Valentin Mendoza

Services: 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Roswell.

Valentin V. Mendoza, 74, of Roswell, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, at his residence.

He was born on Feb. 14, 1932, in Mesilla to Pete Mendoza and Juana Valencia Mendoza.

He also lived in Hobbs. He married Esperanza “Hope” Rosales on March 26, 1991, in Roswell.

He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and was a member of the Rosa Cruces since 1950. He worked for Worley Mills, the Garden of Eden Nursery in Hobbs, and the Schenck Nursery in Roswell.

Family members said he loved cultivating fruit trees and often shared the fruits with friends and family.

Valentin was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Inez Urias Mendoza; two sisters, Patricia Maria Vasquez and Licha Crestin; and a brother, Michael Mendoza.

He is survived by his second wife; three daughters, Aurora Wilcox of Santa Fe, Lucy Mendoza of Clovis and Heather Montoya of Clovis; a stepson, Steven Horton of Albuquerque; a stepdaughter, Veratta Powell of Michigan; three granddaughters, Crystal, Gabby and Linda Lovota; two grandsons, Mason and Mauricio Montoya; a great-grandson, Gage Sandoval; six sisters, Janie Sandoval (and husband, Antonio), Mary Lou Ochoa (Enrique), Maria Patino (Ramon), Sally Luna (Alex), Suzie Arviso (Juan) and Lupe Pereda (Modesto), all of Arizona; four brothers, Pete Mendoza Jr. (Elva) and Perfecto Mendoza (Helen) of Odessa, Texas, Joe Mendoza (Paula) of Arizona, and Gilbert Mendoza (Rita) of South Dakota; and numerous nieces, nephews.

Pallbearers will be Gonzalo Rosales Jr., Danny Rosales, Samuel Rosales, Gilbert Rosales, Ricardo Rosales, and Jesse Molina.

Father Benedict Begin will officiate at services.

Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery in Roswell.

A rosary will held at 7 p.m. today at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Roswell.

Arrangements are by Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home in Roswell.