Obituaries for March 14, 2024

Betty L. Begay

CRYSTAL, N.M. — Funeral services for Betty Lou Begay, 91, of Crystal, New Mexico, were held March 11 at the Crystal Baptist Church with Pastor Raymond Mullahon officiating. Interment followed in Crystal.

Betty was born Aug. 26, 1932, in Crystal, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Mescalero (Green Meadow People). She passed away March 10, 2024, in Gallup.

Betty attended Crystal Boarding School, Klagetoh Boarding School and Riverside Indian School in California. She was employed as a cook and enjoyed sewing, traveling, reading, and watching Western movies.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Sandra Dodge, Veronica Begay, Tarita Begay, and Tawny Begay; sister, Sally Barney; and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by Thomas A. Begay Sr., Michael Wingate and Thomas A. Begay Jr.

Pallbearers were Benjamin Paul Dodge, Neil Thomas Dodge, Darrell Jumbo, Fred Jumbo, Jaxon Towns, and Gabriel Halona.

Honorary pallbearers were Orion Martzloff and Daveed Torres.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Darlene Singer

GALLUP — Funeral services for Darlene “Dee” Singer, 60, of Gallup, will be held Friday, March 15, at 10 a.m., at the New Life Apostolic Church in Gallup, with Michael Singer officiating. Burial will follow in Gallup.

Darlene was born Sept. 25, 1963, in Gallup, into the Tł’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nálí is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). She passed away March 3, 2024, in Gallup.

Darlene attended schools in Fort Defiance, Gallup, and Houston, Texas. She received her GED in June 1987 and graduated from the Arizona State Fire Academy in Phoenix for Firefighting 1 on Nov. 9, 1986, and Firefighting 2 on May 22, 1988.

Darlene held numerous jobs during her life, including being the first female Navajo Nation firefighter, production worker, phlebotomist, and receptionist. She enjoyed decorating cakes, traveling, emergency volunteering, macramé, reading, and beadwork.

Darlene is survived by her son, Victor Iyua Jr.; daughters, Michelle Nez, Kimberly Pacifico and Nicole Bitsilly; father, Charlie Singer; sister, Charlene Singer; and five grandchildren.

Darlene is preceded in death by her mother, Mattie Singer.

Pallbearers will be Nathan James, Gil Tsosie, Nathaniel Garcia, Tommy Mimms, Betty Joe, and Aronzo Charley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Singer, Victor Iyua Jr., Harry Talk Jr., Kenard Talk, Rick Archuleta, and Melvin Young.

A reception will take place at the New Life Apostolic Church Fellowship Hall in Gallup following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Mark O. Lemmon

GALLUP — Funeral services for Mark Oliver Lemmon, 60, of Gallup, will be held Friday, March 15, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.

Mark was born April 13, 1924, in Bloomington, Indiana. He passed away March 2, 2024, in Albuquerque.

Mark received a master’s degree in special education teaching and was employed as a special education teacher for 29 years. He enjoyed football, boxing, running, and lifting weights.

Mark is survived by his wife, Jolene Begay; son, Call Lemmon; mother, Marguerite Lemmon; brothers, Nathan Lemmon and Aaron Lemmon; and grandmothers, Lila Weir and Anne Lemmon.

Mark is preceded in death by Wayne Lemmon.

A reception will take place at the Gallup Community Center following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Mitchell J. Lang

CHINLE — Graveside service for Mitchell Joseph Lang, 59, of Chinle, will be held Thursday, March 21, at 10 a.m., at the Chinle cemetery with Pastor Everett Teller officiating.

Mitchell was born Jan. 20, 1965, in Denver, into the Lók’aa’ dine’é (Reed People Clan), born for Chíshí Át’sá N’dee (Chiricahua Apache Clan). He passed away March 1, 2024, in Tsaile, Arizona.

Mitchell graduated from Chinle High School in 1983 and worked at Bashas’ for many years. He soon progressed his career at Walmart, Safeway, and Diné College, all in efforts to support his children.

Mitchell loved fitness, riding his bike, fishing, reading, drawing, writing, music, movies, and was a wonderful cook. He was always willing to help whether he was asked or not and was quick to joke.

Mitchell is survived by his sons, Joseph Lang and Skylar Lang; daughters, Krystal Fawn Lang and Sunflower Lang; mother, Bessie G. Lang; brothers, Willis Lang Jr. and Fabian Lang; sisters, Annette Lang and Anjeanette Lang; grandparents, Nora Gatewood, Joe Gatewood, Louise Lang, and Paul Lang; and three grandchildren.

Mitchell is preceded in death by his father, Willis Fabe Lang Sr.

A reception will take place at the Chinle Catholic Hall following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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