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MARTINEZ -- Gilbert G. Martinez, 85, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, died Thursday, January 13, 2011. He is survived by his four children, Patricia Marquart and husband, Richard, Lawrence Martinez and wife, Robley, Anna Marie Loughead and husband, John and Therese Martinez-Loner; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Raymon and Zenaida Martinez; wife, Mary "Peaches"; son-in-law, Rick Loner; granddaughter, Sherie Bernadette Martinez; and brother, Patricino Martinez. He was born on July 28, 1925 in Alameda, NM and graduated from Albuquerque High before entering the United States Navy in 1943. After Gil's honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Albuquerque. He and Peaches were married in 1948. Gil enrolled at St. Joseph's College for almost two years. He then went to work for the Railroad for a year and then took on a part-time job for the Post Office during the Christmas rush and was never told to go home. Forty years later he retired. He and Peaches enjoyed 57 years of marriage during which they fished, traveled, and thoroughly enjoyed their retirement. His love for his wife knew no bounds, taking care of her for thirteen years during her long illness until her death. Gil was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 9:30 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Ennichement will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018. Please visit our online guestbook for Gil at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Mon January 17, 2011

MITCHEM -- Lt.Col. James Albert Mitchem U.S. Army (RET), 79, a long time resident of Albuquerque, was born March 17, 1931 in New Albany, Indiana, and departed this life on Friday, January 14, 2011 following a short illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Veronica; seven children, Roxy Mitchem-Horn and husband Michael, James Mitchem, Jr. and wife Jacqueline, Sylvia Crowder and husband Larry, Michael Mitchem, Steven Mitchem, Gail Overton, and Phillip Mitchem and wife Lisa; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Wilma, Mae, and Charlotte; and two brothers, Robert and Leon. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and four brothers. Lt. Col. Mitchem served 20 years in the United States Army. He traveled the world with his family, and served two tours in Korea and one tour in Vietnam. His military citations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and several other awards and decorations. He had a wonderful sense of humor and never met a stranger. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. "Farewell Papa, we love you." Friends may visit French ~ Lomas Chapel on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m., with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Buffalo Soldiers of New Mexico at #2 Hendrix Lane, Los Lunas, NM 87031 or the African American Catholic Community Scholarship Fund at 4000 St. Joseph's NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Please visit our online guestbook for Lt.Col. Mitchem at: www.RememberTheirStory.com Lovingly Pre-planned at FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Mon January 17, 2011

DREW -- Bernice L. Drew, 98, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, died Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Tucson, AZ. She is survived by her daughters, Laurel E. Drew of Albuquerque and Marjorie Achong and husband, Robert of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, R. Drew Achong and wife, Angie of Okeechobee, FL and Tamara Goltz and husband, Victor of San Antonio, TX; great-grandchildren, Kristina and Kale'a Achong and Sierra Griffus and Ikaika Hauser; numerous nephews, nieces, grand and great nephews and nieces; and many friends. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Carl Drew; five sisters; and one brother. She was born on September 25, 1912 in Brookfield, IL and after moving to Albuquerque was a founding member of Christ Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. Bernice was an active member of the Altar Guild, Blanket Circle, Flower Guild, Senior Circle and the Women's Guild. She was a member of the Sanado Women's Club and Gourmet Golfers group, loved gardening and golf, and was the world's best cookie baker. Bernice was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Services will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m., at Christ Lutheran Church, 7701 Candelaria Rd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guestbook for Bernice at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

DUGAS -- Col. George A. Dugas US Air Force, Retired, 92, died peacefully in his home on January 13, 2011. He is survived by his sons, Albert Dugas and wife Jacqueline, John Dugas and wife Alice, Thomas Dugas and wife Nancy; daughters, Elizabeth Hadley and husband Daniel, Deborah Sperow and husband David; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends. George was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Elsie; his parents, Mary and Steven Dugas; and several siblings. He served in the United States Army Air Corp during WW II and the United States Air Force before retiring after 27 years. After retiring he worked at Kirtland Air Force Base in the Weapons Lab Logistics Dept. Mr. Dugas was an active member of the Mile High Optimist Club for many years. A Rosary will be recited Monday, 5:30 p.m., January 17, 2011 at French, Lomas friends may visit beginning at 4:00 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at The Shrine of St Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Rd NE. Services honoring his Military Career will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Memorial contributions may be made to any Veterans Organization or the Optimist International, 4737 Danube Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, in his name. Please visit our online guestbook for George at RememberTheirStory.com Lovingly Pre-planned at FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

FISHER -- Margaret Verna "Van" Fisher, died peacefully on December 18, 2010, being freed from the struggles of this mortal life and her failing earthly body and now resting in the loving arms of her Lord. Van was born in Sawyer, Michigan, to Joseph and Mary Ruth Parren, on March 8, 1926. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Pearl Wennerberg; first husband Richard Olive, the father of her four children; second husband, Niveo Fisher, the love of her life; and her first child, Jack Norman Olive. She is survived by her sisters, Nerma Pearson and 'Feetz' Cornwell, "fifth" sister Katie Garrabrant; children, Leslie Ray Olive and wife Soccoro, Debra Dian 'DD' Urrutia and husband Saul, and Merri Ruth Lewis and life partner Robert Setchell; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; 'grand-cats and grand-dogs, and friends and loved ones. Van grew up during the Depression and World War II on her parent's dairy farm, and at four years old, suffered from double pneumonia, pleurisy, and empyema. Although the doctors didn't think she would survive, she did and at 16, had the damaged tissue of her left lung removed, with advice that her body could not tolerate childbearing if she lived that long. While in high school, she, like many young ladies, held jobs normally held by men, who were oversees fighting the war, and worked at the 'Warren Featherbone Factory' making corsets and rain gear. She graduated from New Troy High School in 1943, attended Michigan City Business School for a time and then started working for Michigan Bell as a telephone operator on a 'cord board' in Benton Harbor in 1944, transferring to Mountain Bell in Albuquerque in 1949, coming west for her health to the desert of New Mexico. She met Richard Olive and they married in July, 1950, moved to Wichita, Kansas and she worked assembling airplanes for Cessna. They returned to Albuquerque in 1954, and Van worked for Mountain Bell until she retired in 1983. For many years, she earned money for her children's Christmas gifts by creating and selling beautiful doll clothes. Van and Dick divorced in 1971. Four years later she met and married Niveo Fisher, a Shriner and an Elk. Evenings after work, they often danced at the Elks club. She and Niveo played in the Palo Duro Senior Band, serenading many senior gatherings, she on the melodica and he on the flute and piccolo, and traveling around the country to Shrine conventions. Following Niveo's death in 1980, she traveled with a faith group as a missionary providing song around the world, including Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Moorea, Tahiti, England, Scotland, and Wales. After her retirement, she did pet and home sitting and caring for elderly friends. She was active in volunteer groups and activities throughout her life. She was on a hot air balloon chase crew during early Balloon Fiestas, was an avid reader and a certified tutor for "Literacy Volunteers of America", and volunteered at libraries throughout her life. She sang and played the piano in the high school Glee Club and in her church growing up, later, she taught Sunday school, worked in the church library, drove the church van to pick up seniors and deliver children home after church activities, and served as head usher for several years. She was a life-long blood donor, accumulating over 50 pints of whole blood and platelets given. A lifelong Republican, she always voted and 'worked the polls' for years as both presiding judge and general poll official. Van was an environmentalist before it was popular - using the sun to make sun tea and dry fruits, picking up others' trash, collecting aluminum cans to recycle, purchasing one of the first Prius cars in Albuquerque. She loved to garden, even if it was just a few tomatoes at her apartment, where she served as resident attendant for many years. She was an active supporter of the Shrine Children's Hospitals through her activities in the Daughters of the Nile, serving as a Chorister and Lady of the Gates, and as a 'Call Girl' for the Honored Ladies Shriners' widows group. Even though she never learned to swim, she 'did laps' and water aerobics at the Horn YMCA regularly. She loved to travel on trains, wear hats, and collect bears, hot air balloon memorabilia, and Fenton custard glass. She enjoyed wearing bright, pretty clothes and jewelry, and was Beauchamp Jewelers' longest customer before her death. Although she claimed to be a shy person, she had an exuberant and generous spirit. Her philosophy in life was that she was not put on this earth just to take up space but to help others. She had a strong and abiding faith in God and looked forward to joining Him with joyful anticipation. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Van Fisher will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust NE (www.firstpresabq.org) on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Van would wish you to donate to the Shriners' Hospitals for Children (c/o Ballut Abyad Shrine, 6600 Zuni SE, Alb., NM 87108), the In-As-Much fund at First Presbyterian Church, or give a pint of blood to your local blood bank.
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

