Obituaries

JONI WORTH HYDER April 1, 2020

Joni Worth Hyder, 78, a resident of White Rock, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. 

Joni was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Viola Worth; son, Michael Wachter. 

Joni has been limited in mobility for several years, however she always enjoyed reading. She enjoyed activities that brought her joy like taking rides out toward the oceans for fresh air which gave her a sense of freedom. 

She had spent time in Alaska and Los Alamos as a schoolteacher before joining the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Radiation Safety Tech.

She is survived by her husband, Read More

ROSEANN ANNA RICHARDSON April 16, 1943 – April 1, 2020

Roseann Anna Richardson passed away on April 1, 2020.

Roseann was born on April 16, 1943 to Jasper and Laura (née Pizaferro) Gelardi in Chicago, Il. She attended St. Ferdinand Grade School, in Chicago, IL; and Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago, IL.

Trained in Secretarial work, she held several positions in the Chicago area. In 1966, she married Dennis Stuit in Chicago IL. A son, Timothy was born to them in 1967. She and Dennis were divorced in 1981.

In 1990, she married Paul Richardson of Trevor, WI, in Kenosha, WI. A loving wife and mother, Read More

ELEANOR JEAN MAREK Nov. 13, 1944 – April 1, 2020

Jean was born to Frank & Frances Starzyk of Uniontown, PA in 1944.

She was the oldest of three children and is survived by her sister, Chris Plevin, and her brother, Stan Starzyk. She is also survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry Marek; sons Don Marek (Cindy), of Houston, TX and Bill Marek (Rose) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Julie Ann Marek-Griffith (Vince) of Altoona, IA; and grand-daughter Victoria Marek (Bill & Rose).

Jean grew up in Uniontown, PA before moving to Chicago and working for Chicago Title and Trust. She met her husband Larry Read More

GENE HOWARD EBINGER – March 25, 2020

Gene Howard Ebinger, 90, passed away Tuesday, March 25th in Albuquerque following a brief illness.

Gene is preceded in death by wife, Virginia Nylander Ebinger, and favorite dog, Abby. He leaves behind 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Son Michael Ebinger (Spokane, WA), wife Britt Ravnan, and two grandsons: Carl and Timothy Ebinger; son John Ebinger (Phoenix, AZ) and partner Kristel Nielson; daughter Annie Apodaca (Custer, SD), husband Victor Apodaca, two grandchildren: Mary and Philip Apodaca (wife Deanza Apodaca), and great-grandson Read More

MARY CAROL WILLIAMS March 24, 2020

Mary Carol Williams, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. She passed peacefully in her memory care facility following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Mary Carol is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Joel Mann Williams Jr., her mother, father, and brother.

She is survived by daughter Reine, son Michael, grandchildren Steven and Morgan, and many other family members back home in Virginia. Mary Carol also leaves behind countless friends and colleagues.

Mary Carol was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to John and Mildred Gregory. After graduating Read More

VIVIAN HAKES HACKENBERRY Nov. 9, 1921 – March 25, 2020

Vivian Hakes Hackenberry went into the loving arms of Jesus on March 25, 2020.

Vivian was born November 9, 1921 in Montoursville, Pennsylvania to John and Edith (Barbour) Hakes. On January 13, 1944, during World War II, she married Lester Stephen Hackenberry.

In 1949 the Hackenberrys moved to Los Alamos, NM where she thrived for over 60 years. She loved living in the Southwest, ordered her New Mexico food Christmas and cleared the plate. She was a devoted mother, a member of Crossroads Bible Church, and an active volunteer. In her later Read More

LUKAS DRAKE LUCERO Aug. 9, 1990 – March 18, 2020

Lukas Drake Lucero passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 29. 

Lukas was preceded in death by his grandparents LeRoy and Polly Lucero, his uncle Jimmy Lucero, and his great-grandparents Eloy and Rafaelita Trujillo, Luis and Bernadetta Lucero, and Reymundo and Edinera Ortega.

Lukas is survived by his parents Marco and Sandy Lucero, sister Lorinda Nelson and spouse Xavier, former spouse, Ariana Mancino (and the Mancino family), grandmother Cruzita Trujillo, grandfather Faustin Trujillo, Aunt Pam Ortiz and spouse Sam, Aunt Bernadette Read More

EMMANUEL ANTHONY LOPEZ Dec. 18, 1951 – March 13, 2020

Our Loving God called Emmanuel to Heaven on March 13, 2020. 

Emmanuel was born in Santa Fe to Michael Albert and Eva (Martinez) Lopez on December 18, 1951. 

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by sisters Inez (Tony) Deines and Juanita and by brothers Mike and Paul Eddie. 

