Glenn Widener
Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel.
Glenn Widener, 84, of Portales, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, at his home.
He was born Aug. 10, 1921, in Mount Ida, Ark., to Ida and Joseph E. Widener. In 1925, the Widener family moved to the Floyd community. He graduated from Floyd High School in 1940. He married Ila Faye Lee on June 26, 1943, in Clovis. In January of 1957, he left farming to begin a 16-year career as a peace officer in the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office. He served as sheriff twice.
He was a charter member of the Floyd Lions Club and served as the second president. He was also a member and past master of the Portales Masonic Lodge No. 26. He enjoyed an annual deer hunt with his brothers in the Sacramento Mountains.
Family members said he liked fishing and in later years he became an avid golfer. He was a devoted Floyd Bronco’s basketball fan and also liked to read. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portales.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Marvin, Ray, Dale, Neal, Kirby and Earl Widener; and sisters, Pearl Whitworth and Bedie Jones.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Glenn Edward Widener (and his wife Carol) of Alamogordo and Dennis Lynn Widener (Deloris) of Clovis; grandchildren, Catherine Arlen (Darren), Carolee Ray (Joe), Valerie O’Neal, Joy Widener, Lynn Widener and William Widener; and great-grandchildren, Katleyn and Nora Arlen, J. D. and Addison Ray and Kaylee and Kelby O’Neal.
Rev. Dick Ross and Dr. Herbert Bergstrom will officiate.
Burial will take place in Floyd Cemetery.
Joel Widener, Kelby Widener, Caleb Widener, Kevin Atkins, Ray Rael, Brandon Griffith and Joe Widener will serve as pallbearers.
Wade Davis, Wendell Best, Tommy Goff, Norvell Anderson and all other friends and neighbors will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.and Andrew Garcia.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Joy Ruth Bradley
Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Joy Ruth Bradley, 83, of Portales, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
She was born May 4, 1922, in Loraine, Texas, to Alma and Floyd T. Kennedy.
Her family moved to Portales when she was a small child. She graduated from Portales High School in 1940. She was a nurse for 26 years. Family members said she was active in the Portales Chapter No. 26 of the Order of Eastern Star. Her hobbies included arts and crafts and she particularly enjoyed ceramics projects. She attended services at the First United Methodist Church in Portales.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Maxine Reynolds.
Survivors include one son, Walter “Butch” Bradley of Irvine, Calif., two daughters, Joy Lynn Scharein of Decatur, Ala., and Terri (and husband Larry) Bryant of Portales; six grandchildren, Diane (and husband Don) Doak of Las Cruces, Michael Levacy, Brea (Chris) Bennett of Amarillo, Brad Bryant of Wichita Falls, Texas, Kim Bryant of Portales and Blair Bradley of Irvine, Calif.; five great-grandchildren, Danielle, Dalton, and Dillon Doak, Sydney Levacy and Dylan Bryant; a niece, Toni (Jerry) Forburger of Lubbock and a nephew, Tommy Reynolds of College Station, Texas.
Rev. J. R. “Dick” Ross and Scott P. Reeves will officiate. Burial at Portales Cemetery will follow services.
Pallbearers will be Brad Bryant, Chris Bennett, Michael Levacy, Don Doak, Jerry Forburger and Tommy Reynolds. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Portales High School Class of 1940, her former co-workers and all her friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Patsy Ruth Patterson McCleery
Services: Have been held.
Patsy Ruth Patterson McCleery, 80, of Sun City, Texas, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, in Temple, Texas.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Mead, Okla., to Ottis and Irving M. Patterson. She attended Portales public schools, graduating in 1944. She volunteered for the Cadet Nurse Corps and trained at Breckenridge Hospital and the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. She attended Eastern New Mexico University.
She married Bobby G. McCleery in Austin, Texas, in 1947.
She was active in a Texas writer’s group and had three books published. “The Turtle Lady,” the story of Ha Loetcher’s work to save the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, won an award in the non-fiction book category.
Family members said she was an avid reader and loved gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Guy Wayne Patterson.
Survivors include her husband of Sun City, Texas; two sons, Michael B. McCleery of Midland, Texas, and Timothy W. McCleery of Hawaii; two daughters, Marsha G. Rochester of Georgetown, Texas, and M. Kay Brunner of Hewitt, Texas; a grandson, David M. McCleery, of New York City, N.Y.; three granddaughters, Heather M. Brunner and Leslie P. Brunner of Waco, Texas and Amy B. Rochester of Corpus Christi, Texas; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Irvin Patterson of Roques Bluffs, Maine; three sisters, Glenda L. Reamer of Modesto, Calif., Jacqueline Lynde of Portland, Ore., and Sue Skinner of Portales; eight nieces, Jann Waters, Jill Stewart and Lynn Corbett, all of California, Catherine Lynde of Massachusetts, Marianne and Tina Lyons of Oregon, Leslie Mullins of Roosevelt County and Deidre Flynn of Texas; and four nephews, James Patterson of New Mexico, Robert Patterson of Georgia, Ruston Lynde of Oregon, San Skinner and Jon Skinner of Portales.
