Grant County Obituary Text
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KAANTA: Henry W. Kaanta passed away at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning at
Providence Hospital in El Paso where he had been a patient for about a week. He
was thought to have been improving when death occurred suddenly, caused by a
blood clot Mr. Kaanta had been a semi-invalid for several years because of
arthritis. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock today (Thursday) in Deming
with Internment in the Deming cemetery. He is survived by his wife Sally and one
son, Carter, and two grandchildren. He was a graduate of the Colorado School of
Mines and spent much of his early life in Russia, and was considered an
authority on Russian life. He frequently gave talks and lectures about Russia.
He was associated with the American Smelting & Refining Co. for some years at
Vanadium and later was superintendent of the mill at Deming. He was also chief
metallurgist for ASARCO. He was widely known in mining circles. He had retired
only recently.
KAISER: Audrey Kaiser, 77, a Grant County resident, entered eterna1 life Sunday
April 12, at home. She was born Sept. 30, 1920, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late
Fredrick and Eileen Kaiser. Mrs. Kaiser was a manager of a family business for
many years. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 at Baca’s
Funeral Chapels with David Strait officiating. Interment will follow at Memory
Lane Cemetery. She is survived by her sister, Mona Tanzola of Silver City.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.
KAISER: The death of 3½-months old David Merle Kaiser, infant son of Phillip
Kaiser of Albuquerque, occurred in that city last Saturday afternoon and marked
the third death in the family of five during the past few months. Mrs. Phillip
Kaiser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Briggs, of this city died Nov. 10 the day
following the birth of her son whose death has now occurred. Preceding her in
death was another son Melvin, age three who succumbed on Nov. 5. . Their deaths
were caused by polio. Funeral services for the baby were held in Albuquerque
Monday afternoon at 3:30. Survivors are the father, Phillip Kaiser, are a sister
Sharon and the maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Merle Kaiser.
KAISER: Eileen E. Kaiser, 82, died Wednesday, December 26, in Hillcrest General
Hospital. Mrs. Kaiser was born in Brooklyn, New York, and had lived in Grant
County for about four years. She is survived by two daughters, Audrey Kaiser of
Silver City, Mona Tanzola of Mangus Springs, two grandchildren, Kas J. Nelson of
Albuquerque, Kristen Garrity of St. Louis, Missouri and four
great-grandchildren. Rosary recitation was held Friday in the Curtis-Bright
Chapel. Mass of the Resurrection was held Saturday, Dec. 29 at Saint Vincent de
Paul Catholic Church with Monsignor A. James Milano officiating ay both
services. Burial followed in Memory Lane Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were
Dr. James R. Tanzola, Kas Nelson and James Kaiser.
KAISER: Funeral services for Mrs. Philip Kaiser, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merle
Briggs of Silver City, were held at the Strong & Thorne Funeral Home in
Albuquerque on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The sudden bereavement suffered
by the family, the second in less than a week, shocked this community where the
deceased was well known. On Sunday, Nov. 5, Melvin Kaiser, three year old son of
the deceased, died from the effect of bulbar polio after a brief illness. The
young mother, the former Doris Briggs, 20 years of age, gave birth to a son, her
third child, Thursday, Nov. 9, and on the following Saturday succumbed to the
same disease which the little boy was stricken. The newborn baby survived. In
addition to the husband and baby, other survivors are a daughter, Sharon; a
sister, Miss Genevieve Briggs; one brother, Dean Briggs of Olympia, Wash.; and
the Briggs.
KAMSTRA: Lorene Kamstra, 81, entered eternal rest Friday at Fort Bayard Medical
Center, where she had been a resident for the past two years. Mrs. Kamstra had
lived in Grant County for the past nine years. She was a member of the Bayard
Church of Christ and was a retired nursing technician. Survivors include two
sons, Duane Kamstra and his wife, Bettye, of Lancaster, Calif., and Donald
Kamstra of Hurley; two daughters, Charla Holland and her husband, Walter, of
Hurley, and Glenda Johnson and her husband, Larry, of Jennings, Kan.; one
sister, Ina Vae Coffey, and her husband, Perry, of Littlefield, Texas; eight
grandchildren, Becky Nations and her husband, Danny, of Morenci, Ariz., Cheryl
Holland-Williams of Gresham, Ore., Daryl Holland of Texas, Randy Lawrence of
Camp Pendleton, Calif., Teresa Fisher of Fort Morgan, Colo., Tammy Mitchell of
Kansas, Michael Lawrence and his wife, Cindy, of Kansas, and Brandon Johnson of
Jennings; 13 great-grandchildren, Wayne, Thomas and Russell Nations, Jason
Williams, Michael, Mark, Seth and Kimberly Lawrence, Brett, Renee and Kimberly
Fisher, and Brandon and Aaron Mitchell. She is also survived by a foster son,
Ruben Garza, and his wife, Shirley, and their children, of Escondido, Calif.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Baca's Funeral
Chapels. Graveside services will begin at 2 Tuesday afternoon at Fort Bayard
National Cemetery with Mr. Duane Springer officiating. Entrusted to the care of
Baca's Funeral Chapels.
KARKOSKY: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Shellhorn have returned from Houston, Texas where they
were called by the death of their 5 year-old granddaughter Dee Layne Karkosky
who was killed in an auto accident. Dee Layne’s mother, Mrs. Bob (Doyle)
Karkosky was hospitalized with abdominal injuries but is recovering
satisfactorily. The Shellhorns are currently residing in Albuquerque where Mr.
Shellhorn is scheduled to undergo Radiation treatments next week.
KARST: Donald G. Karst passed away Tuesday afternoon at his home in Farmington
after a lengthy illness. His wife, Joyce, is the daughter of Conn Brown of Gila.
The children still at home are David Gene and Tracy Gayle Karst. Mr. Karst's
children from a previous marriage are Debbie and Wayne of Farmington. He was
preceded in death by his son, Richard. Funeral services will be held Thursday in
Farmington.
KARTCHNER: Heber Pratt Kartchner, 88, died Monday afternoon in Fort Bayard. Mr.
Kartchner was born in Graham, Ariz. and was a longtime resident of Gila. He was
a retired farmer and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, Gila Ward. Mr. Kartchner is survived by one daughter, Pc rerun Clark of
Westside, Iowa; four sons, Marshall, Robert and Eddy, all of Cliff and Deiroy of
Mule Creek; two sisters, Della Lamoreaux of Fresno, Calif., and Ella Angle of
Sacramento, Calif.; two brothers, Clarence and Jack, both of Carlsbad; 13
grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Lie was preceded in death by his wife
Anna in 1983 a tier 65 years of marriage. Funeral services will be held at 10:30
a.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gila Ward,
with Bishop C.C. Sullivan and Mancel Mortensen presiding. Interment will follow
at the Mesa Cemetery in Gila. Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry McEuen, Sam
Johns, Robert Johns, Keith Kartchner, Marvin Kartchner and Bucky McCauley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Peters, Steve Mumm, Bobby Raley, Fred
Chappell, Paul Dean Kartchner, Clell Kartchner, Wayne Littleton, Clint Kartchner
and countless friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that
donations be made to the Activity Therapy Department in Fort Bayard.
Arrangements are by the Wheeler Funeral Home of Silver City.
KARTCHNER: Sarah Anna Kartchner, 81, of Gila, died Jan, 11 in Fort Bayard
Medical Center. She was born June 8, 1901 in Solomon, Ariz. the daughter of
Robert T. and Talitha Pace Johns, and was a resident of Gila for many years.
Mrs. Kartchner was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day
Saints of Gila. She is survived by her husband, Heber Pratt Kartchner of Gila;
one daughter, Percilla Clark of Westside, Iowa; four sons, Marshal Kartchner and
Robert Kartchner of Cliff, Eddy Kartchner of Gila and Delroy Kartchner of Mule
Creek; five sisters, Orpha Crawford and Ethel Bacon of Safford. Ariz., Loraine
McGoffin of Benson, Ariz., Jo Roy of Santee, Calif. and Grace Tippetts of
Victorville, Calif.; two brothers, Sam Johns and Tex Johns of Virden, N.M. 13
grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Kartchner was preceded in death
by daughter Christine McEuen in 1963 and by son Ellis Dean Kartchner in 1937.
Services were held Jan. 14 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in
Gila under the direction, of Bishop Marce1 Mortensen: Burial followed In the
Gila Mesa Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jerry. McEuen, Fred Chappell,
Richard Raley, Phil Dean Kartchner, Keith Kartchner and Marvin Kartchner.
Honorary pallbearers were James Clark, Tex Johns, Sam Johns and Jack Kartchner.
KAUFFMAN: "Nan" Ana May Kauffman, 98, died Wednesday at Gila Regional Medical
Center after an extended illness. Mrs. Kauffman was born June 24, 1889 in
Englewood, Ill., to Hattie and D.W. McCulloch. She came to Silver City at an
early age. On April 20, 1921, she was married to Shirl L. Kauffman, who preceded
her in death Aug. 13, 1976. Mrs. Kauffman was very active in both business and
civic organizations in Silver City. She had her own insurance business and later
was in partnership with Tom McCabe until her retirement. For many years she was
active in the Woman's Club, PEO, Wacky Club, the Episcopal Church, and many
other organizations. She attended the New Mexico State Normal School from 1905
to 1908. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kathryn Littlefield, and a
nephew, Robert S. Littlefield, both of Silver City. Serving as casket bearers
will be Carroll Mann, Tom McCabe, J. Wayne Woodbury, Oscar Luschei, Bob Poe and
Mitt Whitmore. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. C.C. Cobb, Bill Colby, Bill Word,
Jim Richardson, Jack Snodgrass, Harris Gray, W.L. "Toad" Wilson, Bill McMillan
and her many friends and business associates. Visitation will be on Friday from
10 a.m. until noon at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home. Services will be held
Friday at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with the Revs.
Robert Ihlefeld and Cliff Henderson officiating. Burial will follow in the
family plot at Memory Lane Cemetery.
KAUFMAN: Dr. C. E. Kaufman, 79, prominent physician and surgeon, who had
practiced in Tyrone, Hanover and Silver City since 1938, passed away this
morning at the family home, 409 West Market St. In frail health for the past
year, he became critically ill two weeks ago. Born in Walnut, Ill., in 1880, Dr.
Kaufman received his medical degree from the Rush Medical School, Chicago. He
began practice in Oquawka, Ill., and in 1918 moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he
practiced for some years. Since 1938, Dr. Kaufman had resided in Grant County.
For many years he was chief surgeon for the Phelps Dodge Corp. at Tyrone. In
recent years he was associated with the late Dr. N. D. Frazin. He was an active
member of the American Medical Assn., the New Mexico Medical Assn. and the Grant
County Medical Society, and a member of the Tyrone Lodge of Masons. During World
War II, Dr. Kaufman resumed full-time practice because of a shortage of doctors
who had been called into military service. His happy philosophy of life was an
inspiration to a wide circle of friends. To his patients he was an unfailing
friend and counselor. His eminence in the medical profession was recognized by
his associates. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mary Kaufman; two daughters, Mrs. L
M. Vincill, Medford, Ore., and Mrs. Jerome Pendelton, San Diego, Calif.; four
granddaughters and a grandson. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Friday
at the Cox Mortuary chapel, the Rev. Charles S. Walker, pastor of the First
Methodist Church, conducting the rites. Interment will take place in the Masonic
cemetery with Masonic ritualistic committal at the grave. Serving as active
pallbearers will be Herman Uhli, John S. Hamilton, Shin L. Kauffman, Robert
White, John Stock, Rowland Ball and Nelson Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be
Dr. Roy Wille, Dr. C. C. Cobb, Dr. R. A. Walsh, Dr. R. E. Watts, Dr. Warren
Hall, Dr. John E. Spriggs, Dr. John C. Mitchell, and Dr. E.A. Rygh.
KAUFMAN: Mary B. Kaufman, 79, died Sat., June 17, at Hillcrest Hospital. Mrs.
Kaufman, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, was a long time resident of Silver City.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Jerome Pendleton of San Diego, Calif.,
and Mrs. Lindsay Vinsel of Medford, Ore., also five grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren survive. She was a member of the First United Methodist
Church of Silver City. Graveside services were held Tuesday, June 20, at the
Masonic Cemetery with Rev. Glenn E. Hutton of the First United Methodist Church
conducting services. Curtis-Bright Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
KAUPAS: Mrs. Mabel Cowan Kaupas, 49, died at Hillcrest General Hospital on
Friday, June 10, following an illness of several months. Funeral services were
held at the Cox Mortuary Chapel at 9 o'clock Sunday morning with the Rev.
Charles Walker of the First Methodist Church officiating. The body was moved by
ambulance to Hagerman, N.M. for interment. She is survived by her husband, B.J.
Kaupas; her father, Harry Cowan of Hagerman; and one sister, Dorothea Cowan
Johnson, also of Hagerman. Mrs. Kaupas came to Silver City in 1929 and had
taught in the primary grades of the public schools for about 20 years, making a
record as an outstanding teacher. She married Mr. Kaupas about six years ago.
Because of her interest in children, several of her friends are starting a fund
for the purchase of children's books which will be given as a memorial to the
Grant County Library. The amount raised in this way will be matched from a fund
by the library.
KAZIMIER: Funeral services for Mrs. K. Kazimier, 51, were held Monday. Requiem
High Mass was held in the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr.
P. F. Ruiz officiating and the Rev. Fr. John P. Linnane assisting. Burial was in
the Silver City cemetery. The deceased was the brother of Mrs. Charles Marguiles
of Silver City and came to this area in 1950 from New York City. She was a
native of Warsaw, Poland. Surviving are her husband, Alexander; one daughter,
Mrs. Marguiles; two grandsons, Richard and Robert; one sister, Mrs. Helena
Banaskiewlcz, and a brother, Frederick Chachuraki of Warsaw.
KEARNS: Murtin Eugene Kearns, 63, a resident of Alma, entered in to rest Monday
at his residence. He was born Oct. 18, 1930, in Lincoln, Neb., to the late
Joseph Dempsy and Lelah (Nial) Kearns. Mr. Kearns was a retired firefighter. He
was a Baptist by faith. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Kearns of Glenwood;
a son, Joseph Neal Kearns, and his wife, Paula, of Sacramento, Calif.; his
daughters, Caroline Sue Kearns of Quemado, Cynthia Jean Tumbling and her
husband, James, of Grand Rapids, Mich., Cathleen Lynette Kearns of Juneau,
Alaska, and Jo Lee LaMore of Albuquerque; a nephew, Donald L. Kearns of
Richland, Wash.; and two grandchildren, James and Christine Tumbling of Grand
Rapids. No services are scheduled. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral
Chapels and Baca's Mimbres Crematorium.
KEATING: Paul F. Keating, 69, passed away March 4th. Burial took place Tuesday
in the Fort Bayard cemetery, following services at the hospital chapel conducted
by the Catholic Chaplin. Interment was directed by the Wheeler Mortuary of
Deming. Survivors are two Sons, Paul Keating, Jr. and Thomas Keating and a
sister, Mrs. Ruth Heath of El Paso.
