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Robert Richards
Robert “Bob” Irwin Richards, 74, passed away on May 10, 2005.
Robert was born in Kerman, Calif. on March 8, 1931, and attended Selma High School. Robert received his Associates Degree from Fresno City College and began his career in the furniture business.
Robert retired after 25 years as one of the top 10 manufacturers’ representatives for Basset Furniture and continued his furniture career as owner of the Marsh Company in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Robert had been working for Pruitt’s Furniture for 10 years.
Robert lived in Fountain Hills for over 13 years, Kailua, Hawaii for eight years, Beaverton, Ore. for 12 years and California for 41 years.
Robert proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean War and has been active in the VFW in Fountain Hills. Robert has also been an active member of The Club in Fountain Hills since 1991. Robert was chairman of the cook teams and elected board member. Robert was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for over 13 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Loree; sons Mark Richards of Clovis, Calif., Timothy Richards of Lancaster, Penna., Kevin Richards of Glacier Bay, Alaska and Scott Richards of Glendale; daughters Elaine Zei of Fountain Hills and Koree Cabotage of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Sgt. Ryan Collamore currently serving in the U.S. Army in Sadar City, Iraq, Robyn Richards, Kellie Richards, Daniel Richards, Jennifer Goma, Jillian Goma, Eren Cabotage and Lauren Richards; and great grandchildren Kadyn and Hannah Collamore.
A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 16150 E. El Lago Blvd., Fountain Hills, on Friday, May 27, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church’s Perpetual Memorial, 837-9532.
LaVern F. Sledge
In loving memory in honor of LaVern "Vern" F. Sledge, of Fountain Hills, who passed away May 16, 2005. He was born Dec. 2, 1932.
Vern is survived by his wife, Sherry Sledge of Body Works Center, Fountain Hills; two sons, John and Alex; daughter-in-law Moni; his sister Jerry Jackson along with two step children, Brian and Sharla; two grandsons and four granddaughters.
Vern served his country as a U.S. Marine fighter pilot, captain and aircraft commander. As a civilian he was an airline captain for Western/Delta airlines from 1959 to 1993.
The last six years of his life he fulfilled his love of guns as range master at the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club.
Vern was liked by everyone who knew him. He enjoyed many years in the Ferrari Club. He was a proud man who loved his family, his country and his dog, Reba.
He will be remembered with love and respect. We’ll miss you.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary, 12065 Saguaro Blvd.
Funeral and final arrangements will be made by O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary, Laguna Hills, Calif. Interment will be at Riverside National cemetery, Riverside, Calif.
John Erwin Caulkins
John Erwin Caulkins, of Rio Verde died May 19, 2005 at the Eckstein Center in Scottsdale, he was 81.
Mr. Caulkins was born Aug. 5, 1923 at Grosse Pointe, Mich. He was a U. S. Navy veteran and had a career as a banking vice president.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Caulkins; five sons, John (Pamela), Peter (Cindy), William (Winnie), Charles (Gail) and Edward (Robin); two sisters, Barbara Lamb and Christine Finkenstaedt; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service for John Caulkins will be held Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 11 a.m. at the Rio Verde Community Church, 25603 Danny Lane, Rio Verde, Ariz.
Francis John Hennigan
Longtime seasonal resident of Fountain Hills and formerly of the Chicago area, Francis John Hennigan, age 78, passed away Tuesday, May 10 at home with family by his side.
Fran was the middle of five children raised by loving parents whom were Irish immigrants.
He grew up through the Great Depression and his two older brothers served in World War II.
Fran was a proud employee of the Chicago Transit Authority for 43 years. He loved doing handiwork for family, friends and neighbors.
Fran lived the American dream, raised eight kids, worked two jobs and owned two homes in two different states.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 54 years, Theresa. Children: Eileen (Thomas) Roe of Lockport, Ill., Kevin (Gayle) Hennigan of Chicago, Ill., Doreen Hennigan of Fountain Hills, AZ, Kathleen (Paul) Koch of Crestwood, Ill., Michael (Linda) Hennigan of Chicago Ridge, Ill., James (Juanita) Hennigan of Fountain Hills, AZ, Kelly (Matthew) Zajac of Lockport, Ill., and the late John (Susan) Hennigan of Renssalaer, Indiana. Grandfather to 19.
