Refugio Chavez

Services are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Refugio Chavez of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Chavez, 78, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Heartland Nursing Center in Artesia, New Mexico.

Fr. Brian Guerrini, SS.CC. will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his family members.

Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary Monday beginning at 2:00 p.m.

A rosary will be at Our Lady of Grace Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Refugio was born July 4, 1933 in Chihuahua Mexico the son of Pedro Chavez and Leogarda Ronquillo Chavez. He was a longtime Artesia area resident.

On March of 1965 he was married to Manuela Ibanez in Dexter, New Mexico. She preceded him in death June 14, 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a sister, a brother, and a baby boy Chavez .

Refugio was a welder and a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He love music and playing the saxaphone. Refugio was very proud that he had obtained his U.S. citizenship in the early 1970s.

Survivors include his daughters Mary Villa of Andrews, Texas, Pilar Aldavaz of Roswell, N.M., and Cruz Ordonez of Fair Oaks, Indiana sons Jesus Chavez of Roswell, Joe Chavez of Artesia, Corky Chavez of Roswell, Pete Chavez of Artesia, and Reymundo Chavez of Artesia sister Bibiana Rey of Hagerman, N.M. brother Miguel Ronquillo of Hobbs, N.M. 27 grandchildren 8 greatgrandchildren and 2 greatgreatgrandchildren.