Obituary notices.

Frank M. Rogers, 98, a resident of Silver City, NM - pending

Frank M. Rogers, 98, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, August 25, 2023 at Fort Bayard Medical Center.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Esperanza Gonzalez Muñoz, 81, a resident of Deming, NM

MunozEEsperanza Gonzalez Muñoz, 81, Deming resident entered eternal rest on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 in Las Cruces.

Visitation will begin Friday, August 25, 2023 from 4pm to 8pm at Baca’s Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be held the following day at 11 o’ clock in the morning also at Baca’s Funeral Chapel with the final interment to take place at Mountain View Cemetery where Esperanza will be laid to rest. Her son Efrain Gonzalez Jr. and his wife, Alma will be officiating.

Esperanza was born May 15, 1942 in La Junta, Chihuahua, Mexico to Francisco and Carmen (Fierro) Muñoz. She was a very kind hearted soul who loved life and her family even more so. With the life that she loved she enjoyed many things that came with it which included knitting and crocheting, watching Dallas Cowboy football, gardening in which she had a green thumb for, and enjoyed watching the famous Deming Duck Race Parade and seeing her grandchildren be part of it during their time in band. She also enjoyed the many holidays that brought her family all together. Esperanza will be missed by many and loved by all. May she rest in rest.

She is survived by her children Efrain (Alma) Gonzalez Jr., Martha Gonzalez, Lupe Gonzalez, Blanca Lorena Gonzalez, Maria del Carmen (Javier) Torres, Elvia (Abelardo) Renteria Gonzalez, Emma Gonzalez, Karina Gonzalez, and Mayra (Tyson) Sandoval; 3 siblings, 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death include her parents Francisco and Carmen Muñoz; her spouse Efrain Gonzalez; a son Enrique Gonzalez and 2 siblings.

Read more ...

Kathy Barker, 74, a resident of Hurley, NM

BarkerKKathy Barker, a resident of Hurley, NM entered eternal rest Sunday, August 20, 2023 at her residence.  She was born June 29, 1949 in Alamosa, CO to William R Baker and Lois Mary Vance Baker.

A daughter, sister, friend, and most importantly to her, a Mom. She raised 2 wonderful, caring sons, Chris and John. She was also a mom to many she chose. Those that needed someone to stand up for them, and by them. A collector of people and animals, she was Mama Bear to them all. She was strong, kind, loving, and steadfastly loyal. We miss her.

 
A funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 10 am at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Judy Ward officiating.  Concluding service and interment will follow at Bayard Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Chris Robert, John Barker, Josh Robert, Paul Jayson, Pat Gollihur, Matt Gollihur, Mike Prautzsch, and Marty Losty.

 
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .
 

Lorenza Yolanda Barrera, 74, a resident of Silver City, NM

BarreraLLorenza Yolanda Barrera, 74, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM.  She was born on February 23, 1949 to her parents, Samuel M. and Paula (Flores) Serna.  

Lorenza known as “Yolanda or Yolie” was a kind and loving person. She had a heart of pure goodness; she saw the good in everyone. Her greatest joy was the gift of giving; she gave from her heart with no expectations of anything in return. She opened her home to all family and friends in need,; she provided a place to stay, transportation, and a spot at the table, all from the goodness of her heart. She was always happiest in the company of family and close friends. Yolanda “my loving mother is cherished and forever will be loved and missed To-No-End…”

She is survived by her husband Faustino M. Barrera; her children, Paula Rivas of Silver City, NM, Faustino “Tino” S. Barrera of Buena Park, CA and Samuelray S. Barrera (Lorena) of Buena Park, CA; her sisters, Gloria Cueva (Fransisco) of Fullerton, CA and Maryellen Macias of Orange, CA; her grandchildren, Lorenzo, Vanessa, Sammy, Tino Jr. Lisette, Raymond; her Great-grandchildren, Calvin and Anastasia.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Raymond Serna, Stella Crespin and Josie Camacho.    

Read more ...

Roy Douglas Formwalt, 84, a resident of Deming, NM

Roy Douglas Formwalt passed away on August 11, 2023 in his home. Roy was born September 25, 1938 in Colorado City, TX. to Guy & Florence Formwalt. He was a 1957 graduate of Lovington High School. On June 5, 1959 he married his wife of 59 years, Roberta. They settled in Deming in 1965 where he was a mechanic at Ford and later retired from James Hamilton Construction. Roy is proceeded in death by his wife and parents. He is survived by his daughter Donna Williams of Vail, AZ., son Roy Dean Formwalt of Santa Fe, NM., granddaughters Tonnia Long and Trisha Cathey of Capitan, NM. Grandson Jared Formwalt of Capitan, NM, great granddaughter Jada Long, great grandson Austin Cathey, his sister Mary Myrick and his brother-in-law Robert Bartlett along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled. 

To send flowers to the family orplant a tree plant a tree in memory of Roy Douglas Formwalt, please visit our floral store.

Kenneth Gehlken, 86, a resident of Silver City, NM

Kenneth Gehlken, 86, of Silver City passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, NM. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

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

Kirk Owen “Hoss” Hethcox, 59, a resident of Deming, NM

HethcoxKKirk Owen “Hoss” Hethcox went home to be with the Lord in the early hours of Monday, August 21, 2023.  Kirk was born June 29, 1964 to Thomas Matthew “Pete” Hethcox and Betty Lou (Donaghe) Hethcox in Deming, NM.  Kirk lived the majority of his life in Deming as an accomplished heavy equipment operator for many years – it was said he could run anything with steel wheels, rubber tires or tracks.  He loved moving the earth and seeing the progress after a good days’ work.  Kirk also enjoyed his love of music and adventure, playing country and southern rock music throughout the western United States with his band. He loved spending time with his wife as they worked together building an excavating business and a small Watusi cattle operation, their own little ranch.  Kirk loved hunting, fishing and most especially being out in the forest camping with family.


Kirk will be remembered for his generous and loving nature (even when he was an ass). His door was always open to complete strangers, lost family, and stray dogs. Kirk was a giving and loving soul with a gentle spirit that cared something about everyone he ever met.

Read more ...

Laura Najera Ogas, 55, a resident of Las Cruces, NM

OgasLauraLaura Najera Ogas, 55, a resident of Las Cruces, NM entered eternal rest Monday, August 14, 2023, at her son’s residence in Houston, TX.  Laura was born on September 21, 1967 to her parents, Teotimo and Margarita (Villegas) Najera in Chihuahua, Mexico.  


Dr. Laura Najera Ogas showed those around her what it means to love others unconditionally. She cherished each day and enjoyed bringing people together along her journey through life. Dr. Ogas loved spending time with her family, friends and fellow parishioners. She also made time to learn new skills and hobbies, in addition to traveling and learning about other cultures. Prior to obtaining her license in the United States, she owned and operated her own dental clinic in Palomas, MX. She valued helping those who couldn’t otherwise afford dental care and participated in various international dental mission trips throughout her career. For the past six years, Dr. Ogas was the Dental Director at La Clinica de Familia where she felt loved and valued by her coworkers and patients alike. Her smile, her laughter, and her healing touch will surely be missed by all.

Read more ...

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.