Obituaries

MONTY JOHN BILBERRY Oct. 10, 1950 – June 25, 2024

Monty John Bilberry, a beloved resident of White Rock, NM, passed away on June 25, 2024, at the age of 73. Born on October 10, 1950, in Portales, NM, Monty was known for his kind and loving nature, deeply cherished by all who knew him.

Monty graduated from Santa Fe High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University. His career was diverse, including time as a rancher with a small cow and calf operation, and roles in real estate, construction, the oil and gas industry, and the TV and film industry. These varied paths showcased Read More

JAMES M. PEEK Sept. 5, 1933 – June 19, 2024

James M. Peek was born in Unionville, MO, the only child of Everett Riley Peek and Ramah McNabb Peek. He attended public schools in Missouri and Illinois and earned a BSED from Western Illinois College in McComb Illinois. He got his MS and PhD in Chemistry at the Ohio State University.

He worked at the Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1962 through 2007. He authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals and one book titled Dissociation in Heavy Particle Collisions.

Peek was a member of the American Read More

MARGERY WILL WOLFE July 18, 1930 – April 5, 2024

Margery Will Wolfe was born to Don and Pauline Will on July 18, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, the second of three girls. She died at the age of 93 in Los Alamos, NM, on April 5, 2024. Marge lived a life of love, laughter, service, and adventure, making lifelong friends in every community in which she lived.

Marge met the love of her life, Pete Wolfe, while taking dance classes as a young teenager. They dated throughout high school and college and were married in 1951. The following year, Marge graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree Read More

PHILIP WALTER PELLETTE June 8, 2024 

Philip Walter Pellette, 65, of Midway, Utah, passed away on June 8, 2024, while hiking in Yosemite National Park. Though he was taken far too soon, we take solace that he lived a deeply loving and passionate life and died surrounded by the natural beauty he loved.

Philip was born in Amityville, New York to Philip and Margot Pellette, and grew up in Las Cruces and Los Alamos, NM, graduating from Los Alamos High School in 1977. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1981, graduating Read More

BARBARA ANN (VAN MARTER) HANNEMANN March 25, 1932 – June 6, 2024

Mom was an artist and now, after a lifetime painting a wide variety of subjects, at age 92 she has left us to paint the Cosmos. Happily, she left us an extensive body of work to enjoy for years and generations to come.

Mom’s art journey started at an early age – in her teen years she studied with artist Fritz Troutman at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery.

Mom married Ralph B Hannemann in 1950 and in 1952 they moved to Los Alamos NM where Dad had a position at what was then Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In the years 1952 – 1977 she became Read More

GEORGE SCOTT FITZGIBBON Nov. 10, 1977 – June 4, 2024

Scott Fitzgibbon, 46, of Ruidoso and Los Alamos, New Mexico, was killed by a drunk driver and died at the scene of the accident on June 4, 2024, around 9 p.m. on N.M 48 near Shasta Place in Lincoln County, NM.

Scott graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1996 where he was very involved in Olions and choir. In high school he spent his free time climbing the rock faces around Los Alamos and White Rock and kayaking.

He went on to UNM and majored in voice. He sang with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale during his time at UNM. He met and married Reni Roberson who was getting Read More

MAXINE MAY TAYLOR May 28, 1924 – April 3, 2021

Maxine loved her family. She had four children. Maxine had been active in PTA and was president of PTA when she lived in Nebraska. She and her husband moved their family to Los Alamos in 1955.

She loved camping with her whole family every summer as well as with her husband in the winter. She also enjoyed being a Boy Scout den mother. She was a Master Gardener and was always happy working her garden. She joined DAR. She worked for many years at the Los Alamos Golf Club.

Maxine was predeceased by her husband Edward and by her daughter Karen.

She was survived by her Read More

PRESTINIA L. CHAVEZ Oct. 18, 1946 – June 3, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Prestinia Chavez, who passed away in Alamogordo, NM on June 3, 2024.

Prestinia was born on October 18, 1946, to Juan and Edna (Phillips) Torrez in Carrizozo, NM, and was the second of seven children. She grew up in the Alamogordo area, and lived in White Rock, NM for 34 years with her former husband, Arthur Chavez, and children.

She is survived by her former spouse of 49 years, Arthur Chavez; and beloved family including her sons, David Chavez and Ray Chavez (Venessa) of Nambe NM; grandchildren Read More

KAREN LEE BIEHL Feb. 8, 1943 – June 5, 2024

Karen Lee Biehl passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2024, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Despite a terminal cancer diagnosis, Karen was determined to live her life independently and only required assistance during the week before her death. Her quiet strength and tenacity will continue to profoundly inspire her children.

Karen was born in Bartlett, Illinois to Alvin Hahn and Dorothy Eaton Hahn. She was the middle child with older brother, Ken, and younger sister, Judy. She grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse for elementary Read More

HELEN RAEL LEHMAN May 29, 2024

Helen Rael Lehman, 79, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, NM, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at her home Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Helen’s loving spirit can be seen in the lives she has touched, including her family, friends, and those in need. Everyone who knows her will miss Helen’s beautiful smile, quick witty humor and her warm embrace. She is now  waltzing across heaven with her beloved husband Charles A. Lehman Jr. who preceded her in death.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., June 20, 2024, at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory in Read More

JOY DRAKE May 15, 1936 – June 1, 2024

Joy Drake, 88, of Los Alamos, died June 1, 2024.

Joy was born May 15, 1936 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Joy was a wonderful person, who could be described in numerous ways: elegant, silly, adventurous, artistic, musical, a football fanatic and a true friend.

During her early childhood she lived in Eagle Grove, Cherokee and Waterloo, Iowa following her father’s teaching positions. At 7 years old through high school, she lived on her Grandpa Henry Stavenhagen’s farm (he homesteaded in the 1800s) in Victor, Iowa. They had a mixed farm where she loved the variety of plants Read More

JESUS AGUSTIN HERRERA VELARDE May 23, 2024

Jesus Agustin Herrera Velarde better known as Dad, Tata or Chewie entered into the arms of our Father, Thursday, May 23 in his Sierra Vista home in Arizona and was laid to rest with his family on Saturday June 1 at the Rivera Memorial Gardens.

He was 85 years old and is survived by his wife, seven children, 31 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren all of which were his motivation, his greatest joy, and the purpose of his being.

He grew up in Los Alamos to Miguel [Estrada] Velarde and Loretta Isabel Herrera the second born in a family of 11, he was always busy Read More

JUDITHA ANN (JUDY) YOUNG May 25, 1935 – May 21, 2024

Juditha Ann (Judy) Young of Los Alamos, NM died peacefully with her family by her side on May 21, 2024 – just four days shy of her 89th birthday.

She was born on May 25, 1935, in Fort Collins, Colorado to Harold Dillon Graham and Ruby Rossi Graham.  When Judy was just a baby she lost her mother (Ruby Rossi Graham) to tuberculosis.  Judy was lovingly raised by Katy Fedric Graham.

Survivors include her son, Jeff Young DVM (Sandra) of Amarillo, Texas; daughter, Ruby Alexander (Mike) of Los Alamos, New Mexico; Daughter-In-Law, Dawn Sue Young of Bridgeton, Read More

MARTHA E. DEHAVEN May 24, 2024

Martha E. DeHaven, daughter of Jack and Ruth Greene of Las Cruces and Raton, passed away on May 24, 2024, at age 78. She is survived by her husband Russell DeHaven and two children Roy DeHaven & Leanne DeHaven; her granddaughter Nicole Leitch, and great grandson Luke Leitch.

She was a fine artist in White Rock and participated in several studio tours and art shows around the state. She was represented by the Seigel Gallery in Santa Fe. She was a LANL employee for many years. Also, she was the first parent of a student at New Mexico School for the Deaf appointed to the school’s Read More

KATHERINE ANN ATTREP Feb. 1, 1938 – May 26, 2024

Katherine Ann Attrep, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died in Santa Fe on May 26, 2024, of natural causes.

