Obituaries for October 2, 2025
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John J. Foley III
CHINLE – Funeral services for John Joseph Foley III, 60, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m., at the Chinle Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Chinle community veterans cemetery.
John Joseph Foley III, Jan. 29, 1965, – Sept. 16, 2025
John was born Jan. 29, 1965, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Hashtł’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan). His nálí is Naasht’ézhí dine’é Tábąąhá (Zuni/Water’s Edge); cheii is Mescalero Apache. He passed away Sept. 16, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas.
John graduated from Chinle High School in 1982 and served in the Army from 1982 to 1986. He did additional work in construction related industries.
John was an avid pool/billiards player and a serious Dallas Cowboys fan.
John is survived by his siblings, Cheryl Lynn (Foley) Chuckluck, Beverly Ann Foley and Carrie F. (Foley) Pavinyama.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Roberta Gorman Foley and John J. Foley Jr.; and sister, Charlotte Adele Foley.
Angels Above Cremation Services oversaw arrangements.
Jennifer A. Wilson
FORT DEFIANCE – Graveside service for Jennifer Ann Wilson, 46, of Fort Defiance, was held Oct. 1 at the Fort Defiance community cemetery with Rev. Cathlena Plummer officiating.
Jennifer Ann Wilson, March 22, 1979 – Sept. 12, 2025
Jennifer was born March 22, 1979, in Fort Defiance, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tł’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan). She passed away Sept. 12, 2025, in Albuquerque.
Jennifer attended school in Sanders, Arizona, Tse Ho Tso Middle School, and years later received her GED. She liked to joke and laugh, spend time with family, and listen to a variety of music.
Jennifer is survived by her son.
Jennifer is preceded in death by Cheryl A. Wilson-Tsosie, Anthony Wilson, and Steven and Sadie Wilson.
Pallbearers were Kendall Roanhorse, Jimmie James, Ronald Catron, Everett Johnson Jr., Jay Scott and Juan Scott.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Wallace Burbank
CHINLE – Graveside service for Wallace Burbank, 80, of Chinle, will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Chinle.
Wallace Burbank, March 5, 1945 – Sept. 28, 2025
Wallace was born March 5, 1945, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). His nálí is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People); cheii is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People). He passed away Sept. 28, 2025, in Chinle.
Wallace graduated from Chinle High School as class valedictorian of 1965 and attended the University of Arizona. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was employed as a surveyor with the BIA.
Wallace enjoyed spending time with his family and loved ones.
Wallace is survived by his wife, Priscilla “Chilly” Burbank; daughters, Lenora Burbank and Lavina Burbank; siblings, Marie Claw, Jane Burbank, Mary Ann Burbank, Susie Yazzie, and Rosetta Whitehair; and four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Wallace is preceded in death by his parents, Adella and Hiram; and siblings, Billy, David, Andy, Oscar, Francis and Sarah.
A reception will take place at the Chinle Catholic Hall following service.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Michael Quintana
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Michael Quintana, 75, who gave his all to New Mexico and its people, died in his sleep of a heart attack on Aug. 27, 2025, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with his dog, his horse, and his cowboy hat nearby.
Michael Quintana, Born March 29, 1950
Born March 29, 1950, Michael adopted New Mexico in his teens and began a lifelong love affair with the state working cattle on a ranch outside Anthony, near his birth city of El Paso, Texas.
Michael earned a master’s degree in rural economic development and a Ph.D. at New Mexico State University. It opened the door to several careers, but in his heart-of-hearts he was always a New Mexico cowboy. It was as a cowboy with a master’s that he helped the Navajo Nation with its Churro Sheep Project and worked with the Indo-Hispano community to reclaim the lands taken from them by the U.S. government despite the promises of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Michael worked as a top staffer for the state legislature and served for a time as district director for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District. He went on to become the state’s district resource manager for southern New Mexico. He retired from there in 2020.
Throughout his careers – when not on an annual trek to advise the Kurds of Kazakhstan on improved farm and ranch practices – Michael lived his cowboy life by helping countless New Mexico ranchers run their herds and move their cattle to market.
Over the decades of his adult life, Michael lived in Santa Fe, El Rito, Las Cruces, and Deming, New Mexico. He took great pride that he roped in rodeos and rode bareback broncs in his youth despite a leg permanently damaged in a high school motorcycle accident.
Michael is survived by his twin sister, JoAnne Quintana, who now lives in Albuquerque; brother, Joe Quintana of Whidbey Island, Washington; mother, Beatriz Chavez Johnson; niece, Rita Bentley of Durango, Colorado; daughter, Danielle; nephews, Marcus and Mario Quintana in Washington state; and thousands of New Mexicans who knew and loved him well.
May he rest in peace.
Delayed cremation services will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m., at Baca’s Funeral Chapel (300 East Boutz Road) in Las Cruces, with Joanne Quintana officiating.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow