BENJAMIN "EL CHARRITO" MORALES SAINZ, age 92, lifelong resident of La Union, New Mexico entered eternal life on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born September 12, 1931, to Josepha Morales and Ismael "El Charrito" Saenz.   "Ben" "Lucky," as he was fondly known to family and friends.  Served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1955. He retired from White Sands Missile Range Electronic Maintenance after 33 years of service and was a member of the VFW Post # 4384-Gadsden Memorial, American Legion Post #1, Lion's Club, and was a founding member of the La Union Fire Department. He was also a devout member of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, La Union New Mexico.

In 1957 Ben, married the love of his life Evangelina Maldonado and they shared 66 wonderful years together with their loving children; two sons, David B. Sainz (Dina) and Daniel Sainz (Yolanda); three daughters, Theresa Sainz, Lillian Valles (Robert), Gloria Sierra (Phillip) and Annette Maldonado.  His loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Samantha (Tyler Vandiver) Linnea, Dylan Sainz, Amanda (Cody Higgins), Avery Meadow, Christopher Daniel Sainz, Pete Salinas III, and Jessica A. Salinas, U.S. Army Major Rene Lujan Jr, (Cristina), Benjamin and Cristiano Lujan, and Anna Valles (Javier), Brittany Sierra, Alyssa Villalpando (Cameron), Kateri, Israel and Joseph Herrera as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Angel Sainz, three sisters, Concepcion Saenz, Celia Tangonan, and Guillermina Saenz.

Visitation will begin at 6 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 1320 Mercantile Avenue in La Union, NM with the Prayer Vigil at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 10 AM in the same church with the Reverend George Szal Celebrant. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the La Union Cemetery where he will be laid to rest in the family plot. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League El-Perro Diablo Detachment.

Serving as casket bearers will be Pedro Salinas III, U.S. Army Major Rene Lujan Jr., Brittany Sierra, Dylan Sainz, Christopher Daniel Sainz, Fernando Calderon, Albert Guzman III, Benny Telles.  Honorary bearers include Benjamin Lujan, Cristiano Lujan, Israel Herrera, Joseph Herrera, Micheal Rodriguez, Tommy Maldonado, Enrique Maldonado III, Joe Tangonan, Roman Garcia, Rudy Maldonado II, Arturo Maldonado, Robert Guzman, Gilbert Guzman, Isaac Garcia, Manny Romero, Armando Mendoza, and Diego Saldana.

Memorial donations may be sent to the VFW Post 4384 Gadsden Memorial 1495-1699 N. 4th St, Anthony, NM 88021

SPECIAL Thanks to William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Santa Fe Home Health Care, Mesilla Valley Hospice, and Home Health Care providers.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com