Deaths

• Brock Birky
• Homer Joe
• Elsie Largo
• John C. Martin

Brock Birky

GALLUP — Memorial services for Brock Jared Birky, 28, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at St. Michaels Mission. Justin Johnson will officiate.

Birky died Sept. 10, 2011, in Albuquerque. He was born Oct. 7, 1982, in Goshen, Ind.
Birky attended St. Michael High School and Pima Medical Institute and was a certified Pharmacy Technician. He was employed with Express Scripts in Albuquerque. He was part of the National Honor Society. His passion was his family.

Survivors include his wife Blair Garfield, of Gallup; son Sevi Birky, of Gallup; daughter Katron Birky, of Gallup; parents Julia Birky and Carlyle Schlabach, both of McGregor, Texas; sister Calah Schlabach, of McGregor, and grandparents Wayne and Elizabeth Birky, of Gibson City, Ill., and Theron Schlabach, of Goshen. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Sara Schlabach, of Goshen.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Homer Joe

HOUCK — Funeral services for Homer Joe, 74, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at the Good News Mission Church. Burial will be in Houck Community Cemetery. Visitation will be at Houck Chapter House.

Joe died Sept. 14, 2011, in Fort Defiance. He was born Jan. 14, 1937, in Houck.

Joe attended school at Sanders Elementary School. He worked many jobs such as bus driver for Sanders Unified School District and custodian for more than 20 years. Joe earned many awards such as employee of the month and year. He also worked at Churchrock Uranium Mine. Joe loved working and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved cooking, visiting relatives and friends and enjoyed watching WWE Wrestling, rodeo, UFC Fighting and Western movies.

Survivors include her sons, Melvin Joe and Christopher Joe; daughters Gloria Begay, Juanita Gibson, Kristy Joe and Ann Bitsuie; sister Susie Jim; 56 grandchildren and 64 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Tom Joe and Margaret Mary Joe and wife Dorothy Joe.
Pallbearers will be Leon Austin, Anthony Spean, Wayne Spean, Cyril Begaye, Mercury Bitsuie and Micah Six.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Houck Chapter House following the burial service.

Elsie Largo

LITTLEWATER — Funeral services for Elsie Abeita Largo, 77, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Crownpoint meeting house. Burial will be at a family grave site in Littlewater.

Largo died Sept. 13, 2011, in Gallup. She was born Sept. 10, 1934, in Borrego Pass into the Salt People Clan born for the Towering House People Clan.

Largo attended grade school and was a foster grandparent at Borrego Pass School. She was a school board member, supervisor of the community employment program, head singer of the Littlewater Maiden Singer, sole singer for song and dance. Largo was a rug weaver and silversmith.

Survivors include her husband Henry Largo Sr.; sons Norman Largo, James “Buck” Largo and Benson Largo; daughters Lillie L. Tom, Lillian Largo, Lean L. Williams and Bertha L. Shorty; sister Dixie Nancy Largo; 34 grandchildren and 49 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Thompson Largo and her parents Harry Tom Largo and Martha Abeita Largo.

Pallbearers will be Rudy Begay, Kevin Largo, Carnell Charley, Shawn Shorty, Cordale Largo, Harrison Charley Jr., Marcellas Campoy, Mark Campoy and Denanual Shorty.

The family will receive relatives and friends at White Ridge, Littlewater. Donations may be made to the family at the Littlewater Largo residence.

John C. Martin

GALLUP — A viewing for John C. Martin will be at 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 at Rollie Mortuary. The family will celebrate his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Rehoboth Missionary School.

Martin was born in Rehoboth into the Red House People Clan born for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Martin was a long time Gallup resident, prominent civic leader and served as a council delegate for the Coyote Canyon Chapter. Martin was a prosperous rancher and founded JCM Trucking Company which he managed for 30 years. He graduated from Rehoboth High School, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Mater’s Degree at Southern Illinois University. He was a teacher and counselor at Gallup High School and principal at Tohatchi High School and was a positive role model for his students. Martin was vice president of the Diné Community College, was influential in establishing the First Native American Community College and was elected to the McKinley County Board of Education. He enjoyed spending time at the “Canyon” and visiting with family and friends, his horses and the landscape of the Navajo Nation were always his passions.

Survivors include his children Deborah, Joy, Jonathan, Matthew and Linda; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Martin.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Martin, Martin Avery, McDonald Avery, Jonathan Avery, William Martin, Ron Martin, Thomas Etsitty, Chee Martin, Chavez Martin, Stewart Barton Jr. and Edward T. Begay.

Condolences and prayers are appreciated.