Obituaries

Tiburcio F. Barreras Jr, 75, passed away Monday, September 1, 2025 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces. Arrangements are pending.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tiburcio Felix Barreras Jr, please visit our floral store.

Daryl Lee Shurtz, 84, a resident of Gila, NM entered eternal rest Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at his residence.  He was born June 18, 1941 to his parents, Clyde Raymond and Winnie May (Lowe) Shurtz at Goodland, Kansas. 

Daryl lived in Wallace County, Kansas, for 31 years. While he lived there, he was a rancher/farmer. Then he moved to NM in 1972. He worked for James Hamilton Construction for 26 years.

He liked going to the casinos and watching college football Kansa State and Kansas University. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids play sports.

Daryl had a personal relationship with the Lord. God is our comfort during this time, and the Lord is close to the broken hearted, he rescues us when our spirits are crushed. Daryl would want us to know to turn to the Lord for comfort, don't be sad as he is going home.

Michael A. Peralta, 79, of Stoneville, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Velma Peralta of Stoneville, NC; his son, Joseph Peralta and husband Jose of Long Beach, California; and his daughter, Andrea Ludt and husband Sean of Stoneville, NC. He also leaves behind his grandson, Jacob Ludt, and granddaughters, Jessica and Carolynn Ludt, all of Stoneville, NC.

Michael is lovingly remembered by his nephew, Christopher Arzate and wife Jada of Silver City, NM and grandnephews Austen Saxton, Devon Arzate, and Ryan Arzate also of Silver City New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosendo and Lucy Peralta; his sister, Marylou Castro and her husband Arturo; his nephew, Eric Arzate; and his grandnephew, Nicholas Arzate.

Higinio Casteñeda Molina, 87, a resident of Las Cruces passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Services are pending.

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Irene H. Montenegro, 76, of Santa Clara passed away Friday, August 29, 2025 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

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

Daryl Lee Shurtz, 84, a resident of Gila, NM entered eternal rest Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at his residence.  He was born June 18, 1941 to his parents, Clyde Raymond and Winnie May (Lowe) Shurtz at Goodland, Kansas. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Eisenbart); his two sons, Daryl Shurtz, Jr., of Gila, NM and C.J. Shurtz of Phoenix, AZ; his two daughters, Jenny Shurtz of Gila, NM and Jane Tibbs (Lee) of Gila, NM; his seven grandchildren, Matt (Beth), Justin, Joseph, Jimmy, Ray, Taylor (Hailey), Cody and Levi.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Shurtz; his sister, Roberta Ward. 

Ruth Bader Polanco, 90, a resident of Silver City, NM, entered eternal rest Saturday August 23, 2025, at Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, NM.  She was born August 18, 1935 to her parents, Josef and Barbara (Ruder) Bader, in Furth, Germany.   

An extremely strong and courageous woman, Ruth left her home country of Germany as a military wife in 1956. At the age of 21, with her kids in tow, she moved into her mothers-in-law's (Avelina Polanco) home in Gila N.M. Ruth spoke only German, Avelina only spoke Spanish. Yet together with a combined 5 kids in a two-bedroom house in Gila, they somehow made it work. Ruth eventually taught herself how to speak English by watching the show American Bandstand on T.V.

Ruth found tremendous joy in life through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was always quick to tell anyone that would listen how proud she was of each and every one of them. Her home was the center of their universe, always open to anyone and was the gathering place for all things family.

Charles Gilbert Gardner Jr., also known as "Sonny" or "Charlie" to his friends and family, was born February 18, 1946 in Deming, New Mexico. Born to Charles Gilbert Gardner, Sr. and Lola May (Prestridge) Gardner, he was the baby and the only boy of the family. He had three older sisters, Dorothy Louise, Margaret Norene, and Geneva May Gardner. The Gardner's moved many times over the years, first moving from Deming to the Shrine Mine near Silver City, NM.

The Shrine became a beloved place that would hold a great importance and peace for many generations to come. The Gardner's' were known to many as a close-knit, hardworking family full of generosity, hospitality, and love. This was the foundation on which Sonny lived his life. After leaving the Shrine, the Gardner family moved to Silver City, then Hatchita, New Mexico and eventually Las Cruces, where he graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1964. He attended New Mexico State University and worked at his dad's service station. While working there, he got a call from his dad to go help a young woman on the interstate with a flat tire.