He is survived by sisters Rebecca (Orlando) Romero, Roseanne (Bart) Ripp, Lucille, Mary (Steve) Bingham, Josephine, Eva, Patty (Andy) Walker, Frances (Joe) Cotanch and Cathy (Kevin) Karns; and brothers John Jake (Lydia), Tom and Albert.

He is also survived by many Read More

By MARY JEAN HADLEY KERNODLE Jan. 21, 2020

Mary Jean Hadley Kernodle of Truth or Consequences joined her beloved husband, Norman, in the Lord’s presence early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2020 at age 90. She passed while holding her oldest son’s hand as he sang her favorite song, “Jesus Loves Me.”

Mary Jean was born the second of three children to Indiana farmers, Fred and Fern Hadley. Farming and the Depression shaped her into a get-it-done dynamo; yet, she was outgoing and loved to tease.

Norman knew when he spotted the attractive young woman in the bright green dress that she was the one he would marry. Read More

Barbara Ann Brown Feb. 27, 2020

Barbara Ann Brown, AKA Barbara B. Sanderoff, died in her sleep Wednesday morning, Feb. 27, 2020.

She is survived by her son, Larry, her daughters Seanna and Rachel, and her sister Donna. Read More

DONALD W. BARR May 6, 1932 – Feb. 23, 2020

Don Barr was born in Worcester, MA to Addison W. and Evelyn M. Barr on May 6, 1932.

After attending public schools he earned his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. He and Marilyn married in 1954 and moved to Berkeley, CA where Don embarked on a PhD program in radiochemistry at UC under Glenn Seaborg.

After completing his degree Don and Marilyn moved to Los Alamos where Don spent the rest of his career at LANL, achieving recognition for his research accomplishments as a lab fellow, and an E. O. Lawrence award winner. He served as Chemistry Division Read More

KENNETH JOSEPH LA GATTUTA Feb. 20, 2020

Kenneth Joseph La Gattuta, also known Joseph Kenneth La Gattuta or Ken La Gattuta, died February 20th from a rare autoimmune disease and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining, attributed to asbestos inhalation. 

Ken La Gattuta lived in San Pedro, New Mexico for 25 years with his wife Pam. 

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940 to parents Joseph Anthony La Gattuta, an accountant and graduate of New York University, and Josephine Smith, a housewife and high school graduate.   

Ken La Gattuta lived in New Jersey during his youth, where in the summer Read More

IVAN ‘CHICK’ BERGSTEIN Aug. 14, 1924 – Feb. 11, 2020

Ivan “Chick” Bergstein died Tuesday, February 11, 2020, of natural causes.

He was born August 14, 1924, the eighth of nine children to his mother Teresa Bergstein and thirteenth of fourteen to his father Sigmond Bergstein. 

He was predeceased in death by his wife Charlotte, brothers-in-law Ted and Herman, and twelve of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his sons Steve (Karen) and Ken (Dolores), brother Joe (Frances), grandchildren Kelly (David), Knute and five great-grandchildren.

Chick dropped out of high school in 1942 to join Read More

GARY CLYDE SALZMAN May 25, 1942 – Feb. 7, 2020

Gary was called the “Energizer Bunny” on many occasions, because people noticed he just kept going, and going, and going. That applied to the many, and varied, projects he worked on. He liked to see things through to their completion, and he pressed on to accomplish that goal. 

Unfortunately, the rare, and lethal, undifferentiated anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, that he had been valiantly fighting, finally stopped him dead in his tracks. He succumbed to it on February 7 at the age of 77.

Gary inherited a keen intellect and a kind heart from his parents, Read More

CHARLENE COLE JOHNSON Sept. 30, 1926 – Feb. 4, 2020

Yet another living light in the world has been extinguished. Charlene Cole Johnson passed at home into the presence of her Lord on February 4, 2020 at the age of 93.

She was the daughter of Paul Cole and Maude Mayo, and was born in Leesville, Louisiana on September 30, 1926.

Charlene was raised primarily by her mother’s parents and spent her young years in Leesville and the small townships of Slagle and Cole Central, in the heart of Vernon Parrish, Louisiana. She married Jay W. Johnson at the age of 16 on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1942 at her grandparents’ Read More

DON MILLIGAN Feb. 1, 2020

Don Milligan, 82, of Los Alamos, died peacefully Feb. 1, 2020.

He was born to Pete and Mary Milligan in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of three children.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Worth; sister, Anna L.; son, Daniel and beloved wife, Sally.

As a United States Navy Veteran (Korean War), Don was very passionate about helping veterans. After his honorable discharge, Don worked for General Dynamics on the Atlas project before coming to Los Alamos and beginning his career as an engineer. He worked for the Laboratory for many years in different capacities. Read More

AARON R. HARPER June 28, 1979 – Sept. 4, 2019

Aaron R. Harper was born to the late Johnny R. Harper and Margaret M. Harper June 28, 1979.

