Obituaries June 8

Cecilia Chavez, 51

Cecilia Chavez, 51 of Roswell died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at University Medical Center in Lubbock.

She was born Jan. 15, 1952, in Vaughn, to Antonio and Helen Garcia.

She was raised and attended school in Encino. She made her home at Vaughn, and Odessa, Texas, before moving to Roswell in 1987. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Roswell. She was a homemaker. Family members said she was a loving mother, daughter, grandmother and sister.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Louise Sisneros, in 1980; and a brother, Manuel Garcia, in 1964.

Survivors include four sons Manuel Sisneros, Chris Chavez and Marc Chavez, all of Roswell, and Daniel Chavez of Dallas; a daughter, Jennifer Chavez of Roswell; her parents, Antonio and Helen Garcia of Vaughn; three sisters, Berlinda Garcia and Irene Sanchez, both of Vaughn, and Diana Garcia; two brothers, Anthony Garcia of Santa Fe and Patricio Garcia of Portales; and four grandchildren.

Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. today at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn. Dolores Sanchez will lead the prayers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vaughn. Father John Jasinski will be the celebrant.

Burial will follow at Encino Catholic Cemetery in Encino.

Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner is handling arrangements.

Harry Dahlstrom, 82

Harry W. Dahlstrom, 82, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at University Medical Center in Lubbock.

He was born Aug. 13, 1920, in Hartford, Conn., to Sofia Theodora and John Rudolf Dahlstrom.

He grew up in the Elmwood area of West Hartford, Conn. He graduated from West Hartford High School in 1938. He worked briefly at Underwood Typewriter Co. before entering Northeastern University in Boston. In 1942 he entered the Army, serving as a draftsman and mapmaker. On July 6, 1946, in Hartford, he married Kerstin Corall. The following year he graduated as a mechanical engineer. He was associated with Kenneth F. Thomas Industries as a draftsman for several years. In the mid ’50s he established Industrial Machines & Services Inc. He worked as a manufacturer’s representative and consultant for the tool and die industry for more than 40 years. He was a member of Greenlawn Church of Christ in Lubbock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Miriam Stanley.

Survivors include his wife, Kerstin Dahlstrom, of Lubbock; two sons, Peter Dahlstrom and John Dahlstrom, both of Lubbock; two daughters, Anne Liimatta of Pontiac, Mich., and Susan Sarver of New Britain, Conn.; two brothers, Norman Dahlstrom of Venice, Fla., and Irving Dahlstrom of Farmington, Conn.; and 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) Monday at Greenlawn Church of Christ in Lubbock with Dale Mannon officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Floyd Cemetery. Several family members will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Peter Dahlstrom, John Dahlstrom, Fred Liimatta, Oke Liimatta, Nathan Dahlstrom, Larry Sarver and Toby Rogers.

Honorary bearers will be Norman Dahlstrom, Irving Dahlstrom, Eugene Brewer, Kenneth Thomas and Dennis Brown, as well as all of his closest friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Greenlawn Church of Christ, 5701 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407 for missions to Israel.

Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements.

Christena Shirley, 78

Christena Shirley, 78, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at her home near Portales.

She was born May 1, 1925, in Post, Texas, to Elizabeth Jewel and Levi Floyd Joiner.

She moved to Portales when she was 3 years old. When she was 6, she moved to the Liberty community where she started school. In 1935, she moved to Fort Sumner where she continued her schooling. On Dec. 6, 1943, in Santa Rosa, she married G.R. Shirley. She made her home in Fort Sumner and Portales until 1969 when she made Portales her permanent home. She was a member of Brazos Street Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Bobby Joiner.

Survivors include her husband, G.R. “Garland” Shirley, of the home; four sons, Jim Shirley and Ronny Shirley, both of Portales, Gailen Shirley of Clovis and Steve Shirley of Hagerman; two daughters, Nita Nixon and Judy Shirley, both of Portales; two brothers, Ken Joiner of Irving, Texas, and Murrel Joiner of Clovis; two sisters, Virginia Knepp of Canyon, Texas, and Alene Martin of Clovis; and 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel. Dee Teal, Wayne Baker and Bud Jones officiated.

Burial was at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Cody Shirley, Bill Bevel, Shane Shirley, Austin Hall, Sammy Shirley, Gailen Shirley, Bryan Nixon, Bobby Nixon, Kris Nixon, Bruce Nixon, Keith Nixon, Adam Peacock and Frank Levacy.

Honorary bearers were her church family along with her doctors.

Memorial contributions may be made to an account established in her memory at First Bank.

Wheeler Mortuary of Portales handled arrangements.

James Williamson, 66

Mr. James “Willie” Williamson, 66, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.

He was born May 11, 1937, in Roswell, to Clara Mae and Thomas Leo Williamson.

He grew up in Roswell, and graduated from Roswell High School in 1955. He joined the Navy in May 1956. Following his discharge, he returned to Roswell and served as a police officer. He later became a driver for Greyhound Bus Lines. In 1979 he moved to Portales and began driving for Southwest Canners. In 1989 he was injured in a trucking accident, and had been unable to work since that time. On Feb. 23, 1985, he married Rosa Lee Kinnard. He was a member of Southside Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a daughter, Valerie Bare who died in 1989.

Survivors include his wife, Rosa Lee Williamson, of the home; five sons, Dustin Bare-Williamson and Tyler Bare-Williamson, both of the home, Scott Williamson and Danny Williamson, both of Roswell, and Michael Levacy of Portales; three daughters, Vickie McGinty of Las Vegas, Nev., Stephanie Jewel of Portales and Janice Luna of Albuquerque; two brothers, Clyde Williamson of Roswell and Marion Williamson of San Antonio, Texas; one sister, Betty Humble of Roswell; and 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9515 in Portales. Frank Poynor will officiate.

Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements.