Obits 10-21

Marjorie Burkel, 83

Mrs. Marjorie Burkel, 83, of Portales, died Thursday morning, Oct. 16, 2003, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.

She was born on May 30, 1920, in Smithville, Mo., to Lela and Joshua E. Kindred.

She grew up in Smithville and graduated from high school there in 1938. On Aug. 25, 1940, she married Lou Burkel. In 1965, they moved to Portales where she worked from 1966 until 1992 as a school librarian.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Portales and the Mariners Sunday school class. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, and other hand work, and for many years she was active in the Duplicate Bridge Club. Family members said she was a wonderful cook and avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Josh Kindred Jr.; and a sister, Judy Fisher.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Louis (and wife Sandy) Burkel of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Paul (Wanda) Burkel of Lake Forest, Calif.; a daughter, Susan Sampson of San Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Dr. Glen McCoy will officiate the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the church.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary in Portales.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Portales.

Carlos Pena, 94

Mr. Carlos Pena, 94, of Portales, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

He was born on March 9, 1909, in Pedernal, to Apolonita and Segundo Padilla.

He grew up near Encino. He married Lucinda Lorranega in 1933, in Villanueva. She preceded him in death. He married Guadalupita Chavez on Sept. 23, 1940 in Vaughn. She also preceded him in death. While living in Encino, he was employed by the railroad. In 1956 he moved to Portales, and was employed by Carr Feed and Worley Mills. After he retired from the feed mills, he continued to work as a farm hand. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church. Family members said he enjoyed gardening and carpentry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Frank, Cruz, Manuel, Raymond and Sam Pena; a sister, Matianita Marquez; a son, Joe Pena; and both of his wives.

Survivors include three sons, Raymond Pena (and wife, Mary) of Albuquerque, Fred Pena (Lupita) of Kansas City, Kan., and George Pena of Portales; three daughters, Lucy Sisneros of Magdalena, Viola Garcia of Portales and Nobelena Pena of Espanola; 20 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Juan Pena of El Paso, Texas; and a sister, Mary C. Chavez of Portales.

Father Tobin Hitt will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Donald and Kyla Sena, Chris Garcia, Joe Marez, Rudy Pena and Frances Stewart.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 2 p.m. today at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.

J.R. Schlenker, 94

Mr. J.R. “Chick” Schlenker, 94, of Portales, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1908, in the Rhea community in Parmer County to Amelia and Charles Schlenker.

He was the first baby whose birth was recorded in Parmer County. He attended high school in Friona and graduated in 1927. He attended West Texas State College for two years. In 1928, family members said he was the Texas high jump champion at WT. He married Maurine Boykin on Feb. 14, 1937, in Comanche, Texas. They operated a dairy and farm and ranch in the Portales area and the Lollipop Play School in Portales. He was a member of the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ. Family members said he enjoyed developing wind turbines to generate electricity, reading and raising Great Pyrenees sheepdogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Oscar, Willard, Floyd and Harold Schlenker; four sisters, Florence Dorsey, Beula Hopkins, Esther Mae Burns, and Mabel Hartwell; and his wife.

Survivors include a son, Johnnie Schlenker (and wife, Lynne) of Arroyo Grande, Calif.; two daughters, Jo Day Cope and Patsy Neely, both of Portales; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Helen Potts and Louisa Wilson, both of Friona.

David Bennett will officiate the services with the assistance of various family members.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Brook Neely, Jonathan Hawes, Mark Hawes, Rick Rosa, Leroy Schutz, Floyd, Kendall and Charles Schlenker and Jay Potts.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.

Bessie Slck, 94

Bessie Slack, 94, of Portales, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

Arrangements will be announced by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are pending.