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Herman Montoya, son of Juanito and Emerenciana Montoya was born June 24, 1919 in Magdalena, New Mexico. Herman was welcomed into the hands of the Lord on Holy Saturday, April 10, 2004 in the company of his loving family. Erlinda his wife of 57 years and by his three children, his son Herman F. Montoya and Rose Garcia; his daughters, Gloria Sanchez and husband John and Roseann Apodaca and husband Ralph. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Denise Kean and husband Jack, Adam Montoya and wife Jennie, Charlotte Willis and husband, Rob, Amy Sanchez and fiance, Joe Fonseca, Lilliana Sanchez, Lisa Sanchez, Christopher Apodaca, Aaron Apodaca, Tiffany Apodaca, Brittany Apodaca, Amber Apodaca and Cameron Apodaca; his great grandchildren, Jacob Kean, Jonathan Kean, Jason Kean, Jordan Kean, Haley Montoya, Andrew Willis, Josh Willis, Alyssa Willis and his only living family member, Francis Castillo of Magdalena, New Mexico. After graduating from high school, Herman worked in Magdalena at McDonald General Mercantile. He then served in World War II in the Signal Core in the European theater, North Africa and Germany where he also proudly altar served mass every Sunday. While in the military he was one of the few chosen American soldiers to march in the victory parade which was attended by President Harry Truman and Winston Churchill and other allied leaders. At the end of the war he returned to Magdalena as an assayer in the Kelly Mines. He met his future wife Erlinda Lovato who he wed on November 27, 1946. They later settled in Albuquerque were he was a Safeway employee and community leader for 35 years of which 25 years were as a Safeway store manager at various stores in Albuquerque. He and Erlinda built their own home and raised their three children. He was a long time member of St. Anne's Catholic Church. In his spare time he enjoyed carpentry which included building furniture for his home, for family and friends. Upon his retirement he and Erlinda enjoyed spending time together and visiting their children and grandchildren. During those visits Herman enjoyed telling the stories of his life, reminiscing about good times and telling about his time spent in World War II. He kept the family history alive with his stories. Herman was a very proud, family centered man who was a devout Catholic. Herman will be greatly missed by his loving family and the community. Visitations will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Garcia Mortuary. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. also at St. Anne Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Adam Montoya, Jack Kean, Christopher Apodaca, Aaron Apodaca, Joe Fonseca and Jacob Kean. Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Kean and Andrew Kean. Services are in the care of: GARCIA MORTUARY 717 Stover Ave. SW 243-5222
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