Obituaries

Scott A. Holm, 55, resident of Deming passed away Tuesday July 21, 2026.  Arrangements are pending. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Scott A. Holm, please visit our floral store.

Frank DeLoss Thayer

Frank DeLoss Thayer, 86, passed away peacefully at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on June 28, 2026.Frank was born on July 15, 1939, in Santa Rita, New Mexico, to Frank D. Thayer Sr. and Roberta Thayer. He grew up in Hurley, New Mexico, with his sisters, Martha and Anne, and graduated from Cobre High School in 1958.  He briefly served in the Army National Guard before continuing his education.  Throughout his life, he earned degrees from Texas A&M University, Centennial College in Scarborough Ontario, and New Mexico State University.  Frank began his career in journalism, working as a teacher, reporter, photographer, editor, and public relations writer in both New Mexico and Canada.While attending New Mexico State University, he founded Puerto del Sol, the university's literary magazine, which continues today as a respected publication dedicated to emerging writers. He taught journalism at Scarborough Community College in Ontario Canada forabout 15 years, and in the mid 1980's, joined the faculty at New Mexico State University, His teaching career covered many years teaching journalism and mentoring aspiring reporters, editors, and writers. He was an imaginative teacher who knew how to get students engaged. He occasionally staged his own fake assassination while lecturing, in order to teach students about their own observational skills and also about how many points of view might exist over a single incident.

CHESTER DARWIN RUSSELL

Chester "Chet" Darwin Russell was born to Burton and Ellen Maxwell Russell on August 29, 1947 in Hartford, Connecticut, the second son of four children. Chet's father died when he was 4, so he learned early on if he wanted something, he would have to work for it. At the age of 6, he began raking leaves, shoveling snow, delivering newspapers, and various other jobs. During this time, he learned an excellent work ethic, which stayed with him for life.  When Chet was a little boy, he wanted to be like Davy Crockett.  That sense of adventure and exploration remained with him his entire life.

When Chet's mother married Phillip St. John, the family moved to Long Island, where he excelled in lacrosse, football, and wrestling. The family then moved to Statesville, North Carolina, where Chet played football and wrestled, graduating in 1965. He then went to Mitchell Jr. College, and completed an Associate's Degree in Industrial Arts in 1967, He truly was an artist at heart. Chet joined the Air Force in 1969 and began his 4-year experience with the Viet Nam War. He got top honors in his training class and became crew chief on a C-130 plane. He was honorably discharged in 1973 with the rank of Sergeant.

Arlene Ann Cooley, 79, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Silver City Care Center.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral and Crematory Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

En memoria de nuestro amado padre

Feliciano Hinojos

9 de junio de 1941 – 15 de julio de 2026

Con el corazón lleno de tristeza, pero también de profundo agradecimiento por la vida que compartimos con él, despedimos a nuestro amado padre, Feliciano Hinojos.

Don Chano fue un hombre fuerte, trabajador, humilde y de nobles sentimientos. A lo largo de su vida dejó huellas imborrables en cada persona que tuvo el privilegio de conocerlo. Su mayor orgullo fue su familia, a la que amó con todo su corazón y por la que siempre luchó con dedicación y sacrificio.

Como viudo, encontró fortaleza para seguir adelante y continuó siendo el pilar de su familia. Su ejemplo de amor, responsabilidad, honestidad y perseverancia será una guía para todos los que tuvimos la dicha de llamarlo papá, abuelo, familiar o amigo.

Hoy nos duele profundamente su partida, pero nos reconforta saber que el amor nunca muere. Vivirá para siempre en nuestras memorias, en nuestras enseñanzas, en nuestras reuniones familiares y en cada historia que contemos sobre él.

Rito H. Chavez passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Elko, Nevada, surrounded by his loving family.

Rito was born on May 22, 1946, aboard a train in Colonia Heroína, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Gregorio Chavez and Carmen Hermosillo.

During his childhood, Rito and his family lived in several communities throughout Chihuahua before eventually settling in Colonia Alamillo as one of the founding families of that community. Ranch life shaped him from an early age. Horses, cattle, hard work, and the open country became an enduring part of who he was.

Rito often proudly said that he was "a daddy's boy." The loss of his father, who was killed by a lightning strike when Rito was still very young, devastated him. That loss contributed to his desire to leave home and, as he liked to say, "adventure the world."

As a young man, he traveled throughout Sonora and Sinaloa, working and collecting the many stories he would later share with his family. After the death of his brother, Ramón "Mon" Chavez, Rito returned home to Chihuahua.

ROBERT E. CLEMENTS, 98, resident of Deming passed away Tuesday July 21, 2026.  Robert was born December 9, 1927 in Riverton, Nebraska to Harold and Olive (Briggs) Clements.  Robert married Roberta Jean Dear on August 16, 1953 in Raton, New Mexico and to this union they were blessed with two children, Doug and Lisa. 

Robert began his service in the United States military beginning with the Merchant Marines during WWII serving on the SS Edward A. MacDowell.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 in the Panama Canal Zone with the 370th Engineer Amphibious Support Regiment and afterward enlisted with the Air National Guard.  MSG Robert E. Clements later retired with 40 years of service.  Robert's other career was with Mt. Bell in which he also later retired as Safety Manager. 

Rodney Gene Lantz, 69, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Rod was born on September 15, 1956, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Richard and Marian Lantz. As a child, he lived in several places due to his father's work, experiences that helped shape the friendly, outgoing man who never met a stranger. On July 4, 1995, he married the love of his life, Annette Zumwalt Lantz. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, hard work, and family in Deming, New Mexico, where they shared 31 wonderful years of marriage.

Rod dedicated his career to the mining industry, working as a shovel operator for Chino Mines, Phelps Dodge, and Freeport-McMoRan until his retirement on March 1, 2023. He took great pride in his work and was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and determination. Whether on the job or at home, Rod was one of the hardest-working people anyone could know.

Those who knew Rod knew there was truly no one else quite like him. He had the gift of conversation, could make a friend anywhere he went, and always seemed to have a plan for earning an extra dollar. His humor, stories, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met.