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Nancy Lynn Ondra
Normally a healthy person, Nancy had been feeling poorly and was admitted to John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix (only a mile or so from where we live) on December 9, 2014. She was diagnosed with a severe staph infection (MSSA) that probably originated in her leg (she complained of great pain in the left leg and foot) which spread to her lungs and heart.
In spite of wonderful care by a team of great doctors and nurses, the infection ultimately took her life. And so, the decision was made to celebrate Christmas and say a final farewell. On December 18, we set up in her room the small Christmas tree from our condo and opened presents and read cards. Then Becky, our daughter, held her Mother’s one hand and spoke to her of fond memories while I held the other and talked with our son, Rob (home in Illinois with his family) by phone.
She grew up in Holland, MI, the oldest of four children. I met her at Central College in Pella, IA, where she received a BA and majored in German & religion. We were married in Holland in 1977 and welcomed Rob (1982) and Becky (1986) to the family.
Nancy went to work at Excelsior College in Albany, NY in 1993 as a secretary and advanced to on-line coordinator, working long-distance with students and faculty. Most importantly, she made many lifelong friends there – and in our church in Schenectady. Her most enjoyable activities were reading, gardening, travel, music, listening to Prairie Home Companion on Saturday evenings, calling family and friends on Sunday afternoons, and volunteering at the Desert Botanical Garden. But none of those touched her heart like spending time with her only grandchild, Lucas, in Belleville, IL.
She is interred in the Columbarium at First United Methodist Church of Sun City, AZ. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at First United Methodist Church of Sun City, 9849 N. 105th Ave., Sun City, AZ. Donations in her memory may be made to the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Simon Paul Micko
Simon Paul Micko, 91, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away December 12, 2014. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2015 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale, Arizona. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Blanche C. Golash
January 24, 1915 – January 31, 2013
Blanche Golash was a devoted mother, beloved sister, much loved grandmother and everyone’s best friend. Blanche lived her life here on earth as big and bright as the stars and sun, with unconquerable enthusiasm and was a source of inspiration to all who had the good fortune to call her friend. Blanche, born on January 24, 1915, married to Pete Golash Sr. (deceased) was one of 11 children born to John and Mary (Pilko) Wietecha, now deceased. Her greatest joy, of course, came from the love of her two remarkable sons: Pete and Ken. She was proud, not just of their intellectual and physical achievements, but of their warmth, compassion and love. Besides her two sons Pete and Ken, Blanche is survived by her daughter-in-law Quinn Golash, her grandchildren Clint & (Melissa) Golash, Michelle Golash and great grandchildren Cody and Austin. She is also survived by her sister Betty Horeski of Detroit, Michigan and brother John Wietecha of Cleveland, Ohio. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Arizona for their loving care of Blanche during her final days. Visitation will be 4-5:PM with rosary at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9728 W. Palmeras Dr., Sun City, AZ.
Donald A. Lewis
Donald A. Lewis, 79, passed away, March 4, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ following a fall in his home in Sun City, AZ.
Don was born on May 22, 1932 in Locke Township, Ingham County, Michigan to Wayne and Charlotte Lewis. He grew up in Bancroft, Michigan and graduated from Durand High School, Durand, Michigan in 1950. Don entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951. In 1958 he attended Officers Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant upon graduation. In 1961 he received his navigator wings. He flew 275 combat missions in Vietnam in the AC-47 gunship. In 1967, he was assigned to U.S. Strike Command (now U.S. Central Command) at Tampa, Florida where he served as Command Navigator. During his 25+ years of service, he received numerous medals and awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1971, Don completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Tampa. In 1976 he retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.
He is survived by his wife, Eugenia (Jeannie), whom he married December 28, 1969 at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. Besides Jeannie, he is also survived by his three daughters and their husbands, Sheryl (Sheri) and Duane Wyatt of Rancho Cordova, California, Kathleen (Kathy) and Charles (Chuck) Knoche of Loomis, California and Bonnie and Mike Jorgenson of Bennett, Colorado and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, his sister, Jean Husted of Corunna, Michigan and five nieces and three nephews plus quite a few cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers and their wives, Jack and Lois Lewis and Clark and Nancy Lewis and his brother-in-law Kenneth Husted.
Don and Jeannie loved to travel by recreational vehicle and visited many interesting places. Their trip of a lifetime was their trip to Alaska by ferry and returning by way of the Alcan Highway in a very small RV in 1993. The trip lasted almost two months. They bought many older RVs and Don loved remodeling them when they weren’t traveling. Once a RV was perfect according to Don, he was ready to sell that one and start all over with a different one. It was a tie as to what he enjoyed more—-traveling or remodeling. In his later years, Don enjoyed using the Bell walking pool, reading spy stories, and watching Michigan sports on Satellite TV. Recently, Don and Jeannie had moved to a new home and Don was enjoyed making minor revisions to it.
Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 2012 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave, Sun City from 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 9849 N. 105th Avenue, Sun City, Arizona on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. The family suggests that instead of flowers that donations be made to the Marion Thompson Fund at First United Methodist Church.
John F. Cannon
John F. Cannon, 72, of Sun City, Arizona passed away May 6, 2014. Private family arrangements have been made.
Kenneth A. Christoffersen
Kenneth A. Christoffersen, 87, of Surprise, Arizona passed away May 2, 2014. Ken was born in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Navy and was an Electronics Engineer. He moved to Arizona in 1994 from Garland, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia Christoffersen, daughter Gail Christoffersen and his brother Ralph Christoffersen. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel.
William “Bill” North
William “Bill” North, 73, of Chino Valley, Arizona passed away May 8, 2014. The son of Joe and Nina North, Bill was born in Pritcher, Kansas and resided in Arizona for the past 60 years. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Elsie; children Dyan Temple (Doug), Bobi Jo Robinson, Debi Lotts (James) and Troy Lane (Sue), sisters Georgia Garcia, Mary McKinney and Linda Musselman; brother Everett North; grandchildren Brett, Blake, Kortny, Dylan, Rylie, Travis, Cody and Kyle. He was preceded in death by son Steven Lane in 2002, a grandson Mark Spradlin and his sisters Katherine & Patricia. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., May 19, 2014 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel.
Mary “Cleo” Draus
Mary “Cleo” Draus, 93, of Peoria, Arizona passed away May 7, 2014. Visitation will 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with funeral services at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2014 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel.
Carlota Mendoza
Carlota Madrid Mendoza completed a long, fruitful life on May 7, 2014.
In her 91 years she contributed to her family, community and nation in a variety of roles. Following graduation from Clifton High School in 1941 she joined other women constructing military aircraft in California during World War II. Upon her return home she led a Girl Scout troop and worked at the Phelps Dodge Mercantile store. She married Ernesto O. Mendoza in1950. As her children began school she was involved in classroom activities and taught catechism in her parish. Later she worked for the Forest Service and Riley’s Drug Store. She also volunteered at the Clifton Historical Museum.
Carlota took an early role of caregiver in her family helping to direct and care for her younger siblings. She oversaw the welfare of her parents as they dealt with health issues and aging. She shared her father’s appreciation of higher education and made great sacrifices in helping her children realize their goals and ambitions. She drew on her realism, determination and resilience to meet challenges throughout her life. Current family members include three adult children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a sister.
Funeral services will be held at the Menke Mortuary Chapel in Sun City, Arizona, on Friday, May 16, at 9:00a.m. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery, in Avondale, Arizona, at 11:30a.m. Call (480)545-9746 for further information.
William Jay McSpadden
W. Jay McSpadden passed away at home on March 22, 2008. He was a much loved man who lived life to its fullest. He leaves behind his loving mother, Suzanne Groves, step-father, John Groves, sister, Terri McSpadden, step-brothers Josh and Jake Groves, son Tyler and adopted daughter Brittany. He also leaves behind his two much adored nephews, Brian and Travis McSpadden. He will also be greatly missed by his grandparents, Roy and Lucille Sandvold. There will be a memorial service on Friday, March 28, 2008, at 3:00 PM at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ followed by a celebration of his life at his parent’s home. In lieu of flowers, his parents request donations to be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society in his honor.
Roger Charles Johnson
Born on August 19, 1938 to Carl and Adella Johnson in Jackson, Minnesota. He attended school in Petersburg Country School and graduated from Jackson High School in 1956. He was very active in all sports and continued until 1997 when he traded in his bat and glove for a television remote and his computer. Fishing was also his passion. In 1957 Roger started working for Northwest Airlines. He held many different positions from ticket agent to crew scheduling to the management position of Outside Warranties. That position took him around the world for years until his retirement in 1994. He was on the acceptance team for the Boeing 747, now in the Smithsonian and other Northwest acquisitions. After retirement he consulted for three years. In later years his goal was to see more of the U.S. from the ground. He has taken many cruises and the highlight of his travels was sitting in the cockpit of the Spruce Goose.
He is survived by his wife Ila (Gus), two sons, Randal and Robert, two special step-daughters Julie (Fred) Amaro and Jenny (Cal) Lowrie and Cydney Lowrie (step-granddaughter), his brother Maynard (Audrey), Nelda Peterson, sister in law, other relatives, and many friends. He passed away on May 17, 2013 after a long illness. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Funeral Services were held at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City, with internment at the Sunland Memorial Cemetery, Sun City, AZ.
