Obituaries

An obituary is not available at this time for Raul Rodriguez Mercado. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

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Paul David Wilson Jr., 76, Deming resident passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Mimbres Valley Medical Center in Deming. He was September 3, 1949 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Paul David Wilson Sr. and Rita Williams.

A son of a Military man, Paul grew up with a background and love for Law Enforcement. He began his career as a Correctional Officer for Dauphin County Prison in Harrisburg, PA. After years of faithful service to the correctional system Paul retired and offered his assistance to many volunteer organizations. Paul stuck with law enforcement as a volunteer firefighter for 35 years and at the Luna County Sheriff Department, as well as security for local events. He also volunteered his time as a driver for the Senior Center and Meals on Wheels, a volunteer at the Republican Party and even as Girl Scout Leader. Paul was also a member of the American Legion. He even offered his love and care as a foster parent to many children, those that has underling health issues. Paul had a love for trains and was huge collector of toys and model trains. From time to time during the Christmas holiday, he would decorate his yard with trains and allow the community to come and play with them. He also enjoyed on his downtime his fishing trips.

Dorothy Lee Hales, 83, current resident of Las Cruces passed away Monday August 24, 2026.  Visitation will be Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026 from 11 to 1 at Baca's Funeral Chapel.  A graveside service will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Lee Hales, please visit our floral store.

During the early morning hours of August 20, 2026, life- long Grant County resident, F. E. (Pete) Wilmeth, passed away. He had recently been in the care of Desert Peaks Assisted Living and Memory Care in Las Cruces, but his life's home was Silver City and the Gila Valley at Cliff, the latter of which he spent his childhood and his young adult life. A son of a pioneering family, the Wilmeths arrived in New Mexico in 1900 from Texas. His parents, Albert and Sabre Wilmeth, spent all but their last years in Grant County.

He attended grade school and high school at Cliff at a time when Cliff schools were consolidated into an independent district and separate from Silver City. That school district, consolidated in 1917, was an undertaking the citizens of Cliff accomplished folding the various one room schools around the area into a first through 12th grade system. Local rancher, farmer, and respected community leader, Lee Rice, pushed the effort spending a year riding the district promoting the consolidation effort. He and his wife, Mary Belle (Shelley) Rice then donated the land where the school was first built and remains on the land to this day. One of Lee's granddaughters, would become the life-long partner of Pete who would eventually choose education as a career from his start at that rural school.

Theresa Marie Alvarado, 51, a resident of Bayard, NM entered eternal rest Sunday, August 23, 2026 at Providence Care Campus in El Paso, TX.  She was born November 14, 1974 in Silver City, NM to Robert "Raton" Alvarado and Rosalina Polanco Alvarado.

Theresa's life was not always easy, and she faced her share of struggles and difficult times, but through it all, she had a heart filled with love for the people who meant the most to her. She dedicated approximately 17 years to Cobre Consolidated Schools as a Teacher's Aide, where she had a special way of working with students with special needs. Her patience, compassion, and caring heart allowed her to make a difference in the lives of many students throughout the years.

Theresa will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her family held a very special place in her heart, especially her eight grandchildren, who brought her so much happiness. She dearly loved her nieces and nephews and was especially happy to have recently become a great-aunt. She was also looking forward with great excitement to welcoming another grandchild into the family.

Those who knew Theresa will remember her happy spirit, her big heart, and the love she carried for her family. While her journey through life had its challenges, those challenges did not define who she was. She was so much more—the woman beneath them was someone who loved deeply, cared greatly, and mattered immensely to those who loved her.

Johnny Lee Coburn, 83, a resident of Mimbres, NM entered eternal rest Thursday, August 27, 2026 at his residence.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

In Loving Memory of Cira Avila de Duarte

March 12, 1941 – August 25, 2026

With profound love and sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Cira Avila de Duarte, who passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, in Silver City, New Mexico, surrounded by her loving family.

Cira was born on March 12, 1941, in Durango, Mexico, to Lauro Avila and Maria del Refujio Ocon de Avila. At the age of 29, she came to the United States and made Silver City her home, where she spent more than five decades building a life centered around faith, family, hard work, and love.

Cira's life was a beautiful example of sacrifice and devotion. As a mother, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children, at times working two or three jobs to make sure they had everything they needed. No effort was too great when it came to caring for her family. She was a wonderful mother, an extraordinary grandmother and great-grandmother, and a woman whose love could always be felt.

Jose Eloy Peña, 97, of Bayard passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

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