Obituaries

Richard Paul Meza, born August 10, 1963, in Lordsburg, New Mexico to Esequiel and Marcelina Meza, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026 surrounded by his siblings, Anna Meza, Louis Meza and Terri Meza.

Richard worked for Brown and Root Construction for many years until he relocated to Tucson, Arizona and began working as a custodian with the University of Arizona. He loved listening to music, watching old cowboy western tv shows, but he mostly enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and his dogs.

Richard was preceded in his passing by his wife Cynthia Flores Meza, his father Esequiel Meza, and his mother Marcelina Meza.

He is survived by his siblings Anna Meza, Louis Meza, Terri Meza and his nieces and nephews Amber Orozco, Aziaha Rodriguez, Anastasia Foster, Andrew Rodriguez, Gabriel Medina, Sammy Medina, Manuel Medina Jr., Milah Medina, Matthieu Jimenez, Jesus Borquez, Noah Borquez, Lorenzo Borquez, Isaac Borquez, Layla Borquez and his beloved dog Macie.

Bonnie Mae Buckley Maldonado, 95, a resident of Silver City New Mexico, passed away in her home surrounded by family on June 23, 2026. She was born in Choteau, Montana to Patrick T. Buckley and Dorothy Aman Buckley. Her early childhood was spent on the Blarney Castle Ranch, the Buckley family ranch seven miles west of Sweet Grass. The family's loss of their beloved ranch in a 1937 foreclosure was a trauma that echoed down the generations and would later figure in Bonnie's poetry. Education was central to Bonnie's life. She earned an Associate of Arts from the Territorial College of Guam in 1959, while teaching first grade in an experimental bilingual program. A year later she was enrolled at New Mexico Western College (now WNMU) in Silver City, receiving her MS in elementary education with minors in social science, art, and English in 1961. That fall she became seventh and eighth grade supervisor at Western's Teacher Education Center. Soon after that school closed in 1972, Bonnie served as a graduate assistant in the Department of Educational Psychology at New Mexico State University while completing her PhD. She began university-level teaching as an instructor in the Western New Mexico University Department of Education and Psychology in the fall of 1972; she would retire as dean of the same department. Bonnie served for many years as a professor of counseling and was credited with revitalizing the Education department. Bonnie was named to the WNMU Education Hall of Fame. She had an incalculable impact on thousands of students across her many years as an educator.

CHARLES E. WHITAKER went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2026.  Chuck was born July 16, 1931 in Taylorsville (Spencer County) Kentucky.  After spending his early years in Taylorsville and Little Mount, Kentucky, Chuck graduated from Ahrens High School in Louisville and joined his parents in Phoenix, Arizona where he continued his education.  His college years were interrupted by a call to active duty in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.  Upon release from active duty, he continued his education at the University of Arizona, graduating with a BS in Electronic Engineering.  He was married in 1956 to Muriel S. Horne of Tucson, Arizona.  The marriage was blessed with one son and three daughters.  While employed by the Hughes Industries, Chuck continued his graduate studies at UCLA and USC in Los Angeles.  He retired from Hughes Aircraft Company in 1987 and relocated to his land in Cochise County (Portal), Arizona.  Nineteen years later, chuck retired again, this time from the ranch, and moved to Deming, NM.  He was an avid sports fan/participant and enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, shooting sports, and supporting the Arizona Wildcats.  He was a member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, the American Legion, NRA (National Rifle Association), and an avid supporter of the Second Amendment.  As a graduate of the International School of Ministry, Chuck was active in local bible study groups.

Manuel G. Carbajal, 93, Deming resident passed away Thursday, July 2, 2026 at his residence with his wife and daughter by his side.

Visitation will begin on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 5 o’clock in the afternoon at Baca’s Funeral Chapel where the recitation of the holy rosary will be recited at 6 led by Irma Jaurequi. The Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at St. Ann's Catholic Church with concluding services and interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Father Tony Basso will be officiating. 

Manuel was born April 19, 1933 to Maria de la Luz Granillo and Juan Carbajal at Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua. He was a caring and kind hearted man. Always willing to help a friend or anyone who needed help. He was a hard worker. He liked to own old trucks. His last truck was a white, 1986 Toyota. He enjoyed socializing and talking to people, whether he knew them or not. He liked watching baseball and wrestling on TV.

