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Thomas Robert Taylor
Thomas Robert Taylor left this world to be with his Lord Aug. 6, 2010. He was born June 28, 1930.Tom was always a hard worker to provide for his wife and family. He loved to go to the beloved ASU football games. Tom and Millie shared their love for the Sun Devils with Millie's sister Edie. Tom worked every avenue of sales available.
Tom was the longest surviving person in the United States that had an implantable heart defibrillator. That device provided 23 more years to his life that his family can never thank anyone except God for. "Tom/Dad you are forever in our hearts. We love you."
Tom is survived by the "love of his live and best friend Mildred "Millie"; children Diane, Tom Jr., Norman, Matthew, Peggy and Stuart.
He was also blessed with 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will begin at noon Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Owens Livingston Mortuary, White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low with a visitation one hour prior.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements.
Yvonne Martinez
In loving memory of Yvonne Martinez who went home to be with the Lord Aug. 15, 2010 in East Fork.
She was born June 4, 1950, to the late Jane and George Garland Jr. in East Fork.
Yvonne is survived by her companion Wesley Chinche; daughter Crystal Garland; son Raymus Wallen; grandchildren Tanisha Garland, Emilio Garland; sisters Jonell Garland, Latashya Garland; brother Chuck Ivins; aunts Joanna Hinton, Grace Edwards and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Yvonne's body will be brought back Saturday, Aug. 21, at 7: a.m. at the Riverside Church in East Fork. Viewing will be from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. Funeral services will be at held at 1 p.m. at the Riveside Church in East Fork with Pastor Valentina Begay officiating. Burial will be at the Bridge View Cemetery in East Fork,.
Silver Creek Chapel Mortuary of Whiteriver handled arrangements.
Sister Pascalita Velasquez
Sister Pascalita Velasquez danced into heaven Saturday Aug. 7, 2010 at Holy Family Convent in Manitowoc, Wis. Sister Pascalita was God's faithful servant for 63 years as a professed nun of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. She was born Oct. 20, 1927, in Whiteriver to the late Jesus and Belle (Ivins) Velasquez. She was the youngest of 10 children.
Sister Pacalita spent her childhood in Seven Mile and in fifth grade went to Laveen to attend St. John's boarding school. That was her first encounter with the Franciscan Sisters. She completed grades 5, 6, and 7 at St. John's then returned home to help care for her mother and father who were both ill. Her mother passed away in Oct.1943 and her father passed away two weeks later. She completed eighth grade at the government school in Ft. Apache.
In the fall of 1944, she, along with her sister Margaret Velasquez, went to Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, N.M. She did not like it there and was allowed to return to St. John's School in Komatke; it was during this time that she made known her desire to become a nun. She was sent to Immaculate Heart Academy in Tucson for the summer of 1945 then back to St. John's until Christmas when she returned to Whiteriver so that her sister, Mary Velasquez, could help her with necessary paperwork to enter the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, Wis.
In Dec. 1945, she traveled by train to Holy Family Convent in Manitowoc to join the Order of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. She professed her vows in 1947. Sister Pascalita began teaching in 1948. She began taking college classes in 1949. With the exception of three summers, she took classes every summer after 1947; her entire college education was during the summers. After 30 years of taking college classes she graduated from Silver Lake College with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a minor in social science. Sister taught for 35 years, only four of which were after she earned her degree. She served as a primary teacher at St. Patrick School in Aesketan, Wis.; St. John the Baptist School in Plymouth, Wis.; St. Therese School in Appleton, Wis.; Holy Rosary School in New Holstein, Wis.; St. Joseph School in Rice Lake, Wis.; St. Peter School in Bapchule; St. John School in Komatke and San Xavier School in Tucson.
After retiring from teaching, she served as a part-time librarian/homemaker or completed tasks as assigned at St. John's School in Laveen; San Xavier Mission in Tucson; Immaculate Conception in Yuma; San Damiano in Slinger, Wis.; and St. Francis Convent in Manitowoc, Wis. Since 2005, she had been a resident of St. Rita Health Center at the Holy Family Convent in Manitowoc, Wis.
Survivors include the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A wake was held Wednesday Aug. 11, at the Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wis. Funeral services were held Thursday Aug. 12, at the Holy Family Convent Chapel with burial at the Holy Family Convent Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wis.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Whiteriver. Family, friends and relatives are invited to celebrate the life of Sister Pascalita. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to: Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity-Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wis.
