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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Obituaries - August 14, 2008



          REYNALDA C. TAPIA
        Reynalda C. Tapia, 88, of Moriarty passed away on Aug. 10, 2008, at her home with her loving family beside her.
        Reynalda was born on Nov. 13, 1919, in La Palma, N.M., to Julian and Concepcion (Pino) Chavez. Reynalda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frank; daughters, Maria Rita Tapia and Brablia Tapia; sons, Julian Tapia and Johnny Tapia; sister, Dora Encinias; and brothers, Victor Chavez and Dale Chavez.
        She is survived by son, Pete C. Tapia and wife Martha; daughters, Margie Olivas and husband Mark; May Orona and husband David; brother, Asencion (Johnnie) Chavez; sister, Piedad Martinez; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A rosary was recited Aug. 13 by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ladies Society. A Mass will be celebrated Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Father Hyginus Anuta will be officiating. Cremains will be interred after the Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery.
        Harris-Hanlon Mortuary
        CHARLES (CHARLIE) NEWMAN PIRTLE
        Charles (Charlie) Newman Pirtle, 74, longtime resident of Las Cruces, passed away at his home in Tijeras on Aug. 4, 2008.
        Charlie was born March 17, 1934, in San Benito, Texas. He was the first son of Carl Filmore and Mary Alice Pirtle. He spent his youth in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, graduating from McAllen High School.
        Soon thereafter he joined the U.S. Army, and the government, in its infinite wisdom, shipped a boy from south Texas to join the infantry in Alaska. Charlie took to the wilderness, and his strong love for the outdoors was kindled into a passion and way of life that would never die. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Charlie attended college at Texas A & I University, where he rodeoed, hunted, ran track and sometimes attended classes. Next, in 1961, Charlie joined the U.S. Border Patrol and was stationed in Las Cruces — spending his entire career in New Mexico. To say that Charlie enjoyed a successful career with the Border Patrol would be an understatement. His reputation grew throughout the Southwest — even extending deep into Mexico, where those he was charged with apprehending, knew of his name and legend. That reputation was one of dedication, skill, integrity, honesty and a fair hand. No farmer or illegal immigrant wanted Charlie to be on the job — not because they did not like him, but only because the probability of escaping his tracking skills was so unlikely.
        Beyond his larger-than-life reputation as a law enforcement officer, hunter, tracker and National Champion pistol marksman, Charlie possessed a warmth of character rarely seen today. He often said he had been born a hundred years too late, and friends and family can attest to his disdain for "new-fangled gadgets" such as microwave ovens and personal computers. In addition, his penchant for keeping everything he ever owned was renown; but no more than his ability to keep it all tidy and neatly composed. He was a pack-rat of immense organizational skills. Yet beyond all of these things, more than anything, Charlie was a gentleman, a patriot, a cowboy at heart, and a warm and caring human being. His hospitable nature can be supported by any of the multitude of friends that have enjoyed his cat-head biscuits with gravy, sourdough bread, or campfire cooking — all the while being entertained by one of his many stories. This honest and straight-forward nature, this code of conduct, and this rare gift for warm friendship; this is what will be missed the most by the many lucky persons that called him — Friend. Charles Newman Pirtle was preceded in death by a sister, Carla Mae, and both of his parents. He is survived by his wife Sara, brother Paul, sons, Robert, Scott and Carl; and an extended family of loving daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
        A memorial service was held Aug. 9 at Trinity United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests honorariums in his name be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, MT 59808, Attn: Michelle Tucker, National Border Patrol Museum, 4315 Transmountain Drive, El Paso, TX 79924, or the NRA, 11250 Waples Mills Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
        French Mortuary, Inc.
        PAULINE MATHEWS "POLLY" FULFER
        Pauline Mathews "Polly" Fulfer, 89, passed away peacefully at her home Aug. 5, 2008. She was born near Mountainair on September 23, 1918, to Guy and Laura (Trotter) Mathews.
        On September 8, 1942, she married C.H. Fulfer, son of H.M. (Milt) and Bernice (Harrison) Fulfer. Pauline and C.H. lived and ranched near Gran Quivira for many years. Pauline was preceded in death by her husband C.H. in 1994; her parents; an infant son; two sisters and five brothers. She is survived by daughters, Norma Sullenger and husband Bob of Mountainair; Sharon Jackson and husband Hoyt of Austin, Texas; and Venita Shaw and husband Kenny of Mountainair. Also surviving her are her grandchildren, Craig Sullenger and his girlfriend Abby Adams; Guy and Samantha Sullenger; Wyatt Sullenger and fiancé Tonia Dunlap; and one great grandson, Bodan Sullenger. She was "Aunt Polly" to many nieces and nephews, who also survive her. A graveside service was held Aug. 7 at White Lake Cemetery. The Rev. Clyde Fulfer officiated. Pallbearers were Pauline's grandsons and sons-in-law.
        Harris-Hanlon Mortuary
        WINNIE LOU LOVE
        Winnie Lou Love, 76, of Moriarty passed away on Aug. 4, 2008, in Albuquerque.
        Winnie was born on July 19, 1932, in Dimmit, Texas to William Oscar and Nellie (Turner) Jones. Winnie married Albert Woodrow Love on September 24, 1962; he preceded her in death on May 7, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard Whinery, and grandsons, Bradley Warren and Johnny Joe Whinery. Winnie is survived by her sons, Johnny Whinery of California; Vernon Whinery and wife Joan of California; Billy Whinery of South Dakota; Walter Whinery and wife Kippy of California; daughters, Cheryl Gingall and husband Tom of California; Valrea Whinery of Albuquerque; Jodi Love of Moriarty; sister, Zelda Dean and husband Crile of California; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A Viewing was held Aug. 7 at the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary Chapel in Moriarty. Funeral Services were held Aug. 8 at the First Baptist Church in Moriarty; Pastor Tom Schenk officiated. Interment followed at the Mountain View Cemetery in Moriarty. Pallbearers were Scott Love, Nick Tapia, Danny Whinery, Greg Alexander, Aaron Longoria and Jimmy Anderson. Honorary Pallbearers were Paul Tapia Jr., Johnny Whinery, Billy Whinery, Vernon Whinery and Walter Whinery.
        Harris-Hanlon Mortuary
        THOMAS "ED" EDWARD JOHNSON
        Thomas "Ed" Edward Johnson, 75, of Moriarty passed away Aug. 6, 2008, at his home in Moriarty with his loving family beside him.
        Ed was born December 3, 1932, in Hollis, Okla. to James Milton and Florence (Cheatwood) Johnson. Ed married Naomi Dee Nard on May 30, 1958, in Albuquerque. In his early years, he served four years in the Navy. That was followed by 21 years served on the Albuquerque Police Department. Both of these he used to prepare himself for his service as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He worked with the brethren in Drumright, Okla. for 10 years. While there, the congregation grew both spiritually and numerically. He moved to Tatum and served there for five years, teaching and growing with the brethren. He felt extremely blessed that after his retirement he was allowed to work alongside Brothers and Sisters in Estancia until his death.
        He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rusty James Scott Johnson; brother, Larry Wayne Cheuvront and sister, Wanda Palmer. Ed is survived by his wife Naomi Dee Johnson of Moriarty; daughter, Aimee Marie Elliott and husband George Wayne of Moriarty; daughter-in-law, Diane Johnson of Henryetta, Okla.; sister, Judie Parish of Sun City, Ariz.; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many, many brothers and sisters in Christ. Funeral Services were held Aug. 9 at the Church of Christ in Estancia; John Phillis and John C. Booth Jr. officiated. Interment followed at the Stanley Cemetery in Stanley. Pallbearers were Charles Wilson, Ken Thompson, Gale Blackwell, Jackson Sellars, Larry Rider and Haskell Golden. Honorary Pallbearers were Ray Morris, Donald Hibner, Rosco Cook, Jack Sellars and Ed Nichols.
        Harris-Hanlon Mortuary
        FLORENCE KOLB
        Florence Kolb, 89, of Moriarty passed away Aug. 5, 2008.
        Florence was born September 23, 1918, in Providence, R.I. to Matthew and Isabelle Perry. Florence was preceded in death by her parents Matthew and Isabelle Perry. She is survived by sons, Robert Genovesi; Anthony Genovesi Jr; daughter Pauline Perea; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Aug. 11 at the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty. David Torres officiated. Cremation followed the service.
        Harris-Hanlon Mortuary