KEEL: Funeral services will be held this morning at, 10 o’clock for S/Sgt.
William Keel, son of Mrs. Alice Keel of Bayard, from the Mahoney Funeral Home in
Deming with the Rev. Harold Johnson of Santa Rita officiating. Military services
will be conducted by Mineral Post 3347, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of Bayard.
Sgt. Keel was killed in action July 17, 1953 in Korea on the eve of his 23
birthday. He was the winner of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star and was on
his second tour of active duty at the time of his death. Besides his mother, he
is survived by a brother Simon, of Culver City, Calif., three sisters, Peggy
Wallis of Bayard, Louise Woolridge of Chino, Calif., and Ella Blancato of White
Plains, N.Y.
KEELER: Kent Keeler, 73, a longtime Deming resident and Luna County farmer, died
Sunday at his home north of Deming. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at
10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Kelly,
Tyrone, presiding. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. He was the
fifth of nine children born to Fern and Abner Keeler. He was born June 20, 1920,
in Richfield, Utah. Having served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a fighter pilot,
Mr. Keeler achieved the rank of lieutenant. After World War II, he married Jewel
Gobble on Jan. 31, 1948, in Deming. Prior to settling down on his farm, he
worked a few years as a heavy-equipment operator. He resided 40 years on his
farm north of Deming, where he and Mrs. Keeler worked together and raised their
family. He served several years on the Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service committee at the Luna County office. Mr. Keeler is survived
by his wife, Jewel, of the home; three sons, Rodney Keeler and his wife, Jan,
and Jeff Keeler and his wife, Trish, of Deming, and Bruce Keeler and his wife,
Dawn, of Las Cruces; six grandchildren; two brothers, Hal B. and James E. Keeler
of Deming; and three sisters, Lorrayne Robertson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.,
Veva Bluth of Sandy, Utah, and Fern Farnsworth of Colonia Juarez, Mexico.
Pallbearers will be Cass Keeler, Dirk Keeler, Casey Dodson, Oliver Dodson, Greg
Hudson and Bill Speer. Honorary pallbearers will be Olin Offutt, Pete Segulja,
John Burris, Bob Hewitt, Robert Miller, Dave Brown, Marvin Whetten, Charlie
McClure, Harvey Hatch and Dr. Hal Hopson. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that donations be made to the Cancer Research Center. Entrusted to the
care of Baca's Funeral Chapels in Deming.
KEELING: George M. Keeling, 36, manager of the Silver Safeway Store, died of a
heart attack .last Wednesday night while he and Mrs. keeling were en route from
Silver City to Roswell to spend Christmas. Mrs. Keeling was driving along the
road between Deming and Las Cruces and Mr. Keeling apparently fell asleep. Upon
arrival, in Las Cruces, Mrs. Keeling attempted to awaken Mr. Keeling and found
that he was dead. Mr. Keeling had been manager of the local store for about two
years, but had been connected with the Safeway organization for about 10 years,
having made an enviable reputation in the organization. Before coming here Mr.
Keeling had been manager of the Carlsbad Store and had worked for the company in
California and at Roswell. Surviving are Mrs. Keeling his father and a brother,
Funeral services and burial were in Roswell Sunday afternoon.
KEEN: Services for Jack C. Keen, 76, of Andrews, Texas, will be held at 10a.m.
Friday at Means Memorial United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev.
Jim Terry, pastor of Means Memorial United Methodist Church, the Rev. Cindy
Ballard, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, and Dr. Brian Gordon. Burial
will follow in the Andrews North Cemetery under the direction of McNett Funeral
Home. Mr. Keen died at Permian General Hospital in Andrews at 12: 10 a.m.
Tuesday, June 24. He was born in Spur, Texas, Aug. 25, 1920. He lived in Odessa,
Texas, before moving to Andrews in 1956. He married Alawayne Atchison on June
18, 1941, at Dickens, Texas. Mr. Keen attended Texas Tech and served in the Navy
in World War II. He was a charter member of the Wesley United Methodist Church
in Andrews: chairman of the board of Western New Mexico Telephone Co., chairman
of the board of Lynch Telecommunications; president of the National Rural
Telephone Association; and on the board of directors of AmBank in Silver City.
He was a past director of the Andrews Commercial State Bank, a member of the
Masonic Lodge, past member of the Lions Club, and had been active with the Boy
Scouts. Survivors include his wife, Alawayne, of Levelland, Texas; his sons,
John Clay Keen of Greenville, Texas, and Jack Wayne Keen of Silver City; his
daughters, Loyce Roberts of Andrews, Mary Beth Baxter of Silver City, and Sunny
Brewster of Silver City; a special friend, Janie Robertson of Andrews; a
stepson, Phillip Robertson of Midland, Texas; a stepdaughter, Karen Reed of
Denver City, Texas; 10? Grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
KEENE: Archie Keene, 83, a resident of Silver City, passed away Wednesday at
Fort Bayard Medical Center. He was born March 26, 1909, in Leesburg, Va., to
Herman and Bessie M. Keene. He moved to New Mexico in 1928 and worked with his
uncle on a ranch north of Silver City until 1929, when he went to work at the
veteran’s hospital at Fort Bayard as a milker in the hospital dairy. After the
dairy closed, he worked as the chef's helper in the hospital kitchen. He also
worked at the U.S. Mine at Vanadium, at Chino Mines at Santa Rita, with Prices
Dairy as a deliverer, and at the Chino blacksmith shop in Hurley, where he
retired in 1971. He was a minister with the Independent Assembly of Free
Pentecost. He and his wife, Esther I. Keene, were assistant’s to the chaplain at
the hospital at Fort Bayard for several years. He is survived by his wife,
Esther, of Silver City; one son, Rex Keene, and his wife, Phyllis, of Silver
City; a brother, Frank Keene of Silver City; a sister, Marie Keene of
California; four grandchildren, Lester and his wife, Gea, of the Netherlands,
Leroy and his wife, Cindy, of Minot, N.D., Larry of Silver City and Leah of
Silver City; and three great-grandchildren, Michael, Steven and Christy.
Visitation was held at Curtis-Bright Funeral Home on Sunday. Funeral services
were to be held at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home Chapel today at 1 p.m. with
the Rev. W.W. Coker officiating. Burial was to follow at Memory Lane Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Leroy Keene, Larry Keene, Chet Brown, Jack Bowan, Dennis
Wagner, Jeff Pattison, and Victor Nanez. Arrangements were by Curtis-Bright
Funeral Home of Silver City.
KEENE: Funeral services were held Friday, April 7, for Eppa Clyde Keene, 79, who
died Wednesday morning at his home In Central. He had been a resident of Grant
County since 1911 and had made his home in Central for the past 20 years. He
formerly was employed at Fort Bayard. Funeral services were conducted at the Cox
Mortuary chapel with Wayne Douglas, pastor of the Methodist church officiating.
Burial was in Silver City cemetery. Mr. Keene is survived by his wife, Lithe;
one son, Walker M., of Central; three daughters, Mrs. D. R. Williams, Silver
City, Mrs. Sam Dickinson and Mrs. Marvin Beach of Hurley; one sister, Mrs.
Elizabeth Ledoux, Silver City; three brothers, Frank of Silver City and Herman
and Herbert of Stirling, Va. Ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren also
survive. Pallbearers included Fred Nickels, H. L. Chandler, Thomas Williams,
Alvin McCurry, Bob Dillard and Charles Evans. Honorary pallbearers were L. A.
Davidson, A. H. Chandler, Roy Owen, Dr. N.D. Frazin, Dr. H. E. Watts, Elmer
Campbell, Joe Stone, L. G. McConkle, Alvis Reed, Nolan Smith, Frank Pascoe,
Roscoe McCalister, Tony Erhman, Harry Althaus, James Wilson, Henry Hall, Daniel
Flood, Rev. Hinkston and Lois Prower.
KEENE: Esther I Keene, 89, of Silver City passed away Monday at Horizon
Southwest Nursing Home. Although she lost her vision at an early age due to
whooping cough, she attended the Alamogordo School for the Blind, and graduated
from the Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock. She moved back in1929 to
the Silver City area, where she met her husband of 63 years. Although she had
many interests, she enjoyed assisting the chaplain at Fort Bayard Veteran’s
Administration Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie, in
1993. She is survived by her son, Reginald "Rex" Keene, and his wife, Phyllis,
of Silver City; her brother-in-law, Frank Keene of Pinos Altos; four
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held
Friday at 2 p.m. at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home Chapel with internment at
Memory Lane Cemetery.
KEENE: Herman C Keene, 74, of Central died last Wednesday In Deming. In recent
years he had been retired. Surviving are his are wife, Lillian Keene, three
sons, Archie and Richard Keene, Silver City and George Keen., Marylandville, VA,
and a daughter, Marle Keene, Deming; four grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. George Ledoux Silver City, and a brother,
Herbert Keene, Harrisburg, Va. Funeral services were held at the Curtis Mortuary
chapel, with the Rev. James Jensen, Jr., pastor of the Central Baptist Church,
officiating. Burial was in the Silver City cemetery.
KEENE: Lynda Darlene Keene, 42, of Silver City passed away Sunday at her
residence. Services are pending with Bright Funeral Home.
KEENE: Marvin Keene, 62, a former resident of Truth or Consequences, passed away
Sunday surrounded by his family and listening to the fiddle music which he
dearly loved. He was born in San Marcial on Feb. 16, 1933 to Lewis Andrew and
Lilly Cook Keene. Most of his life he lived in the Truth or Consequences area
and worked as a trucker and heavy equipment operator. His love of music and
playing the fiddle was surpassed only by his love for his family. He was a
member of the Elks and Moose lodges in Truth or Consequences. He is survived by
his former wife, Kathryn Keene of Roswell; his three sons, Larry Marvin Keene
and his wife, Francell, Randy Lewis Keene and his wife, Shannon of Las Cruces
and Leslie Len Keene and his wife, Roberta of Silver City; and two daughters,
Frances Ruth Lewis and her husband, Terry of Silver City and Sandra Kaye Yandell
and her husband, Delbert of Carlsbad. He is also survived by his brother, Ernest
Keene of Three Rivers, Texas; his sisters, Maderine Duffy of Safford, Ariz.,
Oralee Hammock of Kennwick, Wash., Bootsie Albert of Kalispell, Mont. and Iva
Anderson of Weiser, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. Calling
hours were to begin at l p.m. today at Baca's Funeral Chapels, followed by the
funeral service at two, with the Rev. Don Atchley of the Faith Baptist Church
officiating. Concluding services and burial were to follow at Memory Lane
Cemetery. Pallbearers were to be Jimmy Dale Simpson, Tommie Turner, Claude West
Lenderman, Jerry Turner, Earl Taylor and Larry Wayne Lenderman. Serving as
honorary pallbearers are his brother, Ernest Keene and Eugene Austin, Elzie
Lewis and J.P. Lambson. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.
KEENE: Walker Milton Keene died Tuesday in the veteran’s hospital in
Albuquerque. He was born June 25, l920, in Vanadium to Lillie Ellen Walker Keene
of Cripple Creek, Colo., and Eppa Clyde Keene of Stirling, Va. On Sept. 25,
l937, he married Vida Mae Davidson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Davidson of
Central. Five children were born to this marriage. The first was Donald Walker
Keene, born Feb. l5, l939. Thomas Allan Keene was born Dec. l9, l940. John
Luther Keene was born May 25, l948, on Dec l8, l957, Walker had his baby girl,
Lynda Darleen Keene. Randolph Edwin Keene arrived July l3, l959. Donald Walker
Keene was killed in a car wreck on July 11, l976. Walker worked for his
father-in-law, L. A. Davidson, in the grocery store in Central until l942 when
he went to work in an iron mine until he was called to go to work for Kennecott
in Santa Rita as an oiler on the shovels. He worked there until Oct. 22, l944,
when he was drafted into the service of the United States. He left on Oct. 3l,
l944. He received his training at Camp Hood, Texas. In March l945 he was sent to
Fort Ord, Calif., and was sent overseas. He was promoted to T/4 Sgt. after being
in the service l0 months and overseas since April. He was with the ll7th
Engineers 37th Division in Luzon. Upon his discharge he received the Asiatic
Pacific Theater Philippine Liberation, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal, and
expert rifleman honors. He was discharged in April l946. On his return home he
went back to work at Kennecott Copper Corp. In l949 he was installed as
commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter No. 3347 in Bayard. For several
years he served on the Central School Board in Central. Many years were also put
in on the Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Committee. He joined Hurley Lodge
A.M.F.M. Chapter No. 55 of Hurley in l95l and served as worshipful master in
l987; was worthy patron of Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 3; was a member of
the Order of Rainbow for Girls Advisory Board; served on the Gila Chapter Order
of Demolay board; and loved to hunt and water-ski. In l982 he was forced to
retire due to becoming ill with leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Vida Mae
Keene; three sisters, Myrna Cunningham of El Paso, Texas, Mary Mae Dickinson of
Silver City and Ruth Beach of Hurley; two stepbrothers, Frank Keene of Pinos
Altos and Archie Keene of Silver City; his three sons and one daughter; 12
grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
brother, Orland Keene; by a sister, Anna Brem; by his parents, Eppa Clyde and
Lillie Ellen Keene; by his first born son, Donald Walker Keene; and by one
great-granddaughter, Feather Faith Fierro. Services will be held Friday at 10
a.m. in the Silver City Methodist Church with the Silver City Order of Eastern
Star officiating. A military burial will follow in the Fort Bayard National
Cemetery with the Masonic Lodge officiating. The Curtis-Bright Funeral Home is
in charge of arrangements.
KEENE: Virgie G. Keene, 47, died Wednesday, May 14, in Sierra Medical Center in
El Paso. Mrs. Keene was born in Duncan, Arizona and had been a life long
resident of Silver City where she was the owner and operator of Pleasant View
Guest Home. She was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. She is survived by two sons, Clyde Keene of Silver City, Frank E. Keene
of Mesa, Arizona, their father, Richard F. Keene of Silver City, a step-son,
Mark Evans of Rockport, Texas, a sister, Ora Huddman of Silver City, four
brothers, Robert Evans of Animas, Chent Evans of Tucumcari, Guy Evans of
Hamilton, Texas, Homer Evans of Silver City and three grandchildren. Funeral
services were held Friday afternoon in the Curtis-Bright Chapel with Bishop
Wayne Decker officiating. Burial followed in Memory Lane Cemetery. Serving as
pallbearers were Ernie Haymes, Dan Graves, Bobby Haymes, Stanley Cooper, Duke
Cooper, M.C. Martinez, Clint Johnson and Joe Boyer. Honorary pallbearers were
Jake McGinn and Norman Cooper. Arrangements were by Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KEENER: France's L. Keener, 78, a resident of Silver City for 30 years, died
Monday, March 1, at Gila Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Keener was active in many
civic affairs and was a member of a number of local organizations. She was a
former member of WAAIME and was active in the Wacky Club, the 24 Club, the Town
and Country Garden Club, and the Goof Off Club. She was for many years a member
of the town of Silver City's cemetery board. She was born Nov. 1, 1920, in
Minot, N.D. She graduated from the State Teachers College in Minot, and taught
school a year in North Dakota before joining the Phoenix School System, where
she taught a number of years before her marriage to William Keener. After her
marriage to Mr. Keener, she taught one year in the Immaculate Conception
Parochial School in Ajo, Ariz. where the couple made their home until 1969. At
that time, Mr. Keener transferred to Tyrone as the concentrator superintendent
with Phelps Dodge Corp. An immediate survivor is a sister, Bernice Phifer of
Hurley. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in
death by William Keener in 1986. A son, Brian, a Vietnam veteran, died in 1971.
Mrs. Keener will be cremated and no services are scheduled. Her cremains will be
inurned in the Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz., where her husband, son and
other relatives are buried. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.
KEENER: Mrs. Sally Keener, 65, wife of George H. Keener, passed away about 5
p.m. Tuesday at the Watts Clinic and Hospital, following a heart attack suffered
at the family home, 2002 Yucca Drive. Mrs. Keener had resided in Silver City for
37 years, coming here in 1925 from Arkansas, following her marriage to Mr.
Keener April 20, 1921. She was a member of the Silver City Chapter of the Order
of Eastern Star, an active member of the First Methodist church for many years,
and had a wide circle of devoted friends throughout the community. Surviving are
her husband, George H. Keener, retired clerk of Grant County and a county
official for more than 20 years; a son, George H. Keener, Jr., Houston, Texas;
and a grandson: and three sisters, Mrs. John Gardner, Houston, Texas; Mrs. Leroy
Gardner, Parkdale, Ark., and Mrs. Nathan Myers, El Dorado, Arkansas. Funeral
arrangements are pending at the Curtis Mortuary
KEENER: William Hayes Keener, 71, died early Sunday at his home in Silver City.
Mr. Keener was born in Alliance, Ohio, in 1914 to Rose Lanam Keener and Hayes
Harold Keener. He moved as a teen-ager with his family to Tucson, Ariz., and was
graduated from Tucson High School. He was a 1940 School of Engineering graduate
of the University of Arizona at Tucson. Mr. Keener had over 39 years of service
with Phelps Dodge Corp., and was first employed in June 1940 by the New Cornelia
branch of the company in Ajo, Ariz., where he later became concentrator
superintendent. He left Ajo on Jan. 1, 1969, to become concentrator
superintendent of the Tyrone branch of Phelps Dodge, and he held that position
until his retirement in October 1979. He was retained by Phelps Dodge as a
consultant until his illness in 1984. In 1967, Mr. Keener received the
professional degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Arizona.
He was a senior member of the Society of Mining Engineers and the American
Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. Mr. Keener was a
musician, an organist, and had sung in many productions of the Desert Music Club
in Ajo, Ariz. He was Mi Hakim in the production of “Oklahoma,” and he appeared
as Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” He was an avid golfer, and was a
master-point bridge player who helped organize the Men’s Cardiac Bridge Club in
Silver City. Immediate survivors are his wife, Frances, of Silver City; a
brother, Lee Keener of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; and a granddaughter, Melissa
Keener of Boise, Idaho. Other survivors include five nephews, a niece, and
several grand-nieces and grand-nephew, Mrs. Phifer of Hurley is a sister-in-law
Following cremation his ashes will be taken to Tucson for burial in the
Evergreen Cemetery where his mother, Rose; sister Helen; brother, Joseph; and
son, Brian, are buried. There will be private rites at that time, and in
accordance with the wishes of the deceased, there will be no funeral services.
Friends may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Curtis-Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
KEENEY: Mrs. Amy Grace Keeney, 75, a Resident of Glenwood for 5 1/2 years, died
Monday at Hillcrest Hospital. Survivors are her husband James M. Keeney of
Glenwood; a son, James Keeney of Grants; two daughters, Mrs. Darlen Calwell of
Mesa Arizona, and Mrs. M.W. Keller, Glenwood; a sister Mrs. W.H. Self, Post,
Tex.; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services were
held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Curtis Mortuary chapel. The Rev. James Wayne of
the First Methodist Church will officiate. Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery.
KEENEY: James M. Keeney, 80, was found dead in his bed by family members at his
Glenwood home Monday. The coroner ruled that death was due to natural causes.
The deceased had resided in Glenwood for five years and was preceded in death by
his wife, Mrs. Amy Keeney, June 21 of this year. Survivors include a son, James
Keeney of Grants; two daughters, Mrs. Darlin Caldwell of Mesa, Ariz., and Mrs.
M. W. Keller of Glenwood; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr.
Keeney was a member of San Saba, Texas, Lodge AF&AM. The Tyrone Masonic Lodge
will hold funeral services at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of the Curtis
Mortuary and burial service which will follow in the Masonic Cemetery.
KEESAER: William Clay Keesaer, 59, resident of 1309 Roswell Street died recently
at his home. He was born April 21, 1925 in Muncie, Indiana and was retired from
the reliability department of Buick Motors in Flint, Michigan. He was a World
War II veteran having served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He is survived by
his wife, Jean Keesaer of the home address. Baca's Wheeler Funeral Chapel was in
charge of arrangements for cremation.
KEGEL: Karl J. Kegel, 67, a World War I veteran, died Sunday at Fort Bayard
Veterans hospital. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. J. E. Edmonds, Banning CA, and
a brother, E. N. Kegel Las Cruces, Funeral services were held at the Fort Bayard
cemetery under the direction of Curtis mortuary
KEHS: Royce E. Kehs, 61, a resident of Mimbres, passed away Monday in
Albuquerque. Mr. Kehs retired from the civil service at Fort Bliss, Texas, as
director of fire control distribution of electronics maintenance. He was a
member of American Legion Post No. 58 of El Paso, Texas, and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars in Arenas Valley. He was also a veteran of the Korean conflict. He
had been a resident of Mimbres since 1973 and was owner of Mimbres Valley
Electronics in Mimbres. He is survived by his wife, Kazuko, of Mimbres; one
brother Arthur Kehs and his wife, Ann, of Las Cruces; four sisters, Helen Hughes
and her husband, Jack, Charlotte Grimm and Connie Linsman, all of Easton, Pa.,
and Patricia Gyamarty and her husband, Frank of Bloomfield, N.J.; and several
nieces and nephews, including Jackie Fahrlender and her husband, Randy, of Pinos
Altos, and Arthur Kehs Jr. and his wife, Sherry, of Mayport, Fla. Visitation for
Mr. Kehs will be today from 5-7 p.m. in the chapel of the Wheeler Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Friday at 1 p.m., also in the chapel, with interment
following in the Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors. The
Rev. David Goble will officiate at the services. Serving as pallbearers will be
Randy Fahrlender, Dan Grijalva, Kirk Frost., Freddie Fletcher, Bob Estavillo and
Genaro Roybal. Arrangements are by the Wheeler Funeral Home.
KEIFLIN: Visitation for Raymond P. Keiflin, 88, of south of Deming will be held
at 5 p.m. at Baca's Funeral Chapel, and the prayer vigil will be held there at 7
p.m. today. The funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic
Church. Concluding services will be held later in he week in Falls Church, Va.
Keiflin died at his home Fri- lay. Keiflin was born in Albany, N.Y. He was a
retired home milder, a communicant at Holy family Catholic Church and has been
active in the Lion's Club and Knights of Columbus. Keiflin is survived by four
daughters, Carol Cropper of Lothian Md., Mary Wildman of Wash., Katherine Gandy,
of Lexington, Md., and Edith Jameson, of Ocala, Fla; and two sisters, Kate
Ferguson, of Albany, N.Y., and Sister Mary Keiflin, of Lathdren and
great-grandchildren.
KEITH: Aileen C. Keith, 93, died this morning in the Fort Bayard Medical Center.
She was a former resident of Roswell. Arrangements have been entrusted to the
care of Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels.
KELLAR: Melvin W. "Pete" Kellar died Friday, Dec. 5, in St. Ann's Hospital,
Truth or Consequences. He was born April 1, 1924, in Dimmitt, Texas, the son of
George and Mary Henderson Kellar. He had resided in Glenwood for fifteen years
and had been a resident of T or C for the past seven years. He had been employed
as a mechanic with a construction firm. He was a member of the Tyrone Masonic
Lodge, No. 52, and had served in the U.S. Navy during W.W.II. He is survived by
three sons; Jimmy Kellar of Reserve, Doug and Mark Kellar of Albuquerque; three
sisters, Lucille Wood and Mary Qualls of Clovis, N.M.; and Geraldine Chandler of
T or C; two brothers, Bill Kellar of Colorado and M.G. Kellar. Viewing was held
at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home Monday from 2-4 p.m. and services were held
Tuesday at 10 a.m. under the direction of Rev. David Saucier of the First
Methodist Church. Burial followed in the Masonic Cemetery. Serving as
pallbearers were: James Skelton, Kenneth Shellhorn, Jimmy Clanton, Buster Goetz,
Joe Baca, Jim McIndoe; honorary pallbearers were: Red Clanton, Randy Shellhorn
and Joe Saunders. Arrangements by the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KELLER: Edward L. "Buster" Keller, 72, of Silver City entered life eternal
Saturday in his home after an extended illness. He was born March 27, 1919, in
San Antonio, N.M., and had been a Grant County resident since 1968. Mr. Keller
was a maintenance mechanic and welder in the construction industry for many
years. He was later employed by the Grant County Road Department, retiring in
1984. He was also a member of the Mountain View Assembly of God Church in Cliff.
Calling hours will be from 1-2 Wednesday afternoon in the Mountain View Assembly
of God Church, where the funeral service will be held at 2 with the Rev. Max
Kelley officiating. Concluding services will follow in the Cliff-Gila Mesa
Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. Survivors include his wife, Carol
Keller of Silver City; two daughters, Bobbie Steele of Clarksville, Tenn., and
Linda Keller of Silver City; three brothers, Frank Keller and his wife, Emily,
of Gila, Barcus Keller and his wife, Merlene, of Albuquerque, and Kerlin Keller
and his wife, Libby, of Lordsburg; a sister, Natalie McSmith of Seattle; two
grandchildren, Bert L. and Michelle Steele; a great-grandson, Joshua Steele; and
numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents,
Lloyd and Flossie Keller, and two sisters, Bertha Anthony and Eleanor Rogers.
Casket bearers will be Frank, Barcus and Kerlin Keller, Tom Lockridge, Jerry
Nichols and Frank Alves. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Hillcrest Funeral
Chapels.
KELLER: Nellie Mae Duncan Keller, 81, passed away Wednesday after a long
illness. Graveside services will be held at the Hurley Cemetery on Monday at ten
in the morning. She was born in Belen on July 22, 1913 to W.B. and Maggie
Duncan, the fifth of nine children. "Grannie," as she was known, was quite the
outdoors person. She loved fishing, hunting, rock hunting, treasure chasing,
camping and any mountains she might climb. She is survived by five of her seven
children: Rose Marie Pearce and her husband, Ed of Silver City, Patricia Fuhr
and her husband, Bob of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Joann Loyd and her husband, Paul of
Silver City, Melvyn Mirth and his wife, Corrine of Austin, Texas, and Homer
Tyson Mirth of Silver City. There are twenty three grandchildren, nineteen
great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. There are three brothers,
Hooley Duncan of Silver city, Joe Duncan of Oregon and Ashley Duncan of
Tennessee; two sisters, Bessie Youngblood of Oregon and Maggie Veeder of
Lordsburg; and a friend, Lewis Campbell. She was preceded in death by her
parents, two brothers and two sons. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard,
John, Robert, Phillip and Rocky Hickson, and Tim Cox. Entrusted to the care of
Baca's Funeral Chapels
KELLER: Roy Alder Keller, 66, a resident of Tyrone passed away Wednesday at Gila
Regional Medical Center. He was born Feb. 5, 1928, to Leo A. and Mabel (Diffenbachker)
Keller in Iowa. He received his doctorate in chemistry from the University of
Utah In Salt Lake City. He was a professor of chemistry for 25 years. He started
teaching at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where remained for six years
before leaving to teach at New York University where be taught for another 19
years before retiring. He was an avid reader. He is survived by his wife of 15
years Sabra B. Keller of Tyrone and his father, Leo Keller of Tucson. The family
has requested that services not be held. The family selected Curtis Bright
Funeral Home to serve them.
KELLER: Ruth Eleanor Keller, 75, of Silver City passed away Sunday, May 7. She
was born Feb. 3, 1925, to Howard and Nora (Carthel) Aydelotte in Kansas City,
Kan. She married Thomas C. Keller during World War II on July 7, 1944, in Kansas
City. They moved in 1946 to Ajo, Ariz., where she was employed by Ajo Public
Schools. She was active in the Desert Music Club, past president of the Women's
Auxiliary of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and charter member of
Beta Sigma Phi. She 8 retired to Silver City in 1087 and celebrated her 50th
wedding anniversary in 1994. She was a member of the Gila Regional Medical
Center Auxiliary. A requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Thursday at Baca's
Funeral Chapels by Father Cyprian of Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery. Burial and
committal rites will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery. Mrs. Keller is survived by
her husband of 57 years, Thomas C. Keller of the home; a son, Michael G. Keller,
and wife, Maggie, of Prescott, Ariz.; a son-in-law, John Barrick of Morenci,
Ariz.; a daughter, Mary Pat Jennings, and husband, Randy, of Thatcher, Ariz.;
her brother, James S. Aydelotte of Houston; her sister. Fern Osborne of Kansas
City; 10 grandchildren, Thomas Barrick, Kerry Ryder, Mandy Yurcic, Aimee, Katie
and Marie Keller, Matt and Marissa Marchesano, and Chelsea and Sam Jennings;
four great-grandchildren, Bradley Green, Jaimie and Tanner Barrick, and Joseph
Yurcic; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. She was preceded in
death by her daughter, Karol Susie Barrick. Mrs. Keller was devoted to her
family, never missing a family get-together. Pallbearers will be Tom and John
Barrick, John Ryder, Travis Yurcic, Kenny Davis and Randy Jennings. Honorary
pallbearers are Robbie Brack, Sidney Ocoyne, Matthew Marchesano, Richard Rhodes,
Orazio Fenzi, Phillip Lippert and Richard Lippert. In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery, 142 Joseph Blaine
Road, Silver City, NM 88061. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.
KELLER: Samuel “Frank” Keller Sr., 72, died Wednesday evening at his home on
Bear Creek. He was born March 14, 1924, in Oscurro, N.M., to Loyd and Flossie
Martin Keller. Mr. Keller was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S.
Navy. He was a member of the Grant County Farm Bureau, the Old Time Fiddlers
Association of New Mexico and Arizona, and the First United Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-5 p m at Baca’s Funeral Chapels. Graveside
burial services will be held Monday afternoon at 3 at Cliff-Gila Mesa Cemetery
with the Rev. David F. Goble of the First United Presbyterian Church of Cliff
officiating. Survivors include his wife, Emily M. Keller of Gila; a son, Samuel
Frank Keller Jr., and his wife, Kathy, of Silver City; two daughters, Emily L.
Herr and her husband, Art. and Lora L. Gose and her husband, Grant, both of
Silver City; two brothers, Barcus Keller and his wife, Merline, of Lake Havasu
City, Ariz., and Kerlin Keller and his wife, Elizabeth, of San Simon, Ariz.; a
sister, Nadalie McSmith of Seattle; four grandchildren, Jami Ross, Rebecca
Acosta, and Jerad and James Gose; and one great-grandchild, Malachi Acosta.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral
KELLER: Samuel Frank Keller. 72, entered into rest Wednesday at his home on Bear
Creek near Gila. Better known as “Frank” to his friends, he was born March 14,
1924, in Oscurro, N.M., to Loyd B. and Flossie Keller. He grew up in the area of
San Antonio, N.M. working on farms and ranches, and playing in the Rio Grande.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served aboard the USS San Cloval? in World
War II, landing troops on Iwo Jima and the Philippines. After receiving a Purple
Heart and an honorable discharge, he worked for Ted Brown Construction of
Albuquerque. In 1949 he met and married Emily Moore, They settled at their
present home on Bear Creek in 1956, where they operated a small farm and ranch.
Mr. Keller worked for Phelps Dodge, Tyrone Branch, as a shovel operator from
1967 until his retirement in 1987. He loved horses, mountain excursions, and
old-time fiddle music, serving as president of the Grant County Old Time Fiddle
Association many times over the years. He was active in the Farm Bureau,
community, and he cherished his many friendships in the valley and the
Southwest. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cliff for many
years. He is survived by his wife, Emily M. Keller, of the home; two daughters,
Lora Gose and her husband, Grant, of Silver City, and Lucille Herr and her
husband Art; a son Sam Keller and his wife Kathy, of Silver City; four
grandchildren, Jami Ross, Rebecca Acosta, and Jerad and James Gose; one
great-grandchild, Malachi Acosta; and many nieces and nephews. Visitations will
he held Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Baca’s Funeral Chapels. Graveside services will
be held Monday at 3 p.m. at the Cliff/Gila Mesa Cemetery in Cliff with the Rev.
David F. Goble officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
charity of choice.
KELLEY: Ann M. Kelley, 65, a Silver City resident, died Wednesday at University
Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz., following a long illness. She was born April
12, 1925, in Cliff. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Kelley is survived by a son,
Willard Lynn Kelley, and his wife Jan, of Albuquerque; a daughter, Pat Nixon,
and her husband, Larry, of Silver City; three grandchildren, Shannon Martinez,
and her husband, Anthony, of Hawaii, Jennifer Kelley of Albuquerque, and Jeff
Nixon of Silver City; one great-grandson, Tyler, of Hawaii; two sisters and
brothers-in-law, Edythe and Virgil Black of Cliff, and Lois and Dale Wood of
Amado, Ariz.; two brothers, Francis Thompson, and his wife, Juanell, of Idaho,
and David Thompson of Cliff; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded
in death by her parents, M.C. and Ollie Thompson; her husband, Willard, in April
1988; and her brothers, Lynn, in November 1988 and Bill, in June 1989. Graveside
services will be held at Mesa Cemetery in Gila at 1 p.m. Saturday. Arrangements
are by Green Valley Mortuary in Green Valley, Ariz.
KELLEY: Candelaria Treviso Kelly, long-time resident of Silver City, died
Tuesday in Albuquerque where she resided for the last 10 years. She was preceded
in death by her husband, Dewey Kelley. Survivors include two daughters, Bernice
Johnson and Viola Kletecka, both of Albuquerque; five grandchildren, Roy Lea and
Benny Lea, Ida Placencio and Dewey Placencio, and Diana May; Eli Placencio,
Tally May and Roy May; three sisters; and one brother. Memorial services will be
Friday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. in the St. Francis Newman Center.
KELLEY: Hershal "Spike” Davis Kelley, 65, died Wednesday in Silver City. Mr.
Kelley was born in Columbia, La., and had been a lifelong resident of Hurley. He
was a member of the Pipe Fitters Local No. 741; was a member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post No. 3347; and had retired from Kennecott in 1981. He is
survived by his wife, Pearl Kelley of Hurley; two sons, Albert L. Kelley of
Silver City and John C. Kelley of Las Cruces; one daughter, Sandra Schieffer of
San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Helen Hackney of Tucson, Ariz., and Pat Black
of Oakview, Calif.; two brothers, Hyman Kelley of Tyrone and Jay Kelley of
Redding, Calif.; several nieces and nephews; and four grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his father, Herbert C. Kelley, in 1962; and by his mother,
Vadie Kelley, in 1982. Graveside services were held today at 2:30 p.m. in the
Fort Bayard National Cemetery with David Strain officiating. Military honors
were by the Allingham- Golding Post No. 18 of the American Legion. Honorary
pallbearers were all his friends and fellow workers. Arrangements were by the
Wheeler Funeral Home of Silver City.
KELLEY: James M. Kelley, 93, of Georgetown Road died Thursday at Gila Regional
Medical Center after an extended illness. Mr. Kelley was born in Mitchell, Ind.,
on Sept. 8, 1893. He first came to this area in 1910 and returned in 1912 to
work for the Kennecott Copper Corp. In 1927 he married Frances Frazier and
brought her to Grant County. Mr. Kelley retired from Kennecott in 1959 after
many years of faithful service. He is survived by his wife, Frances Kelley; a
daughter Mary Ann Sykes of Deming; and a brother Col. H.S. Tubb of Honolulu,
Hawaii. Rosary will be recited at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home chapel in
Silver City at 7 p.m. Monday. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at the
Santa Clara Church in Central Tuesday at 10 a.m. The Rev. Paul Ragazinskas will
officiate both services. Burial will follow in Memory Lane Cemetery. Serving as
pallbearers will be Tom Frazier, William Frazier, Adelino Grijalva, Frank Lea,
and Jack Howell, and Robert Schilling. Honorary pallbearers will be John Bell,
Dan Thorne and Sam Grijalva Sr. Curtis-Bright is in charge of arrangements.
KELLEY: James Thomas Kelley, 87, of Glenwood died Tuesday in Sunshine Haven Rest
Home in Lordsburg. He was born May 6, 1903, in Rucker, Texas, and resided most
of his life in the Glenwood area. He was a rancher, U.S. Forest Service
employee, New Mexico Game and Fish Department employee, and a veteran of World
War II, having served in the U.S. Army. Graveside funeral services were to be
held this afternoon at 3 in Glenwood Cemetery with David Strain officiating.
Survivors include a brother, Willis T. Kelley of Albuquerque; a nephew, Tom
Kelley and his wife, Betty, of Albuquerque; four nieces, Ruth Kureger and her
husband, Charles, of Fort Worth, Texas, Shirley Schneider and her husband, Ross,
of Seabrook, Texas, Nancy Howard of Dearpark, Texas, and Loretta England and her
husband, Allen, of Tijeras; and two grandchildren. Entrusted to the care of
Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels.
KELLY: Judge Asa Kelly Jr., 75, of Silver City passed away Wednesday, Jan. 14,
at Horizon Southwest Nursing Center. The family will receive friends Thursday
and Friday from 7-9 p.m. at Bright Funeral Home. Funeral services will he
conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Bright Funeral Home chapel with Mr. John
Reynolds officiating. Private graveside services will be conducted with full
military honors next week. Judge Kelly was born June 10, 1922, in Cooperville,
Mich. He was the son of Asa Kelly Sr. and Hazel Easterly Kelly. Judge Kelly
married Ella Frances Goodall on March 31, 1945, in California. He is survived by
his wife of 52 years, Frances; three Sons, Bruce Kelly and his wife, Melinda, of
Taos, Mike Kelly of Santa Fe, and Dale Kelly and his wife, Mary, of Waterford,
Mich.; four daughters, Dianne Dean and her husband, Doug, of Bend, Ore., Lynn
Kelly of Chandler, Ariz., Debbie Christensen of Albuquerque and Madeline
Christensen of Dallas; three brothers, Kenneth Kelly and his wife, Ruth, Larry
Kelly and his wife, Sandy, and Lowell Kelly, all of Michigan; three sisters,
Mary Ellen Kelly and Dorothy Kempker, both of Michigan; 10 grandchildren; and
one great-grand- child. Judge Kelly was preceded in death by two brothers, James
Kelly and N. Dale Kelly, and one sister, Betty Kempker. Judge Kelly graduated
from high school and spent one year in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He then
attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. for two years before
joining the armed services during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on
June 17, 1942, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant Jan. 21, l946. While
in the service, he met his future wife, Frances. After World War II ended, Judge
Kelly finished his schooling under the GI Bill He graduated from Michigan State
University Law School in Ann Arbor in February 1951. Judge Kelly was elected
municipal judge and took office May 1, l992. After completion of the first
two-year term, he was elected for a four-year term. During his tenure as
municipal judge, he changed the court from a small, part-time office to a fully
operational efficient organization that is completely self-supporting. He made
the municipal court of Silver City a model for, other municipal courts
throughout New Mexico. Judge Kelly was appointed to the Gila Regional Medical
Center hospital board in January 1984. Two years later, he became chairman of
the board, serving until December 1996. He advanced the development of the
hospital foundation, helped develop the unit for psychiatric patients, and took
part in the organization of the Gila Regional physical therapy department. Under
his chairmanship and direction, the: hospital became one of the few small
hospitals in the state operating at a profit. Judge Kelly’s work on the Gila
Regional Medical Center Foundation provided scholarships for student nurses.
Also part of the foundation is an indigent fund which makes health care
available for citizens who cannot obtain health insurance. While on the hospital
board, Judge Kelly saw to it that ambulance service was extended to outlying
communities which rely on Gila Regional Medical Center for health care. While in
private practice of law in 1985, Judge Kelly volunteered and helped develop the
mock trial organization for Silver City high school students, continuing to
serve with the group until 1994. He was also involved in setting up and running
Teen Court, serving from November 1992 until 1995. The teens themselves
deliberate minor delinquencies committed by teens and set the punishment for
those acts. Judge Kelly was a member of the American Legion since World War II,
and belonged to Westerners International. He was a life member of the Gila Fish
and Gun Club. The Kelly family moved from Illinois to Silver City in August
1967. Judge Kelly was appointed public defender in 1969 and served until 1972.
In August 1972, he became assistant district attorney under the late Dave Serna,
and served in that capacity until the death of Mr. Serna in November 1977. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Gila Regional Medical
Center Foundation
KELLEY: George E. Kelley, 72, resident of Cliff for the past seven years died
Tuesday at Hillcrest Hospital after a brief illness. Survivors are his widow,
Mrs. Agnes Kelly; two sons, Robert and George Kelly, and eleven grandchildren.
The Curtis Mortuary made funeral arrangements with services in Phoenix, where
burial took place.
KELLEY: Hyman Kelley, 84, of Tyrone died Sunday, Aug. 9, in Las Cruces. A
resident of Grant County since childhood, he was a 1938 graduate of New Mexico
State Teachers College, now known as Western New Mexico University, where he was
active in student council and Blue Key. He served as junior class president.
After teaching school in Central, now known as Santa Clara, he worked with the
Civilian Conservation Corps at a camp in Little America, N.M. He was a member of
the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni, American Legion,
and Reserve Officers Association of America. A longtime member of the Silver
City Elks Lodge, he was recently named Outstanding Past Exalted Ruler by that
organization. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and ended his
regular Army career as a second lieutenant. He stayed in the reserves until he
retired from military duty as a major in 1973. Mr. Kelley worked for the
Veterans Administration, and served as business manager for WNMU and as general
manager for the town of Silver City before going to work for Phelps Dodge in
1957. He managed Tyrone while it was still a ghost town and was named purchasing
agent after the Tyrone Mine opened in 1968. He was the company lobbyist in Santa
Fe before and after his retirement from the company at age 65. Until recently,
he could be found giving weekly tours of the Tyrone Mine. Survivors include a
son, John T. “Terry” Kelley of Tyrone; a daughter, Kitty Berver of Las Cruces; a
sister, Helen Hackney of Tucson, Ariz.; a brother, J. Kelley of Redding, Calif.;
and five grandchildren. He was preceded in-death by his wire, Frances “Pat”
Kelley; a son, James G. Kelley; a brother, Hershel Kelley; and a sister, Opal
“Pat” Black. Funeral services will be-held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Baca’s
Funeral Chapels in Silver City Concluding services and interment will follow at
Fort Bayard National Cemetery with military honors accorded. Serving as casket
bearers will be John, Roger and Garrett Kelley, and Brandon and David Berver. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Silver City Elks
Scholarship Fund. Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels in Silver City
and Las Cruces.
KELLEY: John M. Kelly. Sr., 87, a pioneer resident of Glenwood and retired
rancher of Catron County died Monday at the home of a son in Central. He was
widely known in Southwestern New Mexico where he had resided most of his life.
Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Emma Roberts, Glenwood, Mrs. Christina
Roberts, Gallup and Mrs. Nina Tipton, Los Lunas, four sons, Pat, John M. Kelly,
JL, Charles, Glenwood and Elias, of Gallup; 12 grandchildren and 27
great-grandchildren, Mrs. Sarah Tipton, Albuquerque, and Mrs. Rosa Garcia,
Tucson, and a brother. W. M. Kelly, Sr., Glenwood. Rosary services will be held
Thursday at Curtis Mortuary chapel at 7:30 p.m. Mass will be said at 10 a.m.
Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Burial will take place in the
Glenwood cemetery.
KELLEY: Willis Kelley, 76, well known resident of Glenwood for the past 33
years, died Wednesday. He is survived by two sons, James T Kelley, Pleasanton,
and C. J. DeMoss, Odessa, Texas and a daughter. Mrs. Walter P. Giles, San Diego,
Calif. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Curtis Mortuary.
KELLOGG: Mrs. Matilda Eno Kellogg died at Hillcrest General Hospital last
Thursday following an extended illness. She was 85 years of age. Mrs. Kellogg
was born May 19, 1879, in St. Louis, MO; the daughter of Edward Bates Eno and
Matilda Eno. She was the granddaughter of Edward Bates, attorney general In
Abraham Lincoln’s War Cabinet. She came to Silver City In 1903 with her mother
and sister, the late Mrs. Wayne (Julia) Wilson, and brother, Capt. Edward Bates
Eno. She was married to Ralph Todd Kellogg June 5, 1913, in the Lee Memorial
Chapel, New Mexico Cottage Sanatorium, by the Rev. Francis W. Carroll, Episcopal
minister. Mr. Kellogg preceded his wife in death Sept. 20, 1940. During World
War I, Mrs. Kellogg was in charge of surgical dressings operations in Grant
County for the American Red Cross. She was a devout member of the Episcopal
Church. Survivors are her daughter, Mrs. Harry (Nancy) Hansen of Silver City;
and a granddaughter, Mrs. Jack (Evan) Frankhauser, and her three children, Lynn,
Anita and Neal, of Logan, Utah; Nieces Mrs. J. W. (Dickie) Wilson Sharp, and
Mrs. H. L. (Margy Wilson) Willoughby, of Virginia; a nephew Bates Wilson, Moab,
Utah, where he is superintendent of Arches National Monument; and two other
nephews, Bates Compton of Vincentown, N. J. and Tarleton Compton of Tulsa,
Okla., who attended the funeral. Services were conducted by the Rev. Kenneth E.
Ford, pastor of the Methodist Church, at the Episcopal Church of the Good
Shepherd Friday, with burial in the Masonic Cemetery, under direction of the
Curtis Mortuary. Pallbearers were Jack Frank Hauser, H. 0. Robertson, Leroy
Marek, Herman Uhli, Harry Hansen, Jr., and Walter Wilson. A memorial fund has
been established by family members for the Church of the Good Shepard.
KELLY: Annie M. Kelly, 89, died, Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Rest Haven Nursing Home.
Mrs. Kelly, a native of Uvalde, Tex., had been a resident of Silver City for the
past 3 years. She is survived by six daughters, Mrs. Lela Monzingo of Silver
City, Mrs. Nellie Glenn of Oracle, Ariz., Mrs. Jessie Trappman of El Frieda,
Ariz., Mrs. Annabel Niprikas of Tucson, Ariz., Mrs. Peggy White of Mammoth,
Ariz., Mrs. Betty White of Oracle, Ariz., a son, Patrick Kelly of Mulberry,
Ark., 23 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.
Survivors also include two sisters, Mrs. Della Wells of Oregon, Mrs. Etta Clark
of Yuma, Ariz., four brothers Bluford Patterson of Benson, Ariz., Monroe
Patterson and Dale Patterson of Colorado. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m.,
Sat. Oct. 28 in the Evergreen Mortuary Chapel in Tucson with burial following in
the Evergreen Cemetery. Curtis-Bright Funeral Home is in charge of local
arrangements.
KELLY: Death last Saturday summoned Mrs. Dolores E. Kelly, 76, pioneer of Catron
County, where she was born. Rosary services were held at the Cox Mortuary chapel
Sunday at 5 p.m., followed by mass at 9 am Monday at St. Vincent de Paul
Catholic Church. Funeral services were held Tuesday at Glenwood, followed by
burial in the Alma cemetery. Surviving are three sons, Raymond, Alma; Pat,
Grants, and Jimmy, Morenci, AZ; five daughters, Mrs. Ester Amijo and Mrs.
Clorinda Estrada, Morenci; Mrs. Esther Armijo and Mrs. Rose Sanchez, Norwalk,
Calif., Mrs. Felicita Spanabel?, Odessa Tex. 17 grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
KELLY: Mrs. Flora Pearl Kelly, 33, wife of Raymond Kelly, died Tuesday at the
family home in Alma, after a long illness. Surviving are her husband, her
mother, Mrs. Pearl Edgar; two sisters, Mrs. Edwin Shellhorn, Alma, and Mrs.
Chester Keith, Sacramento, Calif., and a brother, William Clark, Redding, Calif.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Glenwood, conducted by the
Rev. Gary Carpenter. Cox Mortuary had charge of funeral arrangements and
interment in the Alma cemetery.
FRAZIER: Mrs. James M. Kelley of Silver City and William Frazier of Santa Rita
received word of the death of their mother, Mrs. Louisa Frazier, last Saturday
morning In Wilson, Okla. Mrs. Frazier, who was 84 years old, had been in ill
health for some time, She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Frazier,
just two weeks before. Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. in the
Baptist church in Wilson. Burial was in Huett Cemetery there.
KELLY: Genevieve Atwood Kelly, 68, died Tuesday at her home near Glenwood. Mrs.
Kelly was born in Hondo and moved to this area in 1936. She was a communicant of
the Santo Nino Catholic Church in Glenwood and was a past member of the Order of
Martha and the Altar Society of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church of
Silver City. She was an avid quilt and afghan maker and had taught school in
Santa Rita for several years. She is survived by her husband, Lewis Kelly of
Glenwood; two daughters, Nancy Kelly of Portland, Ore., and Patsy Wach of New
Bedford, Mass.; two sons, David Kelly of Glenwood and Lewis Kelly of Grants; two
sisters, Sarah Zanzucchi of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Lorena King of Rodeo, Calif.;
two brothers, Robert Atwood and Edward Atwood, both of Reserve; 13
grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 4-6
p.m. with rosary recitation following at 7 p.m. Thursday, both in the Wheeler
Funeral Home chapel in Silver City, with Monsignor A. James Milano officiating.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Middle town
Catholic Church in Reserve. Burial will follow in the Lower Frisco Cemetery. The
Rev. David Wollersheim will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Tony
Atwood, Clay Atwood, Lincoln Atwood, Wilford Kelly, Lester Peralta and Porfirio
Armijo. Honorary pallbearers will be Harland Smith, Tony Garcia, G.V. "Buddy"
Allred, Alex Martinez, Raymond Kelly, Pat Kelly, and Espire Muril.
KELLY: Miss Georgia Kelly, member of the Silver City Post Office staff since
1927, died last Thursday in George Washington Hospital, Washington, D. C., after
a year’s illness. Her many years as a postal clerk and assistant postmaster was
one of efficiency and unfailing courtesy. Born in Crested Butte, Colo., where
she attended the public schools, Miss Kelly completed her education at St. Mary
Academy in Amarillo, Texas, and St. Mary Academy in Silver City. She was Civil
Service examiner at the Post Office for many years and held membership in the 24
Club, the Business and Professional Women’s Club and was affiliated with the
First Methodist Church. Survivors are her mother, Mrs. H. L. Kelly of Silver
City; two sisters, Mrs. John A. Huff, of Alexandria, Va., and Mrs. Roy S. Miss
Georgia Kelly, member of the Silver City Post Office staff since 1927, died last
Thursday in George’- Washington Hospital, Washington, D. C., after a year’s
illness. Her many years as a postal clerk and assistant postmaster was one of
efficiency and unfailing courtesy. Born In Crested Butte, Colo., where she
attended the public schools, Miss Kelly completed her education at St. Mary
Academy in Amarillo, Texas, and St. Mary Academy in Silver City. She was Civil
Service examiner at the Post Office for many years and held membership in the 24
Club, the Business and Professional Women’s Club and was affiliated with the
First Methodis Church. Survivors are her mother, Mrs. H. L. Kelly of Silver
City; two sisters, Mrs. John A. Huff, of Alexandria, Va., and Mrs. Roy S.West of
San Francisco. Funeral services were held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Curtis
Mortuary Chapel, the Rev. James G. Wayne conducting the rites. Burial was in the
Masonic Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Roy West, Melvin Huff, John Huff,
Frank Parrish, Stewart Warrick and Robert Jackson Jr.
KELLY: Mrs. Inez Kelly, 64, who had resided in Glenwood for the past 11 years,
died of a heart attack last Friday at her home. The deceased was survived by her
husband, Pat H. Kelly, of Glenwood. Other known survivors include a great niece,
Mrs. Sally Morrow, a great nephew, Bruce Miller, and a half sister who resides
in Arkansas. Funeral services, under the direction of Curtis Mortuary, were
conducted at 2p.m. Monday by the Rev. Smiley E. Johnson, pastor of the
Presbyterian church of Reserve, at the Glenwood community Church. Burial took
place in the Glenwood cemetery.
KELLY: James Kelly, 84, a resident of Deming, passed away Wednesday morning at
University Hospital in Albuquerque. Services are pending. Entrusted to the care
of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.
KELLY: John M. "Kelly" Kelly, 80, died Nov. 25 in Glenwood. Mr. Kelly was born
in Monticello, N.M., and was a life-long resident of Catron County where he was
self-employed as a rancher. Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, Pearl Serna Kelly
of Glenwood, two daughters, Marie Fletcher of Oracle, Ariz., Josephine Craven of
Tempe, Ariz., two sons, Edward Kelly of Bernalillo, Wilson Kelly of Glenwood,
two sisters, Nina Tipton of Las Lunas, Emma Roberts of Glenwood, two brothers,
Pat Kelly of Glenwood, Esias Kelly of Albuquerque, ten grandchildren, twelve
great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mass of the Resurrection
was held Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with
Monsignor A. James Milano officiating. Rosary recitation was said Friday evening
at 7 p.m at the Glenwood Community Center. Graveside services were held Saturday
at 1 p.m. at the Glenwood Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Kenneth
Shellhorn, Bruce Fletcher, Leroy Fletcher, Steve Klutch, Bobby Ray Kelly, and
Grant Roberts. Honorary pallbearers were Elsworth Tipton, Kenneth Holliman, Iris
Allred, Gus Allred, Pleas Allred and Urgano Chacon.
KELLY: Leslie L. Kelly, 66, died at his home in Hurley Wednesday. Mr. Kelly was
preceded in death by his wife, Ruthie, in January of this year. He was a native
of Deming and has lived in Hurley for the past 45 years. He retired from
Kennecott Copper Corporation in 1971, where he was head timekeeper. Mr. Kelly
was a member of the Hurley, Masonic Lodge No. 55, Hurley Chapter No. 43, OES,
the Hurley Community Church. He served as grand representative of the Grand
Lodge of Ireland; past district deputy grandmaster of the Tenth Masonic District
in New Mexico; past worshipful master of Hurley Lodge No. 55 AF&AM; past master
counselor in DeMolay in Deming and as a member of the board for Girl Scouts. Mr.
Kelly is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Kay O'Donnel of Marana, Ariz.; two
grandchildren and four brothers, Merrill of Hurley, Jessie of Deming, Marshall
of Roswell and Marian of Florida. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday
with the Rev. Eugene Bjork and the Hurley Masonic Lodge officiating. Graveside
services were conducted in Lovington Saturday.
KELLY: Merritt Kelly, 90, of Hurley passed away Sunday at Fort Bayard Medical
Center. He was born Jan. 10, 1901, to Army and Mattie (Harmon) Kelly in Pioneer,
Texas. Mr. Kelly was a graduate of Deming High School, a member of the New
Mexico Livestock Association, and the founder of the Hurley Roping Club. Mr.
Kelly is survived by his wife of 66 years, Thelma (Pride) Kelly of Hurley; a
daughter, Betty Cook of Hurley; two brothers, Marshall Kelly of Deming and Cecil
Kelly of Hobe Sound, Fla.; four grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and six
great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at
Curtis-Bright Funeral Home, The Rev. Kenneth C. Schultz of the Hurley Community
Church will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery in
Deming. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home Thursday
from 10 a.m. until service time. Pallbearers will be Richard Cook, Michael Cook,
Randy Cook, Roy Jackson, Rex Ahlquist and Jay Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will
be Slim Ahlquist, Eddie Ahlquist, Bill Jackson, Asa Jones and Ray Baca.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Kelly may be made to the Hurley Community Church.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Bright Funeral Home of Silver City.
KELLY: Pat H. Kelly, 82, died Friday, Dec. 13, in Hillcrest General Hospital.
Mr. Kelly was born in Monticello, New Mexico, and was a life long resident of
Catron County, where he was a rancher. He was a member of the Santo Nino
Catholic Church of Glenwood and the Silver City Elks Lodge. Mr. Kelly is
survived by two sisters, Mrs. Emma Roberts of Glenwood, Mrs. Nina Tipton of Los
Lunas, one brother, Esias Kelly of Albuquerque and several nieces and nephews.
Rosary Recitation was held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Santo Nino Catholic Church in
Glenwood with the Reverend Father Miguel Macaya officiating at both services.
Burial followed in Glenwood Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Grant W.
Roberts, Kimmy Kelly, Rick Kelly, Wayne Pierce, Wilford Estrada and Billy Kiehme.
Honorary pallbearers were, Ramond Trujillo, Tris Allred and Kenneth Shellhorn.
KELLY: Perry Raymond Kelly, six-month old son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Kelly
of Reserve, passed away Tuesday in Hillcrest General Hospital. Besides the
parents, surviving are a brother and two sisters. Rosary services were held in
the Ramon Trujillo home at Reserve on Wednesday evening, followed by Mass today
in the Catholic Church and burial in the Aragon cemetery under direction of the
Cox Mortuary.
KELLY: Infant Rena Lynn Kelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford J. Kelly, passed
away April 18, and was buried in the Silver City cemetery. Survivors are her
parents and brother, Terrence Bale.
KELLY: Funeral services for Mrs. Ruthie B. Kelly, who passed away here Saturday
following a lingering illness, were held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel of the
Curtis-Bright Funeral Home. Reverend Eugene A. Bjork of the Hurley Community
Church and A.G. Chapter of P.E.O. were in charge of the services. Mrs. Kelly had
resided in this community for the past forty years and was a prominent Cobre
teacher. She had also been active in the Hurley Eastern Star, Hurley Rainbow
Assembly, A.G. Chapter of P.E.O. and local and state education associations.
Mrs. Kelly is survived by her husband Leslie of Hurley, a daughter Kay of
Tucson, four sisters: Mrs. Samantha Anderson of Cross Roads, Mrs. Mae Denny of
Jal, Mrs. Robert Leonard of Silver City and Miss Jane Bilbrey of Lovington. Also
surviving are three brothers: Marion Bilbrey of Bledsoe, Texas, Waymon Bilbrey
and Wilson Bilbrey of Cross Roads.
KELLY: Funeral services were held at Glenwood Tuesday for Susan Patricia Kelly,
infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kelly, who passed away at Hillcrest
Hospital n Silver City.
KELLY: Thelma Kelly, 94, a resident of Hurley since 1939, passed away Monday at
Fort Bayard Medical Center. She was born Sept. 22, 1899, to Ed and Sally
(Barksdale) Pride in Sonora, Texas. She married Merritt Kelly on Oct. 10, 1925,
in Deming. All their married life the Kelly’s ranched in southwest New Mexico.
In 1939, Mr. Kelly went to work for Chino Mines and started working at the
Hurley Sweet Shop, but they still continued ranching. She was a devoted wife for
66 years. Though she only had one child, she raised many and loved them all. She
is survived by her daughter, Betty Cook of Hurley; a sister, Ruth Ahlquist and
her husband, Slim, of Higley, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Rick Cook and his wife,
Kay, of Silver City, Mike Cook and his wife, Joyce, of Hanover, Randy Cook and
his wife, Kim, of Hurley and Patty Jackson and her husband, Roy, of Arenas
Valley; 14great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces
and nephews
KELLY: Walter R Kelly Jr., 24, of Huntington Park, Calif., was killed last
Saturday near Reserve in a highway accident. His car went out of control and
plunged into a canyon. He was driving alone at the time and his wife was
following him with a 3-month-old baby in another car. The sheriff’s office at
Reserve investigated the accident. The body was brought to the Mortuary in
Silver City and was shipped to Raytown, Mo, home of his parents, where services
were held and burial took place.
