Noreen Coughlin Chandler, a World War II veteran and a long time resident of the Denver area, passed peacefully at her home surrounded by family on March 16, 2008.
Noreen Chandler, 1916 – 2008 She was 91 years old.

Born on a ranch near Nanton, Alberta, Canada in 1916, the granddaughter of Irish immigrants graduated from nurse's training at St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario. She became a U.S. citizen in July 1943 and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps in January 1945. A number of different postings over 2 years ended at Bruns General Hospital in Santa Fe, NM where she met and married Major Robert J. Chandler.

Noreen Chandler (center) with daughter Laura Martinez (right) and Alejandra Martinez (left)
Taos, NM – August 15, 2001. She was dedicated to the care and raising of her four children, and also pursued a passion for golf, remaining active in the women's golf group at Pinehurst CC into her mid-eighties.

Preceded in death by her husband Robert, survivors include sons James Chandler of San Francisco, Michael Chandler of New York City; daughters Susan Chandler of Denver, Laura Chandler Martinez of Tucson; three grandchildren; and her sister, Pat Davis of Calgary, Alberta.

A private rosary and funeral service was held at Light of the World Catholic Parish, with burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to
Freedom From Hunger
www.freedomfromhunger.org

Raymond Frank Balerio
April 8, 1928 – March 9, 2008

Raymond F. Balerio of Grand Junction passed away at his home with his family at his side on Sunday, March 9, 2008. He was 79 years of age.

Raymond was born on April 8, 1928 at Alamosa, CO to Genevevo and Vicentita Romero Balerio. He spent his childhood in Alamosa and attended schools there. He served with the U. S. Air Force during WWII and was a member of the American Legion.

Raymond was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Raymond worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Grand Junction Drainage District. He enjoyed gardening, travel and especially being with his family and participating in family activities. One of his greatest joys was driving through the valley and watching all the new growth.

On June 30, 1947, Raymond married Maria L. Martinez. She survives him. Other survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Julian and Josephine Balerio, Don and Eva Balerio and Gerald Balerio; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pauline and Fred Gallegos, and Diane and Phillip Raimer, all of Grand Junction; a sister Jennie Johnson of Alamosa, CO, 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. His parents, two sons Lawrence and Steve, two sisters and one brother preceded him in death.

The Rosary will be prayed on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow the mass at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado P. O. Box 60307 Grand Junction, CO 81506.