Cruz F. Maes 1933-2024 Cruz F. Maes, age 91, born May 3,

Cruz F. Maes 1933-2024 Cruz F. Maes, age 91, born May 3, 1933, in Cleveland, N.M., went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 26, 2024, peacefully at home with family by his side. Cruz was born to Sebastian and Juanita Maes, and lived his youth in Mora, N.M. He was the seventh and youngest child of the family. Cruz was a true New Mexico cowboy. From his youth to his elder years, he wore his cowboy hat, boots, belt, buckle, a western shirt and blue jeans and he never left home without his front and back wallets. He learned to ride horses as a child and never lost his love for them. He rode many horses even into his elder years, but his beloved horse "Champ" was always in his heart. Cruz loved reading his Bible daily. His favorite scriptures are Psalm 23; The Lord is My Shepherd and Matthew 6:9-13; The Lord's Prayer. He knew these scriptures by memory and would recite them every time he began a journey in a vehicle. He was a truck driver from the age of 15 and proudly worked as a cross country and southwest regional truck driver for many decades at Yellow Freight System and retired from there. Cruz leaves a legacy of love and family to the fifth generation! He is survived by his children, Harry Maes, Betty Jacobs, Juanita Lopez (Joey), Joseph Maes, Ron Maes (Carmela) and Pauline Eufemia Bruskas (Larry); 15 grandchildren; nine grandchildren-in-law; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren-in-law; and nine great-great grandchildren. Cruz is preceded in death by his wife of his late years, Nadine Corral-Maes; son, Arnold Maes; granddaughter, Nanette Sanchez Candelaria; grandsons, Julian Aragón, Thomas Maes, Paul Maes and Angelo Maes; grandson-in-law, Jerry Sanchez; daughter-in-law, Janet Maes and son-in-law, Jake Jacobs. On behalf of Harry, Betty, Juanita, Joseph, Ron and Pauline, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our niece, Bernadette Wiggins, her husband, Benito, who our dad called his "right-hand man" and our great-grandnephew, Josiah Aragon-Wiggins. Our dad lived with the Wiggins and they were his caregivers for many years. Words cannot express our love for you and for your dedication to our dad. Your Grandpa Cruz loved you deeply. Urn bearers will be Benito Wiggins and Josiah Aragón-Wiggins. Honorary urn bearers are his surviving grandsons, Michael Wuttke, Carlos Wuttke, Christopher Aragon, JoeCruz Maes, Marvin Maes, Nathan Maes, Isaac Maes and Joshua Maes. A celebration of life will be held at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley in Belen on Friday, Jan. 10. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with the service at 10 a.m. and reception will immediately follow. At 12:30 p.m., the family will drive to Los Lunas for interment at the Los Lentes Cemetery at Tondre Road and Don Pasqual Road. Anyone who wishes to attend the interment is welcome. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448.