OBITUARIES
Roswell Daily Record
A7
Last crew member of Enola Gay dies in Georgia ATLANTA (AP) — The last surviving member of the crew that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, hastening the end of World War II and forcing the world into the atomic age, has died in Georgia. Theodore VanKirk, also known as “Dutch,” died Monday of natural causes at the retirement home where he lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia, his son Tom VanKirk said. He was 93. VanKirk flew nearly 60 bombing missions, but it was a single mission in the Pacific that secured him a place in history. He was 24 years old when he served as navigator on the Enola Gay, the B-29 Super fortress that dropped the first atomic bomb deployed in wartime over the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. He was teamed with pilot Paul T ibbets and bombardier Tom Ferebee in Tibbets’ fledgling 509th Composite Bomb Group for Special Mission No. 13. The mission went perfectly, VanKirk told The Associated Press in a 2005
OBITUARIES
AP Photo
In this May 21, 2009, file photo, Theodore “Dutch’’ VanKirk visits a veteran’s group at the Golden Corral in Macon, Ga.
interview. He guided the bomber through the night sky, just 15 seconds behind schedule, he said. As the 9,000-pound bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” fell toward the sleeping city, he and his crewmates hoped to escape with their lives. They didn’t know whether the bomb would
of Roswell, his wife, Colleen Robinson, of Montrose, Colorado, his sisters, Becky Conner and husband Tom, of Roswell, and Carrie Mead of Portales. Glen is also survived by stepson, Jerimy Robinson, and several grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The legend of Uncle Glen lives on in nephew, Cody Conner, and nieces, Megan Hearting, Whitney Mead, and Micaela Mead. Additionally Glen is survived by his best buddy and constant companion, Annie, his Boston Terrier. Glen will be sorely missed by all of his family, but we know he is rejoicing in heaven now. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO.
actually work and, if it did, whether its shockwaves would rip their plane to shreds. They counted — one thousand one, one thousand two — reaching the 43 seconds they’d been told it would take for detonation and heard nothing. “I think everybody in the plane concluded it was a
dud. It seemed a lot longer than 43 seconds,” VanKirk recalled. Then came a bright flash. Then a shockwave. Then another shockwave. The blast and its aftereffects killed 140,000 in Hiroshima. Three days after Hiroshima, a second atomic bomb was dropped on
Araceli Nunn; 13 grandchildren; numerous greatgrandchildren. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, José Luis Bautista and his wife Guadalupe. Honorary pallbearers will be John Schaffer, Robert Pearce, Frank Holguín, Leo Cadena, David Hopper, and Omar Holguín. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of AndersonBethany Funeral Home and Crematory.
the 1989 Senior Olympic Games in St. Louis, Missouri. She played in numerous states including Hawaii. Her golf game had to be temporarily put on hold in 1991 when she contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome. Luckily, once she recovered, she was back on the links. In 1995, she lost her beloved Wayne, but she kept playing. It took developing rheumatoid arthritis and an inability to grip a golf club to actually slow her down. She still loved the game and could be found watching tour naments on television and following her favorite players’ progress on a weekly basis. When she wasn’t following golf, she kept herself busy throughout the years volunteering at the Community Kitchen, Vista Care (Hospice), serving on the board of directors for the Sunny Acres Retirement Village, and attending all of her grandchildren’s choir perfor mances, plays, ballgames, etc.
Doyle Glen Miles
Doyle Glen Miles, beloved son of Doyle Lee Miles and Fana Lou Porter Miles, passed away unexpectedly on July 21, 2014, in Montrose, Colorado. Glen was bor n June 18, 1959, in Clovis, New Mexico to Doyle and Fana Lou Miles and grew up in Dexter, NM and Portales, NM surrounded by the love of family and friends. Most of his adult life was spent in Montrose. He was a great man who was loved everywhere he went. Glen had a real talent for mechanical work and could fix anything. He was a jack of all trades and a hard worker. Glen was known for his big smile, soft heart, honesty, and a willingness to help those in need. Even though his own health was poor, he was the one people called upon for assistance, and he was always there for his family and friends. He was a prankster, loved a good joke, and could tell countless funny stories from his childhood. In the eyes of his nephew and nieces, he was a legend in his own time, and he was adored by his sisters and parents. Glen was a very courageous person who never complained about the many battles he fought, but put on his big smile and carried on making friends as he went. He felt extremely blessed to have been the recipient of a liver transplant which extended his time with us. Glen was preceded in death by his father, Doyle L. Miles. He is survived by his mother, Fana Lou Miles
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wanda “June” Williams Stanley
June 17, 1931-July 27, 2014
Manuel M. Bautista
A rosary for Manuel M. Bautista, 96, of Roswell, NM will be recited at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2014, at St. John’s Catholic Church. A Mass to follow at 11 a.m. at St. John’s with Fr. Charlie Martinez officiating. Burial will be at South Park Cemetery following the Mass. Manuel passed away Sunday, July 27, 2014. Manuel was born October 31, 1917, to Mónico Bautista and Rosa Monarrez in Escalón, Chihuahua México. Manuel’s trade was working as a mechanic and he enjoyed repairing cars, travel, walking and boxing. He was a very happy person, never had a frown, had a strong faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was very full of life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Manuel married Elizabeth Souza and had 5 children, José Luis, Magdalena Schaffer and her husband John of Roswell, NM; María Mercedes Pearce and her husband Robert of Las Cruces, NM; Rosa Elizabeth Holguín and her husband, Frank of Las Cruces, NM; Lucy Alejandrina Cadena and her husband, Leo of Austin, Texas; a sister,
Heaven has gained a truly wonder ful woman, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother -in-law, friend, bowler, banjo player, piano player, singer, gardener, card player, checker player, domino player, PEO sister, and golfer. June Stanley was born on June 17, 1931, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Elva Cor nelius Williams (Boe) and Myrtle Irene Horry Williams. She had two siblings, EC Buzz Williams and Patsy Swift; both preceded her in death. In 1948, she married Charles Jackson. June and Charles had 3 beautiful daughters, all of whom survive June in Roswell; Joy Carol Jurecek (Mike), Judy Kay Jackson, and Diana “Jill” Livingston. Her marriage to Charles ended in 1973. She then met and married Lawrence Wayne Stanley in 1974. Wayne was the man responsible for putting a golf club in June’s hand for the first time. Being an avid golfer himself, he not only wanted a partner in life, but he wanted a partner on the golf course as well. Thus began her love affair with the game of golf. She loved it so much; she even competed in the National Senior Olympics multiple times and won a silver medal in
June was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church where she was a member of The Searchers Sunday School class for years. Her love of music and her love of the Lord also prompted her to sing in the Silver Cords Choir. She was famous for her pecan pies and was always asked to make them if there was any type of bake sale or bake auction. She had an impeccable sewing ability, sewing anything from cheerleading uniforms to wedding gowns to doll clothes to quilts. In her earlier years, she was a bookkeeper for Johnston, Wilson, England CPAs. This led to her ability to keep immaculate records for everything, and we do mean everything. June was a member of Chapter K PEO, and was proud to be in that chapter with her daughter Joy, and her granddaughters Carri and Emily. She is survived by three granddaughters, all of Roswell; Carri Rebecca Jurecek, Emily Suzanne Hill, and Dianna “Anna” Suzanne Taylor (Timmy), one great-granddaughter; Lakynn Starlee Taylor, and one great-grandson; Case Paul Taylor. She was predeceased by one grandson; Robert “Bobby” Lee Livingston and a step-son Charles “Chuck” Stanley. June is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, greatnephews, friends, golfing buddies, her two cats Jessie and Seely, five outdoor cats, and numerous turtles.
Nagasaki. The blast and its after math claimed 80,000 lives. Six days after the Nagasaki bombing, Japan surrendered. Whether the United States should have used the atomic bomb has been debated endlessly. VanKirk told the AP he thought it was necessary because it shortened the war and eliminated the need for an Allied land invasion that could have cost more lives on both sides. “I honestly believe the use of the atomic bomb saved lives in the long run. There were a lot of lives saved. Most of the lives saved were Japanese,” VanKirk said. But it also made him wary of war. “The whole World War II experience shows that wars don’t settle anything. And atomic weapons don’t settle anything,” he said. “I personally think there shouldn’t be any atomic bombs in the world — I’d like to see them all abolished. “But if anyone has one,” he added, “I want to have one more than my enemy.”
A gathering of family and friends is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, at Ballard Funeral Home. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. W. Douglas Mills of First United Methodist Church officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Stanley’s name to the Cowboy Bell Scholarship Fund, 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Roswell, NM 88201 or First United Methodist Church Music Program, 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Roswell, NM 88201. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at ballardfuneralhome.com.
VanKirk stayed on with the military for a year after the war ended. Then he went to school, ear ned degrees in chemical engineering and signed on with DuPont, where he stayed until he retired in 1985. He later moved from California to the Atlanta area to be near his daughter. Like many World War II veterans, VanKirk didn’t talk much about his service until much later in his life when he spoke to school groups, his son said. “I didn’t even find out that he was on that mission until I was 10 years old and read some old news clippings in my grandmother’s attic,” Tom VanKirk told the AP in a phone interview Tuesday. Instead, he and his three siblings treasured a wonderful father, who was a great mentor and remained active and “sharp as a tack” until the end of his life. “I know he was recognized as a war hero, but we just knew him as a great father,” Tom VanKirk said.
years. She was also a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. With a family of eight, she loved spending time and taking care of them all. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Felipe G. Chavez. Survivors include her husband Gil Martinez of the family home; sons Gil Martinez Jr. and wife Rosa Maria of Artesia, Estevan Martinez and wife Patricia of Artesia, Alberto Martinez and wife Sonia of Farmington, N.M., Ruben Martinez of Florida, Antonio Martinez and wife Josie of El Paso, Texas, and Carlos Martinez of Artesia; daughters Helen Berdoza of Roswell, N.M., and Linda DeHoyos and husband Hector of Artesia; 25 grandchildren; and 22 greatgrandchildren. Arrangements have been entrusted to Terpening & Son Mortuary. Please express condolences at artesiafunerals.com.
Edward Allan Swindell
Leonilda Gonzales Martinez
Services are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Leonilda Gonzales Martinez of Artesia, New Mexico. Mrs. Martinez, 76, died Monday, July 28, 2014, at her home. Fr. Martin Cor nejo O.F.M. will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Anthony Martinez, Guillermo Martinez, Alberto Martinez, Rick Martinez, MarcoMartinez, Hector DeHoyos, Jesse Ar mendariz, and Carlos Martinez. Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary Thursday beginning at 10:00 a.m. A rosary will be at Our Lady of Grace Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Leonilda was born March 21, 1938, in Artesia, New Mexico; the daughter of Leonieres Chavez and Isabella (Gonzales) Chavez. She was a lifelong Artesia resident. On Sept. 17, 1954, she was married to Gil Martinez in Carlsbad, N.M. They were married for 59 years. Leonilda was a teacher at Head Start for over 25
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, at First United Methodist Church with Dr. W. Douglas Mills officiating. A private family graveside will be held at South Park Cemetery. Edward passed away on July 25, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Evalyn Hinton Swindell, of the family home. Edward worked as a Senior Draftsman for many years with Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission. His “second” job was as a drummer. He was an avid cameraman and loved animals. He especially loved his little poodle friend “Tina.” In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations to your favorite charity. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at ballardfuneralhome.com