Funeral services were held at St. Dennis Church in Lockport, Ill. On May 14.
Rose Johnson
Rose Johnson, 79, of Fountain Hills, passed away May 19, 2005 at her home.
Rose was born on Oct. 31, 1925 at home in Prairie Farm, WI, the youngest of eight children, to Robert and Elisa Herrmann. She attended a one room country school for eight years and then graduated from Barron High School in 1943, in Barron, WI. She then attended Superior State Teachers College and decided very early she did not want to be a teacher, transferring to the Minnesota School of Business. She graduated from there with an accounting degree. Following her graduation, Rose worked as an accountant/hygienist for a dentist in Barron, WI.
On August 28, 1949, Rose married Clifford H. Johnson, and moved to Madison, WI, where she worked for Ohio Chemical. In 1951, they moved to Akron, OH, where she worked for Helbig Construction Company. In 1953, they were transferred to Milwaukee, WI. Rose and Cliff started their family there. They had two daughters, Mary Kay and Pamela Jean. At this point, Rose took the job of mother. Rose, Cliff and two children were then transferred to Akron, OH, in 1958, where a son, Clifford Henry Jr. was born. From 1969 to 1984, they were transferred to Lincoln, NE, from there back to Akron, OH, to Toronto, Canada and then on to Cumberland, MD, finally retiring to Fountain Hills in August, 1988.
Rose was a volunteer in many community activities which included Meals on Wheels, Welcome Wagon, Women’s Club, Great Fair and Arts and Crafts Fair volunteer. She was a member and volunteer at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. She loved spending time with her husband of almost 56 years and her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. She also enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing bridge.
Rose is survived by her husband Cliff, two daughters, Mary Eymann of Papillion, NE; Pam Ehrlich (Steve) of Fountain Hills, one son, Cliff Jr. (Pam) of Mesa. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law, and one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Helen Saar of Fountain Hills and Chetek, WI; and Nel Ylvisaker of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. She is preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, 13001 Fountain Hills Blvd.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, (602) 530-6900.
Kathleen Connelly-Nicola
Kathleen Connelly-Nicola of Fountain Hills, Arizona, passed away on May 19, 2005. Kathleen was born on July 25, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Dolores Connelly of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Her greatest joys were her daughter Tonya, son-in-law Jim (Jones) and her grandson Matthew and her dogs Maddie and Mollie. Her circle of love and life included her sisters and brothers, Christine (Hawley), John, Colleen (Moe), Michael, and Elizabeth (McBride). She was a loving aunt to Rachael, Michelle, Brenden, Julia, Jack, Lauren, Liam, Sarah and Grace.
Kathleen was a graduate of Lake Havasu High School class of 1979 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies from the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University. Kathleen’s service to the Town of Fountain Hills began in 1990 with the Fountain Hills Municipal Court, her tenure as Court Administrator lasted nine years. Kathleen was proud to have attained her license from the Arizona School of Real Estate and Business and has been a practicing professional since July of 2000 with John Hall and Associates. At the time of her passing she held the position of Vice Mayor.
Kathleen had a passion for music, the Diamondbacks, NASCAR and everything ASU that she shared with her family and friends. Many of her happiest moments were spent at baseball games with her grandson, concerts with her daughter, and NASCAR with her father. One of Kathleen’s most prized possessions is an autographed guitar signed by rock star Joe Satriani.
Kathleen’s love for travel and the outdoors held a central place in her life. She enjoyed the desert and lake lifestyle from 1967 through 1984 in Lake Havasu City, before moving to the Valley of the Sun. Her love of the desert and boating continued throughout her life and her final moments were spent on Lake Powell with family doing the things she loved.
Kathleen leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship and laughter and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her and joining her in her love of life.
In lieu of flowers her family would ask donations be to the American Cancer Society.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, May 24, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
Robert Richards
Robert "Bob" Irwin Richards, 74, passed away on May 10, 2005.
Robert was born in Kerman, Calif. on March 8, 1931, and attended Selma High School. Robert received his Associates Degree from Fresno City College and began his career in the furniture business.
Robert retired after 25 years as one of the top 10 manufacturers’ representatives for Basset Furniture and continued his furniture career as owner of the Marsh Company in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Robert had been working for Pruitt’s Furniture for 10 years.
Robert lived in Fountain Hills for over 13 years, Kailua, Hawaii for eight years, Beaverton, Ore. for 12 years and California for 41 years.
Robert proudly served his country in the Navy during the Korean War and has been active in the VFW in Fountain Hills. Robert has also been an active member of The Club in Fountain Hills since 1991. Robert was chairman of the cook teams and elected board member. Robert was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for over 13 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Loree; sons Mark Richards of Clovis, Calif., Timothy Richards of Lancaster, Penna., Kevin Richards of Glacier Bay, Alaska and Scott Richards of Glendale; daughters Elaine Zei of Fountain Hills and Koree Cabotage of Salinas, Calif.; grandchildren Sgt. Ryan Collamore currently serving in the U.S. Army in Sadar City, Iraq, Robyn Richards, Kellie Richards, Daniel Richards, Jennifer Goma, Jillian Goma, Eren Cabotage and Lauren Richards; and great grandchildren Kadyn and Hannah Collamore.
A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 16150 E. El Lago Blvd., Fountain Hills, on Friday, May 27, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church’s Perpetual Memorial, 837-9532.
Sylvia R. Ricotta
Sylvia R. Ricotta, 70, passed away at her Scottsdale residence Thursday, May 19, 2005.
She was born in Buffalo, N.Y. and had been a Valley resident for the part 46 years.
Survivors include her husband, Sam, a retied contractor who had built homes in Fountain Hills; daughters Cindy (Joe) Wasinger, Pamela (Robert) Gallagher; grandchildren Brandi Riggins, John (Kate) Riggins; and great granddaughter Jolie Riggins.
Services for Mrs. Ricotta were held Sunday, May 22. The family is suggesting memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1028 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85006.
Elizabeth J. Robinson
Elizabeth J. (Betty) Robinson, a winter resident of Fountain Hills for the past ten years, passed away at her home in Geneva, IL on Sunday, May 8 after a lingering illness with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 14, at St. Peter’s Church in Geneva.
Betty was born July 6, 1927 in Brooklyn NY, the daughter of Arthur and Kathryn Casey. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and the Kathryn Gibbs Secretarial School in New York. She served as administrative secretary for the New York University Law School Law Review while pursuing courses at the University and it was at this time she met her future husband Richard Robinson. Later she was secretary to the chief trial attorney of the U.S. Bureau of Motor Carriers in Chicago. Upon becoming a mother she decided to leave the business world to become a homemaker. Although her family was her life, she was an avid quilter and enjoyed other activities such as making silk flowers, creating rubber stamp art, cake decorating and collecting Native American "Story Teller" figures.
She was the loving wife of 54 years of Richard, devoted mother of Kathryn A. Berryhill of Houston TX, Sue Ellen, Thomas A. and Philip S. Robinson, of Geneva IL, and loving Nana to Laura, Rachel, Timothy and twins Julia and Michael Berryhill as well as dear aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Robert Casey and sister, Theresa Blake.
Donations to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis would be appreciated, c/o PNC Bank, P.O. Box 31001-0943, Pasadena, CA 91110-0943.
Mary J. Natoli
Mary J. Natoli of Fountain Hills and East Rutherford, N.J. died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 in Scottsdale, Ariz. at age 87.
She was born, Jan. 7, 1918 in Passaic, N.J. and was a homemaker.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Kielminski and son-in-law, Craig Kielminski of Fountain Hills; her sister Ida Fazio of Ocean Township, N.J.; a nephew Dominic Fazio of Ocean Township, N.J.; and nieces Adeline Meany of Gold Canyon, Ariz., Lorraine Leonard of Clifton, N.J. and Rosalie Lowy of Birmingham, Ala.
A funeral service of Mary Natoli will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Ascension, 12615 Fountain Hills Blvd., Fountain Hills. Interment will be at St. Nicholas cemetery, Lodi, N.J.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions in her memory to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Edward Rollo Jr.
Edward James Rollo Jr., 72, of Fountain Hills died Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz.