He was raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and graduated, with honors, at New Mexico Tech. He was employed by Pfizer in Kansas more recently by the Hershey Company in Illinois.

Aaron was a gifted gardener and creative, self-taught chef. His family and friends enjoyed his meals and holidays he hosted. His passions were his family pets and motorcycle riding.

He died unexpectedly Sept. 4, 2019. Read More

FAITH REID ALBERG OSBORNE Jan. 31, 1938 – Jan. 25, 2020

Faith Reid Alberg Osborne, age 81, resident of La Quinta, California, passed away on January 25, 2020 in Los Alamos, New Mexico from natural causes.

She was born in Lexington, Kentucky on January 31, 1938 to Vela B. and Charles Reid, who preceded her in death, as did her husband Robert Osborne, son David Alberg, and sister Rebecca Pope.

Faith was an elementary school teacher and loved teaching kids. She loved music and playing the piano. Her other passions were traveling the world and spending time with her grandchildren.

She graduated with Read More

JOYCE REISS BRADBERRY Jan. 24, 2020

Joyce Reiss Bradberry had a philosophy that life should be enjoyed while still being constructive, worthwhile and filled with faith. 

The fourth daughter of George and Bertha Hagans, Joyce was born in Denison, Texas and it was in these formative years, surrounded by love and joy, that she established her faith in God and developed a service-oriented life. 

Joyce died on January 24, 2020 at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 6 days.

In her early teens she spent time in California where her father was stationed during World War II. Her father was a Master Mason and Joyce Read More

ERIK LUEDEMANN Dec. 3, 1981 – Jan. 23, 2020

On Thursday January 23, 2020, Erik Luedemann, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 38.

Erik was born on December 3, 1981 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Mary Campbell and Gary Luedemann. They moved to Los Alamos in 1982 where Erik spent his childhood. In high school he was a loyal friend and skilled athlete.

After graduating from Los Alamos High School in 2000, he enlisted in the Army and during boot camp was selected to serve on a Special Operations team where he served for 5 years, deploying to many places all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Read More

HOPE ANN-MARIE JARAMILLO (WAGNER) March 1, 1969 – Jan. 29, 2020 

Hope Ann-Marie Jaramillo (Wagner), beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter of Raymond and Mary Wagner, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. 

Hope is survived by Joe Jaramillo (husband), and daughters Taylor Jaramillo, Jordan Jaramillo and Terri Jaramillo as well as extended family.

Hope was a long time resident of Los Alamos and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1987. She has a lifetime passion for softball and served her community coaching. Momma Hope was a mentor, coach and always welcomed people Read More

BARBARA JEAN HIEBERT March 11, 1927 – Jan. 10, 2020.

Barbara Jean Hiebert left us from Broomfield, Colorado, passing in her 93rd year on January 10, 2020.

She loved her family, friends, life, travel, dogs, cooking, sunshine, sewing, and Christmas. She was wary of the internet and politicians.

Over her life she always loved the companionship of a dog, they brought her joy, and daily walks kept them both fit.

She was born March 11, 1927 to Leroy and Maude Loudenback in Cashmere, Washington.

She worked at the family fruit business and at 18 went to college in Seattle. Barbara married Richard Hiebert Read More

RALPH EUGENE (GENE) DORSEY Jan. 31, 1927 – Jan. 2, 2020

Ralph Eugene (Gene) Dorsey

January 31, 1927 – January 2, 2020

“A Charmed Life” is how Ralph viewed his time on Earth…it was how he regularly described the experiences, people and places that gave him grace and acceptance in the knowledge that his moment would come when he would pass into eternal peace. He has joined his wife of 49 years, Edie, and many friends and relatives who also passed before him.

Ralph was born in Englewood, Colorado but moved to Rawlins, Wyoming as an infant. He was proud of his Danish-Hawaiian ancestry and visited both homelands Read More

VIRGIL W. GRIFFIN Feb. 16, 1924 – Jan. 18, 2020

Virgil W. Griffin, a resident of Longview, Texas, formerly of Los Alamos, passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

He was born Feb. 16, 1924 in Lathrop, MO to Walter and Ava Griffin. He is survived by three sons, Gary Griffin and wife Mary of Rockport, TX, Keith Griffin and wife Missy of Longview, TX, Wayne Griffin and wife Candi of Amarillo, TX; five grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Reta in 2018, his parents, three brothers and a sister; daughter-in-law, Susie Griffin; grandson, Ryan Griffin and great-grandsons, Read More

DOROTHY NAN FIFE Dec. 31, 1930 – Jan. 20, 2020

Nan Fife was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah to Ruth Brinton Spencer and Lawrence Pomeroy Spencer. She graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City and had two years of college before meeting and marrying Thomas P. Fife in 1950. Tom was a WWII veteran pilot and a newly minted mining engineer from Idaho and with Tom, Nan became a homemaker and a loving and devoted wife and mother.

