TUBA CITY — Memorial services for Manuel Zavala Baca Sr.,
84, will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 7, at Tuba City Pavillion.
The Rev. Menard will officiate. Burial will be in Tuba City Cemetery
with a 21 gun salute. Visitation will be at Tuba City Pavillion.
Baca died Feb. 27, 2009, in Tuba City. He was born April 21,
1924, in Jerome, Ariz.
Baca proudly served in the military as both a Corporal in the
United States Army and as a Sergeant First Class in the National
Guard. He was a happy man with a sense of humor. He would invite
anybody to his house to eat, and he would take anybody in. He
loved Mexican food, eating tamales, archery, fishing, and crafting
anything he could with his hands. Baca was an artist. He lived
an adventurous life. He served in World War II and was a part
of the liberation efforts. Baca was a well-respected elder in
the community of Tuba City.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Upshaw Baca of Tuba City;
sons, Manuel Talasmaynewa, Roberto Baca, Jose Baca, Marcelino
Baca, Javier Baca, Hilario Baca, all of Tuba City; daughters,
Barbara Benally, Priscilla Piestewa of Flagstaff, Maria Christina
Martin of Window Rock, Patricia Morez of Tuba City, Juanita Baca,
Elizabeth Gonzales of Phoenix, Melva Baca, Belva Baca, Tammy Baca,
Carmelita Baca, Eduvigis Baca all of Tuba City; sisters, Ellie
Slamme of Tucson, Rachel Castro of Phoenix, Carmen Reyes of Phoenix,
Rita Valdez of Phoenix, Jesse Valdez of Phoenix; 54 grandchildren;
71 great-grandchildren.
Baca was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Baca; wife, Mary
Gonzales; son, Angelo Baca; sister, Millie Aniceto; one granddaughter;
one grandson.
Pallbearers will be Joe Baca, Javier Baca, Shea Baca, Lorenzo
Morez Jr., Michael Ordway, Wayland Piestewa, Bobby Martin, Grey
Aniceto.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Tuba City Junior
High School, following services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wells Fargo Bank
#6988 419 617.
SHEEPSPRINGS — Services for Benita Curtis, 35, will be 10
a.m., March 6, at Sheepsprings Full Gospel. The Rev. Albert Tsosie
will officiate. Burial will be in Community Cemetery, Sheepsprings.
Curtis died March 3, 2009, in Albuquerque. She was born Aug.
2, 1973, in Gallup, into the Red Running Into the Water People
clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan.
Survivors include his daughter, Vernita R. Curtis of Sheepsprings;
mother, Lucy Curtis of Sheepsprings; sister, Bernice Todichiinii
of Window Rock.
Pallbearers will be Nathaniel Roanhorse, Chester John, Wilson
Watchman, Alfred Yazzie.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
