On Friday September 7, 2018 a brave man, JOSEPH  HENRY SITLER, 73 lost his life at Mt. View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces due to Heart Disease and complications exacerbated by agent orange.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life this Friday September 14, 2018 from 12 to 3 at St. Clair Winery.  Cremation has taken place at Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.

Joseph was born September 18, 1944 in Brentwood, New York to Harold and Ann (Hearl) Sitler.  He served his country honorably in the United States Army during Vietnam from 1965 to 1968.  Upon his return Joseph was a police officer in Suffolk County, New York until his retirement in 1997.  In 1998 he and wife Alida moved west and made Deming their home.  He enjoyed hunting, mechanics, motorcycles, and horses and was especially proud of a 1965 Ford Mustang that he had restored.

He is survived by his wife Alida Sitler of Deming; children, Robert Sitler (Patricia) of Patchogue, NY, Michael Sitler (Sunny) of Selden, NY, Joseph Sitler (Alyssa) of Selden, NY; Don Hoolan (Katie) of Bernice, LA, Barbara Pryor (Sonny) of Richmond, VA, and Sharon Ortiz (Willie) of Port St. Lucie, FL; his brother, Henry Sitler and his wife Carol; sisters, Ann DeMasi and Frances Gaeta; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Inurnment with honors will be in November at the Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, New York.

In lieu of flowers family requests that memorial contribution be made in his memory to the American Heart Association or the Fisher House Foundation.
 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

RUBEN ROSARIO VALDESPINO, 92, a lifelong resident of Deming passed away Saturday September 8, 2018 in the comfort of his home.

Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, September 16, 2018 from 4 to 6 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel where a rosary will begin at 6 o’clock.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday September 17, 2018 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at St. Ann Catholic Church with Fr. Josh Duplissey officiating.  Concluding services with honors will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.

Ruben was a very religious family man.  A World War II U.S. Army Veteran, he was also a truck driver and a nurseryman, who with his wife Louisa Valdespino founded “Valdespino’s Nursery” in Deming.  As a member of the United States Army’s 86th Infantry Division “The Black Hawk Division” he fought in WWII’s Battle of the Rhine, the Ruhr Pocket and was in Austria at the end of the war with Germany.  After 30 days leave he shipped to the Philippines and helped in the Liberation of the Philippines until the end of the war with Japan.  He was awarded the Bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, European African Ribbon, Middle Eastern Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.

He is survived by his wife, Louisa Valdespino; sons, Richard Valdespino, Ruben Valdespino Jr., and Daniel Valdespino; daughter, Vicki Valdespino Engle.  His son Jimmy Valdespino preceded him in death.  Stepchildren are Ernest Madrid, Marion Madrid Marrujo, Johnny Madrid and Irene Baeza.  Stepchildren preceding him in death are Lon Madrid and Eddie Baeza. 

Ruben is also survived by 24 grandchildren.  Other family preceding him in death are his parent, Juan Valdespino and Siria Soto Valdespino and his brothers and sisters Emilio Valdespino, Ernestina Valdespino, Bobbie Penns, Juan Valdespino, Gregorio Valdespino and Frank Valdespino to rest in Heaven.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Valdespino, Ruben Valdespino Jr., Ruben Daniel Valdespino, Julian Valdespino, Richard Valdespino, and Henry Marrufo.

Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

Samuel Mullins, 65, Deming resident entered eternal rest Tuesday September 4, 2018 at Willow Manor Assisted Living Facility.
 
Visitation will be Saturday September 8, 2018, beginning at 10 o’clock in the morning and a funeral service will follow at 11 o’clock at Baca’s Funeral Chapel with Pastor Daniel Mullins, officiating. Concluding services and interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
 
Samuel was born April 11, 1953 in Tucson, Arizona to Emily Bunch and Audie Mullins. Sam was a true blooded American who loved his country. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed the fruits of nature. Sam loved trees, especially the pecan trees. Fishing, boating and sports were things he enjoyed doing throughout his lifetime. When it came to talking there wasn't a subject Sam was not familiar with. He didn't know a single stranger. During his younger life he picked fruit with his uncle Barney and then joined the oil fields as a derrick man. In the later part of his years Sam worked for Road Runner Sewer & Drain until his retirement. He enjoyed working with his boss Tony Halpain and loved all his customers. After his retirement he later moved to Deming and stayed with his sister Janine. He then found his home at the Kingdom of The Sun Retirement Center. Sam also adored his sisters chihuahuas, he called them his babies. His momma Emily was his hero, he had a tremendous amount of love for her. Sam was loved by all his family and friends. He will truly be missed by all.
 
Sam is survived by one son, Eric Mullins; five brothers; David, Dale, Harold, Daniel and Starlon; and five sisters; Pat, Nellie, Maxine, Janine and Patsy.
 
Preceding him in death are his parents, Audie and Emily Mullins; a brother, Danny Mullins; and a sister, Martha Hyland.
 
Pallbearers will be Janine Maddox, Samuel Mullins, Sammy Gomez, Randy Leimeister, Charlie and Jennifer Rosenthal.
 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

Salvador C. Garay Sr., 89, longtime Deming resident passed away Tuesday August 28, 2018 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces.
 
Visitation will be Friday August 31, 2018 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon at Baca’s Funeral Chapel with a rosary to follow at 6 o’clock.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday September 1, 2018 at 10 o’clock in the morning at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church with concluding services and interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Father Manuel F. Ibarra will officiate.
 
Salvador was born December 20, 1928 in Jalisco, Mexico to Maria de Jesus Cedario and Florentino Garay.  He worked in agriculture all his life in the southwest area and lived in Deming for 52 years having lived in Las Cruces the last 7 years.  Salvador enjoyed playing cards, horse races, gardening and loved to dance. He was a communicant of the Catholic Church.
 
Salvador is survived by sons, Albert Garay of Amarillo, TX, Salvador Garay Jr. and wife Elizabeth of Las Cruces, Jose Garay of Las Cruces, Rigoberto Garay of Las Cruces; daughters, Amparo Magallanes of Las Cruces, Andrea Rodriguez and husband Ricardo of Deming, Lourdes Camarena and husband Javier of Deming, Delia Zuniga and husband Pete of Peoria, AZ; brother, Simon Garay of CA; sisters, Francisca Acosta of Mexico, Rita Banuelos of CA; 25 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by his wife Maria Andrea Garay in 1993. 
 
Serving as pallbearers are Salvador Garay Jr., Leonardo Zuniga, Pete Zuniga, Josh Zuniga, Javier Camarena Jr., Oscar Barragan and Jose Villareal. 

Earlene R. Blakey, 90, a longtime resident of Deming passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2018.
 
Earlene was born in Silver City, New Mexico on October 29, 1927 to J.L. and Nancy McCauley.  She grew up in Grant County and was married to Richard R. “Bud” Blakey on August 17, 1946.  They ranched in Grant and Hidalgo counties for many years, moving to Deming in 1973.  Earlene worked as a secretary for many years, both in public and private offices.  She is remembered for her sense of humor, her love of family and friends, and her strong work ethic.  She was a great cook.
 
Earlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, on August 22, 2006; also by three brothers and four sisters.  Her immediate survivors are three children: Nancy Ruth Hays and her husband Hank, Mary Ethel Randall and her husband Randy, Raymond C. Blakey and his wife Marilyn; seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; one sister, Lois Martin and one sister-in-law Connie McCauley.
 
Visitation will be Friday, August 24 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Deming where services will begin at 11:00 am with Pastor Al Bunting officiating.  Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Earlene’s memory to the charity of your choice. 
 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  ​