BENNIE DIMAS, 97, a longtime resident of Lordsburg passed away Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, New Mexico.  A prayer vigil will begin at 10 o'clock this Saturday, May 9, 2015 with Alice Ramirez leading the service.  Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 o'clock with Fr.  Ron Machado officiating.  Concluding services and interment with honors will follow at Shakespeare Cemetery.  A celebration of life will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall following burial services. Bennie, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather was born January 4, 1918 in Vaughn, New Mexico to Santiago and Rosario Dimas.  He has been a resident of Lordsburg since 1968.

It was Bennie's honor to serve in the U.S. Army World War II, as Cannoneer served with the Antiaircraft Artillery in Four Campaigns through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany (Battle of Normandy).  Bennie was a third generation railroader.  He began his career with the Santa Fe Railway and retired as a track supervisor from Southern Pacific Railroad - a 42 year career.  He served in the American Legion and was an active member of the Railroad Labor Union.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Oralda Dimas.  He married the love of his life in 1943 and they spent 67 years together.  Bennie is survived by: 3 daughters, Maria Rosa Linda (Rosie) Gutierrez and her husband Francisco of Fresno, CA, Carmen Acosta and her husband Frank of Lordsburg, Charlene Dimas-Peinado and her husband Epifanio of Whittier, CA; 3 sons, Bennie Dimas, Jr.  of Santa Fe, NM, George Dimas and his wife Alice and Tommy Dimas all of Lordsburg.  Bennie was blessed with 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren, all of whom he was proud and loved.  He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Maria Antonia Dimas and Patricia Dimas, 4 brothers and 1 sister.  He will be remembered as member of the Greatest Generation, a War Veteran, a proud American who loved his family, had a strong work ethic, and a kind and sharing person with many stories to tell.  He was an avid reader and we considered him an "expert" jigsaw puzzle maker.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren Joseph Acosta, Christopher Dimas, Michael Dimas, James Dimas, Esteban Peinado and Gabriel Rodriguez.