Two Recent Passings in Nancy's Family

 Recently, my wife Nancy lost an aunt and an uncle. Her aunt Joyce Darlene (Douglas) Seitz was her father's sister, while Richard Dunn was her mother's brother. Nancy and I attended Aunt Joyce's service. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend Uncle Richard's service.

Both were good people. We stayed with Aunt Joyce a couple of times, including just a couple years ago. 

Below are their obituaries:

Joyce Seitz

April 27, 1932 — July 19, 2025

Joyce Darlene Seitz, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 93.

Born on April 27, 1932, in Hindsboro, Illinois, Joyce was the cherished daughter of Ralph Douglas and Ethel Hanks. She was one of seven children and grew up in a close-knit family filled with love, laughter, and the values that would guide her life.

Joyce graduated from Hindsboro High School and pursued her passion for caring for others by attending nursing school. Her kind heart and steady spirit made her a natural in the profession, and she touched many lives through her work and her quiet strength.

A longtime member of the United Methodist Church of the White Mountains, Joyce found joy and purpose in her faith and her church community. She had a special love for life's simple pleasures - spending time in her garden, working through intricate jigsaw puzzles, and savoring a Milky Way candy bar now and then.

Joyce was known for her strong will, boundless kindness, and warm heart. She was a devoted mother to four children: Ed Seitz, John Seitz, and the late Tom Seitz and Larry Seitz. She was a loving grandmother to five grandchildren and took great pride in her role as a great-grandmother to two. Her family was the center of her world, and her strength and compassion left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Russell B. Seitz; her sons, Tom and Larry Seitz; her grandchildren, Marie Dine Seitz and Russell Lee Seitz; and her parents and several siblings.

Joyce's legacy is one of enduring love, resilience, and generosity - a life well lived and deeply treasured.

A viewing will be held at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 320 N. 9th Ave., in Showlow, Arizona, on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM, followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Show Low Cemetery at 3:00 PM.

Joyce Darlene Seitz will be forever remembered, deeply missed, and always loved.

- "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Richard L Dunn

June 20, 1938 – September 3, 2025

Obituary of Richard L Dunn

IN THE CARE OF Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center

Richard Livingston Dunn, 87, of West Palm Beach, Florida, formerly of Redmon, Illinois, died September 3, 2025. He was born on June 20, 1938; the son of Carroll Livingston and Viola Fern (Poole) Dunn.

Richard earned BS and MS Degrees from Eastern Illinois University and completed post-graduate studies at Indiana State University. He served in the US Army Air Force three years and the Illinois National Guard eighteen years. After several years teaching, he was named Regional Planner of Coles County, Kankakee County, Arlington Heights, and Glen Ellyn in that order.

Richard and Jane were married October 11, 1986 in Paris, Illinois. After retirement, they relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida. Richard was an active parishioner of various United Methodist churches where he lived. He and Jane served thirty-two mission trips sharing God’s love and helping improve the lives of those in underserved communities and countries.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Elaine Dunn, Joseph Leon Dunn and Barbara Jean Dunn.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Gard Rizk Dunn; siblings, Carroll Thomas Dunn (Evelyn) of Paris, Illinois and Sharon Dunn Douglas (Ed Bramel) of Sierra Vista, Arizona; brothers-in-law, James Gard (Karen) and Richard K. Gard; step-children, Richard Rizk (Jill), Mark Rizk (Nataliia) and Jamila Rizk Farid; grand-children, Gina Rizk, Amanda Rizk, Samuel Rizk, Julia Farid and Ava Farid; nieces, Nancy Douglas de Baca, Amanda Douglas Lewis, Brittany Dunn Kingery and Kristy Dunn Bettenhausen; nephews, Andrew Douglas, and Brett, Brian, Brice, and Kevin Dunn; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorial services are scheduled at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, Florida on September 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. with reception to follow. A graveside service will occur at Mount Church Cemetery, E 700th Road, N 250st, Clark County, Illinois (south of Casey, Illinois) on September 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at The First United Methodist Church of Paris, Illinois. For those inclined, memorials may be sent to a charity of choice or to the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches.

Video: Don Pedro Antonio Baca, Ep. 1, "L&D in Small Town NM"

 

I began a new series on my "Socorro Genealogist" YouTube channel called, "Life and Death in Small Town New Mexico." 

This video is the first of a series of vignettes on people who lived in and surrounding Socorro, New Mexico. My first vignette is about Don Pedro Antonio Baca. I read from his obituary published in the November 12, 1887 “Socorro Bullion” newspaper. He was the husband of my 4th great grandmother Maria Guadalupe Torres, although he was not my direct ancestor. Maria Guadalupe’s first husband Francisco Antonio Garcia was my direct ancestor. This obituary gives a great insight into the history of the Socorro Land Grant, its founders, and late 19th century small town New Mexico history.

