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Jose Manuel"Melito" Maestas Jr., age 71, passed away September 28, 1999, at an Albuquerque hospital following an illness. Melito was born March 21, 1928 in Colonias, NM to the home of Manuel and Antonia Sanchez Maestas. He was reared and attended schools in Santa Rosa. He served in the United States Army from 1946 through 1948. He married Angela Dimas on April 21, 1952 in Santa Rosa. Melito served as Guadalupe County Clerk for four years, and served as the Postmaster for the Santa Rosa Post Office for 27 years, retiring in 1983. He served as a board member for the Santa Rosa Consolidated schools, and was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, where he was active in the adult choir. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5146, the VFW, and the American Legion. Melito enjoyed politics, the NFL, playing his harmonica, and cooking. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and will truly be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Pat Maestas; two sisters, Tonie Serrano and Mary Cordova; a brother, Alfred Maestas; and his mother-in-law, Mary Dimas. Survivors include his wife, Angela of the family home in Santa Rosa; his children, Connie Cave and husband, Dewey of Albuquerque, Michael Maestas and wife, Sylvia of Santa Rosa, Manny Maestas and wife, Cathy of Idaho Falls, ID, Jerry Maestas and wife, Veronica of Las Vegas, NM, Theresa Fresenius and husband, Steve of Seal Beach, CA, Larry Maestas of Albuquerque, Juanita Morales and husband, Victor of Laguna Negal, CA, Anita Hermann and husband, Ira of Seal Beach, CA, Tina Maestas and Victor Anaya of Albuquerque; two sisters, Ramona Gutierrez of Santa Rosa, Helen Cordova of Las Vegas, NV; a step-sister, Evelyn Carter of Albuquerque; and his step-mother, Celia Maestas of Albuquerque; his aunts, Aurora Sanchez and husband, Benny of Santa Fe and Emily Del Bagetto of Daly City, CA. Also surviving are 26 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary services were conducted on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel. A second Rosary will be recited on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. from the St. Rose Church in Santa Rosa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. also from St. Rose of Lima Church with Father Bill Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are his grandsons, Jose Maestas, Allen Cave, Cameron Cave, Joseph Cave, Christopher Maestas and John Maestas. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his Godsons and all his compadres. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St., Santa Rosa, NM, (505) 472-3369.
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