Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Obits April 2

Melton Chambers, 72

Mr. Melton Chambers, 72, of Portales, died Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at his home.

He was born on May 20, 1931, in Malpie, to Annie Belle and Monroe Chambers.

He grew up in the Raton area, where he attended school. He worked for a number of years in the oil business before entering the Army, where he served during the Korean Conflict. He spent much of his life working with his hands and caring for his family. Family members said he was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Monroe Chambers.

Survivors include his wife, Marion Ruth Chambers; two sons, David Chambers (and wife, Becky) of Texico and Rick Short (Linda) of Portales; two daughters, D’Lisa Barkley (Bo) of Trenton, Ohio, and Darla Short of Holiday, Fla.; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Kassandra and Dennis Short of Portales and Kelly and Sherita Barkley of Trenton, Ohio; his mother; and a sister, Peggy Harmon (Bobby) of Sun City, Ariz.

Urbano Ordonez and Scott Reeves will officiate the services.

Honorary pallbearers are all family members and friends, members of the New Testament Baptist Church and all his local Veteran friends.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday at the New Testament Baptist Church in Portales.

Lorene Wherry Hallenberger, 92

Lorene Wherry Hallenberger, 92, of Oxford, Ohio, formerly of Portales, died Thursday, March 19, 2004, at Matrix Health Care Center in Oxford, Ohio.

She was born on June 19, 1911, near Tribbey, Okla., to Jesse Garfield and Besse Ivis Wharton Wherry.

She graduated from Hereford High School in 1928 as Valedictorian. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from West Texas State Teacher’s College, a master’s degree in English from the University of Michigan and later a master’s degree in library science from George Peabody College. She taught English in several schools in west Texas and Arkansas. She became a high school librarian in Portales. In 1963 she began teaching library science courses at Eastern New Mexico University. In 1976 she retired as an associate professor. She was a member of the Christian Church/Church of Christ. Family members said she enjoyed reading, music, cooking, gardening, travel and corresponding with friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a brother John.

Survivors include her daughter, Dorothy Benz (and husband, Bob) of Oxford, Ohio; four grandchildren, Glenn Benz (JoDale), David Benz, Marlene Benz and Anita Russell (Jerry); four great-grandchildren, Kara, Jessica and Nathan Benz and Brandon Russell; and a brother, Gerald Wherry.

Burial was at the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford. Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 644 Linn St., Suite 1026, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or Campus Crusade for Christ.

Arrangements were by Smith and Ogle Funeral Home Inc. of Oxford, Ohio.

Services have been held.