LINK

Obituary: Marjorie Louise Barnett Douglas

Obituary

Marjorie Louise Barnett Douglas, 96, of Clinton, Indiana and formerly of Champaign-Urbana and Hindsboro, Illinois, passed away at 10:00 a.m. April 28, 2020, at Clinton Gardens Nursing Home in Clinton, Indiana.
Born September 14, 1923 in Douglas County, Illinois, she was the daughter of John Will and Lena Pribble Barnett. There were six children in her family and she was the last surviving member.
She attended high school in Hindsboro but graduated from Rantoul High School in 1941.
She was employed most of her adult life in retail sales and retired as a library aide in the Champaign-Urbana school districts.
She attended the Hindsboro United Methodist Church and the Clinton First United Methodist Church. She was active in many organizations including many community and church functions.
Preceding her in death were her parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Her husband, Howard Leon Douglas, preceded her in death on December 4, 2009, after 61 years of marriage.
Surviving is one song: Robert John Douglas of Urbana, Illinois; and one daughter: Brenda Alabaugh and her husband Robert of Clinton, Indiana; three grandchildren: Avada Marie Douglas and her wife Katie Sharp; Andrea Alabaugh Deitchley and her husband Matthew; and David Alabaugh. She leaves two great-grandchildren: Jack and Violet Deitchley along with a step-great-grandchild: Fergus Savage; several sisters-in-law, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Graveside services provided by Krabel Funeral Home will be held for the family only at Van Voorhis Cemetery in Hindsboro, Illinois on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. (Illinois time). No visitation or funeral services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to the Hindsboro United Methodist Church or Clinton First United Methodist Church in Clinton, Indiana.

Collection of Socorro Family Obituaries

Click on this link: Collection of 419 Obituaries for a list of obituaries that I gathered on Evernote. Most of the obituaries for Socorro families. However, there are a few from my wife's family in the Midwest U.S.

If you wish me to email you a copy of any of these obituaries, please send me an email at info@socorrogrant.org and I'll email you a weblink to the particular obituary that you want. Please type "Evernote obituary request" in Subject line.


Collection of 419 Obituaries

1897 Obituary: Manuel Gallegos y Baca (with genealogy reports)

I found an obituary for a certain Manuel Gallegos y Baca in the 12 March 1897 issue of "The Chieftain" newspaper (Socorro, NM.)

Manuel Gallegos y Baca, of this city, died at his home last Sunday morning, and the funeral ceremony and burial took place the following day. The deceased was born at Belen, January 1st 1819, and came to Socorro in the early thirties. He was married in 1840 to Maria Quitira Garcia, who died about two years ago. They had ten chidren of whom seven survive, viz: Manuel, Fernando, Florentino, Felicitas, Juanita, Martin and Emilia, who are all married.

Source:  Obituary: Manuel Gallegos y Baca, The Chieftain (Socorro, New Mexico), 12 March 1897; online archives (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 30 December 2015).

You can access the obituary here.

I did a little bit of research, and was able to find some information about his and his wife's ancestry.  Below I show that ancestry through their daughter Maria Dolores Gallegos. I have particular interest in this family because one of their descendants Eloisa Stackpole married my great granduncle Ricardo Zimmerly. Click on the links below to see descendant and ancestry charts of this family.

Descendants of Manuel Gallegos

Ancestors of Maria Dolores Gallegos

Correction: My distant cousin M.W.H. pointed out on Facebook that I forgot to mention that Manuel Gallegos' grandson Herminio Torres also married a Zimmerly, my great grandaunt Gertrudes Zimmerly. This is true. I actually have him listed in the "Descendants of Manuel Gallegos" report above, but I forgot to mention him specifically in this post. Sorry! - Robert J.C. Baca, 1 January 2017.

Sunday's Obituary - John William Hanks

An obituary for my wife's great-grandfather John William Hanks. He was her paternal grandmother's father. He was born on 14 April 1856 and died on 3 March 1933.

Frieda Marie (Douglas) Roberts - 1923-2011

My wife's aunt died recently. Below is her obituary which I copied from the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier online.


INDIANAPOLIS - Frieda Marie Roberts, 88, of Indianapolis, passed away April 3, 2011. She was born February 4, 1923 in Hindsboro, IL to the late Ralph and Ethel Marie (Hanks) Douglas. Frieda was a self employed hair stylist for 60 years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sibling. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Drexel Chapel, 4565 E. 10th St., with funeral services Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. EST in Hindsboro, IL. Frieda is survived by children, Charlene (Peter) Sherry , Charlotte Grippaldi, Cheryl Roberts, Chester (Beverly) Roberts, and Christopher Roberts; sister, Joyce Seitz; grandchildren, Shawn, Beth, Mark, Shonna, Shadrick, Todd, Heather, and Sean; and 10 great-grandchildren. Frieda was preceded in death by brothers, William, Leon, Jerald, and Robert Douglas; sister, Norma Goble; and former husband, James Leo Roberts. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st St., Ste. 100, Indianapolis, IN, 46240.

Published in Journal Gazette & Times-Courier on April 5, 2011

Another Pair of Socorro Obituaries

Although they have the same last name as me, Juan Jose Baca, Jr., and his brothers and sisters are not directly related to me. Rather they are distant cousins of mine through my mother's family. Juan Jose was the grandson of my 4th great grandmother, Maria Guadalupe Torres. Guadalupe Torres married two men: Francisco Antonio Garcia, who was my 4th great grandfather, and Pedro Antonio Baca, who was Juan Jose, Jr.'s grandfather. Therefore, Juan Jose Baca, Jr., is my half 1st cousin, 3 times removed. He and my 2nd great grandmother Maria Guadalupe Padilla, (not to be confused with the previously mentioned Maria Guadalupe Torres, who was her grandmother) would have been half 1st cousins.

Confused? I know, it's hard for me to keep it all staight, too. If you want to read more about this family, check out my previous post "Some Notes on my March 21st NMGS Presentation", or read my article "Maria Guadalupe Torres: One Woman's Life in Nineteenth Century Socorro" in the June 2009 New Mexico Genealogist. If you wish to order a copy of that issue, click on this link.

I found two obituaries for Juan Jose Baca, Jr. in the Albuquerque Special Collection Library's computer databases. Both were published in the Albuquerque Journal.

The first obituary can be found on page 10 of the 17 June 1941 Albuquerque Journal. The obituary says that Juan Jose died on Sunday in El Paso, TX. I checked the date of the week calculator on Ancestry Search, (link) and found that June 17th fell on a Tuesday that year. Therefore, his death occured two days before, which would make his date of death as June 15th.

The obituary notes that he was survived by five brothers, but lists only three: Emilio M, Felipe N., J.N. Baca and Lucas Baca. This corresponds to the information I already have on the brothers: J.N. would be Juan Nepomuceno, while the fifth brother may be Solomon.

The record also shows that Juan Jose was survived by three sisters: Mrs. Antonio Otero, Mrs. Jim Romero, and Mrs. A. A. Romero. None of their first names are noted. From other sources, I have the names of five of his sisters: Guadalupe, Dominica, Maria Isabela, Angelina, and Pabla. I know that Guadalupe married Edward Fortune in 1887, so she appears not to be one of the living sisters listed. I don't know who the other sisters married, so at this time I can't match them to the names listed in the obituary.

Neither this obituary, nor the next, mention that Juan Jose had a wife or children.

According to his obituaries, Juan Jose was a World War I veteran, and a member of the Benavides Grande Post No. 82, a chapter of the American Legion.

On the same page as this obituary are two other obituaries: one for Francis Willis Marks, and the other for Dionocio Aguilar Martinez.

Click on the image below to get a larger picture:

The second obituary, published on page 3 of the 18 June 1941 edition of the Albuquerque Journal, does not mention Juan Jose Baca, Jr.'s family. It does, however, mention a few Socorro residents, some of who I recognize.

Juan Jose's pall bearers were members of the Home Guard: Juan Castillo, John Matthews, Tom Olguin, Julius Frassinet, Paul A. Padilla, and Paul Burt. His escort were Capt. W.E. West, Lieut. Rafael Lopez, Y.G. Phillip, B. Baca, John Montoya, Hugh Fraser, George Downs, and Henry Del Curto. The mass was celebrated by Rev. R. M. Libertini.

On the same page as this obituary, you will find the obituaries for Dionicio Aguilar Martinez, Anglie GAllegos Mora, Mr. Kee Silson, and Mrs. Eunice L. Zehr.

Click on the image below to get a larger picture:

I've created a family group sheet for Juan Jose Justo Mariano Baca and Maria Francisca Miera, the parents of Juan Jose Baca, Jr. This chart includes J.J. Baca's siblings and himself. Click on this link to view it (you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.)

Two Obituaries from Socorro, New Mexico

Below are two obituaries that I found on the Albuquerque Special Collection Library's genealogy computer databases. Although they are both from Socorro, they were actually listed in the Albuquerque Journal newspapers.

The first obituary is for my great-grandmother Adelfina (Torres) Zimmerly. She was born on 30 October 1887 and died on 7 May 1978 at 85 years old. This obituary was printed in the Death and Funerals section of the Albuquerque Journal, 9 May 1978. Click on the image below to view it full sized:

Adelfina, or Delfina as she was often known, was my maternal grandmother Maria Pablita (Zimmerly) Baca's mother. Ben F. Zimmerly, who died a year and half later on 6 December 1979, was my grandmother Pablita's cousin. Another source shows that his full name was Benjamin Franklin Zimmerly. This obituary was published on 7 December 1979 in the Albuquerque Journal "Death and Funerals" section. Click on the image below to view it full sized.

