Obituaries for July 21, 2016

Lorenzo Ignacio Platero

TO’HAJIILEE, N.M. – Funeral services for Lorenzo Ignacio Platero, 77, of To’hajiilee, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, July 23, at 10 a.m. at The Jesus Church in To’hajiilee, with Rose Ignacio and Herbert Platero officiating. Burial will follow in To’hajiilee.

Lorenzo was born into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He died July 17, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Lorenzo attended Albuquerque Indian School, Santa Fe Indian School and became certified in auto body and paint repair. He was employed as a mental health technician at Indian Health Services for 15 years, tribal social worker for five years, education assistant for six years, auto body and paint technician for three years, and was a lifetime rancher.

Lorenzo enjoyed ranching, youth activities, all sports, coordinating rodeos, music, and coaching for the famous Albuquerque Navajos.

Lorenzo is survived by his wife, Margaret S. Platero; sons, Jervis Platero, Curtis Platero and Lewis Platero; daughters, Phyllis Mailboy and Felicia Watuema; brothers, Herbert Platero and Arthur Platero; sisters, Lucy Platero, Lucille Platero and JoAnn Watuema; maternal grandparents, Ignacio and Irene Toledo Pinto; paternal grandparents, Juana and Lorenzo Platero Sr.; and 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Lorenzo is preceded in death by his parents, Lorencito and Lou P. Platero; brothers, Manuel Platero and Raymond Platero; and stepbrothers, Phillip Platero and Nelson Platero.
Pallbearers will be Randalph Mailboy, Jervis Platero, Willard Martine, Seth Watuema, Ellison Platero and Elliott Platero.
Honorary pallbearers will be Willard Martine and Blaine Eriacho.

A reception will take place at the Desidero Center at 1 p.m., following services.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jacey Bernadine McCurtain

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Jacey Bernadine McCurtain, 50, of Crystal, New Mexico, were held July 20 at the Family Church Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance, with Daniel Ashike officiating. Interment followed in Crystal.

Jacey was born Dec. 31, 1965, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). She died July 11, 2016, in Rosenberg, Texas.

Jacey graduated from Tuba City High School in 1983 and received a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and master’s degree in public administration from Northern Arizona University.

Jacey was employed as an injury prevention specialist with Indian Health Services and president at Crystal Chapter House.

Jacey enjoyed outdoor activities, horseback riding, traveling, rodeo, music and spending time with family.

Jacey is survived by her son, Kendrick Johns; daughter, Charmayne Salazar; mother, Betty McCurtain; brothers, Ben McCurtain and Bernett McCurtain; sister, Beverly Ashike; and granddaughter, Mila Salazar.

Jacey is preceded in death by Benjamin G. McCurtain and Bernard McCurtain.

Pallbearers were Kendrick Johns, Ryan Ashike, Kevin Klee, Brian Lee, Brandon Stewart and Rigo Salazar.

Honorary pallbearers were Bernett McCurtain, Rick Nez and Daniel Ashike.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Frank Nez

GALLUP — Funeral services for Frank Nez, 86, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, were held July 20 at the Gallup LDS Stake Center in Gallup, New Mexico, with President Rodney Jones officiating. Interment followed at the family land in Tohatchi.

Frank was born March 17, 1930, in Fruitland, New Mexico, to Ruth and Hastiin Frank Nez, into the Áshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíínii (Water Flow Together Clan). His maternal grandparents are Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People) and paternal grandparents are Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People).

In his youth, Frank farmed and herded sheep. He attended Stewart Indian School in Carson City, Nev., where he was trained as an auto mechanic. He was a Korean War veteran and served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1955. He was proud of his service to the U.S.

In 1986, he retired from El Paso Natural Gas Company after 27 years. Upon his retirement, he lived permanently in Tohatchi with his family and herded sheep and farmed. He was a healer with the Native American Church and was active in his community and served as a poll official and Navajo language translator for the Navajo Nation and New Mexico state elections.

Frank is survived by his wife, Rose A. Nez; daughters, Jenny Nez of Tohatchi, Jennifer Denetdale of Albuquerque and Tohatchi, Wanda Nez Orr of Salt Lake City, and Victoria Nez-Denetdale of Tohatchi; son, Alexander Nez of Tohatchi; and 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Zonnie Jones

WINSLOW, Ariz. — Funeral services for Zonnie Jones, of Thoreau, New Mexico (formerly of Teesto, Arizona), 90, were held July 16 at the Winslow Funeral Home in Winslow. Interment followed at the Desert View Cemetery.

Zonnie was born Nov. 12, 1925, in Teesto. She passed away July 13, 2016, in Grants, New Mexico.

Zonnie is survived by her sons, Gene Jones and Clint Smith; daughters, Lillie Kelly, Mary Ann O’Neal, Alice J. James, Dr. Daisy Thompson, Louise J. Brown, Lucinda Jones and Melissa DeGroat; brothers, Lorenzo Bahe and Bahe Jones; sisters, Helen Nebitsi and Mary James; and 28 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, 4 generation grandchild 1 and 3 generation grandchildren 1.

Zonnie is preceded in death by her spouse, Dan Jones; brothers, Jack Benally and Joe Indian; granddaughter, Racheal Long; grandson, Chris Chico; and stillborn son and son-in-law, Joe Kelly.

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of arrangements.

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