Sister Pascalita was a woman who loved the beauty of God's creation. And although she was far away from home she always held dear her Apache way and was proud to be an Apache. "Her example of love and sacrifice for the betterment of others is her greatest gift to us and we will be forever grateful."
Oney J. Gutierrez
Oney J. Gutierrez, 82, died in Show Low Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010. He was born Feb. 16, 1928, in Springerville, the son of George Ernest and Suzanna Padilla Gutierrez. .
He served his country in the US Army in the Korean War and was medically retired from his service. He called all soldiers his cousins.
Oney was born and raised in Springerville; he loved Geronimo's territory. All the ladies he called ‘flowers,' the men were ‘thorns.' He loved everyone he met and greeted everybody with a smile. He made tortillas for his many friends. His passion was evangelism.
Oney had a burden for souls and often traveled to different cities to hold evangelistic seminars. He was an artist and painted wildlife in oil paints, was an avid woodworker and loved being outdoors in nature.
He is survived by sons George (Diane) Gutierrez, Pinetop, Sam (Katy) Gutierrez, Springerville, Fred (Gwen) Gutierrez, Eagar, Ray (Kelly) Gutierrez, Springerville, and daughter Sue (Tom) Strickland, Springerville; 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Visitation was held Aug. 19, at Burnham Mortuary in Eagar. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Springerville with visitation held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Springerville Cemetery.
Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements
Curtis Blair Chapman
Curtis Blair Chapman, 51, of Snowflake died at his home Aug. 14, 2010, of natural causes. He was born July 21, 1959, in Mesa and grew up in Chandler and has lived in Snowflake for 26 years.
Curtis worked as a heavy equipment operator and could run all types of machinery. He enjoyed camping and hunting and being with those he cared for. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by fiancé Debbie Van Winkle of Snowflake; sons Ryan and Tanner Chapman; daughter Jamie Endeman; grandson Mason Ford Endeman; parents Fullmer A. and LaDonna Chapman of Taylor; brothers Edward Chapman of Taylor, Phillip Chapman of Oregon and Joel Chapman of Taylor; sisters Jana Turley of Snowflake and Adele Chapman of Taylor.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Aug. 19, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Centennial Chapel.
Interment followed at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery of Taylor.
David Mark Strebeck
David Mark Strebeck, 49, entered his rest Aug. 13, 2010, at his home in Linden. Mark was loved by all who knew him and renowned for his skills in the building trades. None will forget his strong, warm hugs, his wonderful smile and his happy countenance. He will be greatly missed by all.
He is survived by his wife Janet of 25 years; daughter Anastasia (James) Lamon; adopted daughter Jazmine; father Jordan; stepmother Betty Ann; brothers Jay (Janet), Alan (Linda); sister Amy (Reed) Flake; scads of nieces and nephews who loved and idolized their uncle Mark.
He was preceded in death by his mother Wanda Mae.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, at his church in the valley.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements.
Benito Soto Martinez
Benito Soto Martinez, 88, of Holbrook died August 14, 2010, in Mesa. He was born March 21, 1922, in Taylor to the late Encarnicion and Petra (Soto) Martinez.
Benito was honorably discharged from the United States Army before being employed with the Santa Fe Railroad as a mechanic and machine operator. A very caring, thoughtful and generous man, he will be known for his helpful ways and his enormous heart. He was always giving back to members in the Holbrook community.
Benito loved being outdoors and especially hunting and fishing. He loved all animals and nature in general. He also enjoyed learning about herbs and their many uses.
He is survived by his daughters Bertha (Richard) Allen of Holbrook, Inez (Roland) Schulz of Mesa, Edwina (Mike) Immucus of Missouri, Yolanda Jaramillo of Mesa, Geraldine Abeytia of Mesa, Cecilia Martinez of Mesa; son Bennie (Tracy) Martinez Jr.; 23 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren as well as many extended family members and friends.
A viewing and visitation was held Aug. 19, at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 212 E. Arizona in Holbrook with a recitation of the rosary. Mass of christian burial will be held starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20, also at the church. Interment will follow in the Holbrook Cemetery.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook handled arrangements.
Carole Alice Geiger
Carole Alice Geiger, loving wife and mother, 66, died Aug. 16, 2010, in Mesa. She was born Dec. 15, 1943, in Springfield, Il. to Mort and Jeane Robinson. She was a very kind and loving mother who loved spending time with her family and loved serving others.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Geiger; three children Ronnie, Brian and Barbara; sister Barbara Anderson of Port Orchard, Wa. and all of her extended family.
"Mom we want you to know you are deeply missed and we love you very much!"
Graveside services were held Aug. 19, at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Cemetery in Snowflake.
Owens Livingston Mortuary Heritage Chapel in Snowflake handled arrangements.
Gary Kiepke
Gary Kiepke, 64, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2010, in Denver, Co. He went home to be with his Saviour after courageously battling pancreatic cancer for the past two years.
He was born on Sept. 2, 1945. Gary graduated from Snowflake High School in 1963, where he excelled in all sports. He went on to play college football at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. There he met Cathy, his wife of over 40 years, and they had three children, sons Jeff (Mindy) and Brent (Shannon), and daughter Casey (Chuck).
Gary enjoyed all sports, and actively participated in most of these throughout the years. He became an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. He and Cathy enjoyed many outings with their children and nine grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife; his three children; nine children; two brothers Bob (Rhonda) of Washington and Ted (Carol) of Holbrook; sister Patty McCabe (Tom) of Chandler; and his mother Virginia of Chandler.
He was preceded in death by his father Elmer.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at Arrowhead Golf Club, located at 10850 W. Sundown Trail in Littleton, Co.
Brandon E. Merklin
Beloved angel Brandon E. Merklin, 26, of Show Low left this world and his loved ones to start a new journey with our Lord Friday, July 16, 2010.
Brandon was born Dec. 16, 1983, in Mesa to John and Linda Merklin of Show Low. He moved to the White Mountains in 1991 with his family and graduated from Show Low High School in 2002. He attended college in the valley and earned his associates degree in drafting in 2003. He was an employee with the City of Show Low. Brandon loved fishing hunting and camping every chance he got. He will be deeply and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Brandon had the most amazing soul and he loved to lend a hand to everyone around him, anyway he could. Even in death he found a way of helping others, he had his body donated to science in hopes that it would help others. He was an avid guitarist and song writer. Brandon was amazingly talented in all of his endeavors. He didn't just do it, he put his all into it.
Brandon always helped organizations for children and young adults of the White Mountains. So there has been a memorial trust fund setup in Brandon's name to accept donations for the Show Low High School music department. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please donate to this account, please contact (928) 242-0774.
Brandon is survived by his mother, father and three brothers, Derreck (Shaunie and niece Raina), Trenton and Elliott, all from Show Low; nine aunts, 10 uncles, 32 cousins, great aunts and uncles, other family members and numerous friends.
There will be a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Raven Ramada in Fool Hollow Lake. Everyone is welcome to share their special memories of Brandon or bring pictures. Food and beverages will be provided after the celebration.
Loretta Ginger Rogers Leitch
Loretta Ginger Rogers Leitch, 69, died Aug. 14, 2010. She was born Jan. 23, 1941. Ginger was a resident of the Pinetop-Lakeside area. She loved God, music, life and her family.
She is survived by seven siblings, Ray Rogers, Bobby Rogers, Anthony Rogers, Frank Childers, Joe Childers, James Childers and Danny Childers; six children James Brewer, Wannell Thomas, Rennie Humphrey, Shayne Cook, Donna Cook and Blaine Poe; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial and pot luck dinner will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at Woodland Lake Park in Pinetop.
Sheri Daniele Kessay
Sheri Daniele Kessay went home to be with her Lord Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, after a 10 years valiant fight against metastasized breast cancer.
She was born Oct. 30,1960, in Portland, Or. to Leslie Arthur Dawley (deceased) and JoNell Beyers DiNucci of Show Low.
She is survived by her husband of 28 years Clinton Kessay Jr.; stepson Richard Kessay; stepdaughters Kimberly Kessay Williams, Megan Kessay Chamberlin and Robyn Kessay Lipscomb, stepson Michael Kessay; sons Gabriel Kessay and wife Kristen Hoelscher Kessay, daughters Shaina Kessay Littleman, LeaNora Kessay Rautenburg (Ryan), Joshua Kessay (Alexandra Leon) and Kayla Kessay; grandchildren Shaine Littleman, Nicholas Rautenburg, Julian Rautenburg, Hailey Kessay, Tahlia Feller, Annabelle Kessay; sisters Marjorie Dawley Waldrupe and Rebecca Dawley Nowlan; brothers James Dawley and David Arthur Dawley and many nephews and nieces.
A small memorial service will be held in her honor at Whiteriver Open Bible Lutheran Church Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. She will be remembered and missed dearly by all her family, friends, and loved ones.
