Obituaries

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

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