Obituaries

Donald Russell Nevins, dad, granddad, great grandad, and husband extraordinaire, passed away peacefully at the age of 88, on January 17, 2025. The world may never know another such dedicated family man. He was proud of every member of his family, and his favorite topics always included the many accomplishments or escapades of his kids and grandkids.

Don was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1936, but he eventually made his way to the southwest, where he spent his 44-year career in mining with Phelps Dodge/Freeport-McMoran. That career began with a machinist apprenticeship, during which he won the apprentice of the year award. While his profession was expertly managing industrial power plants, his real power lay in the size of his heart. Nothing was more important to him than his wife and growing family, and his dedication to his friends was legendary. He was one of those guys you don't have to ask for help--they just show up.

Dawn Marie Stanley, 80, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest on Monday, January 27, 2025, at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

August 4, 1952 - December 10, 2024

Church services took place at the Hurley Community church at 9:30 on Jan. 24, 2025, followed by burial at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, and followed up at the Hurley Store for a celebration of Life.

Rebecca (Becky) was born at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Parents were Kenneth and Ann Henderson. Becky had a twin brother Kenny.

Their father being Military they traveled when the kids were younger. One of her fond memories was of being stationed in Japan. The family finally settled in El Paso.

Becky had worked at the phone company when it was "Ma Bell," as a telephone operator. Then she went on to be a line woman, even getting her CDL to drive the big trucks.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Margaret Estrada (Tinnie), who departed from this life on January 21, 2025. She was 88 years old and leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love.

Born on October 27, 1936, Margaret lived a life dedicated to her family and faith. She was a beacon of light in our lives, known for her unwavering love, gentle spirit, and selfless nature. Her laughter was infectious, and her warm embrace provided comfort and solace to all fortunate enough to know her.

Margaret was the heart of her family—her home was filled with warmth, delicious meals, fresh tortillas, and cherished memories. She instilled strong values in her children and grandchildren, teaching them the importance of love, respect, and faith. Her wisdom and stories will echo in our hearts forever, as she imparted life lessons that shaped us into who we are today.

Martha P. Ordoñez, 87, a resident of Deming passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.

A public visitation is set for Friday, January 31, 2025 at 9 o'clock in the morning at Holy Family Catholic Church. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will then be recited at 10. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 with Fr. Francis Gyau officiating. Concluding services and interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

Martha was born August 6, 1937 in Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico to Albino and Maria (Hernandez) Parra. She loved cooking, baking, and listening to music especially Vicente Fernandez. First and foremost, she was a homemaker and a loving mother. When all her kids left the home in El Paso, TX she picked up several hobbies which were ceramics, crocheting and cake decorating. She made several weddings, birthday and quincecenera cakes. Her and her friends would go to the YMCA to relax and do water aerobics. When her husband retired, they moved to Deming, NM to make their final home. Martha kept herself busy going to watch all her grandkids play, race, or preform in their various activities. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be greatly missed. Heaven gained another angel.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gilbert Jaramillo Marquez, 64, on Friday, January 24, 2025 where he was surrounded by his loving family and friends in the comfort of his home.

Service arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

Gilbert was born in Silver City, NM to Ramon and Polly Marquez. The most important aspect of his life was his family, spending quality time with everyone, especially his granddaughter. She was the apple of his eye and loved spending time with her grandpa playing outside, tending to all the plants and hanging out on the 'rehammock' as she called it. He enjoyed the outdoors, cheering on his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, loved planting, gardening, and was always working on a project. After graduating from Silver High School in 1978, he joined the U.S. Forest Service where he had a 39-year career, serving in various positions starting at the Gila Center Fire Base. He was a member of the first crew in the nation, the Gila Wilderness Rappelers, to rappel out of a single engine aircraft in 1986. Gilbert worked with aviation throughout his career, retiring from the Gila National Forest Aerial Fire Base Helitack Crew at the age of 57.

Genevieve "Gena" Martinez, age 96, of Silver City, NM, passed away on January 23, 2025, at the family home. Gena was born in Garfield, NM, to Rosa Sanchez and Tomas Zamora on March 16, 1928. Third eldest of 10 children, preceded in death by 8 siblings, Gena leaves a lasting message of love, strong will, hope, duty, and resilience.

Her parents instilled a strong work ethic and emphasized the importance of education. Gena attended elementary school in Hurley, NM, graduating from Teacher's High School. She went on to study business in Albuquerque, NM, and was selected to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Gena returned to Central, NM, as requested to tend to family affairs while her mother battled tuberculosis.

Upon her return, she met an old high school friend, and on December 26, 1953, she married Gilberto B. Martinez. They were happily married until his passing in 2005. They raised 4 children: Lorraine (Michael) Anglin, Tricia Martinez, Gene (Melanie) Martinez, Noni (Ronnie) Parra. She was an active community member participating in the Silver High Booster Club, Business & Professional Woman (BPW), and a long-term member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Rev. Donald Armin Schmidt was an ELCA Lutheran pastor. He peacefully passed away at age 97 in his home, surrounded by his family, on January 23, 2025. Don was born in Ixonia, Wisconsin on May 29, 1927 to Bernard & Anna Wilhemina [née Frederick] Schmidt.

He married Donna Jeanne Brallier on June 1, 1951 and was blessed to have a loving union that lasted 72 years. Don received his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He then graduated in 1952 from the Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He dedicated his life to his Heavenly Father and his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Don never met a stranger. He was a good man and a faithful servant to the Lord. He served parishes in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico. Don was an avid reader of a wide variety of literature. He was also an accomplished bowler and loved polka music.