Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, 501 NW 5th Street, Guymon, OK (2026)

04/22/2026

Rheba Donita (Hughes) McCarrell closed her eyes to this world and opened them in the
presence of her Savior, April 21, 2026, in her home in Aledo, Texas at the age of 98 years.

Born in Guymon, Oklahoma on March 20, 1928, to Donald and Margaret Hughes, she
completed her schooling in Guymon before enrolling at Panhandle A&M College in
Goodwell to satisfy her grandfather, Judge Wallace G. Hughes, whose name appears on the Hughes-Strong Auditorium. Then she heard the dance tunes of the University of Oklahoma calling her name! And there she went – OU FOREVER!

Later, and while home working at the Selective Service Draft Board in 1949, she met and married Robert D. McCarrell, a Project Manager at the Michigan-Wisconsin Plant and they soon shared a son, Patrick Shawn and a daughter, Mary Chryl.

Bob’s jobs that took Donita and Pat from the South to parts of the Northern United States,
Canada and back, were probably the catalyst for traveling that created Donita’s Bucket List
to visit all 50 states, which she completed in 2006 when she took Mary Chryl’s family to
Hawaii. She also enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, seven countries in Europe and Mexico.

Settling back in Guymon in 1961, Donita began work at the Oklahoma State Employment Service office. In 1965, she and Marcus Stamper, someone she had known since school, married and she became PeeWee Mom to Leiloni and Micah -- now having a full house with three girls and a boy! With her quick and continuous smile and desire to make everyone happy with a job, she was promoted to the manager of the Bartlesville, Oklahoma office in 1977. There, her hard work, quick wit and to quote a friend, “She had just he right amount of sweet and sassy,” became her trademark. Yearning to get closer to family, she was able to transfer back to Guymon and manage the office there, where she finally retired in 1987.

Retired and with all kids gone, Donita further honed her bowling skills, became devoted to
the Guymon Theater and along with her younger brother, Jimmy Don’s Hughes’ Tours, the two of them drug their poor mother, Margaret, all over the United States and brought fun and middle America craziness everywhere they went.

Donita was active in her beloved Victory Memorial Methodist Church and thrived in all of her activities including the Daughters of the American Revolution, as President of the
Lioness Club and as Past Worthy Matron and Past Grand Adah of Eastern Star, to name a
few.

After the loss of her mother and brother, Donita moved to Weatherford, Texas in 2005 to be closer to her daughter where she enjoyed 21 years of independent living at the Weatherford Town Center, acquiring many new friends and especially playing Texas Hold ’em.

Donita lamented that she outlived all of her besties – Mary Virginia (Genny) Bailey,
Geraldine (Gerry) Latham and Fontaine (Fonny) Hayes as well as all 26 of her first cousins and many of their children, a fact that she said would mean there would not be many family and friends at her funeral, and she said, “Dang it . . . I outlived them all!”

Donita was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Margaret Hughes and her
brother, Jim Hughes.

Donita is survived by her son, Pat and wife, Nancy of Sierra Vista, Arizona, daughter Mary
Chryl and husband, Rodney Gray of Aledo, Texas and grandsons Conor McCarrell and
fiancé, Meghan O’Brian of Longmont, Colorado, Spencer Gray and fiancé, Danielle Sears of Snyder, Texas and Brandon Gray and fiancé, Erin Sapronyi of Lubbock, Texas, bonus daughters and their children, Leiloni and husband, Rick Hall of Tulsa and Micah and husband, James Gateley of Frisco, Texas.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Henson-Novak Funeral Directors in Guymon and Galbreaith-Pickard in Weatherford, Texas for their wonderful care in bringing Donita back home.

Visitation will be held at 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Victory Memorial Methodist Church.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Victory Memorial Methodist Church with Pastor David Player Officiating with Interment to follow at Elmhurst Cemetery.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com.

04/21/2026

Peggy (Fitzgerald) Harland of Amarillo, Texas, passed away April 20, 2026, in her home. Born in Texhoma, Oklahoma, November 1, 1939, she was the daughter of William Preston and Iva (Gist) Fitzgerald.

Peggy was married to Claude Harland on June 10, 1961. She is survived by her children, Charisse Harland of Amarillo, Texas, Nicol Benton and husband Dr. Timothy Benton of Midland, Texas, Shane and wife Christy Harland of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and five grandchildren, Konnor Benton, Chrissen, Crayton, Christyona, and Chrislyn Harland.

She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Texhoma and attended Trinity Lutheran Church while living in Amarillo.

Peggy graduated from Texhoma High School with the class of 1957. She was a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Natural Science and a member of an honorary pre-med fraternity. She was a certified interior designer, a nationally accredited flower show judge, a member of the Texhoma Iris Garden Club, and a member of Oklahoma Garden Clubs, Inc. for over fifty years.

Peggy assisted her husband for thirty-eight years as a sales representative of Pioneer Hi-Brid International. She avidly followed her grandchildren’s activities, basketball, soccer, golf, equestrian, and academics.

Her parents, husband, sister, Willie Hale, and brother-in-law, Harvey Hale, preceded her in death.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Texhoma.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Iris Garden Club of Texhoma or St. Paul Lutheran Church of Texhoma.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo at www.hensonnovak.com.

04/17/2026

Charles Thornton, 82-year-old former longtime Boise City, Oklahoma resident passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Union County General Hospital in Clayton, New Mexico.

Funeral services are pending at this time and will be announced by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Boise City.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo of Charles at www.hensonnovak.com

04/16/2026

Patrick Romero, 52-year-old Boise City, Oklahoma resident passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at his home.

Funeral services are pending at this time and will be announced by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Boise City.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo of Patrick at www.hensonnovak.com

04/13/2026

Jack Dean Shafer (90) passed away on April 12, 2026, peacefully surrounded by family members.

Jack was born July 23, 1935, in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Buryle Henry and Mary Ruth Enlow Shafer. He grew up on the family farm just west of Cherokee. He graduated from Cherokee High School where he participated in sports and other activities.

After graduation he attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. After one semester of college, he joined the Army and was stationed in Japan and Korea. One of his memories of serving in the Army was that he was on a ship that sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge twice. Once going overseas and once coming back to the USA. After serving in the Army he returned to Northwestern Oklahoma State University to pursue his degree. It was at this time he met and married Norma Jean Smith.

During his final college years, he was employed by Kinze Industries in Alva, Oklahoma rebuilding wrecked airplanes and helicopters. After college he began his industrial arts teaching career eventually landing in Keyes, OK. He taught woodworking, welding, and drafting. Many of his students will remember his attention to detail, especially sanding of their wood projects.

He was very committed to his faith in his savior Jesus Christ and did his best to be a witness to Him. He studied his bible daily and memorized many scriptures.

He was a faithful member of the Keyes Methodist Church and taught Sunday school and bible studies.

In his retirement years he still enjoyed working with wood in his shop, planting in his garden, and especially planting trees.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Buryle Henry Shafer, Jr., his younger brother Joe Dale Shafer, two infant daughters Debra Jean Shafer and Peggy Jean Shafer.

He is survived by his wife Norma Shafer of the home, son Steve Shafer and wife Lorie of Dumas, TX, daughter Sally Jenkins and husband Daniel of Liberal, KS, grandchildren Brooke (Aaron), Heather (Tyler), Colby (Angela), Tyra (Angel), and Haley (Kolby), and ten great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all of those friends that contributed to Jack’s care in his final days who are too numerous to mention. It is great to live in a small community that cares for each other.

In leu of flowers the family requests that contributions be donated to the Keyes Methodist Church Women’s ministry or a charity of your choice.

Memorial services for Jack will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Keyes United Methodist Church in Keyes, OK with interment to follow at Willowbar Cemetery.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo of Jack at www.hensonnovak.com.

04/01/2026

Beverly Ann Baker, 82, was born January 23,1944, in Boise City, Oklahoma, to Betty and Troy Barnes. She entered into eternal rest on April 1st, 2026, at the Cimarron Memorial Hospital in Boise City, Oklahoma.

At three years of age, her father passed away. Her mother Betty, later married Parker Maness, with whom she had three sons, Kenneth, Gary, and Parker Lee.

Beverly was in charge of her younger brothers while her mom and stepdad were working in the field. She was small enough that she would stand on a stool in order to wash dishes. During Beverly’s elementary days, she attended school in a one room school house at Wheeless. In order to go to high school, she moved to town and lived with Dwight and Leona Phillips for a short period of time. During the summer and after school she worked at Looney Drug. (This is where she would later purchase the wedding ring she would give to Ray.) She also babysat in the evenings when she got off work. It was at that time that she and Ray became friends and hung out together. When they would go to the movies, Leona would warn Ray to be sure and have her back home no later than ten o'clock. Ray said that Leona scared him enough that he made sure Beverly was never late.

She then moved in with her Grandma Mattie Barnes. Most of Ray and Beverly's date nights consisted of playing Canasta with Grandma Barnes, which was fine with all of them because they all enjoyed each other's company. They dated for around two years. About a month before Ray was to graduate, they decided they wanted to get married. So, mid morning on May 21st, 1960, they loaded up with their witnesses, Donald and Snooky Brakhage, and headed to Clayton, NM, to be married at the Baptist parsonage. Once they got there, they were told they needed to go to the court house and get a marriage license before they could get married. At the court house they were informed that Beverly, who at the time was only 16, would need a guardian to "sign off" on their pending marriage. So, back to Wheeless they went to get her mother. Upon arriving back in Clayton with Betty in tow, they were then informed that Ray, even though he was 19, would also need authorization from a guardian as well. So, they loaded back up and headed to Boise City this time to fetch Ray's parents, Debs and Viola. By the time they returned to the courthouse, barely before 5 pm, with all the necessary guardians and signatures in place, they received their marriage license. They proceeded back to the parsonage and finally got married that evening. Ray told Beverly that if it was as hard to get divorced as it was to get married, they were never getting a divorce. It seems all the trouble was worth it. They would have celebrated 66 years this May.

Beverly was still in high school when she became pregnant. When she started to show, she dropped out of high school. Eleven months after they were married, came their oldest daughter, Theresa Elaine. Then two years later, their son Troy Debs came along. When the two kids started school, Beverly pursued and received her GED, testing out with 98%. She enrolled in college classes at OPSU, and proceeded to drive back and forth to Goodwell to get her degree in elementary education. In 1974, she graduated from OPSU with her degree and the same year the baby of the family, Traci Rae came along.

She received word that a 4th grade position opened up at Boise City. She ended up retiring from the Boise City Public School System in 2003, after 30 years of service. She is still loved and respected by the teachers she worked with and students she taught many years ago. People mentioned how her calm demeanor and fairness within her classroom made her one of their favorite teachers. Some of her students still comment today, of how the kindness and love she showed them so many years ago have affected them greatly.

When Beverly was not teaching school, she loved being home. She would help out however she was needed, by mainly cooking and keeping things in order. There was one job that was somewhat out of the ordinary for her. Troy had baled large square bales that needed to be picked up in the field. She was enlisted to drive the semi as Ray would load them. Her instructions were to just leave it in first gear, whether she was in the field or on the highway. She ended up helping drive truck for many summers.

Beverly was also a seamstress and always purchased fabric. One of the items she especially became known for was her denim quilts. She loved giving them as gifts. She would personalize the backing with peoples favorite teams, animals, and anything else that would make it special for the person she made it for. She generously donated many of them to the church youth auctions. Her quilts quickly became some of the most sought-after items at the auctions, and more often than not, her nephew Billy Ray would proudly take one home.

If she wasn't sewing, she could be found outside in her beautiful yard, pulling weeds, watering and tending to her flowers. She loved sharing them with neighbors, friends, and family. She enjoyed participating in Bible studies with the ladies of the church. She was the instigator of reviving the ministry of taking and serving meals to the students at OPSU. She hosted family and holiday dinners. Those get-togethers highlighted her life, especially if a good game of dominoes was included. There were hardly any activities they missed of their grandkids. Traveling near and far including state tournaments in OKC and trips to Kansas. She was one of their biggest supporters. Her love of God followed her all throughout her life, in the way she dealt with the obstacles in her life and also her kind heart and willingness to help others. She never wanted anyone to feel left out and wanted them to always be treated fairly. Doing the right thing, was very important to her.

She is survived by husband, Daniel Ray Baker of 65 years. Two daughters, Theresa Darbyshire and husband Joe, Traci Woolman, and a daughter-in-law, Shelly Baker. Three brothers and their wives, Kenneth and Janese Maness, Gary and Denitta Maness, and Parker Lee and LuShane Maness. 15 Grandkids, 17 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death, by her son Troy Baker, her Father Troy Barnes, her Mother Betty Maness, Step Father Parker Maness, a great grandchild, and two nephews, Trent and Kyle Maness.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Cimarron Memorial Hospital, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, or the Medical Center League House in Amarillo TX.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors in Boise City. Funeral services for Beverly will be held at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Boise City on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Boise City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors in Boise City. Funeral services for Beverly will be held at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Boise City on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Boise City Cemetery.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com.

03/18/2026

Lavon Wingert, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away March 17, 2026, at the age of 101. She was born on November 28th, 1924, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, to Charles A. and M. Louise Cassity. The second of four children, Lavon grew up alongside her siblings Cecil, Reola, and Walter.

Her long life spanned eras of immense challenge-the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and World War II. Rather than be defeated, Lavon embodied resilience. Her attitude toward adversity could be summed up in her determination to “buck up” and keep moving forward.

Lavon graduated from Rolla High School in Kansas in 1943. The same year, she met the love of her life, Bill Wingert, through a cousin. They married on July 24, 1943, just one day before Bill left to serve in the Marine Corps during World War II. Their marriage lasted 68 years, until Bill's passing in 2011. Together they built a life in and around Boise City Oklahoma raising four children: Judy, Linda, Mitch, and Mark.

Lavon was a woman of tireless energy and creativity. She filled her days with sewing, quilting, crocheting, cooking, gardening, and helping with harvests. She believed strongly in staying busy even timing her naps to strict 15 minutes, “ that was enough.” Early in life she worked as a grocery checker and later as a bookkeeper, but her greatest joy was being a devoted wife and mother.

Her family’s story was marked by both love and loss. Lavon’s older brother Cecil, her kind protector, was killed in action in Holland in 1944, a grief she carried tenderly throughout her life. After Bill's retirement from farming, the couple enjoyed playing cards daily, their games filled with laughter and friendly competition.

Following Bill’s passing, Lavon remained on the family farm, honoring her wish to stay in the place she loved. In 2020, after breaking her hip for the second time, she moved into assisted care, where she made lasting friendships and continued to inspire those around her with her warmth and strength. Her family is deeply grateful to Pioneer Manor for the care and companionship she received there.

Lavon’s legacy is one of resilience, devotion, and love. She will be remembered for her strong spirit, her industrious hands, and her unwavering commitment to family.

She is survived by her children, along with even more grandchildren, great grandchildren, and more great great grandchildren, who were her greatest joy to the end.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Boise City.

Friends and family may leave an online condolence, sign the online guest book, or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com.

Suggested memorials may be made to the Boise City Christian Church Benevolent Fund, PO Box 846, Boise City, Ok 73933.

03/13/2026

Jamie Hughes, 58-year-old Guymon, Oklahoma resident passed away Monday, March 9, 2026 in Guymon.

Services are pending at this time and will be announced by Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com

03/10/2026

Opal “LoRee” Balenseifen was born April 5, 1941 in Liberal, KS, to Fretia and Robert “Bob” Miller. She left to be with the Lord on March 10, 2026, in Amarillo, TX, just shy of her 85th birthday.

LoRee accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the age of 15 at the Keyes Church of Christ.

When LoRee was 15 years old, she and Howard began their wonderful love story that would span almost 70 years. They married on June 21, 1958 just after Howard graduated high school. They had a very brief honeymoon before they joined a harvest crew for the rest of the summer. They lived in a 8 by 24 foot trailer while Howard worked cutting wheat and LoRee cooked for the crew. In the fall, they returned to Keyes for LoRee to finish school, graduating from Keyes High School in 1959. Howard loves to tell people that during her senior year he was the one who had to sign her report cards!

They then moved to Goodwell, OK for Howard to attend Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1960, they welcomed their first child, Brent. They moved to Norman, OK so Howard could attend Oklahoma University where their daughter Kelly was born in 1965. They returned to Keyes in the spring of 1966 where Howard began his lifelong farming and ranching career. They have lived there since in the exact same house which Howard renovated over the years to become LoRee’s cherished home.

Though their “moving” days were over, their traveling days were not! From LoRee’s beloved mother Fretia, she inherited her deep sense of wanderlust. LoRee once told Kelly that she would have never believed that a little girl from Keyes, OK would have gotten to travel the world and see all the beautiful and amazing places she had. Some of her special travel memories include holding a baby sloth and releasing a rehabilitated turtle to the sea. In addition to international travel, she and Howard loved to travel across the United States. She especially loved seeing Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and Mt. Rushmore. In total, she and Howard traveled to 28 countries and 37 states. Their main love, however, was cruising! They sailed more than 50 times!!!

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, LoRee dedicated herself to being the best daughter, wife, and mother she could be. She was often seen yelling from the stands of football games “Go Brentie!” (much to his mortification!) or from the bleachers of Brent and Kelly’s basketball games. It was common for her to pack the car with her kids’ friends. We still laugh about her running over Steve Shafer’s foot while taking Brent and some of his classmates to Amarillo to leave for their senior trip. She was endlessly patient with carloads of giggling girls that she hauled around to movies and cheerleading outfit fittings. She made frequent shopping trips to Amarillo with Fretia, Kelly, and Aunt Naomi, early morning with everyone dressing to the nines. Shopping and eating out were always the top priority. There was so much love and laughter that someone would usually laugh until they wet their pants! Then more laughter would ensue! Always laughter. Always love.

And then that love expanded with the arrival of grandchildren! Jared came first then Bryan, Ethan, Juston, and finally McKenna Loree’—her namesake. Their accomplishments were her pride. Later, she shared her love with their partners and great-grandchildren! While she wasn’t able to get down on the floor and play with them like she did the younger generations, she loved them fiercely and always looked forward to visits and photos.

She was an avid reader and was rarely seen without a book in her hands. She learned to make silk flower arrangements and she also painted with her mother Fretia. She was always up for card games and could often be heard muttering the infamous Miller insult “Sow Bitch!” But always more than anything, she loved to spend time with the people she loved. Her quick, loud laugh will be missed.

She is proceeded in death by her mother Fretia Miller, her father Robert, grandparents Ancil and Viola Young and Albert and Zida Miller.

She is survived by her husband Howard Balenseifen, son Brent Balenseifen and wife Joyce, daughter Kelly Balenseifen, brother Terry Miller and wife Jo, grandchildren Jared Balenseifen and partner Heather, Bryan Balenseifen and wife Hayley, Juston Balenseifen, Ethan Wheatley, and McKenna Wheatley, great-grandchildren Kirbey, Brady and Landry Balenseifen, and beloved family Brad Balenseifen, Tony Barker, Janis Vickers, Carolyn and RV Farlow, Christy and James Belluomini, Robert and Carol Farlow, Shelly Myers, Savanah Myers, Debra and Clay Allen, Dawn and Steve Williams, Tammy Massey, Troy and Nancigail Miller, Kevin and Amy Miller, Eric Miller, Mayme and Don McElroy, Tracy McElroy, LaJuana and Lance Caroland, Kulani and Charles McDermett, Josh and Kimberlee McElroy, Darrell Balenseifen, Brett and Nancy Balenseifen, Winnie Balenseifen, MaryAnn Morgan, Dick and Patty Balenseifen, and Mark and Michelle Balenseifen.

Viewing will be held Friday, March 13th from 5 to 7 pm at the Henson-Novak Funeral home, 700 West Main in Boise City, OK.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 14th at 10:00 am in the Keyes Church of Christ (300 Jackson Avenue) with JF Carter presiding. Interment will occur immediately following the service at Willowbar Cemetery with lunch following back at the church.

Donations can be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

Friends and family may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com

03/05/2026

Jeffrey Len Smith was born on June 7, 1970, in Guymon, Oklahoma to his mother Lavonne Calsing Smith. Jeff was raised in Guymon; he graduated from the class of 1988. He enlisted in the army right out of high school and proudly served his country. After his honorable discharge, He began attending OPSU to further his education and in 1995 he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He began working for Oakes accounting firm in Guymon, before starting his own fence company.

For over a decade, he served the Oklahoma panhandle and surrounding communities by being a Firefighter with the Guymon Fire Dept. and an Air Medic with Eagle Med Paramedic Service. In the latter years of Jeff’s working career, he was a safety technician until his recent retirement.

Many people didn’t know this, but Jeff had a love for woodworking, especially building wood decks and fences for people; a passion he shared with his son Kale, with whom he was able to work with on a few projects recently. Jeff was also a talented drummer, a pastime he pursued with enthusiasm, he loved especially spending time with his granddaughters.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; Dwayne and Irene Calsing; brother, Brad Lee Smith; and his stepfather, Roger Sublett.

Jeff is survived by his children: son, Kale Smith and wife Chelsi; son, Lane Smith and daughter Emily Smith. His two granddaughters, Hayden Rae Smith and Hadleigh Jean Smith; and his mother Lavonne Sublett.

Graveside Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Elmhurst Cemetery with Pastor Arlen Lloyd officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jeff's children and grandchildren, all contributions will be accepted by the funeral home c/o Henson- Novak Funeral Directors P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, Oklahoma
73942

Friends may sign the online guest book, leave an online condolence or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com.

03/03/2026

Jose Alejandro Martinez, affectionately known as “Joe,” passed away on March 3, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas. He was born on May 29, 1942, in Farley, New Mexico. His parents were Ramon and Rosa Martinez.

Joe met the love of his life, Vickie, and they were united in marriage. In 1970, they made their home in Guymon, where they built a life together rooted in love, faith, hard work, and mutual respect.

Joe was truly a jack of all trades. Self-taught and naturally gifted, he seemed to know how to fix just about anything. He spent much of his career working as a maintenance worker, where his skill, ingenuity, and strong work ethic earned him the respect of coworkers and friends alike. He spent his final working years at B&B Sales, where he cherished visiting with customers each day until his retirement. Joe was more than just a dedicated employee — he was a mentor, a steady hand, and a trusted friend to many.

Above all, Joe loved his family. His devotion to them was the greatest joy of his life. He treasured time with his grandchildren, rarely missing a sporting event and was always ready for a fishing trip. He also had a deep love for animals and found happiness in caring for them. Joe was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Joe is survived by his children: Jennifer Reyes; Alex Martinez and wife Rachael; Victor Martinez and his late wife Sandra Martinez; son-in-law, Lupe Garcia; Francis Romero and husband Juan Romero; Anna Martinez.

He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Nichole Moore and husband Jeremy; Mark Lusano and wife Aly; Lupe, Latasha, and Brittany Garcia; Michael Martinez; Mary and Randy Durbin; Hope and Bobby Anton; Thalia and Alan Arias; and Roberta, Amanda, and Johnny Romero.

His great-grandchildren include Evan, Braylie, and Isaiah Moore; Avery and Ronin Lusano; Ciara and Hailey Anton; Adriel, Asiel, and Aleah Arias, and Brantley and Leo Durbin.

Joe is also survived by his siblings Manuel Tarango and wife Mary; Gloria Martinez and husband Leo; Tony Sandoval; and his brother-in-law, John Ed Perea. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ramon and Rosa Martinez; his loving wife, Vickie Martinez; his beloved daughter, Roseann Garcia, and mother-in-law, Manuelita Anna Perea.

A Rosary will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., also at the church. Services are entrusted to Henson-Novak Funeral Directors.

Joe will be remembered for his steady hands, generous heart, quiet strength, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

Friends and family may leave an online condolence, sign the online guest book or upload a favorite photo to www.hensonnovak.com.

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