Obituaries

Juan Duran Sr., 99, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Monday, December 15, 2025 at his residence.  He was born June 24, 1926 in Silver City, NM to Juran Duran Sr. and Josephina Cook.

 With deep love, the family of Juan (John) Duran announces his passing. A proud World War II Navy veteran, he carried the discipline, humility, and quiet courage of his service into every part of his life.

After returning home, he built a respected career as a house painter. His work was known for its precision and care—so much so that even on his days off, people called on him because they trusted no one else. Later, he brought that same dedication to Western New Mexico University, where he became known not just for his craftsmanship but for his reliability, kindness, and steady presence.

Diane Gojkovich, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Saturday, November 29, 2025. Diane was born May 26, 1941 in Bisbee, AZ to her parents Louis and Dolpha Voelckel.

Diane was raised in Bisbee, AZ and attended Bisbee School District. For a short time attended the Benson Schools which she spoke dearly about. When Diane was sixteen, she married the love of her life Dickie on April 5, 1958. The young married couple made a name in Lower Eagle Creek, and Long Beach, CA. and eventually moving back to Bisbee, AZ. In 1968 with their youngest being five months old they moved to Morenci, AZ and settled in to raise their family.

She is survived by her three children Dena Gojkovich of Peoria, AZ; Michael Gojkovich (Genalynn) of Pima, AZ; Stephen Gojkovich of Silver City, NM; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Tom Gojkovich (Cathy); sister-in-law Kay Gojkovich (Nancy); numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by some very special people in her life. Her parents Louis and Dolpha Voelckel; her beloved husband of fifty-two years Richard (Dickie) Gojkovich; her siblings Gertie Hinton, Geraldine Mallett, Tommie Miller, Donnie Miller, Leola Voelckel, Patt Popovich and Louis Voelckel. 

Joseph Edward Stevens, 83 in the early morning hours of December 8, 2025, "Ed" passed away peacefully in his home in Hurley, New Mexico.

Ed was born on January 6, 1942, in Douglas, Arizona, to Joseph Ernest Stevens and Katherine Elizabeth (Kimble) Stevens.  At the age of five, his family relocated to Deming, New Mexico, where he spent his childhood and adolescent years.  Ed played high school football for the Deming Wildcats. In 1960, he enrolled at McMurry College (now McMurry University), where he studied business, played the clarinet in the college band, and met the love of his life, Nancy Jay (Smith) Stevens.  Ed and Nancy were married in Midland, Texas, in 1964.  Nancy preceded him in death July 7, 2012, after 49 years of marriage.

Following his graduation in 1964 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Ed and Nancy settled in Silver City, New Mexico.  There, Ed managed his family's soda pop bottling business while Nancy continued her studies at Western New Mexico University.  They purchased their first home on Mississippi Street, where they raised their two children Christina Cathleen (Stevens) Rigtrup and Gary Edward Stevens.  The "Mississippi Street House" became a cornerstone of the Stevens family – symbolizing the belief that while hard work could take you far, love could take you even farther.

Tommy Lynn Benjamin, 84, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away on December 4, 2025. Born on December 19, 1940, in Bayard, NM, he was a devoted husband to Regina and a loving father to Ruby and Tommy.

Tom was an avid bass fisherman. He enjoyed fishing at Elephant Butte (NM), San Carlos (AZ), Lake Roosevelt (AZ), and Lake Powell (AZ).  He loved bowling and spent years bowling in the leagues with his buddies. In high school, he played football for Cobre High School and had many scholarship opportunities. He also loved running track. He spent four years in the United States Navy. 

Tom was hard-working and dedicated. He spent 37 years working as a heavy equipment operator for the mines in Santa Rita, NM, where he developed many wonderful friendships with his crew. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for his family. He enjoyed birthdays, holidays, and vacations with his family and extended family. Though Tom may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to have his long years of fatherly love honored. He was a man of integrity and a devoted father and husband. He was tough, fearless, and uncompromising when it came to protecting others. As he grew older, nothing mattered more to him than his family. Time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandson was pure joy to him. He could be rough, but he loved us fiercely—more deeply than we may ever fully understand. His stories, his laughter, his protectiveness, his lessons…they live in us now.

Stanley Elkins, 87, a resident of Glenwood, NM entered eternal rest Sunday, December 14, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his family.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Juan Duran Jr, 99 a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Monday, December 15, 2025 at his residence.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Martha Jiménez Núñez, de 78 años de edad, residente de Columbus, falleció el miércoles 10 de diciembre de 2025 en Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus en El Paso, Texas.

La visitación se llevará a cabo el lunes 22 de diciembre de 2025 a las 4:00 de la tarde en la Funeraria Baca's, donde el rezo del Santo Rosario se celebrará a las 6:00 de la tarde. La Misa de cuerpo presente se oficiará el martes 23 de diciembre de 2025 a las 12:30 de la tarde en la Misión Católica Sagrada Familia en Columbus, seguida del sepelio en el Cementerio Valley Heights. El Padre Tony Basso oficiará los servicios.

Martha nació el 23 de marzo de 1947 en Meoqui, Chihuahua, hija de Carmen Nieto y Ricardo Jiménez. Amaba sus plantas, especialmente sus rosas, y disfrutaba escuchar cantar a los pájaros mientras cuidaba su jardín. Tenía una mano prodigiosa para la jardinería y podía convertir las rosas que recibían sus hijas en hermosos rosales. Muchas personas pasaban frente a su casa solo para admirar su bello jardín. Le encantaba pasar tiempo con su familia, especialmente con sus nietos. Algo que tambien disfrutaba era escuchar musica, cuando limpiaba su casa, trabajaba en su jardin o simplemente por el placer de escuchar a sus cantantes favoritos.

Joyce P. Harter, 78, of Hanover passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Genesis Silver City Care Center. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Patricia (Wilson) Harter, please visit our floral store.