KELSEY: Alice Elizabeth Conway Kelsey, 73 Died Sunday in Silver City. Mrs.
Kelsey was born in Raton on Feb. 12, 1913 and had been a resident of Silver City
for the past 51 years. She was retired from the Grant County Treasurer's Office
where she served as county treasurer, off and on, for more than 20 years. She
was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church on Arizona Street where she
served as organist and choir director for 10 years. Mrs. Kelsey graduated from
the University of New Mexico in 1934, attended Denver University for one year,
and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She came to Silver City in
1935 and became a social worker, for the state and in 1936 was married to Harold
Kelsey. She was an active member in many organizations all her life. Mrs. Kelsey
is survived by two daughters, Peggy DeSoto of Silver City and Meg Hofmeister of
Tucson, Ariz., two sons, Jay Kelsey of Tucson, retired from the U.S. Air Force,
and Capt. Pat Kelsey, U.S. Air Force, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; nine grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold
Kelsey, in 1950; and her sister, Marion Oliver, in 1984. Memorial services will
be held at the First United Presbyterian Church of Silver City on Wednesday at 7
p.m. with the Rev. David Goble officiating. Interment will follow at a later
date. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her numerous friends. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First United Presbyterian
Church of Silver City. Arrangements are by the Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KELSEY: This community was shocked early Monday to learn of the untimely passing
of Harold H. Kelsey, well known and liked businessman. Mr. Kelsey succumbed at
the Grant County General Hospital on Sunday evening after a brief illness of two
days. He suffered a heart attack last Friday. Born in Kansas City, Mo., the
deceased had spent the last 33 years as a resident of Grant County. In late
years he had been the local distributor for the products of the Continental Oil
Company. Mr. Kelsey was a member of Santa Rita Masonic Lodge, No. 55, of which
he was a past master and he was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rites of Freemasonry of Santa Fe. Funeral services were held Wednesday
afternoon at 4 o'clock from the First Methodist Church. The Rev. Harold E.
Johnson of the Santa Rita Community Church officiated. The Santa Rita Masonic
Lodge was in charge of the graveside services. Arrangements were by the Cox
Mortuary. A request by members of the bereaved family that money which they
might use for floral offerings be given to various funds such as those for the
Heart, Cancer and Crippled Children benefits was acceded by the many friends of
Mr. Kelsey and was a worthy gesture. Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Alice Conway
Kelsey; two daughters, Marian and Margaret; two sons, Jay and Patrick; a sister,
Mrs. A.J. Swapp, Chicago, Ill.; a brother, Lauren Kelsey of Kansas City, Mo.
There are also several aunts, one of whom is Mrs. R.E. Kelsey with whom the
deceased made his home for many years.
KELSEY: Jay Calvin Kelsey, 51, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Silver City, died
Thursday, Nov. 16. He was born in Silver City on Jan. 29, 1944. Mr. Kelsey is
survived by his wife, Candace; his sister, Margaret Hofmeister; and a brother,
Patrick Kelsey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alice and
his sister, Peggy Desoto. Also surviving are children, grandchildren, and many
nieces and nephews. Mr. Kelsey was a retired technical sergeant with the U.S.
Air Force. Memorial services will be held at the Silver City Horseman's Park
Arena on U.S. 180 East on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Contributions to family members
may be made in lieu of flowers.
KELSEY: Mrs. Vernie H. Kelsey, 91, died Friday, Jan. 17 at Hillcrest Hospital.
KELTNER: Pearl May Keltner, 84, a resident of Horizon Southwest Nursing Home in
Silver City, passed away this morning. She was the widow of Robert Keltner. She
was born May 19, 1912, in Corning, N.Y., the daughter of Francis Tobey and
Bertha Kimber. Mrs. Keltner is survived by a daughter, Nancy Webber of Silver
City; five grandchildren, Jo Webber of Phoenix, Harry Webber of Phoenix, Matt
Webber of Paige, AZ., Suzy McMillan of F1agstaff, Ariz., and Philip Wehberof
Anderson, Nev.; and six great-grandchildren Arrangements are by Curtis-Bright
Funeral Home of Silver City.
KEMP: Byron Thomas Kemp, 42, a former resident of Silver City and member of a
pioneer Grant County family, died last Friday at his home in Tucson of a heart
attack. In recent years, be had been associated with his father, B. C. Kemp, in
the wholesale liquor business in the Arizona city where he was prominent in
civic affairs. Survivors are his wife, his parents, a sister, Mrs. Joseph Barr
of El Paso; two aunts, Mrs. Joe Tipton and Mrs. Leola Price, Silver City, and an
uncle, Ray Coleman of Alamogordo. Funeral services were held Saturday at the
Arizona Mortuary in Tucson where burial look place. All members of the family
and friends from Silver City attended the last rites.
KEMP: Dee Kemp, 80, passed away Jan.11 at Gila Regional Medical Center. She is
survived by a sister, Mrs. Lyndol Tipton of Silver City; a brother, Byron C.
Kemp of Tucson, Ariz.; a nephew, R.G. Tipton of Albuquerque; and a niece. Mrs.
Kemp had been employed by Greyhound Bus Lines for many years before her
retirement, and was a resident of Los Angeles. Services will be held Monday,
Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at Curtis-Bright Funeral Home, with the Rev. Don Wiley of the
First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Lane Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be R.G. Tipton, Scott Tipton, William Anderson, Ed Walkey,
David Schwantees and Al Franks. Arrangements are with Curtis-Bright Funeral
home.
KEMP: Harold Henry Kemp, 67, was found dead Friday, December 8, in the Badger
Woodcutting area in the Burro Mountains. Mr. Kemp was a native of Porterville,
California and a long time resident of Grant County. He was affectionately known
as "Kempy" to his friends. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bonnie Mae Kemp of
Flurry Acres. One daughter, Mrs. Gaile Hensley of Silver City and two sisters,
Mrs. Myrtle Chapin of Gila and Mrs. Nellie Bradshaw of Deming, three
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held
Tuesday, December 12, at the Mesa Cemetery in Gila at 10:30 a.m., with Mr. Frank
Rooks conducting the services. Serving as pallbearers were Lewis Miller, Butch
Wallace, John Fowler, Floyd Fowler, Ray Fowler and George Schale. The family
requests that donations be made in Harold Kemp's name to the heart fund.
KEMPER: Ernest Harold Kemper, 72, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Enlo
Hospital in Chico, Calif. He was born Aug. 4, 1925, in Whitepine, W.Va., the son
of Roy J. Kemper and Velma Hickman Kemper. In 1943, having completed his junior
year of high school and three years of dental training, he entered the U.S.
Navy. Upon finishing boot training, he was assigned to a general dental
laboratory in Camp Green Bay at Great Lakes, ill., where he served throughout
the remainder of World War II. in 1944, lie got married and Following discharge
from the Navy moved to Old Orchard Beach. Maine, where his daughter Helen Gail,
was born on Jan. 21. 1946. In 1948, he entered the Civil Service at the Veterans
Administration Hospital in Martinsburge. W.Va. In February 1952, he transferred
to the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Bayard. While operating the
dental laboratory there, he was also involved with credit unions. He was
president of the Grant County Archaeological Society and was a member of the
Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce, representing the Fort Bayard
hospital. He was also a member of the Lions and Moose clubs. Having learned to
golf at the age of 16, and because the hospital at Fort Bayard had a golf course
on the grounds, he played golf four to five days a week kind 36 to 72 holes on
many weekends. He also belonged to a group of hunters that each year hunted
deer, elk, antelope, waterfowl and upland game. During his last five years in
New Mexico, since civilian law enforcement was not allowed on VA property, he
was appointed deputy sheriff, primarily to handle cases related to hospital
grounds, but he also was on call for duty anywhere in Grant County. In November
1965, he was transferred to an outpatient clinic in downtown San Francisco,
where he assumed the duties of chief dental laboratory services. He retired in
1980 after 32 years of federal service. In October 1986, he and his wife, Gladys
Kemper, moved to Stony Creek Farm in Lambertville, Calif. That same year, he
joined the Princeton Fire Department, which serves the northern part of Colusa
County, and in 1989 he became county commissioner of the Princeton Volunteer
Fire Department District. Survivors are his wife, Gladys of the home; his
daughter, Dr. Helen Gail Varner, and her husband, Dr. Foy Varner of Hawaii; and
two granddaughters, Dawn Hedgpeth and her husband, Jesse, and twin sons, Drew
Taylor and Derek Royce, of Hitchcock, Texas, and Jennifer Varner of Piano,
Texas. Other survivors are Foy Varner and Michelle Dorc and son Foy Varner IV of
Santa Fe, Texas; and three brothers, Hubert and family of Parkersburg, W.Va.,
Allen and family of Cleveland, and Hatzel and family of Millstone, W.Va.
KENLY: Frank Kenly, 82, passed away Wednesday, May 4, at his residence in Silver
City. Mr. Kenly was a native of Canon City, Colo., and had resided in Grant
County for the past 25 years where he was engaged in the ranching business until
his retirement a few years ago. He was a veteran of World War II. Mr. Kenly is
survived by his wife, Mrs. Katheryne N. Kenly of Silver City, one son, John
Kenly of Phoenix, Ariz., one step son, Daniel Dunagan of Silver City and seven
grandchildren. Survivors also include & sister, Mrs. Grace Smart of Santa Cruz,
Ca. and one brother, Clarence (Bud) Kenly of Phoenix, Ariz. Funeral services
were held Saturday, May 7, at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Chapel with Pastor Dick
Ross of the First Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed in Ft. Bayard
National Cemetery with the Allingham-Golding Post #18 of the American Legion
conducting graveside services. Serving as pallbearers were Virgil Vance, Don
Robinette, Marvin Glenn, Johnny Fowler, Horace Bounds and John Reynolds.
KENLY: Katheryne Kenly, 78, a Silver City resident, entered life eternal
Wednesday at Gila Regional Medical Center. Services are pending. Entrusted to
the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.
KENNEDY: Beutab Kennedy, 81, entered eternal life Saturday in Silver City.
Arrangements are pending. Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of
Silver City.
KENNEDY: N. L. Kennedy, Sr., 73, of Hurley, retired Chino Mines Division,
Kennecott Copper Corp. employee died last Saturday at Hillcrest General
Hospital, following a brief illness. Surviving are two sons, N. L. Kennedy, Jr.,
Hurley, and Edward H. Kennedy, Tucson; five daughters, Mrs. Glen Sutton and Mrs.
Ernie DeCote, Hurley; Mrs. Ervin S. Armbrust, Albuquerque; Mrs. Jean Allied, San
Diego, CA; Mrs. Goldie Cardenas, West Sacramento, Calif., and 15 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Graham Mortuary in Las Cruces and
burial took place in the Masonic cemetery.
KENNEDY: Kennedy: Duell L. Kennedy, 90, a Deming resident, died Saturday at his
home. A memorial service was to be held this afternoon at two at Bethel Baptist
Church in Deming with the Rev. A.D. Kyle officiating. He was born Sept. 4, 1904
in Heber Springs, Ark. to William A. Kennedy and Alberta T. Dill Kennedy. He
moved to New Mexico in 1926 and worked for mining companies in the Silver City
area. He married Essie N. Parson on June 10, 1927. Mr. Kennedy moved to Mogollon
and was superintendent of the mill for Black Hawk Mining Co. until 1942, when he
moved to Deming. He was there employed with Peru Mill until it closed. He worked
for Anaconda Uranium Mill in Grants for three years until his retirement in
1982. He did consulting for various mining companies in the United States and
Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Essie Kennedy of the home; a son, James
Kennedy of Safford, Ariz.; three daughters, June Farrell of Pearce, Ariz. and
LaVonne Guenthart and Faith Garrett, both of Deming; a sister, Ester Vanhoy of
Yakima, Wash.; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 12
great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Reaves
of Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the
New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, Portales. Entrusted to the care of Baca's
Funeral Chapels and Baca's Mimbres Crematory.
KENNEDY: Ira Kennedy, 71, passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, in Hillcrest General
Hospital. Mr. Kennedy was born in Cottonwood, Texas and had been a resident of
Grant County where he was a retired brakeman for Kennecott Copper Corporation.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Minnie Kennedy of Bayard, three daughters,
Stella Carr of Eureka, California, Ruby Riddle of Santa Clara, California,
Patricia Ballncula of San Francisco, California, a son, Bobby Kennedy of Santa
Clara, California, two sisters, Opal White of Abilene, Texas, Ruby Bunner of
Albuquerque, nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Graveside funeral
services were Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Hurley Cemetery with the Pastor Michael
F. West of the Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed. Serving
as pallbearers were Albert B. Padilla, Jr., Jack McCant, L.B. Chandler, Raul
Salcido, Richard Marrufo and Rudy Marrufo. Honorary pallbearers were, Larry
Padilla, David Conway, Alex Ramos, Steve Armendariz, Manuel Hinojosa, Renaldo
Marrufo and Tommy Gutierrez.
KENNEDY: Mrs. Nicholas L. Kennedy, Sr., resident of Hurley and member of a
well-known pioneer family, passed away the past week in Hillcrest Hospital.
Rosary services were held in the Graham Mortuary chapel at Las Cruces, followed
by Mass in St. Genevieve Catholic Church. Burial was in Las Cruces. Survivors
are her husband, N.L. Kennedy; two sons, five daughters and eleven
grandchildren.
KENNEDY: Nick Kennedy of Hurley died Sunday, Aug. 30 at Hillcrest General
Hospital. Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife, Ruth, also of Hurley; two sons,
Nicholas L. Kennedy, III of Albuquerque and John William Kennedy of Houston; two
daughters, Jenann Boucher of Union Lake, Mich. and Nancy Madigan of Bernalillo,
NM; eight grandchildren; one brother, Edward Kennedy of Tucson; four sisters,
Irene Cardenas of West Sacramento, Calif., Corine and Hester DeCoste of Hurley
and Georgia Armburst of Albuquerque. Services for Mr. Kennedy were held on
Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wheeler Chapel with David Strain
officiating and burial followed at Memory Lane Cemetery. Pallbearers were Fred
Crawford, Charles Sherman, John Moore, Manuel Vargas, Joe Trujillo, Willard
Willis and Dexter Stockstill. Honorary pallbearer was Henry Holguin. The family
has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to SWSH. Arrangements by
the Wheeler Funeral Home.
KENNEDY: Richard L. Kennedy, 59, died Saturday in Gila Regional Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 10, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa. Mr. Kennedy was the owner of Home
Gas and Equipment Co., Inc. and Bargain Annex. He was an alumnus of the
University of Iowa and received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from
the University of Arizona. He was past president of the Silver City-Grant County
Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Copper Crest Country Club, past
president of the Silver City Lions Club, past president of the Prospectors, past
president of the University Club, was a director for American National Bank, was
a member of the Silver City Golf Association, was a member of Elks Lodge No.