Born Nov. 28, 1932 in Oak Park, Ill., he was a U.S. Air Force veteran and worked as an aeronautics engineer.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Rollo of Fountain Hills; sons, Glen Rollo (Sandra) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Steve Rollo (Desiree) of Fountain Hills and Douglas Rollo (Alisha) of Houston, Texas; brothers, Rich (Mary), Roger (Donna), Donald, Pat (Patricia), Robert (Jeanne) and Thomas; sisters, Diane Curtis (Al), Ruth Kratz (Lyle), Doris Rollo Clark and Joyce Barton (Dwayne); and three grandchildren, Jeffrey, Daniel and Jeremy.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary, 12065 N. Saguaro Blvd.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Lung Association, 102 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1213.
Betty Lee Clarke
Betty Lee Clarke, an eight-year resident of Fountain Hills, passed away last Tuesday, Oct. 4. She was a month removed from her 80th birthday.
A native of Los Angeles, Mrs. Clarke will join her late husband Bill, who left her and us seven years ago.
Betty will be remembered and missed by son Mark Christensen of Las Vegas, Nev. and his wife Christine; Bill’s four children and their families, Dan and Judy Clarke of Cottonwood; Mark Clarke of Whidbey Island, Wash.; Al and Joan Clarke of North Bend, Wash.; Vicky Clarke and Jack Scranton of Ojai, Calif.; grandson, Nick Christensen, of Henderson, Nev.; step-grandchildren Denise Clarke of Clarkdale and DJ and Vicki Clarke of Bullhead City; and eight step-great grandchildren.
In addition, Betty had many dear friends in Fountain Hills who sustained her, most especially during the last few months.
Betty loved history, and made no secret that the best of times were far behind us. She firmly believed hers was the "Greatest Generation."
Her passions included the Golden Years of Hollywood, politics, and support for all veterans of American wars.
Family members wish to express bountiful thanks to the staff at the Virginia Piper Cancer Center, in particular Dr. Flores, Dr. Kato, and Sally Kazilek, for the conscientious and compassionate treatment they provided to Betty.
In addition, the administrative and treatment staffs of both Life Care and Sunrise Home Health Care agencies provided excellent home support for which the family is also most grateful.
Betty has been returned to her beloved and treasured Southern California, to be buried at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale. There will be private service.
Mary E. Griffin
Mary Evelyn Griffin passed away peacefully on the evening of Oct. 7, 2005 at the age of 80 years.
Evelyn was born at Wheat, Tenn. on May 19, 1925 to the late Artilissa Matilda Smith Watson and John Wiley Watson.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1946 with a B.A. degree in Home Economics, specializing in Textiles and Merchandising. She taught freshmen high school Home Economics for the next year at Harriman High School.
While in college Evelyn met Jon Hope Griffin of Gates, Tenn. They were united in marriage on Dec. 21, 1948 and moved to Champaign, Ill. where Jon took a position with the University of Illinois Agricultural Extension Service.
After two years they moved to Monmouth, Ill. where both of their children were born.
In 1960 Evelyn and her family moved to Mt. Morris, Ill. where they remained until 1990. That year Evelyn and Jon came to Fountain Hills, Arizona and built a beautiful new southwestern-style home where they have resided ever since.
Jon preceded Evelyn in death on June 19, 2005.
Evelyn provided months of care for her daughter through eight years of surgeries from 1954 through 1962 and worked with her many times over the years to ensure that Nancy could walk well with prosthesis.
Evelyn was a loving and dedicated mother and wife, and she especially enjoyed preparing wonderful meals for her family. She was also an avid gardener all of her life, and became an expert on the native plants of each state where she lived.
Evelyn was a woman of many, many talents. She painted in oils and watercolor, was a master seamstress and tailor, created beautiful public artworks for display at her church during holidays and at the bank where Jon worked, made ornate quilts and did all manner of needlework.
She was also an excellent photographer and created lovely travelogues of their many trips across the United States and Canada.
She will always be remembered for her thoughtfulness, her clever wit, and her kindness to family and friends.
Evelyn is survived by her son John Gordon of Fountain Hills, her daughter Nancy Evelyn Griffin and son-in-law, John Cardwell of Indianapolis, Ind. She is also survived by dozens of cousins scattered across the Midwest and southern states, and her favorite aunt, Mrs. Lucille Ronald of Spokane, Wash.
A celebration of Evelyn’s life was held Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005 at The Fountains United Methodist Church, 16652 East Glenbrook Boulevard.
Following, her remains will be buried with those of her husband in Gates, Tenn.
Memorials in her name (in lieu of flowers) may be made to The Fountains United Methodist Church.
