Obituaries

Debra Kaye Steele, 69, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at her residence.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Jose Roberto "Bobby" Candelaria, 70, a resident of Bayard, NM entered eternal rest Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at his residence.  He was born October 6, 1954 to Jesus & Beatriz Candelaria in Santa Rita, New Mexico. 

He was a very hard worker and a loyal friend. He worked at Kennecott, James Hamilton and Ikard and Griffin. His family was the center of his life especially his mother and father. He could be a very hard person when he thought he was right. He was always there to help anyone in need. On his off time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his five brothers, Enrique Candelaria (Lillian) of Rio Rancho, NM, Juan Candelaria of Bayard, NM, Antonio Candelaria (Sylvia) of Bayard, NM, Ricardo Candelaria (Michelle) of Hurley, NM, Jesus Candelaria (Barbara) of Santa Clara, NM; his sister, Betty Herrera (Ray) of Bayard, NM; his numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents. 

The Holy Rosary will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (Bayard, NM), recited by Dr. Gilbert Arizaga.  The Memorial Mass will commence at 10:30am, with Father Martin Okonkwo officiating.  Following the Mass, he will be laid to rest, next to his mother at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery. 

Rosa Irene Sifuentes, 79, a resident of Santa Clara, NM entered eternal rest Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM.  She was born January 15, 1946 to her parents, Jose and Nila (Melendrez) Sifuentes in Silver City, NM. 

Ms. Rosa Sifuentes grew up in Silver City, NM where she was raised by her mother Nila Sifuentes, due to her father passing away at a young age.  Ms. Sifuentes graduated from Western High School in 1964 where she immediately joined the workforce, working in the restaurant industry until she suffered a work-related injury that left her home bound.  Rosa continued to raise her son Johnny and assist her mother at home until the time of her passing in 2014.  She loved watching over her grandchildren, Isiah, Johnny II and Lucas during their young ages.  Rosa enjoyed watching her novellas and going out to watch her grandchildren's activities when she could. Due to health concerns, Ms. Sifuentes had to enter Fort Bayard Medical Center in late 2022 where she stayed till her passing.

Ova Leon (Button) Morrow finished his earthly journey on July 18, 2025. Button was born to Lorin Lee and Betty Ann Morrow on November 28, 1950, in Deming, NM. Ova is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Jeannette and Richard (Shorty) Hickson, his nephew Rocky (Angela) Hickson, and his niece Rishean (Paul) Allison, and a slew of great and great-great nieces and nephews who all loved him very much. He is also survived by stepchildren and step grandchildren, first cousins John Embick, LaNell Jones, Leona Taylor, Leonard Morrow, Ron Vanatter, and Jim Vanatter.

Ova was preceded in his heavenly journey by his only daughter, Kendra Lynette Jackson (2020), both his parents, first cousins, Johnny Morrow, Leo Morrow, Patricia DeBraal, Dianna Weatherby, George Vanatter, William Simpson, Ann Victoria Moore, and William Embick.

Ova's dad taught him the ethics of hard work at a very young age. Button was using a cutting torch by the time he was 6 years old. His dad was self-employed, so Ova learned to build fence. He was welding on steel rim water storage tanks by 12 years old. Ova learned to mechanic, cut cedar posts, build hay barns, work on windmills, and worked cattle.

Ofelia Salazar, 98, passed away Thursday, July 17, 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 Ofelia Salazar, please visit our floral store.

Our beloved Patty departed at high noon on Saturday, July 12. She was at home in her own bed, soundly asleep. Her youngest sister, Barbara Bartlett, a niece Sara Flora, her husband of 40 years, Harley Shaw, and his daughter, Jean Johnson, were with her when she passed.

Patty was born on July 5, 1941 in Stambaugh, Michigan. Her father, Frank G. Woodruff, was a mining engineer, so the family moved around a lot. While growing up, Patty lived in northern Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, and Oracle, Arizona. Patty was a bright and inquisitive child. She learned to read at an early age and at age 9, she read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z. Through her adult life, she surprised others by recalling minutiae she learned during that youthful reading marathon. Reading continued to be important throughout her life. She spurned television, often leaving a room where one was playing.

Virginia Ann "Ginny" Robertson, 83, of Silver City passed away at home Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia "Ginny" Ann Robertson, please visit our floral store.

Joyce Estelle Refior was born August 23, 1959. She was called heavenward to her eternal joy with Jesus early in the morning on Thursday, July 17. She was a resident at Fort Bayard Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico where she received excellent care and oversight by the staff.

Joyce grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. She had a warm and welcoming disposition. Her friendliness and kindness prompted by her Christian faith were her gift to the world. Joyce's simple, strong faith and her joy, smile and laughter will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Joyce will be known for her simple life and way of doing things. Her love for nature and animals (especially her pets) was apparent to all. Joyce loved playing games even though winning wasn't always the purpose. She just loved being with people and passing the time with others she could help feel important and loved. She often lost at marbles as a way to give them away to others who didn't have many.

Joyce was preceded in death by the love of her life, Fred H. Refior who was called to his Savior's side in 2020. They spent 39 wonderful years together.