Obituaries

Celia "La Guera" Ruiz Obituary

Celia B. Ruiz, 76, a resident of Deming, entered eternal rest to be with the Lord on Friday, May 22, 2026, in the tranquility of her home surrounded by all her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Baca's Funeral Chapel. Officiating the service will be Raul Granillo. The service will conclude with burial at Mountain View Cemetery.

"La Guera," as many lovingly knew her, was born on November 22, 1949, in Las Cruces, Namiquipa to Eufemio "Flavio" Barrera and Celia Barraza. She married the love of her life, Leonel S. Ruiz, on June 14, 1971. In 1986, they moved to Deming where together they raised their four children: Gildardo, Jaime, Sandy, and Jessica.

Celia worked for several years at Border Foods and later dedicated 20 years of service to Deming Electronics. She was known for her caring and empathetic heart, as well as her love for cooking. She often showed her love by preparing and delivering warm meals to family and friends who were ill or in need.

Lucia Orozco Muñoz, 89, of Silver City entered eternal rest in her home surrounded by her loved ones on Friday, May 22, 2026.

She was born on December 21, 1936 in Ascensión Mexico to Jose and Esperanza Orozco. Lucia loved the warm summers and would often be out and about. She enjoyed visiting friends and family, cruising, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Lucia married Eduardo Muñoz on July 7, 1957. They were blessed with 5 children: Benny Muñoz (Margo), Alice Turietta (Paul), Tommy Muñoz (Julie), Oscar Muñoz (Joann), and Olga Muñoz (Chris).

Bernadette Esparza Tovar, 79 of Bayard, NM passed away surrounded by her family Saturday, May 23, 2026.  She was born September 12, 1946 in Hanover, NM to Margarito and Polly Esparza.

Bernie was a woman of faith, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and devout Catholic of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. A member of the Guadalupana Society and serving as president for several years.  An active volunteer in the funeral ministry along with teaching catechism and preparing students for their 1st Holy Communion.

Her kindness and warmth touched the lives of many.  Bernie was the heart of her family and a steadfast pillar of Our Lady of Fatima.  Her faith was the foundation of everything she did.  She was the first to offer a heartfelt prayer for anyone in need.  She taught her loved ones how to walk with God.  She leaves behind a rich legacy of Faith.

She enjoyed cooking for her family.  Cooking the best green chile, stuffed galletas, calabacitas, tortillas, and the best empanadas.

She is survived by her beautiful children, Annette Diaz (Martin), Cindy Campos (Dennis), Alex Tovar (Audrey) and Regina Vega (Frank); thirteen grandchildren, Conrad, Antoinette (Logan), Brandi (Shirley), Angelica (Frank), Regan (Davi), Alyssa, Destiny (Iaiah), Paige (Raymond), Alejandro (Alejandra), Presley, Jared (Rishae), Jeremy, and Jesse; thirteen great grandchildren; she is survived by her brothers, Richard Esparza (Elizabeth), Ernesto Esparza, and her sister, Angie Murillo.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Tovar ('2023), and her parents, Margarito and Polly Esparza.

In Loving Memory of

Irene Morales Padilla

August 18, 1937 — May 19, 2026

Fittingly, as the sun rose on the early morning of May 19, 2026, Irene M. Padilla, lovingly known to many as Nena, began her gentle ascent to reside with our Almighty God, whose warm and healing embrace soothes our souls, heals our weary bodies, and wipes away the burdens and concerns of our earthly world, allowing us to rest in eternal peace and tranquility.

Born on August 18, 1937, in Mogollon, New Mexico, Irene was the cherished daughter of Luis and Leonor Morales. She was raised surrounded by the love of a large and close-knit family and carried that same love, devotion, and compassion throughout every season of her life.

Irene shared an unbreakable bond with each of her siblings: Rudolpho Marin, Luis Morales, Henry Morales, Albert Morales, Arturo Morales, Ramon Morales, Viola Herrera, Tina Peru, Mary Lou Padilla, and Reina Rios. Family was the center of her world, and she loved each of them deeply. Her warmth, strength, kindness, and beautiful smile touched all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Juanita "Janie" Lucero, 81, of Hanover, NM, entered eternal rest on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Gila Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with, Terrazas Funeral Chapels in Santa Clara "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.

Amy Pedersen, 70, of Glenwood passed away at home Thursday, May 21, 2026. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

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

Curtis "Curt" Beerens, 69, of Mimbres, NM, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 17, 2026. He was born on March 30, 1957, in Cadillac, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife, Pam; his children, Renee (Apple) McNary, Josh, Tina, Kelly (Kenny) Souza, Adam (Annamarie Tury), Shannon (Navy Man); his grandchildren, Emma, Yazmine, Amoni, Gracilyn, Myah, Kobe, and KC (Kennelly); his siblings Cindy Joslin, Phil (Nancy) Beerens, Scott (Sue) Beerens, and Vicki (Brad) Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Laurdean Beerens, a son, Keegan, and his parents-in-law, William and Nora Warrilow.

Curt was an EMT and Paramedic in Michigan for many years before moving to Arizona in 2004. There he earned his RN license, and his BSN and MSN degrees. He worked as the Emergency Department Director in several hospitals in Arizona and New Mexico. For the past five years he has been a Nurse Manager at Ft. Bayard Medical Center in Santa Clara, NM.

Con profundo amor y respeto, despedimos a José Sánchez Petit, quien partió en paz el lunes 5 de enero de 2026, a la edad de 82 años. Nació en Venezuela el 19 de marzo de 1943, y desde muy joven se distinguió por ser una persona brillante, curiosa y apasionada por el estudio y el aprendizaje. Siempre tuvo un genuino interés por conocer de todo un poco, cualidad que lo acompañó durante toda su vida y que inspiró a quienes lo rodeaban.

A los 24 años contrajo matrimonio con, Beatriz Sánchez Sosa, con quien construyó un matrimonio sólido, lleno de dedicación y cariño. Juntos formaron una familia unida, y fueron bendecidos con cuatro hijos: José, Beatriz, Estrella y Alexandra, quienes siempre encontraron en él un padre presente y sabio.

A lo largo de su vida, José fue un pilar fundamental para toda la familia. Su historia también incluye su servicio en la Marina de los Estados Unidos, una etapa que reflejó su disciplina, compromiso y sentido del deber. Más allá de sus logros, fue su calidad humana lo que dejó una huella imborrable en todos los que tuvieron el privilegio de conocerlo.