Arrangements are The Gabriels Chapel in Georgetown, Texas.
Byron Wright
Services: 2 p.m. Friday at Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner.
Byron O’Lester Wright, 82, of Fort Sumner, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
He was born on Nov. 17, 1923, in Blythe, Calif., to John Bryson Wright and the former Ora Mae Peavey. He attended school in Opland, Texas, before moving with his parents to Fort Sumner during his high school years. He married Audrey Louise “Bobbye” Barnhart on Sept. 28, 1946, in Santa Rosa. He worked as a cattle broker. He was of the Baptist faith and attended church with his family at the Fort Sumner Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Richard “R.T.” Wright.
Survivors include his wife Bobbye Wright of Fort Sumner; son, Jon Wright, of Fort Sumner; granddaughter, Moneek M. Alvarado (and husband, Louis); great-granddaughter, Rosanne Alvarado, all of Clovis; and two nephews and three nieces.
Burial will take place at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers are Earl Turnbow, Patrick Turnbow, Tom Oliver, G.A. Gunn, Gary Good and Powhatan Carter. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Earnhardt, Jim Koontz, Red Renfro, Casey Turnbow and Taylor Turnbow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Children’s Home, 324 S. Abilene, Portales, New Mexico 88130.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.
Louis R. Uttaro
Services: Will be held at a later date in Las Vegas, Nev.
Louis R. Uttaro, 87, of Portales, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, at his residence.
He was born Sept.15, 1918, in Rochester, N.Y., to Frances and Salvatore Uttaro. He grew up in Rochester, where he attended school. He entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II in Europe in the 14th Armored Division. He was married to Jennie Malvaso on Nov. 4, 1941, in Rochester.
Following honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he began working as a carpenter. He was a member of the Carpenter’s Union for 50 years before retiring and moving to Las Vegas, Nev. He was a communicant of Prince of Peace Parish and was a member of the American Legion, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of Columbus. He had recently moved to Portales to live with his daughter, Linda.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Uttaro; grandson, James Uttaro; and by his wife.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda Uttaro of Portales; his grandchild, Gianna Uttaro of Portales; and sister, Ann Cisterna of Rochester, N.Y.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Mae Dell Hodge
Services: 10 a.m. today at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner.
Mae Dell Hodge, 82, of Fort Sumner, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, at Laurel Ridge Care Center in Clovis following an illness.
She was born Dec. 4, 1923, in Springer, to George C. and Lizzie Anderson. She attended school in Springer, Littlefield, Texas, and Fort Sumner. She worked for the Fort Sumner superintendent, at the Drug Store and as a waitress for many years. She married Paul Hodge March 31, 1962, in Roswell.
Family members said she loved the outdoors, fishing and camping.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three brothers, Andy, Carl and Joe Anderson; and four sisters, L.G. Sinclair, Thelma Anderson, Eva Teal and Jewell Sasser.
Survivors include her brother, Doug Anderson of Gaston, Ind.; three sisters, Dorothy H. Newman, Fran Nahlovsky and Blanche Boyd, all of Fort Sumner, Fern Hay of Pep and Wanda Mechnig of Roswell; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.
Rev. Anna Teeter is officiating.
Cremation has taken place.
Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.
Patsy Ruth Patterson
Services: Have been held.
Patsy Ruth Patterson McCleery, 80, of Sun City, Texas, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, in Temple, Texas.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Mead, Okla., to Ottis and Irving M. Patterson. She attended Portales public schools, graduating in 1944. She volunteered for the Cadet Nurse Corps and trained at Breckenridge Hospital and the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. She attended Eastern New Mexico University.
She married Bobby G. McCleery in Austin, Texas, in 1947.
She was active in a Texas writer’s group and had three books published. “The Turtle Lady,” the story of Ha Loetcher’s work to save the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, won an award in the non-fiction book category.
Family members said she was an avid reader and loved gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Guy Wayne Patterson.
Survivors include her husband of Sun City, Texas; two sons, Michael B. McCleery of Midland, Texas, and Timothy W. McCleery of Hawaii; two daughters, Marsha G. Rochester of Georgetown, Texas, and M. Kay Brunner of Hewitt, Texas; a grandson, David M. McCleery, of New York City, N.Y.; three granddaughters, Heather M. Brunner and Leslie P. Brunner of Waco, Texas and Amy B. Rochester of Corpus Christi, Texas; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Irvin Patterson of Roques Bluffs, Maine; three sisters, Glenda L. Reamer of Modesto, Calif., Jacqueline Lynde of Portland, Ore., and Sue Skinner of Portales; eight nieces, Jann Waters, Jill Stewart and Lynn Corbett, all of California, Catherine Lynde of Massachusetts, Marianne and Tina Lyons of Oregon, Leslie Mullins of Roosevelt County and Deidre Flynn of Texas; and four nephews, James Patterson of New Mexico, Robert Patterson of Georgia, Ruston Lynde of Oregon, San Skinner and Jon Skinner of Portales.
Arrangements are The Gabriels Chapel in Georgetown, Texas.
Erineo Morris Gallegos
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church, Mora
Erineo Morris Gallegos, 33, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 17, 1972, to Jimmy Gallegos and Nora Arguello Gallegos in Portales.
He lived in Mora for most of his childhood until moving to Portales. There he met his wife, Diane Garcia, and they were married Dec. 4, 1997. He worked various jobs within Portales and was employed by Abengoa Bio. Energy for seven years until his health declined.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frederico and Seferina Gallegos; maternal grandparents, Erineo and Angelina Arguello; brother James Gallegos; and grandmother-in-law, Maria Casaus.
He is survived by his wife of Portales; daughter, Kristen of Portales; parents, Jimmy and Nora Gallegos of Guadalupita; godparents, Nathan and Connie Gallegos of Albuquerque; brother-in-law, F. Wayne Garcia of Portales; sisters Lola Gallegos (Mario Aceves) of La Junta, Colo., Darlene Gallegos (Joe Espinoza) of Rainesville, and Betsy Chavez (Steve) of Portales; half sisters Ernestine Pacheco and husband Max of Chacon, and Brenda Archuleta of Rawlins, Wyo. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Willford Borrego, Baldemar Diaz Jr., Joe Espinoza, Jonathan Gallegos, Matthew Gallegos, Fred Garcia, Danny Hernandez, and Ernesto Sandoval.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Mora.
Interment will follow at the cemetery in El Turquillo.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home.
Leon W. Luke
Services: 10 a.m., Friday, at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Leon W. Luke, 91, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, at his residence in Portales.
He was born Dec. 25, 1913, in Melbourne, Fla., to Myrtle and Robert T. Luke.
He married Emma E. Clark on April 13, 1940. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army during World War II and completed officer training school in 1942. He served in north Africa, France, Italy, and Germany, and was with troops the day the Dachau Death Camp was liberated. He was awarded a Bronze Star on July 31, 1945. He served in active duty until 1946, when he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1951, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in accounting from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
He worked as an accountant for Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque for many years before retiring in 1973, when he also retired from the U.S. Army Reserves.
Family members said he accepted Christ at an early age and had been a devoted Christian throughout his life. He served in various capacities at the First Baptist Church and Del Norte Baptist Church in Albuquerque and then attended Texico Baptist Church and Central Christian Church after moving to Portales.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Schubert Luke; his sister, Nell Downer; and his wife, Emma E. Luke.
Survivors include his brother, Paul (Marsha) Luke of Phoenix; son, Robert (Erras) Luke of Albuquerque; daughters, Wanda Palmer of Largo, Fla., Deborah (Dennis) Eben of Littleton, Colo., and Lora (Jerry) Wood of Portales; grandchildren, Austin (Kate) Luke, Marques (Marissa) Luke, Bethany Luke, Don (Carrie) Eben, Dale (Amy) Eben, Matthew (Kris) Wood, Marcus Wood, and Mandi Wood; and great-grandchildren, Erin and Payton Luke, Seth, Leah, Rachel, Joshua, and Levi Eben, Zachary and Aric Wood, and Shelby and Jordan Wood-Jasso.
Rev. Dick Ross will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Austin, Marques, and Bethany Luke, Don and Dale Eben, and Matthew, Marcus, and Mandi Wood.
Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandchildren.
Burial will take place at Portales Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Marie Adele Widdifield Jones Blythe
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church in Peralta.
Marie Adele Widdifield Jones Blythe, 88, died Thursday, Dec. 15, at Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque.
She was born Aug. 1, 1917, in Oakley, Kan., to Walter and Ida Widdifield.
She attended Eastern New Mexico University, where she had several roles in musical productions and traveled throughout the state as part of a choral group promoting ENMU. She was accepted to Julliard School of Music, but lacked financial means to attend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers and sisters; her first husband, Art Jones; and her second husband, John Blythe.
Survivors include a son, Bob Jones of Bosque Farms; seven nieces and nephews, Richard Bertrand, Bob Bertrand, Gene Bertrand, Janice Bertrand Owen, Willa Lee Widdifield Cotton and Myrna Dee Widdifield Floyd.
Burial will take place at a private cemetery in the foothills east of the family residence in Peralta.
Arrangements are by Aspen Funeral Alternatives of Albuquerque.
Ethel Bradley-Ray
Services: Have been held.
Ethel Bradley-Ray, 91, of Hamilton, Texas, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Hamilton.
She was born Oct. 25, 1914, in Purdy, Okla., to John and Belle Welch Beach. She married Jack Colbert Bradley in 1934. She married Forrest Ray in 1987.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Bradley; daughter, Kay Bradley; and husband, Forrest Ray.
Survivors include sons Jim Bradley (and his wife, Betty) of Weatherford, Texas, Bob Bradley (Edith) of Clovis, Jack Bradley (Eilenna) of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Linda Catoe (Alex) of Hamilton, Texas; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Riley Funeral Home of Hamilton, Texas.
Melvin Garner
Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Roswell.
Melvin Garner, 70, of Roswell, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell.
He was born Nov. 13, 1935, in Causey to Amon D. “Bud” and Ella Gumm Garner. He graduated from Causey High School in 1953 and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. He served his country in the Army Reserve from 1958-1964. He married Betty Davis Garner on June 6, 1959, in Portales. He had been a Roswell resident for 14 years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed adult Sunday school class and their retreats to Angel Fire, family members said. He had been a commercial plumber until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife; son, Jay Dean Garner (and his wife, Doris) of Amarillo; daughter, Tamara Richardson (Ken) of Roswell; brother, Roger Wayne Garner of Missouri; sister, Marcel Merrick of Causey; and four grandchildren, Jared and Kayla Richardson and Troy and Rylee Garner.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Ministries in Roswell or the American Diabetes Association, 2625 Pennsylvania NE, No. 225, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
Howard Jasper
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel.
Howard Jasper, 92, of Portales, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center.
He was born April 23, 1913, in Gasoline, Texas, to Frances and William H. Jasper.
His family homesteaded in Elida and he grew up there; graduating from Elida High School. Shortly after finishing school, he moved to Portales. He worked for the Texaco distributor and then for the Portales Lumber Company before going to work as a machinist at Cannon Air Force Base. He worked in Civil Service at the base until his retirement in the late 1970s. He was a longtime member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow.
Family members said he enjoyed gardening and ranching. He also liked going to auctions and playing dominos.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Burris Jasper; son, William Dale Jasper; a grandchild; and by his wife, Estelle who died in 1997.
Survivors include sons, Harry Jasper (and his wife, Darlene) of Tahachapi, Calif. and Michael Jasper (Cindy) of Armona, Calif.; step-son, Bob Davis (Anne) of Tucson, Ariz.; step-daughter, Wanda Harrison (Bronson) of Tucson, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Walter Huber will officiate.
Burial will take place at Portales Cemetery.
Family members will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Carol Barela
Services: 7 p.m. today at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.
Carol Barela, 41, of Portales, died Monday, Dec. 12, 2005, at her home in Portales.
She was born Sept. 22, 1964, in Portales, to Aurelia and Frank Barela.
She grew up in Portales and graduated from high school in 1982. She worked at Alco for 16 years. She also worked as a checker at IGA. In 1999 she went to work at the local Wal-Mart store. In 2002 her health deteriorated to a point that she could no longer work.
Family members said she had a lifelong love of music of all types.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include a sister, Lydia Barela of Portales; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Father Tobin Hitt will officiate.
Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are her cousins.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Maria Casaus
Services: 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Maria Casaus of Portales died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
She was born in Los Ojitos to Felicita and Abram Salazar.
She grew up in Puerta de Luna. In 1940, she married Justo Casaus in Santa Rosa. They made their home in Fort Sumner, Sudan, Texas, and Roswell before moving to Portales in 1956, where she lived the remainder of her life.
After the death of her daughter in 1969, she and her husband reared their grandchildren, Wayne and Diane.
Family member said she enjoyed crocheting and attending the activities and dances at the Portales Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Abram, Christian, Sotero and Roberto Salazar; three sisters, Otilia Lucero, Olympia Casaus and Alicia Flores; two grandchildren, Johnny Ray Casaus and Fabian Casaus; a daughter, Ruby Casaus; and her husband.
Survivors include a son, John Casaus (and wife, Priscilla) of Albuquerque; two grandsons, F. Wayne Garcia of Portales and Mario Casaus of Albuquerque; a granddaughter, Diane Gallegos of Portales; a husband, Ediniero of Portales; a great-grandchild, Kristen Ruby Gallegos of Portales; and a brother, Emilio Salazar of Portales.
A communion mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Deacon Mario Aguirre will officiate services.
Burial will take place in Puerta de Luna Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Roberto Lucero, Mike Lucero, Severo Lucero, Darren Ortega, Adam Gutierrez and Manuel Salazar Hill.
Honorary pallbearers are her family members and friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
