Obituaries

Mona J. Britt, 96, of Silver City passed away Friday, May 10, 2024 at Fort Bayard Medical Center. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

Mona was born December 9, 1927 in Anderson, Indiana to Austin and Delma (Gold) Hungerford.

She is survived by her daughter and granddaughter. She was a community activist, always willing to help. Mona really loved cats. She received awards from the mayor of Los Angeles for community service. She was an LAPD investigator until she moved to Silver City where she wrote for El Reportero and ran for mayor of Silver City. She will be greatly missed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mona J. Britt, please visit our floral store.

Gale Robert Gifford, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Banner Hospital in Tucson, AZ.

Gale was born October 1, 1958 in Tyler, MN to Robert "Bob" and Alta (Johnson) Gifford. He grew up on the family farm in Russell, MN and graduated from Russell High School in 1977. Gale married Tammy Albright on October 2, 1982 and to this union had one daughter, Bridget. On March 1, 1993, Gale married his love, Judy Shannon and gained four children, Shawna, Nikki, Chad & Joli. Throughout his life, Gale was a man of many trades. He worked as a plumber in Tyler, MN for 8 years and soon owned and operated his own business. He later joined Schwan's Food Sales which relocated him to New Mexico in 1985. With Gale's wonderful attitude, friendliness, and hard work ethic he excelled at his door-to-door sales for the next 29 years and was absolutely adored by all his customers. For the next 10 years leading up to his passing, Gale worked in Morenci, AZ for Freeport-McMoRan as a haul truck driver in a copper mine and loved every minute of it.

Jess A Rogers, 80 of Santa Clara NM passed away April 25th, 2024 at St Mary's hospital in Tucson. He was originally from Arkansas. Jess worked in engineering and development for General Motors from 1962 to 1970. He moved his family to Arizona to teach math, science, drafting and auto mechanics at Tempe high schools, ASU and community colleges. He was a retired principal at Cobre High School. He was also an accomplished private aircraft pilot, master mechanic and a father figure to many over the years. Jess is survived by his brother and sister, Bob and Brenda, daughters Nicole and Dione, 5 granddaughters and 3 great grandchildren.

Join us as we come together and honor the life of Jess Rogers. We will gather on Saturday, June 8th from twelve o'clock noon until two in the afternoon at Whiskey Creek Zocalo located at 11786 HWY 180 East, Arenas Valley, NM. Please bring your fondest memories to share with family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jess A. Rogers, please visit our floral store.

Estela Ochoa, 84, residente de Deming fallecio el dia 7 de Mayo, 2024 en el Centro Regional Vista de la Montaña en Las Cruces.

La visitacion se llevará a cabo el martes 14 de mayo de 2024 a las 9 de la mañana en la Funeraria Baca's, y el Servicio Funerario tendrá lugar a las 11. El entierro seguirá en el cementerio Vista de la Mountaña con el pastor Obed Rivera oficiando.

Estela nació el 16 de marzo de 1940 en San Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua.Nuestra mamà, una gran mujer de Dios y de mucha fè, responsable, que mantuvo unida a su familia. Siendo un gran ejemplo para sus hijos, inculcando valores y formándolos como personas de bien. La recordamos con mucha admiración, fue una mujer bondadosa, siempre ayudando al prójimo y buscando lo mejor para toda su familia y seres queridos. Una persona que también fue muy querida por sus amistades y todo aquel que la rodeaba. "Gracias por darnos tantos recuerdos maravillosos para atesorar. Siempre la recordaremos con amor y gratitud. Aunque la vida sin usted será difícil, seguiremos adelante sabiendo que es parte de nosotros y que siempre estará en nuestros corazones".  Descansa en paz, nuestra amada mamá.

Rodolfo "Opie" Sandoval Vasquez, 88, of Silver City passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Three Crosses Regional Hospital in Las Cruces. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Rudy was a veteran of the United States Air Force and will be remembered as a loving grandfather, uncle, and brother.

Inurnment will take place at eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where Rudy will be laid to rest with his loving wife, Shirley Vasquez, who predeceased him in 2017. Full Military Honors will be accorded to Rudy on behalf of the United States Air Force.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rudy "Opie" Vasquez, please visit our floral store.

Scott Eldon Dayley, 36, a resident of Silver City, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his residence. 

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

Holly Cheryl Salars was born on November 3, 1973 and passed May 1, 2024 at her home in Phoenix, AZ. Born and raised in Silver City inside of two large families, she learned quickly how important family would be in her life. Through those strong family bonds with people all around, it allowed her to seek adventures in her life. She worked a wide variety of jobs in Silver City, Alaska, Tucson, and Phoenix. Holly loved experiences such as Skydiving, Hot Air Balloon rides, and Phoenix Pro sporting events of which she was an avid fan. She even attended Game 5 of the World Series last fall. Holly always made it a priority to participate in family events, so as years moved on it wasn't a surprise to understand how much she valued family gatherings.

Johnny Sosaya, 70, a resident of Bayard, NM, entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Mesilla Valley Hospice 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 .