Obituaries for Sept. 14, 2023

Marie B. Plummer

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Marie B. Plummer, 91, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m., at the Tohatchi United Pentecostal Church with Pastor Martin Eastridge officiating. Burial will follow in Tohatchi.

Marie was born Feb. 3, 1932, in Tohatchi, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away Sept. 10, 2023, in Gallup.

Marie was employed with Gallup McKinley County School for 35 years. She enjoyed cooking, making bread, going to church, making sash belts, and spending time with family and friends.

Marie is survived by her sons, Harry Plummer Jr. and Eugene Plummer Sr.; daughters, Linda Plummer, Rie Anne Barry and Rita Bia; and 27 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Plummer Sr.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Plummer, Geno Plummer, Cornelius Plummer, Rayburn Barry, Anthony Begay, and Ryan Plummer Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Plummer Jr., Eugene Plummer Sr., Linda Plummer, Rie Anne Barry, and Rita Bia.

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

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Kee B. Wauneka

RIMROCK, N.M. — Funeral services for Kee Bahe Wauneka, 83, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ in Rimrock, New Mexico, (two miles east of Tse Bonito, New Mexico). Burial will follow at the Wauneka family plot on Old Red Lake Road (Indian Route 12).

Kee was born May 13, 1940, into the Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). His nalí is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan); cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away Sept. 9, 2023, in Fort Defiance.

Kee worked for Navajo Tribe Water Works and P&M Coal Mine. He was also a pastor at House of Prayer Church for 30-plus years.

Kee is survived by his children, Ortega Wauneka, Patsy Wauneka, Michael Wauneka, and Kim Wauneka; siblings, Bobby W., Mary T., Alice S., Edison W., Joann W., Caroline T., Ida B., Wilson W., and Johnny W; and 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Kee is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Wauneka; daughter, Tammy Wauneka; and son, Austin Wauneka.

Pallbearers will be Ontario Wauneka, Dakota Wauneka, Edward Silversmith Jr., Wilfred Wauneka, Arthur Wauneka, and Dennis Keith.

Honorary pallbearers will be Edison Wauneka and Edward Silversmith Sr.

A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Margaret J. Chischilly

GALLUP — Funeral services for Margaret Jean Chischilly, 87, of Gallup, were held Sept. 9 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Eddie Rodriguez officiating. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial in Gallup.

Margaret was born July 1, 1936, in Church Rock, New Mexico, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Naasht’ézhí dine’é (Zuni Clan). She passed away Sept. 5, 2023, in Albuquerque.

Margaret earned an associate’s degree in education and retired from Wingate Elementary School as an educational technician after 42 years of service. She was also a former Church Rock Chapter House official.

Margaret enjoyed family trips, watching her favorite TV shows and quality time with her family.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Max Chischilly Jr., Ernest Chischilly, Melvin Chischilly, and Marvin Chischilly; daughters, Maxine Chischilly, Della Chischilly, Marnita Chischilly, and Lavern Sanchez; sister, Marie Benally; and 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Margaret is preceded in death by her son, Calvin Chischilly; husband, Max Chischilly Sr.; and parents, Frank and Ellen Collins.

Pallbearers were Max Chischilly Jr., Melvin Chischilly, Marvin Chischilly, Brian Chischilly, Paul Byrum, and Eric. M. Tso.

Honorary pallbearer was Ernest Chischilly.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Herbert L. Benally

FARMINGTON — Funeral services for Herbert L. Benally, 75, were held Sept. 13 at Oasis Ministries in Farmington. Interment followed at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Farmington.

Herbert was born May 6, 1948, at home in Red Valley, Arizona, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away Sept. 1, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.

Herbert is survived by his loving wife, Loretta E. Benally; daughters, Cherilynn (Reuben) Shorty, Tammy, and Shina; son, Lambert Benally; brother’s wife, Lena Benally; cousins, Lavera, Alberta, and Anderson Yazzie; sisters-in-law, Victoria Ellison, Virginia (Cecil Sr.) Begay, Gloria Cadman, Carmelita (Bob) Ellison, Marian (Peter) Yazzie, and Jean Begaye; and brothers-in-law, Daniel (Lena) Ellison, Dennis Ellison, Samuel (Carol) Ellison, Emerson Ellison, Anderson Ellison, Matthew Ellison, Andrew (Kym) Ellison, and Nathaniel (Natasha) Ellison.

Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Fred Benally; brother, Calvin R. Benally; aunt, Sarah Yazzie (husband Emerson) and their sons, Calvin and Maxwell Yazzie; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellison, Pearl Esplain and Barbara Baldwin; brothers-in-law, Don Ellison Jr., Henry Begaye, Richard D. Cadman, Wallace Clement, Robert Jaramillo, and Frank Hunsinger; and parents-in-law, Mary Marie Ellison and Don Ellison Sr.

Our family would like to thank Giving Home Health Care for providing services for our father and husband. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the San Juan Regional Medical Center staff and doctors for the love, care, and professionalism they provided for Herbert in his final days.

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