HOLLOWAY -- Lucille M. Holloway, 91, of Bedford VA and formerly of Lynchburg, VA and Albuquerque died Friday, January 7, 2011. She was the wife of the late Ned Alvis Holloway. Born October 17, 1919, in Dolores, Colorado, Lucille was a daughter of the late Jacob Swenk and Ida Knight Swenk King. In addition to her parents and husband; she was preceded in death by her brother and sister, Neely Swenk and Dorothy Swenk Higman. Lucille is survived by her son, Robert Lee Holloway of Bedford, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Lucille and her husband owned and operated Holloway Furniture Co. in Albuquerque for over 35 years. Lucille was employed by the Federal Government in 1964 and worked for Kirkland Air Force Base and the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) for 18 years. Lucille loved animals of all types and had many pet dogs, cats and birds during her lifetime. Lucille was a member of Bedford Baptist Church, moving her membership from West Lynchburg Baptist Church and a member of the former Piedmont Club. Lucille will be laid to rest beside her husband with a graveside service being conducted at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 20, 2011, in Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque with the Rev. Fred Gurle officiating. Donations in memory of Lucille may be given to Bedford Baptist Church, 11516 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523 or Bedford Humane Society, P.O. Box 1293, Bedford, VA 24523. To send condolences online please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, VA (540)-586-3443.
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

JANSSON -- Don L. "Sarge" Jansson, 80, a resident of Albuquerque for 61 years passed away Thursday January 13, 2011. Sarge was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joanne; son Steven "Nick"; granddaughter Michelle; and seven brothers and sisters. He is survived by sons, Don L. Jansson of Edgewood, Robert J. Jansson and Ken W. Jansson of Albuquerque; daughter Sheryl J. and husband Randy Cross of Virginia; brother Conrad Jansson of Kansas; sisters, Barbara Scott of Oklahoma and Luan and husband Warren Reisch of Texas; seven grandchildren, Chris, Shawn, Jennifer, Joshua, Nick, Cassie and Jaime, and seven great-granchildren. Sarge served in the military for over 22 years and was a decorated war veteran who served in both Korea and Vietnam. In 1971 he opened Sarge Jansson and Sons Plumbing from which he fully retired in 1992 to spend time with his wife. A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements in care of Riverside Funeral Home 225 San Mateo NE.
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

JEFFERIES -- Roger Jefferies, 72, passed away on January 14, 2011. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011 2:00 p.m., at Daniels Family Funeral Services Wyoming Chappel. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at: www.danielsfuneral.com. Roger's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

KIRSCH -- James E. Kirsch. Services will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Our Lady Of Fatima Church Albuquerque at 10:30 a.m., with interment at The Santa Fe National Cemetery for Jim Kirsch, 80. Jim went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 1, 2011 following a long illness. A resident of Albuquerque NM since 1973, He was born September 16, 1930 in Erie Pa., the son of J. Edward and Emma Kirsch. A veteran of the U.S.Navy Reserve (1950-1966), Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years Helen Kirsch; his children, Karl Kirsch and wife Iris Kirsch, David Kirsch, Carrie Kurzeka and husband Rob Kurzeka; granddaughter Susan Kurzeka all of Albuquerque; a brother Jack Kirsch and wife Charlotte of Manassas, Va; sisters, Eileen McLaughlin, Elaine Mozdy and husband Frank of Erie Pa. Jim was a devoted loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Deeply loved by all, he will be truly missed.
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011

MARTINEZ -- Gilbert G. Martinez, 85, a life-long resident of Albuquerque, died Thursday, January 13, 2011. He is survived by his four children, Patricia Marquart and husband, Richard, Lawrence Martinez and wife, Robley, Anna Marie Loughead and husband, John and Therese Martinez-Loner; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Raymon and Zenaida Martinez; wife, Mary "Peaches"; son-in-law, Rick Loner; granddaughter, Sherie Bernadette Martinez; and brother, Patricino Martinez. He was born on July 28, 1925 in Alameda, NM and graduated from Albuquerque High before entering the United States Navy in 1943. After Gil's honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Albuquerque. He and Peaches were married in 1948. Gil enrolled at St. Joseph's College for almost two years. He then went to work for the Railroad for a year and then took on a part-time job for the Post Office during the Christmas rush and was never told to go home. Forty years later he retired. He and Peaches enjoyed 57 years of marriage during which they fished, traveled, and thoroughly enjoyed their retirement. His love for his wife knew no bounds, taking care of her for thirteen years during her long illness until her death. Gil was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 9:30 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Ennichement will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018. Please visit our online guestbook for Gil at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Sun January 16, 2011