Huge Marriages Search Engine!
June Smith
On May 18, 2006, a long- time resident of Fountain Hills, June Rose Smith, 83, passed away. She had a wonderful life and loved Arizona – especially Fountain Hills. She and her husband, George Smith, first visited Arizona in the 1950s and they knew they would eventually come here to live.
June grew up in Detroit, Mich. and graduated from East Commerce High School. During her school years, she was active in many school clubs and activities. She played softball (catcher) and was a proficient skater and dancer.
She met George during her senior year and they were married in 1943. While she raised five children, she was also very active in the Detroit community: a Cub Scout Den Mother, president of the Detroit Women’s Club, president of the Druggist Wives Association, and co-founder/charter member of the Daughters of Isabella. She also worked at Market Opinion Research and found the time for painting and ceramics.
In 1975 June, George and son Bob moved to Fountain Hills where she immediately became an active leader in many of the local social and bridge clubs. For the past 30 years, June and George were active supporters of the Ascension Catholic Church – June was a Daughter of Isabella, George, a member of the Knights of Columbus.
She loved to cook, read and watch classic movies. June was a wonderful, smart, creative, loving person and will be truly missed by everyone who knew her.
Her family includes: her loving husband of 63 years, George; five children – Gary Smith and his wife, Kim, Nancy Fuller and her husband, Dick, Susan Opalka, Richard Smith and his wife Karen, and Bob Smith; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
A memorial mass will be held Friday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills.
Jack Vierheilig
Jack Vierheilig, 73, of Sun City West passed away at home on May 17, 2006.
Jack was born in Racine, Wis. on Dec. 30, 1932. He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Mary, of 53 years. They have four daughters, Pam, Patty, Peggy (Trulson) and Paula. He is also survived by his son in laws, Scott, Michael, Rob and Michael. He is Papa to Brian (Corrie), Beth (Joey), Lauren (Luke), Marcy, Natalie, Jason, Jerrad, Joshua, Jordan, Jacob (Jeri Lyn), Allison and Victoria; and Great-grandbabies Brittain, Connor and Justus.
He is also survived by many close relatives and loving friends. Jack, loving husband, dad, papa and great papa, will be missed by all.
Memorial services will be held at Prince of Peace Church in Sun City West, (623) 214-5180, on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Hemachromatosis Society, 4044 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Unit 104-PMB 416, Lake Mary, FL 32746-2012. Email www.americanhs.org.
Ted Hearne
Ted William Hearne, 90, died at the Friendship House in Eagar, Ariz. on June 23, 2006.
Ted was born in Golthwaite, Texas Dec. 29, 1915 to Orville B. and Martha Sullivan Hearne. His family moved to Arizona when he was eight years old.
Ted was an owner and distributor for the Union Oil Company of California from 1952 until 1983 when he retired. He delivered Union Oil products serving two counties from Show Low to Heber and Springerville as far as the Blue and Reserve, N.M.
He was a member of the Springerville Rotary Club and the Toastmaster Club and served as mayor to Springerville two consecutive terms and remained a strong advocate for the Town of Springerville until his death.
He became a member of the Masonic Lodge of San Diego in 1942 and has remained a loyal member.
Ted, along with two partners, Walt Perry and Burk Payne (both of Phoenix), built and renovated Tal Wi Wi Lodge into a family resort in 1959 (Tal Wi Wi is an Indian phrase for "place in the sun").
Ted’s foremost interest and enjoyment was the White Mountain Range Riders, in which he was a charter member. It began in 1952. This association formed as a businessman’s get-away and has endured for over 53 years. Beginning with only 19 riders, today the membership is closed at 50 men with 20 guests. He took great pleasure over the years in organizing, planning and attending the ride himself.
But Ted’s greatest joy was his family. He was generous to a fault in his love for his wife, daughters and their spouses and his grandchildren.
His survivors are wife Marjorie Hearne; daughters Teddy (Arthur) Finch, Branson, Mo.; Judy (Malin) Shepherd, Billings, Mont.; and Linda (Dan) Reeve, Alamo, Calif.; brothers Joe Hearne, Moab, Utah, Dan Hearne, Payson; sisters Dorothy Herring, Cornville, and Nancy Palmer, Springerville. He had 16 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are his parents, O.B. Hearne and Martha Sumpter; one brother, Orville Brad; and one grandson, Danny Finch.
His family will miss him and they look forward to seeing his contagious smile again.
At the request of Ted’s family, please consider donations to the Friendship House, P.O. Box 578, Eagar, AZ 85925 or RTA Hospice & Palliative Care, 1789 W. Commerce Dr., Lakeside, AZ 85929.
Funeral services were held at the Community Presbyterian Church in Springerville on June 27. Interment was at the Springerville cemetery.
Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, handled the arrangements.
Payo "Pi" Komadino
Payo "Pi" Komadino, 90, of Fountain Hills passed away on June 21, 2006 from complications due to leukemia.
Pi was born in Norwoodville, Iowa on Feb. 13, 1916. He was raised in East Moline, Ill. and served in the U.S. Navy stationed in Hawaii during World War II.
Upon his discharge from the service at the end of the war, he met and married Donna in Rock Island, Ill. in 1946.
Pi and his family moved to Phoenix in 1952. In Arizona he worked in the construction industry, and when he retired in 1989 he was working for Wells Fargo Bank.
Pi is survived by his wife, Donna; sons, Craig and Ky; daughter, Kandance Ann; brother, Mike; sister Mildred and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Michael A. Matera
Michael A. Matera, 92, of Fountain Hills passed away on Tuesday, June 27, at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospital.
Mr. Matera was born Nov. 20, 1913 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and had a career as the manager of a business supply manufacturing company.
He is survived by his wife, Serafine Matera of Fountain Hills; two sons, Michael (Linda) of Fountain Hills, and Ralph (Linda) of Lindenhurst, N.Y.; a daughter, Lucille Sudano of Lindenhurst, N.Y.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A Rosary service was held Friday, June 30, and funeral services were held on Saturday, July 1, at the Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills. Interment was at Paradise Memorial Garden in Scottsdale.
The family is requesting memorial contribution to the American Heart Association, 2929 S. 48th Street, Tempe, AZ 85282
Jane Lundgaard
Nella Jane Lindell Lundgaard was born in McPherson, Kansas on June 26, 1938 to Leland and Floy Lindell. She was graduated from McPherson High School in 1956 and attended Colorado Woman’s College (1959), the University of Kansas (1960), and Kansas State University (1962), where she obtained a master’s degree in secondary education.
She taught English literature at Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kan. prior to her marriage to Linsley L. Lundgaard on April 9, 1966 at the First Methodist Church in McPherson, KS. Jane and her husband met while they were teaching Communicants Class at Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kan.
Kirsten Lundgaard Izatt was born in 1967 and Spencer Lee Lundgaard was born two years later. While her children were young, Jane devoted her considerable energy to supporting various school and community activities. She served as President of both the Prairie Elementary School and Indian Hills Junior High PTA.
Church was important to her, and she served as Clerk of the Session and chairman of the budget committee of Village Presbyterian Church. She also enjoyed her eight years as a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
In August of 1983, she moved with her family to Edina, Minn. During that time, she worked as a Financial Advisor for IDS (American Express). After Lin’s retirement in 1990 from Cargill as Vice President of Sales of the Flour Milling Division, she moved to Rio Verde where she welcomed new residents as president of the Community Relations Committee and also served on the Rio Verde Community Association Board for three years. She was instrumental in the construction and development of the Rio Verde Community Church.
During retirement, Jane enjoyed traveling overseas. One of her favorite trips was to China where she traveled by railroad on the Silk Road. Finally, one of Jane’s most important associations was her longtime involvement with P.E.O., both in Kansas City and Rio Verde. She was the founding member of Rio Verde P.E.O. Chapter EB.
After 16-months of living with cancer, Jane died on Sept. 29, 2006 at home in Rio Verde with her devoted husband of 40 years by her side. She fully enjoyed her last year of life and was able to enjoy trips to see her children and grandchildren in Marietta, Ga. and Wheaton, Ill.
She is survived by her husband, Linsley L. Lundgaard, of Rio Verde; her daughter and son-in-law, Kirsten Izatt and Michael Izatt of Wheaton, Ill.; her son and daughter-in-law, Spencer Lundgaard and Melissa Lundgaard of Marietta, Ga.; three step-children, Nina Ballinger of Phoenix, Eric Lundgaard of Las Vegas, Nev., and Lisa Talbot, of Tucson,; and 10 grandchildren, Erin White, Kara Lundgaard, Cameron Ballinger, Bret Lundgaard, Alison Talbot, Zane Talbot, Kelley Izatt, Matthew Izatt, Lauren Lundgaard, and Kelsey Lundgaard.
The family plans to give thanks for Jane’s life at the Rio Verde Community Church on Oct. 7, 2006 at 11 a.m. A reception at the church will follow. Memorials are suggested to, Rio Verde Community Church Endowment, 25603 Danny Lane, Rio Verde, AZ, 85263 or The Phoenix Symphony Endowment, 455 N. 3rd Street # 390, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Conni Resler
Conni Resler passed away at the age of 70 on Sept. 27, under the care of Hospice of the Valley.
She is survived by her husband, Dean "T-Bone" Resler to who she had been married for more than 50 years; her son, Rob Resler of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and her brother Roger Klingman of Wichita, Kan.
She received tremendous support and encouragement from the dear friends of their church at Chaparral Christian Church and particularly Their "OK Corral" Sunday school class.
Born in Nashville, Tenn., Conni spent most of her "growing up" years in Enid, Okla. and her years raising a family in Rochester, Minn.
During her lifetime she proved herself to posses an entrepreneurial spirit with her own business of 10 years teaching ceramics in her home studio.
She proved to be an effective leader with the River Trails Girl Scout Council of Southeastern Minnesota where she served as public relations director. During the early 1970s she worked to organize the Women’s Institute for Lifelong Learning at a time when women were just starting to return to the workforce.
The largest part of her work life was in service at the Mayor Clinic both in Rochester, Minn. and Scottsdale. During her 23 years with Mayo she worked as a writer and editor for Mayo publications in the department of communications. Upon relocation to Scottsdale, she continued her work at Mayo Scottsdale in the Development Office as a support staff person for special events and administrative support to Mayo’s giving officers.
If you were to ask her about her accomplishments, she would tell you what she is most proud of is her wonderful family and lifelong friends established through their "church family" at Chaparral Christian Church.
Conni’s memorial service will take place on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Rather than flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be given to Women’s Ministry of Chaparral Christian Church.
Megan Ann Young
Megan (Meg) Ann Young, 46, daughter of Merle and Nancy Young.
She leaves behind her mother, Nancy; sister, Laura Blanchette; two nephews, Matthew and Joseph Rowland; and a brother, Matthew Young.
Richard F. Chicoine
Richard F. Chicoine, 77, of Fountain Hills died Oct. 5, 2006, following a long illness.
He was born near Chicago and served in the Army in Korea. He was a retired floral designer and had a floral business in Phoenix.
He leaves his companion of many years, Lorraine Kolb of Fountain Hills; his son, Jerry (Lanie) of Fountain Hills; and daughter, Diane (Robert) of Mesa; and two grandchildren, Courtney and Steven.
Services were held at Green Acres on Oct. 9.
Lee W. Fernandez
Lee W. Fernandez, 59, of Fountain Hills died Oct. 15, 2006, in Mesa, Ariz.
She was born Dec. 1, 1946 in Chicago, Ill. and was owner of a stained glass business.
Mrs. Fernandez is survived by her husband, Thomas Fernandez; on son, Aaron Jurasko; a daughter, Cherie Brown; her sister Linda Burda; four grandchildren, Jayd, Gaige, Diaja and Jazmin and two nephews, Todd Burda and Ryan Burda.
Services will be held Friday, Oct. 20, 2006, at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary at 11 a.m.
Donn Kinzle
Fountain Hills resident Donn Kinzle, 89, a former Arizona State University athletic director, passed away Oct. 2, 2006.
Kinzle, also a distinguished track and field coach at ASU, was perhaps best known as the athletic director who changed the school’s nickname from Bulldogs to the Sun Devils.
Excellence in achievement best characterizes Kinzle’s athletic and vocational accomplishments. As an Altoona High School (Pennsylvania) senior in 1936, his outstanding athletic skills were acclaimed as he set a national mark at the district PIAA track tournament. Years later, his achievements were recognized resulting in his induction into the Blair County Hall of Fame.
He continued to excel at track, achieving All-American status at Duke, where he was the Southern Conference record holder in both the 120- and 220-yard low hurdles.
He placed first in the Penn Relays in 1938 and continues to hold the record in that event. He was a promising favorite for the 1940 Olympic Games until World War II cancelled them.
Prevented from serving in the U.S. forces by a medical technicality during WWII, he joined the Canadian Royal Air Force. He also taught hand-to-hand combat at Virginia Military Institute.
Kinzle competed for ASU in track for one season, coming to Tempe for the 1942 season. He became the first "Bulldog" to capture three Border Athletic Conference championship crowns in the same meet as he won the long jump, 120-yard high hurdles and the 220-yard low hurdles.
He also competed in the national championship meet, where he won the 120-yard high hurdle crown.
Kinzle joined the coaching ranks as a student coach before promoted to assistant in 1946, and then the head coach in 1947. In 1949 he accepted the position of athletic director.
In these capacities, he quickly brought ASU’s athletic program to national prominence. Frank Kush, a well-known ASU football coach, credited Donn Kinzle with molding ASU’s entire athletic program and establishing the plans for Sun Devil Stadium.
Besides changing the mascot, he also originated the tradition of ASU’s fireworks displays at night football games, a tradition that continues to this day.
Before he left ASU, he set the plan for the "Salad Bowl" game, the original name for what is now the Fiesta Bowl.
He entered the international sports fields in the mid-1950s, coaching the Brazil National track team for three years, including at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, where his team won the only Brazilian gold medal.
Kinzle also operated successful fine antique and art businesses in Pennsylvania and Scottsdale. He became an authority on early American antiques.
In 1974 he was honored for his enduring contributions to ASU athletics at the dedication of the University Activity Center and was inducted to join a select few in ASU’s Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985.
For the last decade he has been retired in Fountain Hills.
He is survived by his wife Regeania (Davis) and step-daughters Sheila and Charlotte from Fountain Hills. He also is survived by his children Michael and Donn Jr. from Scottsdale, Carol from Los Angeles, Karen from Philadelphia, Kerrie from Hollidaysburg and Kelly from Duncansville along with 18 grandchildren.
A private family service was held in Arizona.
Mardy Mardegian
About 15 months ago, Mardy Mardegian and his wife, Shirley, moved from Fountain Hills to Florence, Ala., to be closer to their roots and their oldest son.
Mardy and his family had spent the previous 20-plus years in Fountain Hills and ran "Guns by SAMM" for nearly 17 of those years.
They had made many good friends in Fountain Hills both in business and throughout the city. They found it difficult in 2005 to say good-bye to each of these people, so they quietly closed the business, packed their things, and left the area.
Mardy simply said, don’t look back.
But, now, it is time. Mardy Mardegian passed away on Sept. 23, 2006 at home with his wife and four children at his bedside.
Most people remember Mardy as a tough but fair negotiator not only in his sales and marketing career before his retirement to Arizona, but also in the coins and guns he sold at his store in Fountain Hills.
Mardy is survived by Shirley, his wife of 58 years; his sister, Mary Onesian of Grosse Isle, Mich.; all four of his children; 12 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren, with a fifth great-grandchild due this November.
Mardy is also remembered for his passionate drive to do the best he could do in everything that he did and his love for his wife.
He wanted to simply say good-bye to all those people who touched his life in Fountain Hills.
