Obituaries

Arlene Ann Cooley, 79, a resident, of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Silver City Care Center.  Arelene was born on March 28, 1947, to her parents John Moore and Irene Cropp, in New York City, NY.

She is survived by her son, Michael David Cooley and his wife, Karen, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania; her son, Thomas David Cooley of Turnersville, New Jersey; and her grandchildren, Miky Karen Cooley, Ava Karen Cooley, and Logan Michael Cooley. She was preceded in death by her parents John Moore and Irene Moore.

While our hearts mourn her passing, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace and reunited with those who went before her. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered until we meet again. 

Memorial services will be held on August 29th at St. Vincent de Paul church in Silver City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, or the Humane Society in her memory.

Cremation has taken place at Terrazas Crematory.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com. 

Carmen Chavira Lopez, 72, of Bayard passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held at six o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Baca's Funeral Chapel in Silver City. Cremation will follow. Concluding services and inurnment will take place at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Memory Lane Cemetery. Carmen's brother, Pastor Ruben Chavira will officiate.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jamahl Chavarria, Kerizma Sifuentes, Jared Sifuentes, Isaac Chavarria, and Johnny Joe Lopez.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carmen Chavira Lopez, please visit our floral store.

Nona May Lindley, 90, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Fort Bayard Medical Center.  Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nona May Lindley, please visit our floral store.

Juan De Dios Arroyo, 85, of Silver City passed away July 28, 2026 at Fort Bayard Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Johnny, as he was affectionately known, was born March 8, 1941 in Silver City to Ramon and Ramona Arroyo. He had worked and retired after 28 years from Fort Bayard Medical Center working as a painter and construction.   Johnny loved the outdoors, hunting and staying busy cutting and chopping wood.  His favorite pastime though were his sports.  He loved watching and following the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Celtics.  Johnny will dearly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Leticia; daughter, Genny Arroyo; three sons, Ramon Arroyo, Johnny Arroyo and Gabriel Arroyo; one brother Reynaldo Arroyo and one sister Irene Altamirano.  Also surviving Johnny are his twelve grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren and his beloved dog, Guero.  He was preceded in death by his parents Ramon and Ramona as well as a brother, Albert Arroyo.

At Johnny's request, cremation will take place and he will be laid to rest at a later date.

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

Scott A. Holm, 55, resident of Deming passed away Tuesday July 21, 2026.  Arrangements are pending. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Scott A. Holm, please visit our floral store.

Frank DeLoss Thayer

Frank DeLoss Thayer, 86, passed away peacefully at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on June 28, 2026.Frank was born on July 15, 1939, in Santa Rita, New Mexico, to Frank D. Thayer Sr. and Roberta Thayer. He grew up in Hurley, New Mexico, with his sisters, Martha and Anne, and graduated from Cobre High School in 1958.  He briefly served in the Army National Guard before continuing his education.  Throughout his life, he earned degrees from Texas A&M University, Centennial College in Scarborough Ontario, and New Mexico State University.  Frank began his career in journalism, working as a teacher, reporter, photographer, editor, and public relations writer in both New Mexico and Canada.While attending New Mexico State University, he founded Puerto del Sol, the university's literary magazine, which continues today as a respected publication dedicated to emerging writers. He taught journalism at Scarborough Community College in Ontario Canada forabout 15 years, and in the mid 1980's, joined the faculty at New Mexico State University, His teaching career covered many years teaching journalism and mentoring aspiring reporters, editors, and writers. He was an imaginative teacher who knew how to get students engaged. He occasionally staged his own fake assassination while lecturing, in order to teach students about their own observational skills and also about how many points of view might exist over a single incident.

CHESTER DARWIN RUSSELL

Chester "Chet" Darwin Russell was born to Burton and Ellen Maxwell Russell on August 29, 1947 in Hartford, Connecticut, the second son of four children. Chet's father died when he was 4, so he learned early on if he wanted something, he would have to work for it. At the age of 6, he began raking leaves, shoveling snow, delivering newspapers, and various other jobs. During this time, he learned an excellent work ethic, which stayed with him for life.  When Chet was a little boy, he wanted to be like Davy Crockett.  That sense of adventure and exploration remained with him his entire life.

When Chet's mother married Phillip St. John, the family moved to Long Island, where he excelled in lacrosse, football, and wrestling. The family then moved to Statesville, North Carolina, where Chet played football and wrestled, graduating in 1965. He then went to Mitchell Jr. College, and completed an Associate's Degree in Industrial Arts in 1967, He truly was an artist at heart. Chet joined the Air Force in 1969 and began his 4-year experience with the Viet Nam War. He got top honors in his training class and became crew chief on a C-130 plane. He was honorably discharged in 1973 with the rank of Sergeant.

Arlene Ann Cooley, 79, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Silver City Care Center.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral and Crematory Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.