Newest Obituaries
Sisneros -- Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Lucy G. Sisneros will be celebrated this morning, 9:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1860 Griegos NW, with final viewing at the church from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Father Aragon, Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Gabaldon Mortuary, 1000 Old Coors Rd. SW, in charge of the arrangements. 
Published on: Wed March 25, 1998
Sparks -- John B. Sparks, 39, a resident of Albuquerque since 1981, passed away Saturday, March 21, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Jerod John Sparks and Jennifer Ann Sparks; parents, Donald and Elizabeth Smalley-Sparks; Allison Kozeliski and husband, Tom and children Kristin, Kelly, and Matthew of Gallup; Patsy Perkal and husband, Glenn and children, Nicholas and Natalie of Albuquerque; Don Sparks Jr. and wife, Liz and children, Bryan and Kathryn of Gallup; Scott Sparks and wife, Rhonda and children Brandon, Mariah and Craig of Tucumcari. John was born and raised in Gallup, NM, where he attended Cathedral School and graduated from Gallup High School in 1976. He was discharged from the United States Air Force in 1981. Mr. Sparks was currently working as a Licensed Plumber for Miller Bonded Company. He was an avid hunter and an out-doors-man. Mr. Sparks will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Vigil will be held Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:00 a.m., at the Newman Center, 1815 Las Lomas Rd. NE. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Helak, Joseph Payl Helak, Jeffrey Helak, James Helak, Cecil Benally, and Glenn Perkal. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has created a trust fund for John's children. Memorial contributions may be made to Jerod and Jennifer Sparks Trust Fund c/o New Mexico Educators Credit Union, 1801 Lomas NE 87106. French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE. Published on: Wed March 25, 1998
Wagner -- Ernest Felton Wagner passed away March 21, 1998. He was a 50 year resident of Albuquerque. Ernest was married on May 17, 1974. He is survived by wife, Elsie Wagner; 2 sons, John F. Wagner, Lonnie E Wagner; and one daughter, Neta M. Bell. He was a member of Family Motorcoach Association. No memorial services will be held. Contributions to St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation, Quality Continuum Hospice Fund c/o Ina Simmons, PO Box 2555, Albuq., NM 87125. Published on: Wed March 25, 1998
Wells -- Wauneta Raida Wells, 92, passed away at her home on March 21, 1998. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin R. Wells; her parents; brothers, Paul and Delmas; and sister, Theresa. She is survived by two sons, John Wells and James Wells and their families; three nieces, Wauneta Anne Whittingham of Toronto, Canada, Marian J. Richert of Oak Ridge, TN, and Lisa J. Fleck of Ossining, NY; and a nephew, John R. Johnson of Oak Ridge. Wauneta was born in Rose Hill, Kansas on February 17, 1906 to John and Viola Raida. She graduated from high school in Rose Hill and did her early teaching there. She also played piano accompaniments for the local school and church. She later graduated from Emporia State College, did graduate work at Columbia University, and taught school in Arkansas City, Kansas, Wichita, and at Bandeleir School in Albuquerque from which she retired. Mrs. Wells was a member of Phi Delta Theta Sorority in college and Xi Phi Honorary Leadership Fraternity. In Albuquerque she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 46 years where she served as a Deacon, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Mariners and the Bible Class. She was also affiliated with the Charles Dibrell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A memorial service will be held at First Prebyterian Church on Thursday, March 26, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. Cremation arrangements are by Sunrise Society, 891-8200. Published on: Wed March 25, 1998
Albach -- Carl R. Albach died on March 18, 1998 at 6:30 a.m., after spending 2 1/2 years at the Horizon Nursing Home in Albuquerque. He was 91 years old. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Karen Antibojian and her husband, Sarbis; and two grandsons, Kyle and Garrick of Cheshire, OR; a son, Lyndon C. and his wife, Terri of Rio Rancho; a niece, Mrs. Marie Schauer and her husband, Carl and their two daughters; a sister-in-law, Katharine Avery of Windham, NY. (his wife died in 1957 from a brain hemmorage); also numerous nieces and nephews all across the USA. Cremation is being scheduled by Sunrise Society of New Mexico. Published on: Tue March 24, 1998
Arguello -- Ramon H. Arguello,"Ray the Barber and owner of Sanitary Barber Shop," 72, a resident of Albuquerque for 46 years, died Sunday, March 22, 1998. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ernestine, of the family home; daughters, Debra Arguello and Dorleen Arguello; sons, Donald Arguello and wife, Catherine and Dean Arguello, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Gabriel Chavez, Ivan Chavez and Shelby Arndt; sister, Mary Rodriguez and husband, Carlos of Las Vegas, NM; brothers, Joe D. Arguello and wife, Trini and James Arguello, all of Albuquerque, and Tony Arguello and wife, Alice of Belen. Mr. Arguello was preceded in death by his parents, Hilario and Adella Arguello; brothers, Cipriano Arguello, Bennie Arguello and Cruz Arguello; and sister, Stella Gonzales. He was born in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. and Mrs. Arguello were married in 1951 in Dilia, NM. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Army. Mr. Arguello was a member of the DAV Chapter 3. He was also a member of the Catholic Church. Rosary will be recited Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with Fr. Antonio Mondragon, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with Fr. Paul Baca, Celebrant. Interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. in Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM. Pallbearers will be Manuel Montoya, Alonzo Rodriguez, Andre Padilla, Alfred Vigil, Larry Guerra and Charlie Gonzales. Honorary Pallbearers will be Domingo Martinez, Leonard Baca, Steve Rodriguez, Nick Garcia, Ernest Cordova and Charlie Casaus. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Published on: Tue March 24, 1998
Bundrant -- Claude L. Bundrant, 74, a resident of Albuquerque since 1938, died Sunday, March 22, 1998. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Millie Bundrant of Albuquerque; three children, Claudia Moore and husband, Dan of Farmington, Claude Lee Jr. (Dusty) Bundrant of Regina, NM, and Brenda Franklin and husband, Harold of Albuquerque; five grandchildren, Nannette Moore of Albuquerque, Shane Moore of Farmington, Damion Bundrant of Aurora, CO, Melissa Padilla and Christina Franklin, both of Albuquerque; and five great-grandchildren; siblings, George W. Bundrant and wife, Vivian, Lois Railey and husband, Bill, and John P. Bundrant and wife, Martha, all of Albuquerque. Mr. Bundrant was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Bundrant. He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the US Army. Mr. Bundrant retired from Mountain Bell (U.S. West) after 30+ years of dedicated service. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, competitive softball, and camping with the Zia Drifters Telephone Pioneers R.V. Club. Mr. Bundrant was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Telephone Pioneers. He lived for his family and was loved by all. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. Graveside services will be held Thursday, 11:00 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 4919 Prospect Ave NE 87110. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE. Published on: Tue March 24, 1998
Burciaga -- Lorenzo R."Chico" Burciaga passed away on Thursday, March 19, 1998, after a brief illness. He was born on August 10, 1921 in El Paso, Texas to Meleciano and Juana Burciaga and was raised in Roswell, NM. He served his country during WWII as a B-24 bomber pilot, where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, a Presidential Citation, the Europe-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, and a Purple Heart Medal. He married Maxine Theresa Van Sloun after the war and they resided in New Mexico, where they raised six children. After a successful career as an accountant and budget officer with the Zia Company of Los Alamos, he retired in Santa Fe. He was a lifetime member of the Elks B.P.O.E. 460 Lodge of Santa Fe; the American Legion, Post 1 of Santa Fe; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by Maxine Burciaga and their six children and children's spouses, Ernesto V. and his wife, Cecilia, Ann C. (Cathy) Burciaga-Johnson, Laurel J. Knobloch (Burciaga) and her husband, Paul, Stephen V. and his wife, Cynthia, Timothy V. and his wife, Katie, and Susan P. Martinez (Burciaga) and her husband, Rick. He is also survived by three grandchildren and a grandchild's spouse, Sara Newton (Martinez) and her husband, Rusty, Jason Martinez, and Stephen P. Burciaga. He is also survived by two sisters, Vincenta B. Martinez (Burciaga) and Guadalupe B. Maggazini (Burciaga); a brother, Coyo G. Burciaga; step-mother, Luz Burciaga; half-sister, Velia Burciaga; half-brother, Hector Burciaga; step-brothers, Sal Gonzales, Jesus Gonzales; and a step-sister, Lina Gonzales. Also included in Lorenzo's family are special friends, Leila and Milli Miller. A Christian celebration will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, March 27, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception following at the Elks B.P.O.E. 460 Lodge on the Las Vegas Highway. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Carl Buckland, Charlie Chavez, Robert"Bob" Fresques, Robert"Bob" Johnson, Chester Michel,"Cookie" Quintana, Eugene Romero, Ray Romero, William Turner, and Eloy Vigil. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to your favorite charity. Published on: Tue March 24, 1998
Bustamante -- In Loving Memory ofGILBERT BUSTAMANTEMarch 7, 1932 to March 24, 1993The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand, The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land, The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains... For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.It's been five years since you went away, but to us you live on and love more with every passing day. Oh how we wish we could have shared our times with you, you would have been so proud, to see your smile, touch your hands, or hear you laugh out loud. But our memories give us comfort now and keep you close at heart. Your love lives on in each one of us and from that we'll never be apart.We all love you and miss you, Your Family Published on: Tue March 24, 1998
Cihak -- Walter F. Cihak, age 81, passed away March 21, 1998. Mr. Cihak was born in Eureka, Missouri on April 21, 1916 and had been a resident of Albuquerque since 1946. He was retired from Sandia Labs in 1980 after 29 years and four months, and also retired from the Army National Guard after 24 years. He was an avid bowler and golfer and loved to fish. Mr. Cihak was a member of Elks Lodge #461. He is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Jakcie Ryan; son, Michael Cihak and wife, Karen; four grandchildren, Paula Howard, John Ryan, Jerry Ryan and Michelle Cihak; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 25, 1998, 1:00 p.m., at the Elks Loge #461, 1642 University Blvd. NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Lodge #461, 1642 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Hillcrest Funeral Home, 225 San Mateo NE, 265-5959. Published on: Tue March 24, 1998