Obituaries for December 12, 2024

Irene Ahkeah

FLAGSTAFF — Graveside service for Irene Ahkeah, 94, of Flagstaff, was held at the Flagstaff Citizens Cemetery.

Irene was born Nov. 27, 1930, in Fort Defiance, into the Naasht’ézhí Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She passed away Nov. 30, 2024.

Irene was employed as a registered nurse.

Irene is preceded in death by her Harold Ahkeah and Harold Ahkeah Jr.

Lozano Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Father Blane Grein

CHINLE — The funeral service for Father Blane Grein, 88, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was held on Dec. 10 at Our Lady of Fatima Mission in Chinle. The interment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery in Cincinnati.

Father Grein was born Dec. 14, 1935, in Cincinnati. He passed away at the Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque.

Father Grein solemnly professed on Aug. 16, 1957, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1962. He was employed at St. Anthony Indian Mission in Zuni, New Mexico, and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Chinle.

Hodapp Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Richard Barber Jr.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Graveside service for Richard Barber Jr., 72, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 11:30 a.m., at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho.

Richard was born Oct. 13, 1952, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Over Hanging Rock People Clan, born for Hopi People of the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away Nov. 21, 2024, in Albuquerque.

Richard is survived by his wife, Elsie Barber; children, Tiffany and Wesley Barber; and sisters, Lavina and Brenda Barber.

Richard is preceded in death by Richard Barber Sr., Annie T. Barber, Eugene Barber, Sylvester Barber, and Barry Barber.

Richard attended Gallup High School and TVI. He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and enjoyed fishing, camping, photography, traveling, computers, and listening to rock music.

French Funerals Home oversaw arrangements.

Emma R. Lee

GALLUP — Funeral services for Emma Rose Lee, 92, of Twin Lakes, New Mexico, will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Myles Lytle officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial.

Emma was born April 6, 1932, in Twin Lakes. She passed away Nov. 26, 2024, in Twin Lakes.

Emma attended school in Tohatchi, New Mexico, and was a minister. She enjoyed Native crafts.

Emma is survived by her daughter, Erecka E. Lee, and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Emma is preceded in death by Sen. Tom K. Lee; daughters Sylvia and Cherie Lee; and sons Clarence Lee, Randolph Lee, and Wendell Lee.

Pallbearers will be Clinton R. Lee, Russell Lee, Seth Lee, Ryan Lee, Chance Sherman, and Mathew Frazier Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tonialia M. Lee and Lyle Lee.

A reception will take place at the Twin Lakes Chapter House following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

JoAnn B. Herbert

NASCHITTI, N.M. — Graveside service for JoAnn B. Herbert, 91, of Naschitti, New Mexico, was held Dec. 10 at the Naschitti community cemetery.

JoAnn was born May 1, 1933, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She passed away Dec. 5, 2024, in Naschitti.

JoAnn is survived by her son, Phillip Herbert, and daughters, Rosemary Herbert, Yvonne Misquez, Gloria Bebo, Carol Herbert, Julie Herbert, Patricia Herbert, and Lisa Marie Herbert.

JoAnn is preceded in death by her son, Robert Herbert Jr.; daughters, Janet Herbert and Loretta Herbert; and husband, Robert Herbert Sr.

Pallbearers were Cody K. Herbert, Jayson Bebo, Robert Adam Herbert, Michael Nez, Phillip Anthony Herbert, and Matthew James Bueno.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Ira Burbank

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Ira Burbank, 80, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, will be held Monday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tohatchi, with Father Dale Jamison officiating. Burial will take place at the veterans cemetery in Gallup (date to be determined).

Ira was born Sept. 7, 1944, in Tohatchi, into the Tł’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan), born for Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan). He passed away Dec. 8, 2024, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Ira received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He enjoyed reading, drawing, woodworking, health and wellness, taking walks, traveling, and meditation.

Ira is survived by his wife, Virginia Burbank; sons, Justin Burbank and Aaron Burbank; daughters, Leslie Burbank, Rae Lee Burbank-Woody, Lee Anne Burbank, Melanie J.D. Burbank, Melodie J.D. Burbank, and Lisa Hubbard; brother, Allen Burbank; sisters, Louise Capitan, Julia Thompson, Alice Burbank, and Veronica Concho; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Ira is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Mary Allison Burbank; son, Kevin Burbank; brother, Jerry Burbank; and sister, Lucy Becenti.

Pallbearers will be Paul Davis, Marcus Burbank, Ashton Burbank, Joshua Concho, Gregory Thompson, and Justin Burbank.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hardy Thompson, Allen Burbank, Anderson Thomas, Alvin Raphelito, and Jeremy Tallsalt.

A reception will take place at the Tohatchi Chapter House following the service.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Anson C. Damon

GALLUP — Funeral services for Anson C. Damon, 46, of Gamerco, New Mexico, were held Dec. 11 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed in Rehoboth, New Mexico.

Anson was born Feb. 14, 1978, in Gallup, into the Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan), born for Mą’ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass Clan). He passed away Dec. 2, 2024, in Albuquerque.

Anson attended Gallup High School and was a home caregiver. He was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Braves.

Anson is survived by his mother, Vera M. Damon; brother, Stuart Damon; and sister, Theresa Damon.

Anson is preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Damon, and father, Anson Damon Jr.

Pallbearers were Larrack Begay, Garrack Begay, Jalen Begay, Duane Hanley, Jeremiah Bahe, Anthony Garcia, and Parnell Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearers were Paul Anderson, Winchell Tso, William Anderson, Ashton Damon, Steven Damon, Edward Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Micheal Johnson, Frankie J. Begay, Beau Hudson, and Lucas Hudson.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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