413, and was a member of the Corporation for Downtown Development-Silver City
Main Street Project. Mr. Kennedy and his wife returned to Silver City in 1975 to
manage the family businesses. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at
10 in Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels with the Rev. J. Gorton Smith
officiating. Concluding service will follow in Memory Lane Cemetery. Survivors
are his wife, Sudie Kennedy of Silver City; a daughter, Lindy Kennedy of Aptos,
Calif.; his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Denise Kennedy of Silver City;
his daughter, Lauren Kennedy of Silver City; his daughter, Kelly Kennedy of
Waterford, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, John, Kristen and Eric Kennedy of Silver
City, Tyra Kennedy of Waterford, and Farrah, Kendra and Jessica Upton, all of
Silver City; and two sisters, Katy Walter of Tacoma, Wash., and Dolly Williamson
of Tucson, Ariz. Casket bearers will be Ken Havens, Jim Smith, Bruce Jackson,
Chuck Olson, Dougan Anderson and Jerry Hurt. Honorary bearers are Dan Dunagan,
Jack Stroman, Glen Kennedy, Dick Gooding, Wesley Williamson, and Dean Wygant,
members of the Silver City Lions Club, Bob Shaw and Victor Ornelas. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Kennedy's memory to the athletic
departments of the Grant County schools, the Silver City Main Street Project or
a favorite charity. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels.
KENNEDY: Roxie Lee Kennedy, 59, former Silver City resident and Grant County
clerk, died Thursday at her home in Salt Lake City. She was born Jan. 3, 1931,
in Holiday, Utah, to Della L. Graham and Walter S. Redmond. She is survived by
her husband, Robert B. Kennedy of Salt Lake City; two sons and their families,
Bruce Kennedy of Silver City and John Kennedy of Ruidoso; and two sisters,
Phyllis Selin of Salt Lake City and Audrey West of Redwood City, Calif. A family
memorial service will be held in Salt Lake City.
KENNEDY: Tyra Louise Kennedy, 6, of Silver City entered life eternal Thursday in
University Hospital in Albuquerque. She was born March 13, 1985, in Shawnee,
Okla., and had been a Silver City resident for the past year. Tyra was a student
in Mrs. Ana Kelley's first-grade class at Stout Elementary School and was a
blessing and inspiration to her family and to her extended family. Calling hours
will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels,
where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with the Rev David F. Goble and
the Rev. Gerald D. Griffin officiating. Concluding services will follow in
Memory Lane Cemetery. Survivors include her mother, Kelly Leigh Kennedy of
Silver City; her grandmother, Sudie W. Kennedy of Silver City; an uncle, Scott
Kennedy of Silver City; three aunts, Lindy Kennedy of Aptos, Calif., Lauren
Kennedy of Animas, and Denise Kennedy of Silver City; and six cousins, John,
Kristen and Eric Kennedy of Silver City, and Farrah, Kendra and Jessica Upton of
Animas. Casket bearers will be Scott Kennedy, John Kennedy, Russell Keene and
Pete Peterson. Honorary bearers are Jay Hefner, Dr. James Drennan, Ana Kelley,
Debbie and Kyle Williams, and Mary Holguin. In lieu of flowers, the family
suggests donations to the Tyra L. Kennedy-Stout Elementary School Memorial Fund.
Entrusted to the care of Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels.
KENNETT: Following a five weeks illness, Mrs. Willie R. Kennett of Lordsburg,
died Monday in Hillcrest General Hospital. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m.
Tuesday in the Cox Mortuary chapel, conducted by Bishop William Lobstein of the
Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Burial took place in the Glenwood
cemetery, Cactus Rebekah Lodge No. 34 holding committal services at the grave.
Surviving are three sons, James Kennett and Ivan Kennett, Lordsburg; Edward
Kennett, Tarzana, Calif.; a daughter, Mrs. Louise Lyte, Lordsburg; two sisters,
Mrs. Maude Billings, Deming and Miss Keen Brown, Alamogordo, and a brother, John
H. Brown, Silver City.
KENNETT: John Henry Kennett, 73, a resident of Bayard, died Saturday at Fort
Bayard Medical Center. Arrangements are by Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KENNEY: Mrs. Isabel Kenney, 83, life-long Cliff resident, was killed Monday
about noon in a one-car crash on U. S. Highway 180 when the car she was driving
went out of control and struck a concrete bridge abutment at Mangus Springs. A
coroner’s jury at an inquest returned a verdict of accidental death. State
Police Patrolman Gene Tow investigated the accident. Surviving are a daughter
Mrs. Gladys Snyder, of Litletton, Ohio and a sister, Mrs. Vivian Feenan, of Del
Monte, Calif. Funeral services are set for 2:30 Friday at the Cliff Presbyterian
Church, the Rev, Ralph Hensley officiating. Burial will be in the Gila Mesa
Cemetery.
KERLEE: Gladys Kerlee, 88, former Deming resident, died in Tempe, Ariz., on
Monday. She was born March 19, 1899 in Abilene, Texas. A homemaker, she came to
Deming in 1955 from Hurley. She was an active member of Ruth Chapter No. 6 of
the Order of the Eastern Star. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. today in the
Baca Funeral Chapel of the Dawn in Deming. Services will be in the chapel at 10
a.m. Friday. Marcus L. Burr Jr., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in
Deming, will officiate. Graveside services will be conducted by Ruth Chapter No.
6 of the Order of the Eastern Star and interment will follow in Mountain View
Cemetery. Survivors include her son, Nelson L. Haggerson Jr. and his wife, Kate,
of Tempe; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements
are by Baca's Funeral Chapels of Deming.
KERN: Mrs. Susie F. Kern, 69, of Bayard, County resident for more than 60 years,
died last Thursday at Hillcrest, General Hospital. She was born in Cornwall,
England. She had a wide circle of friends throughout the community. Survivors
are a son, Arthur Kern, Bayard; two daughters, Mrs. Hazel Moore Arenas Valley
and Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, Seattle Wash., 12 grandchildren and 6
great-grandchildren. Also five sisters and three brothers. Funeral services were
held at 4pm Saturday at the Curtis mortuary chapel, the Rev Harold F Johnson
officiating. Burial was in the Masonic cemetery.
KERN: Ruby Lee Kern, 65, died April 7, 1986 in Denton, Texas, but made her home
in Bayard. She is survived by her husband, Auther F. Kern of Bayard, one
daughter, Phyllis Noland of Denton one son, William Van Noland Jr. of Tucson
Ariz.; one stepson, William F. Kern of Bayard one sister, Joyce Danielson of
Wilcox, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be
held at 2p.m. Friday in the Wheeler Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Ray
Stafford officiating. Donations can be made to Ann’s-Haven Hospital of Denton,
TX. Arrangements are by the Wheeler.
KERN: Auther F. “Tootie” Kern Jr., 77, a resident of Bayard, entered into
eternal rest Friday at his home. He was born Jan. 3, 1920 in Pinos Altos to
Auther Frederick and Susie Frantom Kern. Also known as Rosebud” to some people,
he was a truck shop foreman at Kennecott Copper Corp. where he served for 40
years. He was a graduate of Hurley High School Class of 1938 and attended New
Mexico Teachers College in Silver City. He was a U.S. Army veteran and during
World War II served in the American Theater and Asiatic-Pacific Theater He was
awarded the Good Conduct and Victory medals. He was a life member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars and Santa Rita Masonic Lodge No. 44. Cremation has
taken place at Baca’s Mimbres Crematorium. A memorial service will he held
Wednesday at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with the Masonic Lodge and Grant
County veterans groups officiating. Survivors include his son, Bill Kern of
Silver City; a stepson, Bill Nolan of Tucson, Ariz.; three stepdaughters,
Marlene Chandler of Brookings, Ore., Lorraine Simons of Phoenix and Phyllis
Nolan of Denton. Texas; four grandchildren, nine step grandchildren; five
nephews: and three nieces. Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.
KERR: William Alien "Bill" Kerr, 71, of Animas passed away Sunday, Jan. 10.
Funeral services will be con- ducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of Christ
in Lordsburg with Mr. Brad Mahan and Mr. Ed Kerr officiating. Interment will be
at Mountain View Cemetery. Mr. Kerr was born Oct. 23, 1927, the son of Fred Kerr
and Adelaide Crow Kerr. He is survived by one brother, , Wiley Kerr, of
Lordsburg. Lordsburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
KERR: Elmer Lloyd Pete Kerr, 91, of Animas passed away Sunday at Gila Regional
Medical Center. A rosary for Mr. Kerr will he recited tonight at 7 at St.
Josephs Catholic Church in Lordsburg. The funeral Mass will be celebrated
Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s. Father Tony Clark will officiate.
Internment will be at the San Pedro Ranch in Animas. Mr. Kerr was horn Nov. 27,
1905, in Lordsburg. He was the son of Thomas Allen “T.A.” Kerr and Ida Franklin
Kerr. Mr. Kerr was married to Ofelia Torres Kerr. He is survived by his wife,
Ofelia; three daughters, Elizabeth Washburn of Arenas Valley. Myra Mahan of
Animas and Myra Thomas of Animas: a son, Robert Kerr of Animas.
KERR: James S. Kerr, 86, a former resident of Silver City, where he operated an
automobile agency, died last Friday in Deming Memorial Hospital. In recent
years, following his retirement, he had lived at the home of his daughter, Miss
Ada Kerr, in Deming. Survivors include three other daughters, Mrs. Marjorie
Borenstein of Silver City; Mrs. Marguerite Mitchell of El Paso and Mrs.
Genevieve Funk of Wilmington, Calif.; two sons, Lloyd Kerr, of Gardenia, Calif.,
and Dennis Kerr of Phoenix, and grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday
at 10 a.m. in the Mahoney Funeral Home chapel in Deming, followed by burial in
Mountain View Cemetery.
KERR: Sylvia Turner Kerr, 97, a former Lordsburg resident, died Saturday, Nov.
18 at Beverly Manor in Laguna Hills, Calif. Private family services were held in
Laguna Hills. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery in Lordsburg on Tuesday,
Nov. 28 at 10 in the morning. She was born Sept. 5, 1898 in Texas and had worked
at the treasurer's office in Hidalgo County. Survivors include her
daughter-in-law, Elizabeth "Betsy" Kerr; two grandchildren, Connie Brownsberger
and Bill Kerr; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Allen Earle Kerr and her only child, Jack F. Kerr. Entrusted to the
care of Baca's Funeral Chapels in Deming.
KETCHERSIDE: Ellis Ray "Ketch" Ketcherside passed away Saturday at his home in
Hurley after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his father, Ellis
Ketcherside of Gresham, Ore., on Dec. 5, 1981. He is survived by his wife, Carol
Hickson Ketcherside; two stepsons, Lonnie and Ron Glasscock; a 13 year old son,
Ellis Ray, by a former marriage; his mother, Nola Smith of Grass Valley, Ore.;
and a brother, Craig Ketcherside of Gaston, Ore. Mr. Ketcherside was born Dec.
10, 1947, in Los Angeles and was brought up in that area. He and his wife, Carol
Ketcherside, moved to Hurley from Gresham in November 1985. He was employed by
Chino Mines at the Santa Rita machine shop. Services were to be held at the
Curtis-Bright Funeral Home today at 3 p.m. Dan Grindstaff, minister of the
Indian Hills Baptist Church in Silver City, and Pastor Floyd Robertson were to
officiate. Pallbearers were to be Bob Scullion, Ron Wofford, Kenny Peck, Al
Dalton, Elvin George and Robbie Ramirez. Honorary pallbearers were to be Frank
Di Piazza, his friends and his co-workers. Interment was to follow in Hurley
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to
the Gila Regional Medical Center Foundation earmarked for Hospice. The family
selected Curtis-Bright Funeral Home to serve them.
KETCHUM: ‘Albert “Joe” Ketchum, 66, a resident of Las Vegas, Nev., and a former
resident of Grant County, entered eternal rest at Lake Mead Hospital medical
Center in North Las Vegas on Monday Aug 17. Visitation will begin at 6 in the
evening Thursday at Baca’s Funeral Chapels. A graveside funeral service will he
held at 2 in the afternoon Friday at Memory Lane Cemetery with Mr. David Strain
officiating. Mr. Ketchum retired from Kennecott Copper Corp. as a “reverb”
foreman. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving for eight years. He was an
avid fisherman. He is survived by a son, Robert Joe Ketchum, and his wife,
Starla, of Safford, Ariz.; two daughters, Carol Gaussoin and her husband,
Clarence, of Alamosa, Colo., and Debra Ketchum and her husband, Mark, of Las
Vegas; one sister, Jane Allison of’ Silver City; and five grandchildren.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.
KETCHUM: Albert B. Ketchum, 91, died Jan. 22 in Silver City. He was a retired
violin instructor at Western New Mexico University, and a retired sampler from
Kennecott. Ketchum was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of
Silver City and was active in the Community Orchestra of WNMU. He is survived by
one daughter, Jane Allison of Silver City; one son, Joe Ketchum of Hurley; nine
grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Services were Monday in the First
United Presbyterian Church of Silver City with Rev. Harry Sumners officiating.
Burial followed at Memory Lane Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Roger A.
Brandt, Louis Spencer, Philip L. Cook, Robert M. Ingraham, Dr. Jack C. Moody,
and Leslie Leach. Arrangements were by Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KETCHUM: Vesta Viola Ketchum, 69, died at Hillcrest Hospital July21 following an
extended illness. Mrs. Ketchum was a native of Findlay, Ohio, and had lived in
Silver City for the past 29 years. Survivors include her husband, Albert of
Silver City; one daughter, Mrs. Jane Allison of Glenwood; one son, Joe of
Hurley; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Dr. Wayne
Hartman of Sedalia, Mo., Craig Hartman of Fairhope, Ala., Robert Hartman of
Cleveland, Ohio, and the Rev. Weir Hartman of Columbus, Ohio. Funeral services
were held in the Curtis-Bright Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday with the interment
following in Memory Lane Cemetery. The Rev. Clifton M. Henderson of the
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd officiated.
KEY: Funeral services for Charles 0. Key, 53, of Bayard who died as the result
of injuries suffered in a accident at the Phelps Dodge Tyrone properties Monday
morning, were held at 3:30 p. m. Wednesday in the chapel of the Curtis Mortuary
in Silver City. The Rev Billy Foster of the First Baptist Church of Bayard
officiated. Burial followed in Memory Lane Cemetery. Survivors of Mr. Key
include his widow, Mrs. Irene Key of Bayard; two daughters, Mrs. Patricia
Allensworth of Silver City and. Mrs. Janet Hutchinson of Newberry Park, Calif.
four grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. T. E. Key of Leonard, Tex.; four sisters,
Mrs. Elizabeth Yowell of McKinney, Tex., Mrs. Wanda Humphries of Whiterite,
Tex., Mrs. Christine Beaty and Mrs. Evelyn Chance of San Antonio, Tex.; and a
brother, Donald Key of Arlington Tex.
