Obituaries

ANITA ROSE SCHAMAUN Dec. 7, 1940 – June 9, 2020

After a lengthy battle with various debilitating illnesses, Anita Schamaun of Los Alamos, passed peacefully into her loving Father’s arms on June 9, 2020.

Anita was born on December 7, 1940 in Livingston, Montana and moved to Los Alamos in 1967 with her husband, Roger Schamaun.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years; two daughters, Coene and Tammy (husband Rick); two of her seven siblings, various nieces and nephews; and her cat, Sadie.

Her family will hold a small family graveside service this Friday. When quarantine restrictions are lessened, Read More

STEPHEN (STEVE) WAYNE JUSTUS  Oct. 11, 1946 – June 5, 2020

Stephen (Steve) Wayne Justus, 73, of Branson, Missouri passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family on June 5, 2020.

Stephen was born October 11, 1946 in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife Diane of 20 years, son David Justus, daughter Jessica Justus, sister Victoria Guentz, brother Rodney Justus (Bonnie), and eight loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Maxine, and younger brother David. Stephen was Read More

VERNON NORMAN KERR March 11, 1928 – May 28, 2020

Vernon Norman Kerr, 92, passed away May 28, 2020 at Aspen Ridge Lodge in Los Alamos, NM.

He was born on March 11, 1928 in Gallup, NM to Norman Alexander Kerr and Katherine Elizabeth (nee Watkins) Kerr.

After graduating from Gallup High School, Vernon attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, earning a BA in biology and chemistry. He started working on his Master’s degree, but was drafted into the Army during the Korea War where he served as a Medical Laboratory Technician in the 28th General Hospital Unit. After being discharged, he returned to Read More

BILLIE BISHOP SHULL Oct. 13, 1943 – May 29, 2020

Billie Bishop Shull passed away on May 29, 2020 in Sun City, Arizona, due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis. She fought so hard and never gave up.

Billie was born in Cortez, Colorado, on October 13, 1943, to Robert and Pearl Aulston Bishop. She was raised in Arriola and graduated from Montezuma County High School.

She was married to Jerry Neely and she was very proud of their children, Greg Neely and his wife Melody Neely of Ft. Collins, CO and Laura Neely Stanbro of Greenville, SC. She loved living on their farm outside of Cortez, hunting, fishing, Read More

DOROTEA MONTOYA Oct. 29, 1933 – May 24, 2020

Dorotea (Dottie) Montoya, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed over on May 24, 2020 in her home.

Her courage to face the futility of continuing in a body that she had exhausted, and her strength to overcome her greatest fear of not breathing, allowed her to meet the angels on her terms and her time. Surrounded by her family, she discarded all support and set about taking her last breath. After eleven hours, as the sun rose, her spirit left her body.

Her passing, like her life, was a celebration of deep wisdom and healing Read More

DAVID LAWRENCE HILL Jan. 17, 1954 – May 23, 2020

David Lawrence Hill, age 66, of Española, NM, passed away May 23, 2020.

David was born in Bangor, ME on January 17, 1954 to George and Donna Hill. The Hill family moved to Los Alamos in 1962, where David graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1971.

David worked as a machinist at several Northern New Mexico companies before joining Los Alamos National Laboratory.

David enjoyed the outdoors, camping, tinkering on motorcycles and his cats.

David is preceded in death by his parents, George and Donna Hill, and his sister, Kathryn Matzke.

He is survived Read More

DAVID DANFORTH Aug. 23, 1972 – May 16, 2020

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of David Danforth, at age 48, on May 16, 2020.

David was born on August 23, 1972 in Brunswick, Maine to Richard (Dick) and Elizabeth (Betty) Danforth.

David moved to Los Alamos, NM with his family in 1977 and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1991. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Eastern New Mexico University in 1997.

He married Meridith McLarty in 1997, and they moved to Mesquite, TX that same year.

He worked as a photojournalist for several years, then found his first job in Read More

PASCUAL P. CHAVEZ Nov. 29, 1923 – May 5, 2020

Our beloved patriarch Pascual P. Chavez of Los Alamos, N.M., was called to Our Lord on May 5, 2020 at the age of 96.  

Pascual was preceded in death by his wife and best friend of 71 years, Margaret Antia (Geoffrion) Chavez, his parents Adolfo and Susan Chavez of Las Vegas, N.M., mother- and father-in-law, Alfonso and Ellen Geoffrion also of Las Vegas, brothers Mariano and Adolfo ‘Babe’ Chavez, brother-in-law Billy Geoffrion, his infant daughter Mary Ellen Chavez, sons Mitchell, Nicholas, and Mark Chavez, daughter Annette Chavez-Aragon, son-in-law Read More

ALICIA MARIE HICKS July 21, 1986 – May 15, 2020

On Friday, May 15, 2020, Alicia Marie Hicks of Santa Fe, loving daughter, sister and granddaughter, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness at age 33.  

Alicia was born on July 21, 1986 in Los Alamos, New Mexico to Thomas and Lori Hicks. She graduated from Pojoaque High School, obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNM and went on to earn an MBA from NMSU.

Alicia started her career in Student Programs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was currently working as a senior accountant.

Despite her young age, Alicia exhibited Read More

BARBARA ANNE BACON Dec. 6, 1935 – May 16, 2020

Barbara Anne (Moore) Bacon, 84, of Elk Mills, Maryland, passed away May 16, 2020, of COVID-19 complications.

Barbara was born to the late Herbert William Moore and Catherine May (Drake) Moore in Elmira, NY, Dec. 6, 1935.

She was a 1948 graduate of Carr’s Corners School and a 1952 graduate of Elmira Free Academy. She received her Master’s Degree in Mathematics in 1957 from SUNY-Albany (then called the NY State College for Teachers – Albany), and moved to Los Alamos, NM, in 1958 to join Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (now Los Alamos National Laboratory) Read More