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Earl Gieseke “Coach”
Fondly known as “Coach”, Earl F. Gieseke, 92, a long time resident of Glendale, Arizona, died December 26, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Louise Letarte Gieseke whom he met at the University of Arizona. He was the last living member of his immediate family outliving his mother, Emily; father, Fred; sisters Bernice, Margery and Betty; and brother Harold.
Earl graduated from Arlington High School in Illinois. He enrolled at Riverside California Junior College where he played on the freshman football team. After winning a game against the University of Arizona, impressed coaches offered him a full scholarship at the UA. There he lettered in track and football and played on the UA basketball team. He was member of Kappa Sig fraternity. After graduation in 1940 he began coaching at Glendale High School only to be interrupted by war. He
served the duration of World War II in the US Navy returning after the war to teach and coach at Glendale High. He attended Stanford and ASU receiving his Masters at Arizona State.
After 19 years of teaching and helping install the first class at Cortez High School, Earl retired to work on his farm, cattle trading and land acquisitions. He and his wife, Helen, enjoyed traveling to countries around the world.
Earl had been a life member of the American Legion for 41 continuous years. In later years it was his pleasure to meet once a week with former students and friends for breakfast and to go on “trail” rides to secluded parts of Arizona with them. He is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103 Ave. in Sun City at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9th, 2010. Following the service a reception will be held at the Earl E. Mitchell American Legion Post 29, 6822 N. 57th Dr. in downtown Glendale. Interment at graveside is private.
Memorials would be appreciated being sent to The American Legion Earl E. Mitchell Post 29 or Hospice of the Valley.
Jeanne Riendeau
Riendeau, Jeanne
after a short battle with cancer passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 3rd, 2010 at the age of 67. She is survived by her husband Arthur of 48 years, her son James Riendeau (Lori), daughter Joann Choffy, and two grandchildren Matthew Riendeau and Melanie McLaughlin (Stephen). Jeanne loved to travel especially to the beaches of Mexico. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating and camping. We are all thankful she was here for the holidays and she will be greatly missed. Honoring her wishes she will be cremated and her services will be private.
Christopher Michael Garcia
Christopher M. Garcia, age 18, of Waddell, Arizona, passed from our lives in a sudden and tragic automobile accident on August 28, 2009. Christopher was a student of Millennium High School and was an avid outdoorsman and cowboy. He is survived by his father, Michael Garcia, mother, Tammy Garcia, brothers, Scott McClain and Nicholas Hampton, sisters, Amanda and Danielle Garcia, nephews, Cole, Landon and Max and niece, Taylor, his grandparents, Pat Garcia, Julie Pollard, and Bob Cox along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and wonderful friends too numerous to name. Christopher was preceded in death by his grandfather, Richard Tata Garcia and his Aunt Kathy Garcia.
Please join his family and friends in a Celebration of Christopher’s life from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ, on Thursday, September 3, 2009. Services will be held at 11:00 AM at St. Clare of Assissi Catholic Church, 17111 W. Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ, on Friday, September 4, 2009. Chris was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. So in his memory a memorial in Chris’s name will be established to help someone in need.
Elizabeth Pauline Mowczko
Elizabeth Pauline Mowczko died on August 25, 2009. She was born to naturalized Polish immigrants on August 23, 1917 in Buffalo, New York. She was the third eldest of five children, and attended Assumption Parish School. She married her husband Peter on October 5, 1939. Together, they lived in various locations throughout the country, following her husband’s career in the defense and other manufacturing industries.
Elizabeth’s life was complete, filled with many challenges and joys. Challenges began soon after WW II when Elizabeth, Peter, and their two sons, Conrad and William, tried working a small farm in Western New York. Later, the family owned a heating contracting, and a small hardware retail business.
In 1954, Peter embarked on new a career in the defense industry and the family moved to Denver, Colorado. Here is where Elizabeth and Peter started a “second family” with the birth of two more children, Timothy and Maribeth. In 1963, Elizabeth, Peter, Timothy, and Maribeth moved to Orlando Florida, again to follow Peter’s career in the defense industry. There Elizabeth was diagnosed with malignant Melanoma cancer. The treatments were long and difficult, but her internal strength and strong Roman Catholic faith, along with family support helped to survive such a tremendous medical challenge.
Elizabeth experienced many joys throughout her life. She experienced great happiness in seeing her children graduate from high school and college, and move on to succeed in their own career choices. She loved Sunday activities such as drives in the Colorado Rockies and relaxing on the on the Florida Gulf coast beaches. She also enjoyed trips back to Buffalo to visit family and friends. As a devoted wife and homemaker, Elizabeth supported her husband as they moved from times of impoverishment to a comfortable middle class life style. After the death of her husband in 1995, she had the support of her children, which allowed her to spend her final years in her home in Sun City.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Mary Golonka; her husband, Peter; infant son, Ralf, and son, Timothy. She is survived by her youngest sister Florence Antkowiak, of Buffalo, New York; her sons Conrad, of Sun City, Arizona and William JoAnne of Yuma, Arizona; and her daughter Maribeth Larry Bueche of Benton, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Joshua Mowczko of Seattle, Washington; Matthew Mowczko of Germantown, Maryland; Kristin Vince Galaviz of Georgetown, Texas; Katelyn Michael Maranda of Enterprise, Alabama; Sarah Bueche of Benton, Arkansas; and one great-grandchild. Elizabeth will be remembered and missed for her devotion and dedication to family.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 31, 2009, from 5 PM to 8 PM, at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 North 103rd Ave., Sun City, Arizona. A Rosary will be said beginning at 7 PM. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 am at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, Arizona. Interment will follow at Sunland Memorial Park.
Elizabeth T. Barbieri
Elizabeth T. Barbieri, 86, of Peoria, AZ passed away June 26, 2010. Born March 28, 1924 in Pittsburgh, PA, a retired secretary, she moved to Arizona in 1971 and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Peoria. She was preceded in death by her husband Domenic Barbieri in 1990. Survivors include her brothers, Vincent (Mary), Frank, and Angelo Totaro; nephew James Totaro; nieces Mary Beth Difatta and Irene Burkovich and great nephew Antonio DiFatta. Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Funeral mass will be held at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 8615 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ. Burial to follow at Sunland Memorial Park.
Eleanor B. Dougherty
Eleanor Bernadette Dougherty, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on June 21, 2010. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt – she touched the lives of many in her 100 years. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 14, 1909, to Anna and James Crenny. The second oldest of 13, she was known as “Sis” to her siblings. She married Frank Dougherty in 1941, and together they raised four children in Narberth and Bala Cynwyd. The family enjoyed many summers on the Jersey shore. Both her immediate and extended family knew her to be an outstanding cook and looked forward to her delicious Sunday dinners. In 1984, Eleanor and her husband moved to Arizona to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Frank passed away early in 1985. Demonstrating her quiet, yet enduring strength, Eleanor lived on her own for more than 20 years. A devout Catholic, she was a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale for many years. She was an avid reader, particularly of mystery novels, and a bit of a sports fan, cheering on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns with her family. This past November, numerous family members and friends gathered from across the country to celebrate Eleanor’s 100th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Dougherty, and her youngest son, Harry. Eleanor is survived by her sister, Dorothy Crenny, her children, Janet Manes, Frank Dougherty and Bernadette Jorgenson, 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., in Sun City, followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 N. Dell Webb Boulevard, Sun City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament or the Knights of Columbus.
Doris Reay Kiser
Doris Reay Kiser, 70, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away June 17, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. She and her husband Karl, were blessed with 32 years of marriage. Doris is survived by her husband Karl E. Kiser, her daughters Karen Weiss and Alice Stracener, along with three sisters, and four grandchildren. Services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, Arizona.
Dolores A. Ibe
Dolores A. Ibe, 85, of Sun City West, passed away July 7, 2010. She was born May 21, 1925 in Sheboygan, WI. A Phoenix resident for 59 years, she retired from Shamrock Foods in 1987 after 21 years of service. She is survived by daughter Roxann (Dick) Phillips, and son Greg Ibe: grandchildren Crystal, Angela, Jennifer and Adam and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 19002 N. 128th Ave., Sun City West, AZ. Interment to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
Dale F. Spitler
Dale F. Spitler, 61, of Glendale, AZ passed away unexpectedly on June 5th, 2010. Dale was a generous, giving, and kind soul. He was an encourager to all he met. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Dale is survived by his father Herb, sisters Cheryl, Jody and Suzanne. He is also survived by nieces Judy and Michelle, and nephew Gary. Also survived by a special cousin Rodney. He is preceded in death by mother Jennarae and brother Herb Jr. A celebration of Dale’s life will be held on Friday, June 11th from 2-5pm at the home of Jody Lauer. Menke Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Christine Annette Crabtree
Christine Annette Crabtree, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, went home to be with Jesus on June 16, 2010. Christine was born May 28, 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona. She is survived by her Parents Lonnie and Rhonda Crabtree, Brother Charlie Crabtree, Maternal Grandmother Sheryl Ziegler, and many loving family members. Christine actively participated in Alpha Group – Maureen’s Place. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at Pure Heart Christian Fellowship, 14240 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale, Arizona. The family suggests that donations be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 2929 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 or Alpha Group DTA, 11070 N. 24th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029.
Charles Myron Hoaglund
Charles Myron Hoaglund was born December 4, 1928 in Arthur, Iowa. Charles brought his family to Phoenix in 1956 from the state of Washington. He retired from the MCSO after working under 4 different Sheriffs. He was loved and admired by his family and all those that he worked with. He belonged to the Rosicrucian order AMORC for 38 years and was also a Master Mason with Hiram Daylight Lodge #73. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years (Mary), his mother and father, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. He is survived by his 3 daughters, 2 sons, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was an exceptional man, wonderful father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral Service will be Friday 10:00 A.M. with visitation l hour prior to service at Menke Funeral Home 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Burial will follow 12:30 P.M. at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Bonnie Geraldine Shyrer
Bonnie Geraldine Shyrer, 82, of Glendale, Arizona passed away May 23, 2010 at Odyssey Hospice in Peoria, AZ. Bonnie was born in Geneva, Arkansas and resided in Arizona since 1959. Survivors include her children, Bonnie Sue Red, Peggy Sue Wadsworth and Jerry Lyn Ames; sister Joyce Costephens; 11 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, Arizona.
