Obituaries for Dec. 22, 2016

Pauline Dixon Duran

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Funeral services for Pauline Dixon Duran, 77, of Rio Rancho, will be held today, Dec. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (1502 Sara Rd. SE) in Rio Rancho. A rosary will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held at a later date by the family.

Pauline, daughter of Tom Dixon and Aurelia Pettigrew Dixon, was born March 8,1939, in Rehoboth. She died Dec. 12, 2016, from end-stage renal disease.

Pauline was raised in the Southwest and lived in Arizona and New Mexico before finally settling in Rio Rancho.

Pauline loved horses, painting with oil on canvas, and crocheting items for the church and family. She retired as a librarian and was a master gardener. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Most of all, she loved her family.

Pauline is survived by her husband of 50 years, John P. Duran; sons, Edward Thomas (Catherine Elizabeth) Duran, John Paul Duran, and Michael Thomas Duran; daughter, Audrey Michelle Duran; and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be sent to: St. Felix Pantry, 4020 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, N.M. 87124. Information: 505-891-8075

Reginald Charlie Begay

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral services for Reginald Charlie Begay, 53, were held Dec. 21 at the Riverside Chapel Funeral home in Albuquerque. Interment followed with full military honors at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Reginald was born April 11, 1963, in Gallup, into the Red Cheek People Clan, born for Sleeping Rock People Clan. He died Dec. 13, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Reginald graduated from Chinle High School and attended New Mexico State University. He worked with the Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue/EMT and rose to the rank of captain.

In 1991, Reginald enlisted in the U.S. Army and studied aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was a U.S. Army combat veteran with the 82nd Airborne Division – Afghanistan and Bronze Star recipient.

Reginald enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing baseball, riding dirt bikes, grilling at family barbecues, and helping family, friends and relatives.

Reginald is survived by his wife, Cynthia Begay: sons, Royce C. Begay and Russell C. Begay; daughter, Amber C. Begay; grandson, Russell C. Begay Jr.; brothers, Ronald C. Begay and Gerald C. Begay; sister, Regina C. Roanhorse; and father, Thomas H. Begay, Navajo Code Talker World War II Iwo Jima survivor and Korean War veteran.

Reginald is preceded in death by his mother, Nonabah D. Begay.

Pallbearers were Royce Begay, Russell Begay, Kristopher Roanhorse, Kameron Roanhorse, Kurt Adakai, and John Grady.

Honorary pallbearers were Eddie Molina, Pierce Molina, and Nathan Scott.

Ben H. Mestes

TORREON, N.M. — Funeral services for Ben H. Mestes, 78, of Torreon, were held Dec. 19 at the Resident Church in Torreon, with Kevin Haines officiating. Interment followed in Torreon.

Ben was born into the Hasht’l’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He died Dec. 13, 2016, in Bernalillo, New Mexico.

Ben graduated from Intermountain Inter-Tribal School in Brigham City, Utah, and was employed with Duke City Lumber Company in Cuba, New Mexico. He also worked as a laborer, medicine man, and silversmith. He enjoyed tending to his livestock, building houses, and spending time with family and relatives.

Ben is survived by his wife, Nellie Sandoval Mestes; sons, Larry Mestes, Bill Mestes, Benjamin Mestes, Kenneth Mestes, and Daniel Mestes; daughters, Victoria, Gloria, and LaVern; and sister, Gladys M. Herrera.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Annie Mestes; and sisters, Helen M. Toledo and Esther M. Pinto.

Pallbearers were Bill Mestes, Benjamin Mestes, Daniel Mestes, Kerwin Haines, Aaron Haines, and Brandon Chiquito.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry Mestes, Bill Mestes, Benjamin Mestes, Kenneth Mestes, Daniel Mestes, and grandsons.

Daniels Family Funeral Services – Alameda Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Arlene Ann Tabaha

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Arlene Ann Tabaha, 62, of Hunters Point, Arizona, were held Dec. 19 at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, with Father Jose Gutay officiating. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Arlene was born Jan. 22, 1954, in Hunters Point, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). She died Dec. 12, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Arlene attended Window Rock Elementary School and Chinle High School, graduating from Gallup High School. She attended Diné College and earned her CDA at Northland Pioneer College.

Arlene was employed with Navajo Nation Head Start program as a teacher and Early Childhood Head Start, retiring after 28 years of service. She loved children and enjoyed watching western movies, listening to country music, and spending time with family.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Donald Thomas of Lower Greasewood; sons, Dorrin Thomas and Shane Thomas, both of Fort Defiance; mother, Marie King Tabaha of Hunters Point; brothers, Albert Tabaha of Phoenix, Leonard Delegarito of Bloomfield, N.M., and Ernest Tabaha Sr. of Kinlichee; and sisters, Irene Tabaha of Window Rock, Bernice Upshaw of St. Michaels, Angelina Tabaha of Hunters Point, and Lorraine Tabaha of Hunters Point.

Arlene is preceded in death by her father, Rapheal Tabaha; and brother, Anson Tabaha Sr.

Pallbearers were Franklin Upshaw Jr., Leonard Delegarito Jr., Orlando Delegarito, Brandon Silas, Chandler Silas, and Jason Begay.

Honorary pallbearers were Dorrin Thomas and Shane Thomas.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Clara Mae Notah

GALLUP — Funeral services for Clara Mae Notah, 51, were held Dec. 17 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Thoreau community cemetery in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Clara was born Sept. 26, 1965, in Fort Defiance, into the Kin Yaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). She died Dec. 11, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Clara graduated from Thoreau High School in 1984 and received an associate’s degree from Navajo Community College in 1994. She was employed with Thoreau Middle School and Gallup-McKinley County Schools as a nurse’s aide since August 1988, library aide, office assistant, and teacher’s aide.

Clara is survived by her mother, Dorothy Ann Harry; sisters, Priscilla Loretta Trujillo, Harriett Marie Harry, and Bonnie Marie Tapaha; and brother, Marshall Tommy Notah.

Clara is preceded in death by her father, Howard Albert Notah; brother, Harry Notah Jr.; and sisters, Lorraine Mae Notah and Vera Mae Notah.

Pallbearers were Micah D. Ware, Hansen Tapaha, David H. Joe, Leslie Notah, Travis H. Notah, Marshall T. Notah, Myron R. Benally, and Roy C. Billy.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Lorenzo Johnson

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for Lorenzo Johnson, 50, were held Dec. 16 at the LDS Church in Crownpoint. Interment followed at the Crownpoint community cemetery.

Lorenzo was born Sept. 17, 1966, in Crownpoint, into the Nát’oh dine’é Táchii’nii (Tobacco People/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tl’ááshchi’i (Red Bottom People Clan). He died Dec. 12, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Lorenzo graduated from Crownpoint High School and attended Diné College, New Mexico State-Grants, and Northland Pioneer College. He worked as a CDL driver, electrical, carpentry, architectural, and behavioral health case manager. He was a Denver Broncos fan and enjoyed playing basketball and football, watching UFC, and attended Native American Church.

Lorenzo is survived by his wife, Vivian Enrike; sons, Tyrel Johnson and Shawndal Johnson; daughter, LaTysha Johnson; stepdaughter, Stacie Wilson; stepson, Lyle Leandrew; brothers, John Johnson Jr., Paul Johnson, Ricky Begay, Elmer Johnson, Edison Johnson, and Joe Johnson; and sisters, Alvena Begaye, Irene Begaye, Sylvia Begaye, Jerelene Johnson, Sharon Johnson, Jeannie Johnson, Ella Smith, and Mary Miller.

Lorenzo is preceded in death by his parents, John and Nancy L. Johnson; and brother, Tommy Johnson.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Edison

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Thomas Edison, 63, were held Dec. 15 at Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff. Interment followed at the family plot in Tolani Lake/Natoni, Arizona.

Thomas was born March 2, 1953, in Fort Defiance, into the Hashk’aa Hadzohi (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line Clan), born for Áshiihi (Salt People Clan). His maternal grandparents are Tl’izi Lani (Many Goats) and paternal grandparents are Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died Dec. 11, 2016, in Flagstaff.

Thomas is survived by his children, LaDonna Edison, Mario Edison, and Roderick Edison; mother, Juanita Edison; sisters, Nona John, Louise Dempsey, Dolly Williams, Julia Begay, and Arlene Willie; brother, Alex Edison; and seven grandchildren.

Thomas is preceded in death by his father, Dale Edison; and brothers, Paul Edison, Emerson Edison, Leo Edison, Eugene Edison, Eddie Edison, Larry Edison, and Parry Edison.

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