He lived with his loving wife Rebeca for 40 years. Together they raised their beautiful daughter, Aracely. He was a good dad. He was very proud of her accomplishments. Beaming with joy at her kinder, high school, and college graduations and other milestones. He would even support her when she signed up for craft markets. He would supervise and help watch the booth when she had to step away.

Eva Kay Cook, 75, a resident of Hurley, NM, entered eternal life on July 3, 2026.  Kay was "born in space" in Santa Rita, NM on October 9, 1950, to Isaac Lorenzo Connell and Oletta Minerva Connell (Benskin).  She and her twin sister Ila Fay were the 3rd & 4th children out of 5.

Kay grew up in Hurley, NM and attended WNMU on and off until she received her bachelor's degree in Academic Studies in 1996.  Although she and Rick both grew up in Hurley, they didn't officially meet until they attended a church dance.  Shortly after they started dating Rick enlisted in the Navy and Kay patiently waited for him to finish his enlistment.  They were engaged in February of 1970 and were married June 20, 1970.  Two years later they were sealed in the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kay was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held a position in the Relief Society and was the church librarian for a time.  Kay also had many jobs during her life, including working at the Silver Bowling Alley, Stream Dynamics, Copper Country Stamps and Gifts (a shop she owned with her sister, Delva), Holiday Inn Express, and the Gateway Hotel. 

William Harley Smyer 

September 15, 1979 – June 30, 2026 

William Harley Smyer, affectionately known as Harley, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the age of 46. 

From the time he was four years old, Harley was on the ranch alongside Uncle Bill, where he developed a lifelong love for the cowboy way of life. He was a horseman, a welder, and a good windmill man who helped keep the ranch running. Harley loved everything about ranching, riding horses, gathering and working cattle, branding, and the everyday work that came with caring for the land...except fixing fence. The ranch wasn't just where he worked; it was where he belonged.

Harley is survived by his son, Dylan Gunter; his mother, Carolyn Foster (Billy); his brother, Jeffrey Smyer (Billie); and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Mary Smyer, and his cousin, Lane Smyer.

Kate Fisher Iturralde, 96, a former resident of Santa Clara, now of Las Cruces entered eternal rest Monday, June 29, 2026 at her residence.  She was born April 1, 1930 in Silver City, NM to Milton Fisher and Isabel Vallejos.

Kate also called "Sadie" Iturralde raised her children in Santa Clara NM. She worked at WNMU Cafeteria as a dessert chef. She was a prolific writer of poetry and historical references.  Authored The Yellowcake Genie, and published in several poetry collection books. She was a devout Catholic and prayed her rosary daily. Her roots can be traced to the Upper Gila Chiricahua Apache Peoples. She welcomed everyone into her home offering a cup of coffee and a listening ear. She was a strong advocate for the Cold War Patriots.  Kate was a much-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie, and friend.  She never knew a stranger as she traveled from NM, AZ, CO, NV, and South Carolina, with the families of  hardrock underground miners. Special mention her favorite niece Priscilla Chaires.

Kate is survived by two sons, Salvador "Sal" Iturralde and companion Elizabeth of Las Cruces; Robert Iturralde of Radium Springs, NM; two daughters, Gloria Iturralde of Radium Springs, NM; Cynthia Iturralde of Las Cruces, NM; seven grandchildren, Armando Torres, Isabel Elson, Marielena Torres, Geraldine Iturralde, Starlett Iturralde, Fernando Padilla Jr., Gabriel Padilla; thirteen great grandchildren; special extended family, Steven and Denise Robles and Sammie Ramirez; numerous nieces and nephews. 

Robert "Bob" Flores, Jr., 85, resident of Santa Clara, NM, entered eternal rest on July 1, 2026, at his residence.  He was born on November 19, 1940, to Robert Flores Sr. and Nora Flores (Treviso), in San Antonio, Texas.

Bob moved with his family to Silver City, NM when he was 7 years old. He was raised playing numerous sports (boxing, baseball, and running) and was always active in the community alongside his father. Bob enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old and came back to work with his father. Together they supported local youth activities, and he helped with his father's plumbing business, Reliable Plumbing.

Bob was known for his outspoken personality, always willing to talk to anybody; he never met a stranger. He also had a tremendous work ethic and was never able to sit back and watch without lending a helping hand. He continued his love for running by qualifying for and running in the Boston Marathon in 1984. He also enjoyed the outdoors; he loved to fish and hike in search of arrowheads. After many years working in maintenance at the Fort Bayard Medical Center, he was fortunate enough to retire and enjoy his last years doing what he loved most.