Benigno Lopez

Benigno Lopez "Uncle Ben", Born November 26, 1924 in Newkirk, NM to the home of Miguel and Francisca Lopez passed away February 2, 2003 at the age of 78 in Las Vegas, NM due to a long illness. Uncle Ben was a young man of 17 years of age whe he enlisted in the United States Army serving in World War II. He performed duties with the 592 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment in New Guinea and the Phillipine Islands. He received the good conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Arrowhead and the Victory Medal. He was a longtime Cattle Rancher in the Newkirk area. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Herculano Lopez, Hilario Lopez, Francisco Lopez, Miguel Lopez and Santos Lopez, his sisters Mary Gonzales and Adela Sena. Uncle Ben is survived by his brother and sisters, Jose D. Lopez and wife Isabel, Aurora Elevario, Dolores Chacon and Florence Lopez all of Santa Rosa and Dorothy Zamora of Albuquerque, his special niece and caregiver Janna Lopez of Las Vegas, NM, his sister in laws Anita Lopez of Santa Rosa, Gloria Lopez of Tucumcari, brothers in law Lorenzo Sena of Santa Rosa and Alfredo Gonzalez of Tucumcari, along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary services were held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 from St. Rose Church. Mass of Chistian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, February 5, also from St. Rose Church with Father Stephen Schultz Officiating. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery. Servng as Pallbearers were Horace Elevario, Adolph Sena, John Lopez, Richard Lopez, Daniel Lopez and Delano Chavez. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were Sonny Austin, Reynaldo Roybal, Louie and Grace Romero, Pete Ortiz, Alfredo Romero, Pat Elevario, Marco Coca, Carlos Montano and all his nieces and nephews. All services were entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa.