Ruben Rosario Valdespino, 92, a lifelong resident of Deming passed away Saturday September 8, 2018 in the comfort of his home.

Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, September 16, 2018 from 4 to 6 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel where a rosary will begin at 6 o’clock.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday September 17, 2018 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at St. Ann Catholic Church with Fr. Josh Duplissey officiating.  Concluding services with honors will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

Ruben was a very religious family man.  A World War II U.S. Army Veteran, he was also a truck driver and a nurseryman, who with his wife Louisa Valdespino founded “Valdespino’s Nursery” in Deming.  As a member of the United States Army’s 86th Infantry Division “The Black Hawk Division” he fought in WWII’s Battle of the Rhine, the Ruhr Pocket and was in Austria at the end of the war with Germany.  After 30 days leave he shipped to the Philippines and helped in the Liberation of the Philippines until the end of the war with Japan.  He was awarded the Bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, European African Ribbon, Middle Eastern Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.

He is survived by his wife, Louisa Valdespino; sons, Richard Valdespino, Ruben Valdespino Jr., and Daniel Valdespino; daughter, Vicki Valdespino Engle.  His son Jimmy Valdespino preceded him in death.  Stepchildren are Ernest Madrid, Marion Madrid Marrujo, Johnny Madrid and Irene Baeza.  Stepchildren preceding him in death are Lon Madrid and Eddie Baeza.  Ruben is also survived by 24 grandchildren.  Other family preceding him in death are his parent, Juan Valdespino and Siria Soto Valdespino and his brothers and sisters Emilio Valdespino, Ernestina Valdespino, Bobbie Penns, Juan Valdespino, Gregorio Valdespino and Frank Valdespino to rest in Heaven.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Valdespino, Ruben Valdespino Jr., Ruben Daniel Valdespino, Julian Valdespino, Richard Valdespino, and Henry Marrufo.