Together, they had two sons, Keith and Timothy, and moved to Grants, NM where the uranium mining industry was booming. The family spent 20 years in Grants before moving to Denver, Read More

JANET FERRELL LIGHT HILTY BASINGER April 16, 1933 – Jan. 21, 2020

In 2000, the Light family of Hancock County, Ohio, gifted their family farmland, through a charitable remainder trust, to Liberty-Benton High School. Janet Light offered this land to be used for the school’s football and baseball fields, and the only request she had was for it to be named the Leland L. Light Memorial Athletic Fields. Sadly, the land was taken and used, but it was not named the Leland L. Light Memorial Athletic Fields as she passioned.

Janet Ferrell Light Hilty Basinger, the philanthropist who gifted this land, died Read More

MARY ELVA RIVERA Jan. 9, 2020

Mary Elva Rivera, age 86, passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 in Los Alamos, NM.

Mary was born in Trujillo, NM. She and her beloved late husband Manuel lived in Los Alamos for many years and worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

She is survived by her son, Manuel A. Rivera of Albuquerque, NM; two sisters, Agnes Rivera of Glendale, Arizona and Alice Thompson of Denver, Colorado; a grandson, Manuel Joseph Rivera; a granddaughter, Rebecca Moya; a beloved niece, Louise C de’Baca; a great-grandnephew, Estevan C de’Baca; and many other relatives and Read More

BARBARA KATHERINE HARDEN SMITH March 3, 1943 – Jan. 20, 2020

Barbara, “Bobbie” to family and childhood friends, completed her journey of love, laughter, joy and heartache on Monday, January 20, 2020, in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Born to William Ray “Bill” Harden and Lula Elizabeth Goode “Pat” Harden in Birmingham, Alabama, she was big sister to brother Terry “Lee” Harden, and sister-cousin to Robbie Waldrop Elliott.

She graduated from West End High School in Birmingham and married her high school sweetheart, Malcolm Taylor Smith. They had three daughters. His career took them all across the Read More

ROBERT W. (BOB) TURNER Feb. 3, 1926 – Dec. 26, 2019

Robert W. (Bob) Turner/AA5VD, was born February 3, 1926, Orchard, NE, to William W. & Alice M. Tomlinson Turner and died December 26, 2019 in Los Alamos. 

Bill and Alice preceded Bob in death as did his Sister, Billie Maxine Turner Thomson. 

Bob  is survived by his two sons, Roger W. Turner, Menifee, CA and Philip L. Turner, of Albuquerque, NM; two grandsons, Ivan Turner and his wife Cheri, San Jacinto, CA, and Trevor Turner Lucero, Albuquerque, NM; Three great grand daughters, Haley Lynn, Amber Elaine and Emily Jean Turner, San Jacinto, CA.; Read More

DONALD L. ZICKERT Jan. 14, 2020

Donald L. Zickert, 83, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away Jan. 14, 2020.

He left behind his wife of 63 years, Harriett; along with their three children, Gwen, Janet (husband Paul) and Kenneth (wife Elaine); three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 25, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church in Los Alamos, NM.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in his memory.

Donald’s family has entrusted his care to Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations of Los Alamos, located at 1627 Read More

TIMOTHY KARYL OWEN Jan. 20, 1960 – Jan. 9, 2020

Timothy Karyl Owens left family and friends on January 9, 2020. Tim was born January 20, 1960 in Gunnison, Colorado. He was educated in the Los Alamos school system, served honorably in the United States Army and worked professionally as an X-ray Technician.

Tim leaves behind mother, Romayne; brothers, Perry and Theodor; sons, Westly, Travis and Clayton and loving extended family.

Tim was very proud of being a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Tim’s professional career was distinguished by his loving attendance and excellent X-ray diagnostic. Read More

LILLIAN (LIL) APODACA Sept. 29, 1931 – Jan. 12, 2020

Lillian (Lil) Apodaca, beloved wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law, aunt, grandma, great grandma and friend, passed from this life on January 12th, 2020, leaving an indelible memory with each of us who knew and loved her.

Her legacy will be treasured forever and will be joyfully passed on to future generations.

Words cannot express the ache and sense of loss felt by all of us whose lives she touched. She was known for bringing family together, having genuine concern for her many friends, prioritizing relationships and making time for the people Read More

ROBERT RAYMOND SHARP, JR. March 5, 1934 – Jan. 8, 2020

Robert (Bob) Raymond Sharp, Jr. Ph.D., P.E. died Jan. 8, 2020 at his home in Placitas, New Mexico surrounded by family.

Bob Sharp was born March 5, 1934 in Douglas, Arizona. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. He graduated from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 1955 with a

BS in Mining Engineering, and completed his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Geological Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1972.

Bob worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory for over thirty Read More