​Raymond Darrell Bishop, 66, passed away peacefully in his home on February 22, 2017. Darrell was born on November 24, 1950 to Raymond and Nellie(Lewis) Bishop in Rosebud, TX. He was a farmer from birth and began farming with his dad in Deming, NM in 1952. He graduated from Deming High School in 1968 and attended New Mexico State University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Agronomy in 1972.

He returned to Deming and continued farming with his father and later went to work for the City of Deming in 1988 where he retired as the Superintendent for the Water and Waste-Water Department in 2012. He married his best friend Peggy in 1989 and they raised their 3 children together. He loved and supported his children through 4-H, Deming Football Boosters and Deming Saddle Club. He was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Deming.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife Peggy, children Keith, Shawn (Kim) and Karen (Trey), grandchildren Ashley, Caleb and Trenten and brothers Cecil, John and Stan and many family and friends. Services will be Saturday February 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Baca’s Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Deming, NM.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the New Mexico Boy’s Ranch or the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home. 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

Ava L. Rhodes, 72, lifetime Deming resident passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Silver City Care Center.
 
A memorial service will take place at Bethel Baptist Church Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 11 o’clock. Pastor Mason Davis, officiating. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.
 
Ava was born January 10, 1945 to Albert R. and Marguerite Murrah Holt in Deming.  She is remembered by her family as being a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved and cherished her family.  She was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW and Fraternal Order of Eagles.  Ava loved crossword puzzles and listening to her favorite music. 
 
She is survived by daughters, Kimberly Parra and Shanna Hatfield (Ernesto Rivera) of Deming; brother, Al Holt of Show Low, AZ; 5 grandchildren, Charity Pena, Shannon Leeds, Arturo Prieto, Anastasia Orozco and Kenny Slezarick; great-grandson, Eli Pena who was the love of her life.
 
Preceded in death by parents, Albert and Marguerite Holt, husband, George Rhodes, daughter, Rita Novak and sister, JoAnne Semain. 
 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

CLARENCE J. RUDIGER SR., 87, resident of Animas passed away Wednesday February 8, 2017 in Silver City.
   A graveside service will be Tuesday February 14, 2017 at 11 o’clock in the morning at the Rudiger Family Cemetery located at 69 Bar CR Ranch Road in Animas. Cremation will take place at Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.
   Clarence was born July 11, 1929 in Anapra, New Mexico to Ludwig and Lillian Rudiger. He married Nora Lee Gailey on May 23, 1959 and has lived in Animas most all his life where he farmed, ranched and raised his family.       Clarence served his country honorably in the United States Army.
   He is survived by his children, Clarence J. Rudiger Jr. (Leslee) of Animas, Matthew L. Rudiger (Tara) of Deming, Nora L. Gleason (Jimmy) of Nevis, Minnesota, and Amber R. Bryant (Barry) of Mesa, Arizona; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. His wife Nora preceded him in death on June 12, 2011.
   Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory. Exclusive

 MANUEL L. CARRILLO, 64, resident of Columbus passed away Wednesday February 8, 2017 at Mimbres Memorial Hospital.
 
Visitation will begin Friday afternoon, February 10th at 4 o’clock at the Holy Family Catholic Mission in Columbus where a prayer vigil will begin at 6 that evening led by Marisol Perez.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday morning at 10 at the Holy Family Catholic Mission with Fr. Ron Machado officiating.  Concluding services and interment will follow at Valley Heights Catholic Cemetery.
 
Manuel was born July 20, 1952 in Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico to Esther Lopez and Miguel Carrillo.  He owned and operated Maria’s Second Hand Store in Columbus and was well known for his mechanical skills.  Manuel always enjoyed spending time with his family.  He adored his wife and had a special love for all of his grandchildren.  He was a communicant of the Catholic Church. 
 
He is survived by his wife, Maria Elena Carrillo of Columbus; sons, Manuel Jr., Miguel (Mora) of Columbus, Arnoldo (Nancy) and Christian (Annette) of Deming; daughters, Elizabeth Hernandez (Eduardo), Beatrice Armendariz (Luis) of Deming, Esther Leaָños (Mario) of Santa Teresa, NM and Adriana Carrillo of Las Cruces; brothers, Eulalio Lopez of Merced, CA and Miguel Carrillo of Seattle, WA; sisters, Beatrice Montano and Bertha Govea of San Diego, CA; 16 grandchildren and 1 on the way.  He was preceded in death by parents, Miguel Carrillo and Esther Lopez, daughter, Claudia Carrillo and grandson, Jose Yandel Licano.
 
Pallbearers will be Arnoldo, Miguel, Christian Carrillo, Eduardo Hernandez, Luis Armendariz and Mario Leaños.  Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren.
  
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  

MELODYE LEE (PRESNELL) LESSNER, 72, passed away Friday February 3, 2017 at her home in Deming, New Mexico.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Mimbres Crematory. Melodye was an Organ Donor. There will be a Celebration of Life at the First United Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Ernie Vineyard on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2 o’clock.
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Melodye was born to Bob and Leona Presnell on December 16, 1944 in Dixon, Illinois. She met her loving husband James on her 16th birthday. She attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University.

Melodye was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Leona Presnell, her brother Odie Presnell, and brother in law Bill Bain. She is survived by her husband Jim of Deming, NM; 3 daughters, Lisa Kopatich (Joe) of Olathe, Kansas, Kyra Lessner (Scott) of San Antonio, Texas, and Angela Lessner of Des Moines, Iowa; 3 grandchildren, Tyler Kopatich (Sawyer) of Wichita, Kansas, Alec Kopatich of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, and Kylee Kopatich of the University of Kansas WBB in Lawrence, Kansas.

Before moving to Deming, Melodye developed a Preschool and an Art program for the Parks and Recreation Department in Davenport, Iowa. She also worked as a Supervisor of the Infant Department for Kohl’s for 9 years. She was an avid bowler, tennis player, and loved arts and crafts not to mention, her love of golf. Melodye was also an avid protector of wildlife.

Since moving to Deming, Melodye substituted at Fruit of the Vine Preschool, was a member and President of the Holy Family Altar Society, Vice President of the Ladies Golf Association for 4 years, President of the Rio Mimbres Ladies Auxiliary, Member of the Hospital Auxiliary and was a volunteer at the Senior Center.

Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory. Exclusive

Julian Baca, 77, Deming resident passed away Friday, February 03, 2017 at his home.

Visitation will be Tuesday February 7, 2017 from 2 until 5 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Deming. The rosary service will be at 7 o’clock that evening at St Ann’s Catholic Church led by Guillermina Macias. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock also a St Ann’s with the rite of committal and interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Fr. Manuel Ibarra, Pastor, will officiate.

Julian was born February 6, 1939 at Dwyer on the Mimbres Valley to Elena Dominguez and Eduardo Baca. He married Velia Vasquez and together had 4 children. He was very proud of spending his working career at Deming Implement (John Deere) until his retirement. Julian later married Martha Herrera and enjoyed many wonderful years together especially taking care of “Lizzy”. He was a devout Catholic and worshiped at St. Ann’s where he was also a member of the Apostleship of Prayer Group.

Survivors include his wife, Martha, of the home, whom he married October 26, 1996; 2 daughters, Clara and husband, Jesus Gonzales and Elizabeth, affectionately known as “Lizzy Baca” both of Deming; 2 sons, Henry and wife, Ivy and Marty and wife, Janet Baca, all of Deming; 3 brothers, Ramon D. Baca of Faywood, Fernando “Buddy” Baca and Mayor Sam Baca both of Deming. 7 grandchildren survive, Angel, Christina, Stephanie, Marty Ivan, Anjelita, Alexandria and Jordan; 11 Great-grandchildren, Nakai, Zenovia, Josiah, Sarah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Esteban Jr., Matthew, Steve, Krystela and Alvin Jr. as well as a God-daughter, Stephanie Cardona.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Eduardo and Elena; first wife, Velia Vasquez Baca; sisters, Clara and Nora Baca and a brother, Adan.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ezequiel, Isaac and Adrian Schultz, Martin Alvin Baca Jr., Rick Apache and Jesus Gonzales.

Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels. 

​RICHARD EMOTT PEACH SR., 81, resident of Deming passed away Sunday January 15, 2017 at the La Posada Hospice in Las Cruces.
 
A memorial service will be Saturday February 11, 2017 at   10:00 am with Pastor Ernie Vineyard, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church officiating at the church.  Inurnment will be at Mt. View Cemetery in Lordsburg on Friday February 10th, where he will join his parents. Cremation has taken place at Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.
 
Richard was born January 11, 1936 in Monrovia, California to Otto and Emily (Teel) Peach.  He was a Barber in Ridgecrest then a cab driver in the Bakersfield, California area for many years.  He and his wife Pat came to Deming from Bakersfield in October 1996. They were active with the Deming Luna County Chamber of Commerce for several years.  Later they became was very active with the Deming Senior Center for 22 years.  He was a driver for the Meals on Wheels program and later became the scheduler for that same program.
 
He is survived by his former wife and still best friend, Pat Peach of Taft, California. His children, Debra Hale of Ridgecrest, California, Annette Peach of Inyokern, California, and Richard E. Peach Jr. of Ridgecrest, California. He also has grandchildren, great-grands, step-children plus nieces and a nephew.
 
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Betty A. (Peach) Williams, all of Deming.
 
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory.