Abel Santillanes

TORRINGTON, WY . . . . Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for ABEL SANTILLANES, Sr, 90, on Friday, June 12, 2009 at the St. Rose Catholic Church at 2:00pm with The Rev. Father Michael Carr officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. A Wake/Rosary service will be held on Thursday evening, June 11 at St. Rose at 7pm. Abel died on June 9, 2009 at the Torrington Community Hospital. Visitation hours will be held at the Colyer Funeral Home on Thursday from 3pm to 6pm and the casket will be open at the Rosary. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com He was born on April 29, 1919 in San Geronimo, New Mexico the son of Miguel and Lorenza (Benevides) Santillanes. He grew up in San Geronimo where he received his early education. He married Alice Encinias on September 18, 1937 in San Geronimo, New Mexico. He then proudly served in the US Navy on the USS Detroit. He was discharged in 1945. Abel and Alice moved to Yoder, Wyoming and then later to Torrington, Wyoming where Abel went to work for the Z & W Mill where he remained until his retirement in 1991. Abel enjoyed hunting and gardening. He especially liked going to Prairie Winds Casino. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and he enjoyed reading the Bible. He is survived by his four daughters, Dora Santillanes of Greeley, Colorado; Rebecca (Raymond) Baros of Torrington,Wyoming; Elma (Tony) Servantez also of Torrington; and Elsie (Tony) Gonzalez of Cheyenne, Wyoming; three sons, Gene (Joyce) Santillanes of Guernsey, Wyoming; Abel (Bonnie) Santillanes, Jr of Douglas, Wyoming; and Jerry (Peggy) Santillanes of Rock Springs, Wyoming; four sisters, Dora Santillanes of Roswell, New Mexico; Stella Montano also of Roswell; Rita (Alfonso) Montano of Antonichico, New Mexico; and Lucia Herrera of San Geronimo, New Mexico; one brother, John Santillanes of Loveland, Colorado; 25 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; a daughter Connie Santillanes and one infant daughter.

Abel Santillanes

April 29, 1919 - June 9, 2009