If you are ever in Albuquerque, I suggest that you visit the Special Collections Library at 423 Central Ave NE, on the corner of Central and Edith Blvd. They have a computer database that contains not only obituaries, but also other documents, indexes, journals and complete books. However, it can only be accessed from the library itself, and is not online.

For more about my great-granmother Adelfina (Torres) Zimmerly, visit these links:

* Wedding of Esteban Zimmerlay and Delfina Torres

* Five Generation Photo

Joseph Dunn Obituary

My wife's uncle, Joseph Leon "Joe" Dunn died on Friday, August 21, 2009 in Peoria, Illinois. Please click on this link to read his obituary.

The Obituary of Pedro Antonio Baca

The following relates to my March 21st presentation on Maria Guadalupe Torres. Pedro Antonio Baca was the husband of Guadalupe. Although he has the same surname as I do, he is not directly related to me, although he is probably a distant cousin.

I was originally going to publish this in a genealogical journal, but I decided to post it here instead. The reason for the change is because I want to see if I can find more information about this man and his family. The suggestion for this type of post comes from Genea-Bloggers' "Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 12”, which can be found on Facebook

If you are related to Pedro Antonio Baca, or have any information about his family that you wish to share with me, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

Thank you.

The Obituary of Pedro Antonio Baca

Transcribed by Robert J. C. Baca

The following transcription is of an obituary that I found in the 12 November 1887 Socorro Bullion newspaper. The obituary was published in English. Many of the facts mentioned in article are accurate, although a burial record for Pedro Antonio Baca indicates that he died on 7 November 1887 rather than on the 5th as mentioned in the obituary.[1]

Source: Pedro Antonio obituary, Socorro Bullion, Socorro, New Mexico, 12 November 1887, page 3, column 3, microfilm.

Communicated

Editor Socorro Bullion:

Be kind enough to allow me the use of your columns to make a brief sketch of the life of one of our most prominent citizens, lately departed from amongst us.

Don Pedro Antonio Baca, who died on the 5th instant, was born at the old town of Belen, in the county of Valencia, on the 21st day of May, 1804, his parents being Don Juan Dionisio Baca and Doña Maria Rita Pino, both descendants of the most ancient and well known families in this Territory. From Belen he came with his parents to Socorro, when the town was re-settled in 1816. Here he married his surviving wife, Doña Guadalupe Torres, in 1834, their union being blessed with eight children, five girls and three boys, of the former but one is living, while two of the later survive, on Don Juan Jose and the other Don Severo A. Baca, both well-known business men in this community.

Soon after the organization of the Territory under the American government Mr. Baca entered the ranks of Democracy, which political faith he followed as one of its stanch adherents throughout his life without fear and scrupulously favoring none in detriment to his principles. He was elected for the first time probate judge of Socorro, when this county embraced the whole of Valencia, Lincoln and Doña Ana counties, in 1851. At other different times he was elected to fill the same position, serving in all four terms, until in 1868 his friends desiring to elected a certain ticket, compelled him, against his will to accept the nomination for probate clerk, to which office he was elected by the largest majority ever before or since polled by any candidate for the office of this county.

Mr. Baca followed the mercantile business all his life, amassing a considerable fortune, and being distinguished in all his dealings for his honesty and fairness toward everyone, rich or poor. Of late years, on account of old age, he could not attend to business, but was content to live on hard won savings of his past.

With Mr. Baca disappears the last remaining link that bound us to the early history of our town, and the last of the original grantees of the much abused Socorro grant. He was indeed one of the most prominent landmarks of this county, historically as well as politically speaking. By his native neighbors and acquaintances he was looked up on as a common counselor and adviser, being regarded, as by right, their arbitrator in family and other disputes, as his opinions and decisions were always full of wisdom, consciencious (sic) and upright. He was indeed like unto a kind father to his people, who one and all this day mourn his loss.

Mr. Baca was more than anything else, a thorough Christian gentlemen, in every sense of the term, being always foremost as a devout and pious Catholic in every religious ceremony. He was zealously assisted by Rev. Father Lestra up to his last moments and died a firm believer in the teaching of his Church and in the future reward of heavenly bliss, promised by our Lord to every true Catholic. He breathed his last surrounded by his numerous descendants and a host of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, beloved of all, hated of none and at peace with the whole world as might truthfully be said. The deceased became a member of the Catholic Society known as the Knights of St. Michael, about one year after its organization, the society took charge of the funeral ceremonies, which were very impressive and well attended by many people from the city, as well as from neighboring towns. The band of the society and all its members , preceded by their standard, and in full regalia, took a prominent part of the procession, from the residence of the deceased to the Catholic Church, wherein the remains were deposited with all the usual splendor of the Catholic Church on such occasions there to await the last Judgement day where the first blast of Gabriel’s trumpet, we shall all come forth to answer for our good or bad deeds to the Supreme Judge of all. R.I.P.

