Obituaries

Frances A. Lucky, a resident of Hurley, NM, entered eternal rest on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at her residence.   Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Castillo, Pascual, 90, an Army Veteran and resident of San Lorenzo, NM, entered eternal rest on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City.  He was born on May 17, 1934 to his parents, Luis Gonzales and Socorro (Rodriguez) Castillo in Sherman, NM. 

Pascual "Guero" Castillo was a proud Army veteran of the Korean War. After his enlistment, he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at the Kennecott/Phelps Dodge Copper Mine in Santa Rita until his retirement. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, and camping, and loved to share his adventures through countless stories. Guero was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who meant the world to his family. Just as he was proud of each of them, they are all proud to have had him as their patriarch. Known for his friendly and outgoing nature, Guero had a smile that could brighten up a room and practically knew everyone in Grant County, always ready for a conversation. He would help anyone in need without question and had a significant impact on every person whose life he touched. Guero's memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends forever.

Russell Leon Valencia, 82, a resident of Silver City, NM, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. 

Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .

Daniel (Danny) Ray AKA "The Jerky Man" Molina, 60, a resident of Deming, NM, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born September 17, 1963, in Silver City, New Mexico to Betty Molina.

Danny started his career as an iron worker/pipe welder. He later started a well, known beef jerky business in the area. Danny enjoyed his business as it afforded him the opportunity to travel and meet many new people. He made friends everywhere he went. He was the life of the party and everyone he met had a story to tell about him, both good and bad. Danny enjoyed camping, fishing, and a good party at the lake. His other hobbies included gardening, carpentry projects, and long desert walks. He enjoyed cookouts with family, carne asada on the disco, and huge bonfires along with a nice cold Chelada. He loved to dance to Tejano music and loved to listen to a wide variety of music such as Classic Rock, Motown, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Gonzales. He tore up the dance floor in his Levi's and boots. Danny accomplished his life-long goal of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He enjoyed cruising on his bike and is now riding on the streets of Gold in Heaven.

Alice M. Gandara- Diaz, age 66, a resident of Belen, NM, formally of Santa Clara, passed away on May 29, 2024. After a long battle with cancer, she passed peacefully at home with family.

Services will take place on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church beginning with a Visitation at 8:30 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., with a Memorial Service to be Celebrated at 10:00 a.m. A second service will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Santa Clara Catholic Church in Silver City, NM beginning with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels and will follow after funeral services have taken place. Inurnment will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024, at Santa Clara Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.

Alice is survived by brother, Frank Johnson; three sons, Manuel "Manny" G. Torres (Aimee), Narciso "Cecil" G. Torres (Lila), and Jesse G. Diaz (Isela); and 7 grandchildren and great children. Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Hector L. Diaz; parents, Narciso P. and Alice Nevarez Gandara.

RACHEL PONCE, June 20, 1954 – May 2, 2024

The family of Rachel Gonzales Ponce announces, with sorrow, her passing on May 2, 2024. Rachel bravely finished her 4-year fight with cancer and went home to be with Jesus surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service was conducted on May 10, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM. 

She is survived by her husband Jesse Ponce; daughter Jessica Jaramillo (JJ), son Gabriel all of Albuquerque; sisters, Rebecca (Daniel) Castillo and Rozenda Limon of Silver City; mother, Jennie Gonzales of Silver City.

She was preceded in death by her father, Reymundo Gonzales of Silver City; her in-laws, Jess and Mary Ponce of Silver City; her grandchildren, Estrella and David Abeyta of Albuquerque.

Gloria Villines Rascon, 89, of Silver City passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Gila Regional Medical Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gloria Villines Rascon, please visit our floral store.

Fred Jess Shanks, 75, a resident of Deming, NM, entered eternal rest on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Fort Bayard Medical Center, in Santa Clara, NM.   He was born to his parents Robert and Vada (Ellis) Shanks in Silver City, NM on May 2, 1949.

Fred was a man of many talents and had the best sense of humor.  He was well known as the "fiberglass man" throughout the southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and into Mexico; laying tile and spraying dairy flooring.  When mentioning the name Shanks, people would ask "are you Fred's brother?" He loved traveling for his businesses.

Fred is survived by this mother, Vada Ellis Early; his two daughters Amber Shanks of Silver City, NM and Alicia Shanks of Mimbres, NM; his brother Robert Shanks also of Silver City, NM.  He was preceded in death by his father.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at the American Legion in Deming, NM.

Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trust care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .