

Marsha was born and raised in Rocky Ford, Otero County, Colorado, September 30th, 1953 to David and Kathleen Rinehart Sinding. Marsha married her husband Walter Jay Wenzel in 1973 and then raised 4 children together in Los Alamos, NM. Marsha was a loving and attentive daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her passions in life included not only her family but music such as Read More

BETTY JOANNE SIMES June 10, 1934 – July 9, 2016

Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother, Betty Joanne Simes, 82, of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 9, 2016.

Betty will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on July 14, 2006 at 9:45 a.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Rivera Funeral Home.

Betty was born in Brownfield, Texas on June 10, 1934. She finished business school and worked for the city of Lubbock, TX. where she met her husband Doyle. Betty and Doyle were married on October 12, 1957 in Los Alamos and were married 59 years.

Betty worked Read More

FRANCIS HARVEY HARLOW Jan. 22, 1928 – July 1, 2016

Francis Harvey Harlow died Friday morning, July 1, 2016 in Los Alamos, New Mexico at age 88.

He was born to Francis Harvey Harlow and Florence Louis Melvin Harlow on January 22, 1928 in Seattle, Washington. After his mother died when he was twelve, he and his younger brother, Bruce, moved to Bremerton, Washington to live with an aunt, Bessie Harlow Burks, until he graduated from Bremerton High School in 1945.

After serving in the U.S. Army between 1945-1950 with an Honorable Read More

MARGARET RUTH BUSICK July 27, 1927 – May 12, 2016

Margaret Ruth Busick was called home to be with the Lord on May 12th, 2016, in Alamogordo, N.M.

Ruth was born July 27, 1927, to Hilda F. and James A. Hodges in Baltimore, Md. On Sept. 11th, 1948, she married the love of her life John (Jack) Busick and celebrated 67 years of marriage.

Ruth was blessed with two children, Diane Ruth Campbell (Kalei) who reside in Newport Beach, Calif., and David Lawrence Busick (Estela) who live in Alamogordo. Along with her husband Jack, she is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Kathryn Irene Busick and Joeseph Sterling Read More

ROBERT “BOB” THOMAS DUFF Col. USAF (ret.) June 17, 1922 – July 5, 2016

Our wonderful father and grandfather peacefully passed away on July 5, 2016, at the age of 94 in his home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

He was born on June 17, 1922, to James and Helen Duff of St. Louis, Missouri. Bob grew up in St. Louis where, at the age of 20, he met a nice, young woman whom he asked out dancing on a riverboat stationed on the Mississippi River. From this day sprung an inspiring love story as the two married on April 15, 1944, and remained together happily ever after until Jackie’s passing in 2012. Bob was also sadly preceded Read More

DONNA MAE TUBBS June 26, 2016

Few of you were privileged to meet my mother. Mom lived in our community, with me, for only four short months. With Mom’s consent, my brother, sister, and I brought her to White Rock from Pennsylvania, where my siblings live and Mom lived her entire life. Our mutual goal was for Mom to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

Over the thirty-six years I have lived here, Mom visited many times. We shared great adventures during her visits, throughout New Mexico, into Colorado, and as far west as the Grand Canyon. Mom admired the mission and work of Best Friends Read More

JOSEPH ‘BUDDY’ KOSTY July 2, 2016

Joseph “Buddy” Kosty 83, died peacefully after a long decline with dementia related illness in Roanoke, VA. on July 2, 2016.

Joe is remembered by many as an outgoing, caring man, full of life, always ready with a quick joke or light banter to those who encountered him. A native of Rahway, NJ, Joe joined the Air Force in 1951 after High School, and served during the Korean Conflict as an Aircraft Technician in the 55th Wing of the Strategic Air Command.

While stationed at Forbes AFB in Topeka, KS in 1955, Joe met and married the former Maryann West who at the time was a Nursing Read More

DR. JERRY FOROPOULOS JR. July 3, 2016

Dr. Jerry Foropoulos Jr., age 61, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2016.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Sr. and Esther Foropoulos; sister, Janet Puhr; father in law, Frank Manzanares; as well as other loving relatives.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Joyce Foropoulos of Los Alamos; children, April Maestas and husband Justin of Alcalde and Justin Salazar and partner, Ashley  Archuleta of Chamita; grandson, Dionicio Maestas of Alcalde; loving pet love bird, Tito; sisters, Laura Foropoulos, Read More

BRENT A. BURTSCHELL June 23, 1946 – June 18, 2016

Brent A. Burtschell, age 69 a resident of White Rock, NM passed away June 18, 2016 due to a motorcycle accident. He was born June 23, 1946 in Crescent City, CA to Margaret and Bruce Burtschell.

Brent is preceded in death by his father Bruce Burtschell, mother Margaret Burtschell, wife Manuelita Burtschell and sister Blythe Unican.

He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Ginger Grant of Los Alamos, NM and her two sons and six grandchildren, Jimmy & Melissa Grant and their children, Abigail, Aubrey, Alexander and Andrew; Joey & Naomi Grant Read More