A sorrowing friend


[1] Socorro, New Mexico burials; Archives of the Archdiocese of New Mexico; microfilm # 1930433.

Socorro Teacher's Obituary

I just found out that one of my favorite high school teachers died in late 2007. Her obituary was in the El Defensor Chieftain at this link. I thought I would it with you here:

Brobeck Stone - Carol Anne Brobeck Stone, 63, died on November 27,2007,at Woodbine Rehabilitation Center in Alexandria, VA. She was born, March 20, 1944, in Rochester PA, to the late Marguerite K. and Harold W. Brobeck.

Mrs. Stone became a teacher and taught various subjects including Fine Arts, English, Drama, and ESL to grades ranging from K-12 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Petersburg, North Dakota (in a one-room school); Cyrus, Minnesota; Socorro, New Mexico, and for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools system (DoDDs)in Izmir, Turkey, and Bitburg, Germany. While affiliated with DoDDs, she was the recipient of numerous awards for teaching excellence. She was well known for her outstanding high school and middle school drama productions. In 1996, and 1997, she accepted the requests to host the Drama Festival for the DoDDs Near-Asia Theater held in Izmir, Turkey. She also traveled extensively fulfilling a life-long dream. She most recently visited Russia, and China. Carol is survived by her son, Ian E. Stone, Arlington, Virginia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Kim Brobeck, Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania; and Jerry and Linda Brobeck, Johnstown, Ohio. She will be missed by her family and many friends. A memorial service was held at Campbell's Chippewa Funeral Home, 2618 Darlington Rd, Chippewa PA.

She was one of my inspirations when I decided to become a teacher. I didn't realize that she had done so much! No wonder she was a fantastic teacher!

Janis' Obituary

The obituary for my sister Janis Marie (Baca) Schwartzenberg was just posted on line. Click on this link to read it.

I found it touching that my family decided to have her students be the honorary pallbearers for the funeral.

Janis (Baca) Schwartzenberg 1956-2008

Janis Marie (Baca) Schwartzenberg 23 March 1956 - 9 December 2008

Janis holding me. She was 12 years older than me.

My sister Janis was killed in a car accident on Tuesday. She was a teacher at the Alamo Navajo Reservation school in Alamo, New Mexico.


I consider her my hero. She went back to school and began teaching in her mid thirties. This inspired me to go back to school and become a teacher. She was an excellent instructor. She would often give my wife and me advice on how to be better teachers. She also encouraged us both to keep on going when it seemed to tough to continue.

Janis at home. Probably around Christmas time.

The last time I saw her was for Thanksgiving. We invited her family to our house to celebrate. My wife and I were planning on contacting her soon about Christmas plans. Since my parents' deaths nine years ago, I had been spending Christmas with her family. Christmas will not be the same without her.

From left to right, me (Robert Baca), my sister Cindy, Cindy's daughter Teri, and my sister Janis. At the Route 66 Casino, Janis' favorite hangout.

There is so much more that I could say about her, but right now words escape me.

There is an article in the El Defensor Chieftain, the Socorro, NM paper, about my sister's accident. You can find that article at this link. There is one mistake in the article: she was 52 years old, not 42. She would have been tickled to find out that the newspaper thought she was 10 years younger than she actual was.

I will post her obituary once it comes online.

Obituary: Sam Zimmerly

I went to the Special Collections Library yesterday, and found a wealth of information. I will share some of it with you today.

For a couple of hours, I searched micorfilm on Socorro, NM newspapers. In the "Local News" porition of the November 26, 1887 edition of the "Socorro Bullion", I found this short obituary of my great-great grandfather Samuel Zimmerly:

Sam Zimmerly, one of the earliest settlers of Socorro county, died at his home last Saturday evening. Mr. Zimmerly has resided in this city for a number of years, and during that time he has been activively engaged in the milling business. for sometime the disease which finally caused his death, has rendered him as invalid, and at times a great sufferer. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his death, while a host of friends sympathize with the bereaved family.

Sam Zimmerly obituary, Socorro Bullion, Socorro, New Mexico, 26 November 1887, 3rd page, column 1. Microfilm: Socorro Bullion April 1, 1883 - January 29, 1889.

Samuel Zimmerly died on 20 November 1887.

Obituary: Robert B. Baca

Once again, this obituary was found in an Albuquerque Journal Obituary database at the Albuquerque Special Collections Library.

Robert B. Baca was my paternal grandfather.

13 November 1972

Funeral Mass Planned Tuesday for R. B. Baca

Journal Special

SOCORRO - Funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday for Robert B. Baca, 65, retired Postal Service employe (sic) who was assistant postmaster of Socorro.

Baca, who died at his home suddenly Saturday, retired from the Postal Service in 1964 after 30 years of service.

Active in the Knights of Columbus, Baca was a member of the Fourth Degree Assembly of the K of C in Belen. He also was a member of board of trustees of the Socorro Electric Cooperative and the San Miguel Catholic Church.

Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the San Miguel Church. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at San Miguel Church. Burial will follow in the San Miguel Cemetary.

Survivors include his wife, Theresa of Socorro; two daughters, Mrs. Theresa Rios and Mrs. Maryetta Serna, both of Socorro; three sons, Robert C. and David M. Baca, both of Socorro, and Eddie Baca of Socorro, and 16 grandchildren.

Obituary: Santiago Baca

I found the following obituary at the Albuquerque Special Collections Library. There is a database that includes images of obituaries from the Albuquerque Journal beginning in the 1930s and continuing on into 2006. The Albuquerque Genealogical Society donated this database to the library.

Santiago Baca was my maternal grandfather.

20 July 1961

BACA - Santiago Baca, 53, passed away at his home in Socorro Wednesday. He is survived by his wife, Paulita; a son, Jimmy; three daughters, Mrs. Frances Baca, Josie M. Baca and Judy M. Baca; his father, Rafael P. Baca; two brothers, Philip and Alvaro; two sisters, Mrs. Ramona Gonzales and Mrs. Eugenia Salazar. Rosary will be recited at 7 tonight at Steadman Memorial Chapel in Socorro. Reqiuem mass will be said at 9 a.m. Friday at San Miguel Church and burial will be said in San Miguel Cemetery, with Steadman Funeral Home in charge.

In Loving Memory: Maria Paublita (Zimmerly) Baca 12/10/1909 - 09/22/2007

My grandmother, Maria Paublita (Zimmerly) Baca, passed away last Saturday September 22, 2007. She was 97 years old. Her funeral was on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. I was one her pallbearers.

Below is her obituary from the September 26, 2007 edition of the El Defensor Chieftain, page A5. Click on the obituary to see a larger image of it. You may find the text for this obituary on the El Defensor Chieftain website.

Below is the cover and inside pages of Grandma Pablita's funeral memorial program. Once again, click on the images to view larger copies of them.

Link to the obituary.

This post was originaly published at 10:41 Am on 9/29/2007.

Obituary and photo: Andreita Trujillo

Andreita Trujillo


Once again, my California cousin Maurine P. supplied me with the photograph above and the obituary below. I believe that the translator for this obituary is Patrick Moore.

Note: Andrea Torres’ obituary was published in 1926 on the front page of El Defensor del Pueblo, a newspaper published by A.C. Torres, a nephew of her husband Crespin. She was a midwife who delivered countless babies in the Socorro area. Although the obituary – written in a formal and florid manner – doesn’t mention that, it certainly hints at it when speaking of her caring and serving nature.





Mrs. Andreita T. de Torres
Died Tuesday in her
residence in this city


Mrs. Andreita T. de Torres, wife of Don Crispin Torres, who was prostrate after a short illness, gave her soul to the Great Creator of the Universe Tuesday – August 17 – at 6 in the afternoon in her residence in this city aided by the sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church of which she was a devoted member.


Mrs. Andreita was born the 8th of November 1853, her parents being Mr. José Trujillo and Doloritas Marquez (both happily remembered) in this community. At the time of her death, she was 72 years, 9 months and 9 days of age. In 1868,(sic) she married Mr. Crispin Torres with whom she lived an amiable, faithful and contented life for 58 years of her married life, from which 4 sons survive: Apolonio, Ignacio, José y Rogerio Torres, three daughters, Mrs. Domitila T. de Sanchez, widow of Dn. Moises Sanchez, Lola T. de Stapleton, wife of Dn. Vivian Stapleton and Lupe T. de Olguin, wife of Dn. Tomás Olguin, 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, also surviving is her husband Dn. Crispin Torres, a brother Rogerio Trujillo, a sister-in-law, Isabelita P. de Torres, four daughters-in-law, a large number of nieces and nephews and relatives immersed in deep sorrow.


Mrs. Andreita was an obedient and model daughter, and a faithful and constant wife, a tender and caring mother and grandmother, a neighbor and fellow citizen, who with detachment and love, with the intelligence of which she was gifted, served all who frequently sought help from her and she earned the caring of all those who knew her.


The funeral was carried out Wedneday at 2:30 p.m. beginning at the house of mourning, continuing the funeral procession to San Miguel and from there to the Catholic cemetery where before closing the grave our editor, nephew of the grieving husband, after manifesting thanks to the well-attended gathering and recital of the biography of the deceased in sorrowful phrases, presented Dn. Jose Antonio Torres, who with his accustomed oratory discoursed praises in emotional formal address.


