Manuel Cordova

Holy Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am Saturday, December 28, 2013 followed by the funeral Mass. Services will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vaughn, NM, Father Antonio Mondragon will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Joey Cordova, Andy Cordova, Patrick Gutierrez, Daniel Gutierrez, Leonard Sanchez, and Rudy Martinez. Honorary bearers will be Zeke Sanchez, Orlando Garcia, Raymond Garcia, and Isabro Martinez. Visitation will begin at 9:30 Saturday at the church. Manuel Cordova, 76 of Vaughn, NM went to be with our Lord on Friday, December 20, 2013 at the V.A. Medical Center in Albuquerque following an illness. He was born July 12, 1937 in Sombrillo, NM to the home of Adolfo and Pelagrina Cordova. Manuel graduated from Vaughn High School in 1956. He joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to Battery D, First Battalion, 67th Infantry. He was honorably discharged on April 30, 1962. He returned to Vaughn, NM where he married Candelaria Gutierrez on September 1, 1962. Manuel worked as a contract mail carrier for Stage Coach Lines driving a mail truck. He retired after 22 years. He was currently employed as a transport driver for Rezenberger Inc. Manuel was a very friendly, kind, caring and loving man who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a lover of animals especially his dog Princess. Manuel enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He was a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vaughn, NM. Manuel is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Isidro, Adolfo, and Laute Cordova, his very loving father in law Benito Gutierrez Sr., two brothers-in-law Abelardo and Benny Gutierrez. Survivors include his wife Candelaria Cordova of Vaughn, NM, two sons Manny (Annette) Cordova of Ruidoso, NM, and Steven (Sheri) Cordova of Los Lunas, NM; five grandchildren Cassie, Manny, Bernadette, Jakob and Jasen Cordova, brothers-in-law Angel (Rita) Gutierrez, Lester (Lucy) Gutierrez, Albert (Margie) Gutierrez, and Jimmy (Kathy) Gutierrez, sisters-in-law Mickey (Leonard) Sanchez, Eva Cordova, Vangie Cordova, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico (575) 355-2311.