Raymond N. Martinez

Raymond Norman Martinez, 44, of Pahrump, passed away March 24, 2009.

He was born Sept. 3, 1964, in Farmington, N.M., and was a resident of Nevada for 20 years.

He was a union carpenter for the Local 1977.

He was a loving father and husband and served his community through the Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 12-and-a-half years, Sandra; daughters Tenaya Franklin of Las Vegas and Tonnie Heggen of Pahrump; sons Joseph Bryant of Fayetteville, N.C., Raymond J. Martinez of Reno and Aaron, Jonathan and Jesse Martinez of Pahrump; mother Ramonsita Sanchez of Farmington; sister Marilyn Benedict of Gallup, N.M.; brothers Jeffrey Martinez of Bloomfield, N.M., and Julian and Christopher Martinez of Las Vegas; five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

No services are scheduled. (03/24/2009)

Stella L. Rook

Stella Louise Rook, 96, passed away April 8, 2009, in Las Vegas.

She was born Jan. 14, 1913, to Elmo and May Proctor in Carmenita (Norwalk), Calif., and was a resident of Shoshone, Calif., for 73 years.

She moved to the Mojave Desert with her family when she was a small child and was raised there. She attended Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles while living with an Aunt, loved history and writing.

She married Carl Rook and was a mother and a homemaker. Their first home was a caboose on the Tonopah and Tidewater railroad that went through Shoshone.

She was very interested in education, serving on both the local school board and the Inyo County School board for many years. She was a member of the P.T.A., and always participated in community projects and organizations.

Death Valley Chamber of Commerce honored her as citizen of the year for her endless contributions to community and the area. She served as a clerk on the elections board and was also a census worker.

She is survived by sons Carl Rook Jr. of San Jose, Calif., and James (Nora) Rook Sr. of Amargosa Valley; daughter, Ethel Messer of Shoshone; foster daughter Connie Roberts of Eclectic, Ala.; sisters Ethel Talbot of Bedford, Ky., and Mary Huff of Tujunga, Calif.; grandsons Russel (Lorie) Messer of Anderson, Calif., Donald (Gabi) Messer of Mannheim, Germany, Nathan (Samantha) Messer of Pahrump, Arthur (Jodie) Messer of Port Hueneme, Calif., Hank (Debbie) Messer of Kyle, Texas, Brian (Michelle) Messer of Ridgecrest, Calif., James (Michele) Rook Jr. of Amargosa Valley, Gary (Alice) Rook of El Mirage, Ariz., and Todd (Susan) Rook of Collierville, Tenn.; granddaughter Catherine (Robb) Siderine of Campbell, Calif., 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Rook Sr., sisters Nona, Mildred, and Alma, a brother, Alfred and a great grandson.

Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. April 18 in the Death Valley Academy gymnasium in Shoshone followed by services.

Tom Miller will officiate. Internment will be in the Shoshone Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Shoshone Museum. (04/08/2009)