Born the middle child to Alfred and Esther Gerloff on February 1, 1938, in Bland, Missouri, Katherine grew up on a farm near Owensville. She was known to drive the tractor at a young age and stories of her experiences on the farm were often retold by her family.

The first to go to college in her family, she attended Southwest Missouri State in Springfield. She continued on to graduate school in Arkansas, one of the only women in the chemistry Read More

WAYNE ALLEN TAYLOR Taylor July 29, 1954 – May 7, 2024

Wayne Allen Taylor, 69, was a beloved father, husband, brother, and uncle. He was globally known for his capabilities as a scientist and was a talented outdoorsman. Above all he valued family, he would often claim the wellbeing and health of his family had the utmost priority to him.

As a scientist he won many awards and accolades for his work with the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a radio chemist. Between patents and distinguished performance awards, he became a well-known scientist and was even involved in the Russian exchange program at Read More

NITA VIJAYA ESTHER DAVID Jan. 2, 1942 – May 17, 2024

Born in pre-independence India on January 2, 1942, Nita Vijaya Esther David (nee Jesudian) was the middle of the seven children of Frederick Jesudian and Nellie Jesudian (nee Azariah). Nita committed her life to Jesus at the age of thirteen after reading a tract she found lying at home and never wavered in her faith, passing on to Him on May 17, 2024, in Los Alamos, NM.

Nita was born and raised in Bombay (Mumbai) in India, surrounded by loving parents and siblings, a host of fun, and deep faith. She attended Queen Mary High School and learned how to play Read More

MICHAEL GERARD GURULÉ Feb. 6, 1962 – May 19, 2024

Michael Gerard Gurulé (Mike), age 62, was born in Durango, Colorado on February 6, 1962, to the late Hernando Michael Gurulé and Rosalie Victoria Martinez Gurulé as the youngest of five siblings. In 1974, he moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where he graduated from Los Alamos High School, class of 1980. Around 1988, he moved to Rio Rancho where he decided to make his home.

Mike had a loving community around him and where he worked. He started at Albertson’s in 1986 and retired in 2023. He deeply demonstrated a servant’s heart by exuding compassion and kindness Read More

BARBARA (TYNAN) BOLDRIN February 1947 – May 22, 2024

Barbara (Tynan) Boldrin. Born February 1947 died May 22, 2024. She was born to William and Elizabeth Tynan in Ft. Worth, Texas. The family moved to Los Alamos in 1952.

She graduated Los Alamos High in 1965 then moved to Seattle, Washington to attend college, then Nursing School, eventually ending her working career working for Blue Cross managing the Microsoft account.

After retirement Barb moved back to Los Alamos in 2015 to live with her sister Sheryl. They were raised golfing, and really enjoyed the Los Alamos course, fellow golfers and county Read More

SAMUEL ERIC ELSON May 10, 2024

Samuel Eric Elson, 30, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on May 10, 2024, at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was the loving husband of Sonja Lee Elson (nee Smith), having shared 7 (almost 8) years of marriage together.

Born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, he was the son of Jean Sanzo (nee LaFauce) and Jay Elson. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2012 and then went on to graduate from New Mexico State University with both a bachelor’s degree (2016) and a master’s degree (2017) in Mechanical Engineering. Samuel was employed Read More

MERLE DEAN KOEPKE June 24, 1935 – May 5, 2024

Merle Dean Koepke, 88, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2024. Merle was born on June 24, 1935, in Junction City, Kansas, to the late Genevieve and Werner Koepke.

Upon graduation from high school, Merle followed his older brother’s lead and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served as a first-class electrician on a destroyer for four years.

Merle married Carolyn Harrison upon his honorable discharge from the Navy and obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Upon completion of Merle’s EE degree, he took a job in Los Alamos. Read More

RONALD J. POULTON (RON) – Nov. 14, 1942 – May 10, 2024

Ronald J. Poulton (Ron), age 81, passed away surrounded by his family in White Rock, New Mexico on Friday, May 10, 2024, after a 9-year battle with cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure during his service in the Vietnam War.

Ron was born in Vineland, New Jersey on November 14, 1942, to the late George and Barbara (Kantz) Poulton and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey by his single mother and later with his stepfather, Frank Schaffer (both deceased).

He joined the U.S. Air Force at seventeen and served for over 26 years. He served 14 of those years overseas Read More

MARLENE HENINS May 11, 2024

Marlene Henins (McClure) passed away in the early hours of Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Marlene was born in rural Roosevelt, Oklahoma to Clara (Newton) and Herman McClure. She was the eldest girl in a family of 7 kids and as such, she helped her mother manage a household.

She graduated as the valedictorian of her small high school class and after college, met the love of her life, Ivars Henins. Ivars and Marlene married on June 8 of 1960, and after completing his PhD in Physics at Johns Hopkins, they moved to Los Alamos, where they adopted and raised three children. 

Marlene served Read More

LOUIS ‘LOUIE’ MORRISON April 19, 1940 – May 5, 2024

Louis “Louie” Morrison passed away peacefully at home on Sunday May 5, 2024.  

Louie was born in Dobbs Ferry, New York on April 19, 1940, to Mary (Tuohy) and Chester Morrison. He grew up on the Hudson River in the Village of Irvington, NY where he graduated from Irvington High School in 1957 and Westchester Community College in White Plains, NY in 1960, with an AAS in mechanical technology.

In 1961 he joined the US Navy and after completing initial submarine school courses, was assigned to the USS TORSK for his first duties. During his Navy tenure, Read More

LEONA MAE CARTER WALTON May 2, 1938 – March 22, 2024

Leona Mae Carter Walton, passed into the arms of her Savior on March 22, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born at her family’s homestead in Mills County, Texas to John Ralph and Lillian Leona Carter on May 2, 1938. The youngest of 10 children, Leona grew up in a time of poverty, drought and war. With the love and support of her family and community, she thrived and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and taught both 6th and 8th grade. 

Through long distance letters, she and a childhood Read More

WILLIAM (BILL) BRADLEY WILSON Aug. 21, 1942 – March 2, 2024

William (Bill) Bradley Wilson passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 81 on March 2, 2024 at Bear Canyon Hospice in Albuquerque due to complications attributed to dementia.

Bill was born in Houston, Texas on August 21, 1942 to his late parents Cecil and Erline Wilson and his sister Shirley who was able to fly from San Antonio to visit Bill in hospice shortly after her 91st birthday.

As a child he loved to ride his horse, Thunder and hop trains that passed close to his backyard. He would jump off and walk home – luckily a neighbor reported Read More

SHIRLEY ANDERSON May 2, 2024

Shirley Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully at home on May 2, 2024 with her 3 dear daughters (Jemez Springs and Salt Lake City) by her side.

Los Alamos Visting Nurses were blessed to care for Shirley until the end.

A more formal obituary to be expected down the road.

Rivera Family Funeral Home of Los Alamos encourages all of Shirley’s friends, old nursing buddies, neighbors and all who loved her and her daughters to leave a message, story or photo at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com Read More

JOHN FLOYD HIGGINS, III April 30, 2024

John Floyd Higgins, III of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away on April 30, 2024 at the age of 66.

Rivera Family Funeral Homes thanks Los Alamos Medical Center for their trust for Mr. Higgins’ final care and his medical attention until the end, Los Alamos County Social Services for their assistance in Mr. Higgins’ cremation, and Los Alamos County Parks for Mr. Higgins’ permanent placement at Guaje Pines Cemetery columbarium.

Anyone who knew and cherished Mr. Higgins is encouraged to share in his memory at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com Read More

BOBBY FRANK POE March 27, 1936 – April 29, 2024

Longtime Los Alamos resident, Bobby Frank Poe (Bob), passed away at home on Monday  evening, April 29, 2024. Dad struggled with heart related issues for the last number of years. He spent ten days in April at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico and came home to Hospice Care on Friday, April 26.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Wanda Nell (Cooke) Poe of the home; his brother Don Poe, of Grandbury, Texas; his daughter Teri Price and her husband Bobby of Kingston Springs, TN; his daughter Lori Hinojosa and her husband Hugo of Los Alamos, NM; his son Lonny Poe Read More

Thomas Hiram McReynolds Sept. 22, 1941 – April 30, 2024

The man dubbed a ”Northern New Mexico icon” and the “King of Tough Love”, Thomas Hiram McReynolds – known to countless many as Coach Mac, Uncle Mickie, Mr. Mac, cuñao, or simply Mac – has left us to find peace and rest in the Lord, passing away from this life on April 30, 2024. He was 82 years old.

Mac was born in Los Ojos (Parkview), New Mexico on September 22, 1941, to George Ellsworth and Isabel Fulgencia (Montaño) McReynolds. He was a great-grandson of Perfecto Esquibel, one of 100 delegates to the New Mexico Constitutional Convention of 1910, Read More

JOSEPH PATRICK ROJAS March 27, 1959 – April 22, 2024

Our brother, Joe, left his earthly confines on the early morning of April 22. We are devastated.

Joe is the youngest child of Patricia Mendiola Rojas and Louis Gonzalez Rojas, to us the most devoted parents in the history of the world.

He was born in Los Alamos, NM, the youngest of six children, and grew up in that remarkable  environment of education, community, and exquisite natural beauty. His talents ranged broadly, from the strength to move a grand piano to the vision to design living spaces of a home to the creation of verdant gardens. Joe was Read More

JOSEPH JAMES PETRANTO May 2, 2024

Joseph passed away peacefully surrounded by his favorite music and his loved ones last week.

He is survived by his son, Steve (Maria); daughter, Lisa; and grandson, Joe. He was preceded in death by wife, Audrey; his son, Paul (Shirley) and grandson (Anthony.)

He was a devoted family man, a loyal friend, a LANL mechanical engineer extraordinaire, and a big band enthusiast. He was also a faithful member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and a dedicated Cowboy and Broncos fan.

Joseph was blessed by many members of the Los Alamos community. Thank you, one and all, Read More

PATRICIA ANN CASE DAUN Dec. 28, 1927 – March 25, 2024

Patricia Ann Case Daun passed peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2024 at the age of 96.

She was pre-deceased by her 2 husbands, James Case and Keith Daun.

Pat is survived by her three children, Diane (John) Lenssen, Debra (Frank) Kraus and Mitch (Gaby) Case; 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Pat was interested in gardening and was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and The Ladies Sewing Circle there. She volunteered at Los Alamos Medical Center as a ‘Pink’ lady, and at the Sombrillo Retirement Community, where she was also a part of Read More

HARVEY A. ROSE Nov. 9, 1947 – April 9, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harvey A. Rose on April 9, 2024, at the age of 76. Harvey was a cherished husband, father, brother, and a distinguished scientist.

Born on November 9, 1947, in Manhattan to Bessie and Michael Rose, he excelled academically from a young age and started higher education at City College of New York in 1963 at the age of 16, earning a bachelor’s degree. He later graduated with a PhD from Harvard.

Harvey’s professional life was marked by his time at Los Alamos National Laboratory, starting in 1977. His contributions Read More

DUSTIN MATHEW BENNETT Jan. 12, 2000 – April 15, 2024

Dustin Mathew Bennett of Los Alamos, NM was a wonderful caring son, brother, grandchild, nephew, cousin and friend. He left us unexpectedly on April 15, 2024, at the age of 24.

He was born Sunday, January 12, 2000 in Albuquerque, NM. The son of Alison Bennett.

He began his education at the Ark Child Development Center and went on to attend Aspen and Barranca Mesa Elementary Schools, Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School.

Dustin loved his family and life. He was all in with fun activities like swimming, whitewater rafting and rollercoasters. Read More