Obituaries

C. Christina Loew passed from the world on Sept 26, 2025, after a long illness, in Deming, NM. A Master Bridge player and gardener, she resided in Scottsdale AZ for 60 years.

She is survived by her three children: sons John Galka (Melissa) and Frank Galka (Mary), of Deming NM. and Emilie Shriver (Robert) of Anchorage, AK, six grandchildren (James, Justin, Michelle, Melanie, Joshua and Christine) as well numerous great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Chris is also survived by two siblings Virginia (Gia) Casto of La Quinta, CA and James Ottoes (Mary) of Cheyenne, WY and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Born Clara Christina Bangs in Rockville, NE. on Dec 25, 1933, to John and Josephine Bangs (Ahrens) and relocated to Cheyenne, WY in her youth.

She was proceeded in death by her loving husband Francis (Frank) Thomas Galka Sr. on Nov 2, 1963 – in Cheyenne, WY.

Thomas (Tom) Loera Chavira, 56, entered eternal rest on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Gila Regional Medical Center, in Silver City, NM surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born on March 1, 1967 to his parents, Thomas Chavira Sr, and Corina (Loera) Chavira. Thomas took pride in working at Borchardt Rifle Corporation with Al Storry. Tom was a machinist and gun smith servicing Grant County, NM. He enjoyed tinkering on his vehicles, fishing, hiking, and hunting. He loved the outdoors, especially the mountains.

We love him dearly and will miss him, we take comfort knowing he is at peace and resting in the presence of our Lord.

On Sunday, September 7th Walter "Lee" Jackson (84), of Buckhorn, went home to the Lord, where he longed to be. Lee was born to Walter and Doris Jackson on August 12, 1941 in Albuquerque, NM. The family moved to Grant County in 1947 when his dad went to work for Kennecott/Chino in Hurley. Lee grew up in Apache Tejo with his five siblings. Lee grew up showing FFA animals at both the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair and NM State Fair through which he learned a great deal from Ag Teacher Dwight Houston. He attended and graduated from Cobre High School in 1960 where he was quite a football player. He earned All-South, All-State and All-American his senior year. Lee was offered a college football scholarship to North Texas University.

He worked for the Gas Company of New Mexico before becoming a pipe fitter for Phelps Dodge first in Arizona and then in Hurley. He spent most of his adult life as a butcher, working for DPac in Deming and going on to run his own butcher shops "Last Chance" in Pinos Altos and then "Uncle Lee's" in Arenas Valley. After retiring, he spent a short time living in Mimbres but spent the last five years of his life in Buckhorn raising "spoiled beef". He firmly believed the more you spoiled those feeder calves, the more tender the meat would be.

Adolfo G. Marquez, 81, of Silver City passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona surrounded by his family.  Services will be announced at a later time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Adolfo Genera Marquez, please visit our floral store.

Steven Montoya, 50, of Silver City passed away Thursday, September 25, 2025 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Arrangements are pending.

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

Belisario Molinar Alvarez, 92, lifelong resident of Deming passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025 at his home.

Visitation will begin Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 5 to 6 o'clock in the evening at Baca's Funeral Chapel. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will then be recited at 6 and will be led by Christine Milo. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 11:30 in the morning at St. Ann's Catholic Church followed by the rite of committal and interment at Mountain View Cemetery. Fr. Tony Basso will be officiating.

Belisario was born April 17, 1933 in Deming, NM to Belisario Alvarez Sr. and Perfecta Molinar. Belisario was a Korean War Veteran and served between 1953 – 1955. He was a Untied States Army Corporal and served as an Artillery Gunman. After his service to our county was over, he met and married Mary Correa and spent the remainder of his life of 63 years of marriage until her passing on October 30, 2021. They raised six children together, and lived a very peaceful and quiet life together. Belisario followed his fathers' footsteps and earned a job with the City of Deming in the Utility Department as a Supervisor for over 35 years. During his employment with the City of Deming he was well known to have his little fur companion riding along with him in which was his little white chihuahua, Easter.

Maryann J. Ortiz, 84, of Silver City passed away September 26, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday October 1, 2025 at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church from 9 to 10 am.  Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10 am.  The Funeral Liturgy will follow at 10:45 am.  The Rite of Committal and burial will be at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Pedro.  Officiating will be Father Oliver Obele.  Serving as casket bearers will be Anna Ortiz, Victoria Ortiz, Brittany Pas, Adiana Maes, Anjelica Davila, Yasmine Ortiz, Damien Ortiz, Sammy Ortiz and Marina Ortiz.

"Mariana" as she was fondly known, was born April 21, 1941 in Silver City to Santiago and Maria Ortega Jacquez.  Mariana was a Certified Nursing Assistant/Caregiver.  She enjoyed working in the yard and tending to her garden.  Above all, Mariana loved spending time and being with all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Mariana was also a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mariana is survived by her three sons, Pete Ortiz Jr. (Yvette), Michael Ortiz and David Ortiz (Elizabeth); one daughter, Melissa Ortiz; two brothers, Rudy Jacquez and Fidel Jacquez; two sisters, Alicia Carrasco and Lupe Barragan and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.   Mariana was preceded in death by her spouse, Pedro; a son, Sammy Ray Ortiz; grandson, David Ortiz, Jr.; granddaughter, Nichole Leon Ortiz; and 11 brothers and sisters.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mariana J. Ortiz, please visit our floral store.

In Loving Memory of a Beautiful Soul who is now Rejoicing with our Lord.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Elizabeth Carla Pioquinto "Lisa" who went on to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, September 22, 2025 at the young age of 44.

Lisa was born September 18, 1981 in Deming, NM to Benito Pioquinto and Yolanda Armendariz. Lisa a truly loving soul who touched everyone she met. Lisa was not only devoted to her wife Roze but also a source of comfort to all of her family members. She was a kind friend and a light in our lives to everyone who came across her and absolutely admired by all her nieces, nephews, godchildren and her extended family whom love her like their own daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin. Lisa always cared for her community and was very proud of her hometown of Deming, NM. She loved to support small businesses. She loved to travel and be with her family. She loved her sports and was always rooting for her San Francsico 49ers and New York Yankees and could tell you every player on every team, she also loved going to concerts and just having a good time. Lisa's warmth, strength, and love will always be remembered. She had a gift for making people feel cared for and never hesitated to give of herself. Losing her leaves a deep ache in our hearts, but also countless beautiful memories that will live on forever.