Benito Gonzales, 97, a resident of Las Vegas passed away on June 25, 2016. He was born on Aug. 23, 1918, to Juan Gonzales and Damacia Tafoya Gonzales in Variadero. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maria Maxine D. Gonzales, on July 21, 1990; his daughter, Veroniz; son-in-law, Jose Isidro Crespin; daughter-in-law, Patricia Gonzales; and sisters, Adelmira, Macedonia and Carolina.Mr. Gonzales is survived by five children, Theresa Crespin of Santa Fe, Anthony Gonzales of Farmington, Dolores Espinoza and husband, Thomas, of Las Vegas, Gilbert Gonzales and wife, June, of Albuquerque, and Susan Garduño and husband, Raul, of Albuquerque. He is survived by his grandchildren, Erika Cuellar and husband, Regie, Monika Otis and husband, James, Anthony Gonzales Jr. and wife, Ashley, Greg Gonzales and wife, Amy, Christopher Garduño, Noah Espinoza and wife, Shoko, Tomi Read and husband, Brooks, Sarah Espinoza, Mike Gonzales, Damian Garduño, Leah Garduño, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.Benito was a World War II Veteran, retired in 1985 from the U.S. Forest Service after 32 years, and member of VFW Post 1547 in Las VegasHe was a lifelong Catholic, member of Our Lady of Sorrows and The Immaculate Conception Churches in Las Vegas. Benito was passionate about cattle ranching, a skilled carpenter and creative leather craftsman.A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Las Vegas, and a mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. A committal service will be at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.Anthony Gonzales Jr., Greg Gonzales, Mike Gonzales, Brooks Read, Damian Garduño, and Robert Salas will be honoring Mr. Gonzales as pallbearers.Visit Rogers Mortuary's website at www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary; 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas; 1-800-479-3511 or 425-3511.