Obituaries

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Son, Brother, and Uncle Derrick E. Benner of Deming, New Mexico who peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the age of 46. Born in Bryan, Ohio on January 16, 1979.

A cherished member of our family, Derrick was known for his sense of humor, generosity, and inventiveness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Derrick is survived by his mother, Kelly Longley (Cris Davison); 3 sisters, Jasmine Longley, Jade Muñoz (Angel Muñoz) and May Montez (Jake Montez); a brother, Tyler Davison and his many nieces and nephews; Brooke, Julian, Audrey, Sophia, Eden, Delilah, Atticus, and Zakery.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Derrick Eugene Benner, please visit our floral store.

Jose "Joe" Manuel Avena, 62, beloved father, grandfather, son, & brother, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, Arizona. He was born on July 10, 1962 to his parents, Manuel and Rufina (Montoya) Avena in Silver City, NM.

Joe was a U.S. AirForce veteran. He was a jet engine mechanic supervisor. He worked at Allied Signal aerospace company in Chandler, AZ. Jose was known for his dedication to family and tireless work.

He is survived by his loving mother, Rufina; his son, Kel Avena; his daughter Cheyenne Avena; his granddaughter, Sofia; his siblings, Maria Garza (Benito), Helen Apodaca (Joe), Nancy Avena, Connie Avena, Chris Avena, Priscilla Avena (Genaro), Viola Vega (Steve) and Victor Avena (Raquel); his numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel; his nephew Joseph Avena.

Frances Wilcox Laney
July 14, 1955 — March 10, 2025
On the morning of March 10, 2025, Frances Wilcox Laney was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. Known to her loved ones as Fran, she passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep at her home in Santa Fe, NM, at the age of 69; believed to be from complications of chronic diabetes and heart failure. Fran lived a life rich with love, laughter, and unwavering faith. A devoted wife, mother, Mimi, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, generosity, and warmth that will never be forgotten.

Fran was born on July 14, 1955, in El Paso, TX. She was raised in Deming, NM, by her loving parents, Johnnie and Helen Wilcox. She was the oldest of their four children. A graduate of Deming High School in 1973, Fran excelled in academics, band, and vocal performance. She continued her education at Baylor University in Waco, TX, and had the opportunity to travel abroad, living in Israel on two separate occasions—once under the direction of Baylor's Department of Anthropology and another time on a kibbutz.

LEHMER, JEFFREY MARTIN 12/11/1959 - 3/14/2025 Pinos Altos, NM

Born in Norton Shores, MI, the son of Edward and Eleanor Lehmer, attended Hile School and then the Grand Haven public school system until graduation. Studied Forestry at Michigan Technological University and then moved on to Silver City, New Mexico where he apprenticed to become an ironworker. After seeing more
of the country as a "boomer" he returned to Silver City, where he constructed and operated a taxidermy shop/pest control business.

A jack of many trades, he was a journeyman ironworker, fur buyer, trapper, sponsor of an annual coyote calling contest, on call as a forest fire contractor, hosted a weekly poker game and organized countless buffet style dinner parties to celebrate the holidays with his many friends.

He is survived by his sons, Forrest and Jacob, siblings Bill, Dave, Ray, and Wendy, and lifetime best friend Douglas Derby. In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease and was incapacitated from a stroke. His son Forrest cared for him until his death.

He was a singular character in his community of the southwest known affectionately for his business logo as "The Skunkbuster".

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Martin Lehmer, please visit our floral store.

Carol Loraine Mitchell, 80, a resident of Silver City, NM, entered eternal rest on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Mabel Frances Dowell, 73, Deming resident passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at her residence with her loving husband by her side.

A Memorial Service will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 10 o'clock in the morning at the First Assembly of God Church (D1) with Pastor David Duffy officiating. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Mabel was born on January 16, 1952 in Monticello, New York to Mabel Veronica Goebel and Rudolph Frank Podest. She was a loving wife, great friend, good Christian a beautiful spirited, caring person and homemaker.

She is survived by her husband, John F. Dowell; a close family friend, Veronica Fernandez; a goddaughter; Karla Carbajal; a niece, Bambi Mitchell and a nephew, Aron Klockgetter. Mabel was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Carolin, Marilyn, Michael, and William.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mabel Frances Dowell, please visit our floral store.

Johnathan Reed Robertson, better known as John, was born on November 6, 1996 in Silver City, New Mexico. On March 13, 2025 John was on his way to Wilcox, AZ to purchase cattle when he was in a car accident and went home to Jesus at age 28. Here is a little bit about him.

The Robertson family moved around a lot but in 2002 they finally came back home to Alma, NM. It was here that John found his love for the outdoors, agriculture, ranching, rodeo, and welding. Over the years, John made a great impact on the community whether it was through 4-H, odd jobs, or day working for surrounding ranches. He was known to be hard working and would always see a job through. As John got older his love for rodeo grew which would lead him to travel to different parts of the country to bull ride and occasionally ride a ranch bronc. Some might say he rode ranch broncs better but don't tell him that! After John graduated from High School, he went on to start his welding career with the help of his father Jason.

Lilia Hernandez, 76, a resident of Tucson, AZ and formally of Deming, NM passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. She was born November 4, 1948 in Chihuahua, Mexico to Pedro Piñon and Juana Dominguez.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be recited for Lilia on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Baca's Funeral Chapel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lilia (Piñon) Hernandez, please visit our floral store.