The newspaper sends from the fervent heart of the editor the most deep condolences to his uncle, cousins and relatives imploring that soon the Almighty will cover with a cloak their consolation.



DECLARATION OF GRATITUDE


We give thanks through these columns to all who accompanied us during the sickness, the wake and funeral of our beloved wife and mother.


Crispin Torres and sons





Sra. Andreita T. de Torres
Falleció El Mártes En Su
Residencia de Este Ciudad


Sra. Andreita T. de Torres, esposa de Don Crispin (sic) Torres después de una emfermedad que la tuvo postrada poco tiempo entregó el alma al Creador del Universo el mártes – Agosto 17 – a las 6 de la tarde en su residencia en esta cuidad auxiliada por los sacramentos de la Santa Iglesia Católica de la que era miembro devoto.


Sra. Andreita nació el día 8 de Noviembre 1853, siendo los padres Sr. José Trujillo y Doloritas Marquez (ambos de feliz memoria) en esta comunidad. Al tiempo de su muerte tenía 72 años, 9 meses y 9 días de edad. En 1868, (sic) se casó con Sr. Crispin Torres con quien vivió una vida amable, fiel y contentamente los 58 años de su vida conyugal de cuyó matrimonio le sobreviven 4 hijos: Apolonio, Ignacio, José y Rogerio Torres, tres hijas, Sra. Domitila T. de Sanchez, Vda. de Dn. Moises Sanchez, Lola T. de Stapleton, esposa de Dn. Vivian Stapleton y Lupe T. de Olguin, esposa de Dn. Tomas Olguin, 24 nietos, 11 viznietos, también sobrevive su esposo Dn. Crispin Torres, un hermano, Rogerio Trujillo, una cuñada, Isabelita P. de Torres, cuatro nueras, un gran número de sobrinos y parientes sumidos en el más acerbo dolor.


Sra. Andreita, fue una hija obediente y modelo, y una esposa fiel y constante, una madre y abuela tierna y cariñoso, una vecina y prójimo, que con desapego y amor con su inteligensia, de la que fue dotada, sirvió a todos los que frecuentemente, recurririan a ella y se grangeó el cariño de todos los que la conocieron.


El funeral se verificó el miércoles a las 2:30 p.m. empezando de la casa del luto siguió un cortejo funebre a la iglesia de San Miguel y de allí al panteón católico donde antes de cubrir la fosa nuestro editor, sobrino de la afligi esposo, después de manifestar las gracias al concurridisimo acompañamiento y recitar la biografía de la extinta in patéticas frases, presentó a Dn. Jose Antonio Torres quien con su acosturbrada oratorio desertó el panegirico en emocionante alocución.


Esta redacción manda desde lo mas ferviente corozón de su editor de familiares el más profundo pésame a su tio, primos y familiares implorando que pronto el Todopoderoso les cubra con el manto del consuelo.



GRATO MANIFESTO
Damos las gracias por medio de estas columnas a todos lo que no acompañaron durante la enfermedad, velorio y funeral de nuestra querida esposa y madre.


CRISPIN TORRES E HIJOS




El Defensor del Pueblo, Aug. 20, 1926. Page 1

Crespin Torres' obituary

My distant cousin Maurine P. of California sent me a jpeg of the front page of the 22 October 1937 issue of "El Defensor del Pueblo" newspaper. For this blog, I cropped Crespin Torres' obituary from that page into managable clippings.


At the time of publication, Crespin's nephew Anastacio Torres was the publisher and editor of the newspaper. A short biography of Anastacio can be found in this "El Defensor Chieftain" article


Below is the English translation and Spanish transcription of the obituary. Maurine informs me that the translator, our cousin Patrick Moore, is deceased. Although I never met Patrick, I would like to dedicate this post to him and his family.

Note: Crespin Torres’ obituary in 1937 appeared on the front page of the Socorro newspaper, El Defensor del Pueblo, which was published in Spanish from 1904 to about 1950. The newspaper’s editor was A.C. (Anastacio) Torres, Crespin’s nephew.


This obituary was translated by Patrick Moore, a great-grandson of Crespin’s.



Don Crespin Torres passed to
a better life Thursday
morning
Funeral took place
today, Friday October 22



Yesterday, Thursday, October 21. At 5:30 A.M., the respectable, aged Crespin Torres passed away at the age of 90 years, after having been prostrate in bed for 20 days in the residence of his daughter Doloritas Stapleton, in this city.

Don Crespin Torres first saw the light of day October 25, 1847, in this community; he was four days shy of 90 years old. His parents were Anastacio Torres and Josefita Montoya (both happily remembered), descendants of the large Torres and Montoya families of this county and state where are found offspring of the old stock that came to the New World and colonized the continent.

