Ismael A. Rel Sr.

Ismael A. "Cheme" Rel Sr., 76, of Las Cruces died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 at M.D. Anderson in Houston TX. He was born April 20, 1931 in Fairacres, NM to Lorenzo and Cesaria Archuleta Rel. Ismael was a veteran of the US Army where he served his country honorably during the Korean Conflict. While in the service of his country he was awarded Army Occupation Medal, Purple Heart, Korean Svc Medal w/5 Bronze Stars, Pres Unit Citation (ROK) and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also retired after many years of faithful service from WSMR and NMSU. He was an avid weight lifter, silver smith, putting jig saw puzzles together and working with wood, but his passion was for his 5 grandsons. Cheme will be deeply missed by all his family and many friends who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Jennie Rel of the family home; son Ismael Rel Jr. and his companion Marie; daughters Diana Lyon and husband Parry, Rosina Church and husband David and Denise Rel and husband Guy Ruther; brothers Lorenzo, Rudy, Raymond and Salvador; sisters Sally, Mary, Jean, Carmen, Connie and Theresa; grandsons Jason Rel, Ismael Demetrius Rel III, Joshua Lyon, Levon and Andrew Church. Ismael was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Reymundo and by a sister Maria "Challa" Cesaria. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 at Getz Funeral Home where a prayer vigil will follow at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass to celebrate Ismael's life will be at 12 noon on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007 at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church with Fr. Ricardo Bauza officiating. Rite of Committal will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers will be all of Ismael's grandsons. PDF Printable Version