NORIEGA, Humberto Ramon (Chato)

Copper Basin News, Hayden, Az. Thursday, July 15, 2010 Humberto "Chato" Ramon Noriega entered into eternal rest, June 25, 2010. Chato, as he was known to everyone, was born Nov. 19, 1926 in Winkelman. He was a World War II veteran first stationed at Fort MacArthur, California as a dispatch clerk. When shipped overseas he worked the detail that picked up the dead soldiers in the battle field to be sent home or buried in the Philippines. He received three medals: the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, the Philippine Independence, and the World War II Victory Medal. After returning home, he worked the converter aisle as a crane man at the Kennecott Smelter and then at the crusher. Religion and music were important to him especially singing and playing the guitar whenever he had a chance. He will be remembered for always wearing black, his pearl button shirts, his coffee thermos, peppermint candies and being very generous following the credo, “Mi Casa es Su Casa.” He was preceded in death by his mother, Demeteteria Noriega; wife, Helen Patikin Noriega; brothers, Gilbert, Ernie and Danny Lopez. He is survived by daughter, Gloria (George) Banda; grandchildren, Georgie and Valerie Banda; siblings, Sara Espinoza, Margie Lopez and Roy Lopez; brothers-in-law, Chacho (Carmen) Padilla, Bobby (Mary) Padilla and Art (Rosalind) Padilla; and many nieces and nephews. Chato is now in the place where the songs he sang expressed where he longed to be. Interment was at the Mountain View Cemetery in Hayden with Griffith Mortuary in charge of the arrangements.