KEY: Mrs. Lucy Helen Key, 36, passed away in Hillcrest General Hospital Monday
night. She is survived by her husband, A.S. Key, a son , Billy Ray ; a brother
Homer Howard and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Howard of Cliff. Funeral
services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Presbyterian Church at Cliff, the
Rev. Thomas Myers conducting the rites. Burial took place in the Gila Mesa
cemetery under the direction of the Cox Mortuary.
KEY: William Nicholas "Nick" Key, 78, of Hanover passed away Sunday, April 11,
at his home. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Bright Funeral
Home. Memorial services will be conducted at 5 Wednesday afternoon at Bright
Funeral Home. Mr. Key was born July 28, 1920, in Walker County Parish, Ala., the
son of Floyd Key and Lyda Ann Ernest Key. Mr. Key was married to Evelyn
Williams, who preceded him in death in October 1992. Mr. Key then married Adah
V. Wheeler Fleming on March 12, 1995. He is survived by his four loving
children, William Phillip Key of Golden, Colo., Deborah Lynn Key of Tucson,
Ariz., Janice Tyson of Atlanta, Ga., and Victoria Smith and her husband, Ernie,
of Tucson; one step-son, John Phillip Fleming of Hanover; two grandchildren.
Paul Key and his wife Misty, of Tucson, and Nicholas Smith of Golden; two
great-grandchildren, Taylor and Dylan Key of Tucson; one brother, Victor Key of
Jasper, Ala.; a very special friend, Douglas Dark of Tucson; lifelong friends,
Les and Charlotte Acton: and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death
by his parents; his wife, Evelyn; a daughter Mary Lydia Key; brothers, Darrel
Key and Woodrow Key; and one sister, Gretchen Key. Mr. Key grew up and started
his mining career in Alabama. He relocated to Climax, Colo., and worked for
three years. Mr. Key then moved to San Manuel, Ariz. and worked for Magma Copper
Co. for more than 20 years. He spent several years in Indonesia and was employed
by Freeport Mining Co. Mr. Key was responsible for the underground mine
development, and was the safety a rector and assistant to the vice president
while in Indonesia. He returned to the United States and retired in Alabama.
After the death of his first wife, Evelyn, he resumed his mining career with
Cobre Mining in Hanover. While working at Cobre Mining, he met and married his
lovely wife, Adah, with whom he spent a very special four years and one month.
Mr. Key's passion in life involved a lifelong love and enjoyment of golf and
fly-fishing. He passed on his love of golf to his children and grandchildren.
His hobbies included building golf clubs and fly rods, and fly tying. He was a
ham radio operator, an avid reader and a computer whiz. At the age of 65, he
returned to college to expand his knowledge of computers. Mr. Key's children
would like to express their sincere gratitude to Adah, for all the love and care
she gave their dear father during his long and difficult illness. Memorials may
be made to Gila Regional Cancer Center. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of
arrangements.
KEY: Lucille Lee Key, 76, a resident of Mesa, Ariz., passed away Sunday in Mesa
General Hospital. She was born in Lebanon, Ariz., the daughter of John and
Carrie Lee of Gila. Mrs. Key was a beautician. She was a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission with her husband, Bill
Key, in 1978 and '79 in Minnesota. Mrs. Key is survived by her husband, Bill Key
of Mesa; her sons, Jay Howard and John Howard, both of Mesa; her daughters,
Sharon Swanson and Lin Fox, also of Mesa and Carolyn Whitmore of Safford, Ariz.;
her sisters, Margaret Niblett of Boise, Idaho and Lorna Bowan of Kearney, Ariz.;
and her brothers, Jack Lee and Kent Lee, both of Silver City. She is also
survived by 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Services were to begin
at two this afternoon at the Mesa Lazona Ward in Mesa. A service will also be
held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Gila Ward in Gila. Burial will follow at the
Mesa Cemetery in Gila. Bunker's Garden Chapel of Mesa is in charge of
arrangements.
KEY: William "Billy" Key, 41, died Sunday in Cliff. He was born in Deming and
had been a lifelong resident of Cliff. He was a heavy equipment operator for
Chino Mines and was a member of the Gila Valley Baptist Church. He is survived
by his wife, Barbara, and one son, Thomas R. Key, both of Cliff; his father,
Allie S. Key of Mesa, Ariz.; three sisters, Linda Finley of Ben Lomond, Calif.,
Carolyn Whitmore of Thatcher, Ariz., and Sharon Swanson, also of Mesa; two
brothers, Jay Howard of Cliff and John Howard of Mesa; his grandmother, Elvira
Howard of Cliff; and one uncle, Homer Howard of Fort Bayard. He was preceded in
death by his mother, Lucy Helen Key, in 1957; and his grandfather, Arther
Howard, in 1967. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Gila Valley
Baptist Church in Cliff with the Rev. Ken Henderson officiating. Interment will
follow in the Mesa Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Walter Lee, Bill
Embick, Jim Wood, Jim Walker, Robert Upton and Floyd Clark. Serving as honorary
pallbearers will be all his close friends. Arrangements are by the Curtis-Bright
Funeral Home.
KEYS: Mrs. Irene Keys, 54, a former resident of Grant County for many years
where she operated the Santa Rita Confectionery, died last Saturday at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. Sam Matthews, In Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a member of
the Santa Rita Chapter of the Eastern Star. Survivors besides her daughter are
two sons, Bud Keys of Sliver City and Bill Keys, who flew home from South
America for the funeral; a sister. Mrs. D. L Moore, Ajo, AZ, and her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Benson of Truth or Consequences. Funeral services took place
in Truth or Consequences Thursday at the First Baptist Church, the Rev. Harold
E. Johnson conducting the rites, with members of Martha Chapter of the O.E.S.
conducting committal rites in the T. or C. Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were
Gene Stailey, L. A. Patten, Eugene Galassini, Lilton Turner, Jesse Blair and
Weldon Edwards.
KEYS: Norma H. Keys, 78, died Monday in Las Cruces. She was born in McMechen, W.
Va. and had been a resident of Grant County for 41 years. She was a member of
the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and was a retired interviewer for the
New Mexico Employment Security Commission. She also served as secretary of the
Home Extension Chapter. Mrs. Keys is survived by her husband, Leon Keys, of
Silver City; a stepdaughter, Nancy Matthews of Homer, Alaska; two stepsons,
William L. Keys Jr. of El Paso and Ernest C. Keys of Medford, Ore.; a niece,
Janie Burns of Marathon, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Viola Reay of Las Cruces; seven
step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be
held Monday at the Curtis-Bright Funeral Chapel with Rev. C.M. Henderson
officiating. Arrangements by Curtis-Bright Funeral Home.
KEYS: William Keys, 86, a resident of Silver City, passed away Monday at his
residence. Services are pending. Family members selected Curtis-Bright Funeral
Home to serve them.
KIDDO: Mrs. Emma Grayce Kiddo, 67, died last week in the home of her sister,
Mrs. Joan Bess Cobb. Surviving are Mrs. Cobb, two brothers, Nelson and Bill
Miller, Pennsylvania; a niece, Joan Felix; and a nephew, Edward Felix. Funeral
services were held Friday in Cox Mortuary chapel with the Rev. Wayne Douglas
officiating. Burial was in the Silver City cemetery.
KIEHNE: Emil F. Kiehne, prominent resident of Catron County, died at the home of
his daughter in Reserve Tuesday evening at the age of 79. Mr. Kiehne, who came
to Reserve In 1889 from Texas, was probably Catron County’s most prominent and
well-known citizen. As a cattleman he was affiliated with many livestock
organizations, chairman of the Catron County Soil Conservation Service and had
served also as chairman of the county’s schools. Survivors are a son, Max C.
Kiehne, two daughters, Mrs. Pablo Romero and Mrs. Victor T. Jeronr all of
Reserve, and a brother C. Kiehne of Menard, Texas. Funeral services’ were held
at 9 o’clock this morning in Reserve at the San Francisco Catholic Church with
the Rev. Fr. Joseph Osca officiating at requiem high mass. Interment was made in
Reserve cemetery
KIEHNE: Mrs. Ollie Kiehne, 77, long time Reserve resident, died Monday in a
Morenci, Ariz., hospital. She had resided for the past five years at the home of
her son, Chester, in Clifton, Az. Other survivors include four brothers, Dowell
Ward, Snowflake, Ariz.; Lloyd, Globe, Ariz.; James, of Clint, Tex., and John, of
Garden Grove, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Dude McCarty, Re-serve, and Mrs. Regina
Wildenstein, Magdalena; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral
services were Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Llewellen Funeral Home in Clifton,
with a second service at the Reserve Presbyterian Church on Thursday at 2 p.m.,
followed by interment in the Reserve Cemetery.
KIEHNE: August W. Kiehne, 72, a pioneer rancher of Reserve, died of injuries
suffered in a one-car accident Tuesday. He ran off the road in his pickup truck
about a mile east of Glenwood on Highway 260 Tuesday night and was not found
until Wednesday morning. He was taken to Glenwood for treatment for shock and
exposure then removed to Hillcrest General Hospital where he died about five
minutes after admittance. The place where his truck ran off the highway was in a
remote section and hidden from passing cars during the night. He is survived by
his wife to whom he was married in Reserve in October, 1907; two sons, Karl of
Reserve and Earl Guy of Las Cruces; three daughters, Mrs. W. E. Rogers, of
Morenci, Ariz., Miss Stella M. Kiehne and Mrs. C.E. Shellhorn, both of Reserve;
five grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Earl C. Hornbrook of Las Cruses.
Funeral services were held Friday morning at his home in Pleasanton with the
Rev. Rhea Kuykendall officiating. Burial was in the cemetery at Reserve.
KIEHNE: Mrs. Max Kiehne, member of a pioneer family of Catron County, died last
Friday at Reserve. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday with burial
taking place in the Reserve cemetery.
KIEHNE: Tom Lee Kiehne, a resident of Luna, passed away Tuesday in Las Cruces.
He was born July 29, 1924, in Albuquerque, the second son of Max C. and Teresita
Lopez Kiehne. His parents preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death
by an infant daughter, Joanne, and a sister, Nellie Dora. Immediate survivors
include his wife, Ellen, a daughter, Janice; and two sons, Oliver and Leland. He
is also survived by two brothers, Emil Kiehne of El Paso, Texas, and Billy
Kiehne of Reserve. As a lifetime resident of Catron County, Mr. Kiehne spent his
life involved in ranching and business. He, along with his wife and children,
operated Luna Mercantile, a grocery and general merchandise store, for 32 years.
As a young man, he was active in county politics and served as county chairman
of the Republican Party. He was elected to the position of country treasurer,
serving in that capacity from 1953-55. He also served on the county hospital
board and Selective Service Board. Funeral services will be held at the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Luna at 2 p.m. Saturday. Interment will
follow at the Luna Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are by Getz Mortuary of Las
Cruces.
KIESLING: Jack Warren Kiesling, 48, died Thursday in Albuquerque. He was born
Feb. 8, 1940 in Little Rock, Ark., and had resided in the Grant County area for
several years. He was self-employed in the mine claims business. Cremation has
taken place and a private family inurnment was scheduled at 3 p.m. today in
Memory Lane Cemetery. He is survived by a son, Jack W. Berry of Playas; two
daughters, Sara Waters of Yuba City, Calif., and Cindy Fastje of Tucson, Ariz.;
one brother, Jonathan Edward Kiesling of Jacksonville, Ark.; and three
grandchildren. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Hillcrest Funeral Chapels.
KIESSLING: Michael Joseph Kiessling, 35, a resident of Las Cruces for the past
three years, died Saturday at his home. He had been a resident of New Mexico for
the past 15 years. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and was a music
Minister. Mr. Kiessling was a graduate of Western New Mexico University in
Silver City, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and a master's
degree in math. He headed the Red Cross in Silver City, and was a 1978 graduate
of Triangle Tech in Pittsburgh, Pa. He had worked as an environmental engineer
for the state of New Mexico for the past three years. He is survived by his
parents, Francis and Christine Kiessling of Indianapolis, Ind.; a son, Patrick
Thomas Kiessling of Las Cruces; and a sister, Karen Beth Kos of Cincinnati,
Ohio. Visitation was held Monday at Getz Funeral Home. The rosary followed. The
funeral Mass was held at 10 this morning at Holy Cross Catholic Church with the
Rev. Robert Getz officiating. He will be sent to Indianapolis for Mass of the
resurrection and burial. Arrangements were by Getz Funeral Home of Las Cruces.
KEITH: Howard C Keith, resident of Glenwood, 58, a retired Highway Department
engineer died the past week at Las Cruces, where he had lived after his
retirement. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Emma Keith; a daughter, Mrs. Gertrude
Fitz, of Las Cruces, and a son, Harold Keith of Glenwood. Funeral services were
held in the Glenwood Community Church and burial followed in the Alma Cemetery.
KILBOURN: Douglas Kilbourn died Dec. 3 at the Murray Hotel. Services for Mr.
Kilbourn were pending. Arrangements were under the direction of Wheeler Funeral
Home.
KILBURN: Harvey Maher Kilburn, born in Silver City Dec. 21, 1895, eldest son of
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Kilburn, passed away in Los Angeles Saturday, August 24,
after several months’ illness. Harvey spent the first 11 years of his life in
Silver City where he attended the public schools. In 1904 his father, who was
marshal of the town, was killed by Howard Chenoweth, a drunken cowboy. Soon
after his death, Harvey's mother with her four children, moved to Los Angeles
where he finished high school and entered the University at Berkley. He attended
only one year when the First World War broke out and enlisted in the U. S. Army.
He saw two years of service overseas and was on the front line when the
Armistice was declared. Upon his return, he entered Davis College and finished
his course in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. When he finished, he was
employed by President Herbert Hoover to over-see the operations of the Hoover
ranch which he did with great credit. At this time he met Miss Grace Smart of
San Francisco and after several months, they were married. Three children were
born to this union, two sons, Harvey M., Jr. and Ralph and one daughter,
Margaret, now Mrs. Rink. After leaving the Hoover farms he was employed by the A
& T and later bought the beautiful ranch home at Woodlake where he was living at
the time of his death. After having had experience in cattle raising in New
Mexico, he had one of the finest herds of Herefords as a side line on his ranch.
Besides his wife and three children, he is survived by six grand children, two
sisters, Hattie Hilton of Los Angeles and Catherine Gilmore, Santa Barbara, one
brother Jack of Salinas, Calif.; three aunts, Mrs. Carolyn Stauber and Mrs. Lee
Tiatt of Long Beach and Mrs. Robert K. Bell of Vanadium.
KILBURN: Mrs. Robert K. Bell of Vanadium received a message that her nephew.
Jack Kilburn passed away i