Don Crespin Torres became an orphan at an early age. At 2 ½ his mother died and seven months later his father also died, and he lived with his grandfather Juan Montoya. From 5 to 13, he lived in the house of his first cousin, Hon. Candelario Garcia and later with his aunt Lupe Torres de Baca, where he lived until he married Senorita Andreita, daughter of Don Jose Trujillo and Doloritas de Trujillo, who preceded him to the grave by 11 years and two months and from whose marriange survived three sons: Apolonio, Ignacio and José T. Torres; four daughters-in-law; three daughters, Domitila T. Sanchez, Lola T. Stapleton (wife of Don Vivian Stapleton) and Lupita T. de Olguin (wife of Don Tomas Olguin); 27 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren: and 7 great-great-grandchildren, also a large number of nieces and nephews and relatives.

The deceased during his lifetime was a faithful and tender husband, an amiable and kind father, and a peaceful and respectable citizen.

Under the direction of Mr. H.S. Torres, director of the funeral home of this city, the funeral was carried out at 9:30 this morning, Oct. 22, from the house of his children Mr. Vivian Stapleton and Lola T. de Stapleton to San Miguel Church; from there to the Catholic cemetery, where before closing the grave, at the request of the mourners, Mr. J.A. Torres, Mr. A.C. Torres and Mr. R.B. Rivera pronounced the funeral prayer with sentimental and emotional words which touched the hearts of the crowd that listened around the grave.


WORD OF THANKS

Through these columns of El Defensor del Pueblo, we thank all those who accompanied us at the wake and funeral of our beloved father, Crespin Torres.

Lola T. de Stapleton, brothers and sisters

We send our most heartfelt condolences to our beloved Torres cousins and relatives, asking the Almighty to quickly send his consoling spirit.

A.C. Torres and family



Dn. Crespin Torres pasó a
mejor vida el jueves
en la mañana.
El funeral SeVerificó
Hoy Viernes Octubre 22


Ayer, Jueves Octubre 21 – a las 5:30 A.M., falleció el respetable anciano Crespin Torres, a la edad 90 años, después de haber estado postrado en cama por veinte días, en la residencia de hija Doloritas T. de Stapleton, en esta ciudad.

Dn. Crespin vió por primera vez la luz del día el 25 de Octubre 1847 en esta comunidad, cuatros días para los noventa años, habiendo sido sus padres Anastacio Torres y Josefita Montoya (ambos de feliz memoria) descendientes de las grandes familias Torres y Montoya de este condado y estado donde se encuentran vástajos de aquellas viejas cepas que vinieron al nuevo mundo y poblaron el continente.

Dn. Crespin Torres quedó huerfano de madre a los dos años y medio, siete meses después también murió su padre; y se quedó con su abuelito Juan Montoya, después de los cinco a las trece anos vivió en las casa de su rimohermano Hon. Candelario Garcia, y por última con su tia Lupe Torres de Baca que estuvo hasta que se casó en ese tiempo con Srita. Andreita, hija de Dn. Jose Trujillo y Doloritas de Trujillo, quien le presidió a la tum once años y los dos meses ha y de cuyo matrimonio les sobreviven tres hijos Apolonio, Ignacio y José T. Torres, y cuatro nueras, tres hijas Domitila T. Sanchez, Lola T. Stapleton, esposa de Dn. Vivian Stapleton, Lupita T. de Olguin, esposa de Dn. Tomas Olguin, 27 nietos, 30 viznietos, y siete tataranietos, también un gran número de sobrinos y parientes.

El extinto, durante su vida fué un esposo fiel y tierno; un padre amable y bondadoso, un ciudadano pacifico y respetable.

El funeral se verificó al las 9:30 esta mañana – Oct. 22 – bajo dirreción de Sr. H.S. Torres, director de empresa funereria de esta ciudad de las casa de sus hijos Sr. Vivian Stapleton y Lola T. de Stapleton a las iglesia de San Miguel, de allí al panteón Católico en donde antes de sellar la sepultura, por súplica de los dolientes; Sres. J.A. Torres, A.C. Torres y R.B. Rivera pronunciaron la oración funebre con fraces (sic) sentimentales y emocionantes que conmovieron a la muchedumbre que los escuchaban arrededor de la fosa.


VOTO DE GRACIAS

Por medio de estas columnas de El Defensor del Pueblo, damos las gracias a todos las personas que nos acompañaron en la velada y funeral de nuestro querido padre Crespin Torres.

Lola T. Stapleton, hermanos y hermanas.

Mandamos nuestras más sentidas condolencias de nuestros queridos primos Torres y deudos pidiendo al Omnipotente pronto les mande su espiritu consalador.

A.C. Torres y familia.


El Defensor del Pueblo, Oct. 22, 1937. Page 1

Click on the clippings below for a large view of them: