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David Carl Willer
David Carl Willer, our beloved husband, adored father and cherished grandfather, was welcomed into the arms of the Heavenly Father on May 9, 2012. A man of great integrity, David will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity and optimism.
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on April 19, 1929, to Henry and Sylvia Willer, David attended the University of Iowa and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. David met the lovely Irene Davis on a blind date and they married in 1951, the same day he was commissioned as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. This June 8th would have been their 61st wedding anniversary.
David earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from USC. He joined Tudor Engineering in 1966 and became vice president in 1980. He specialized in hydrology and the design of hydroelectric plants. His career led to working on numerous projects worldwide and throughout the western United States. He was invited to the White House by President Jimmy Carter to be thanked for work on developing the Electrical Regulatory Practice Act. He was invited to Berlin, Germany, as a delegate from the United States to the first world conference on renewable energy.
David and Irene loved to travel. They moved to Sonoma in 1993 to share the lives of their three grandchildren. David served as a board member for Valley of the Moon Water District from 1997 to 2002.
David is survived by his wife, Irene; his sister, Marilyn Miller (and Chuck), of Cupertino; his brother, Vern Willer, of Cave Creek, Ariz.; his children, Vicki (and Gary) DeSmet, of Sonoma; Beth Willer, of Concord, and Reese Willer, of San Jose; and his grandchildren, Sarah, David and Anna DeSmet. He is preceded in death by his brother, Wayne Willer, also of Cave Creek; and two children, a baby girl, in 1954, and Bradford Van Willer, in 1959, who died of leukemia at age 7.
A committal service and military honors were conducted at the Sonoma Veterans Cemetery on May 15. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 2, at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 16290 Arnold Drive in Sonoma.
Julian E. Peagler, Jr. “Peg"
Jan. 31, 1920 – May 3, 2012 | Paradise Valley, Arizona
Julian was known in the automotive industry as an iconic leader for many years. He was a consultant not only to small dealers, but to Chrysler Motors, General Motors and Hertz Corporation.
Born in Tifton, Ga., as a young man, an excellent swimmer, Julian became a head lifeguard in Florida, then on to be chef on the Rockefeller yacht. Julian worked on the Civilian Conservation Corps project and in two months became project manager. He served in WWII in the Army Air Corps.
Julian moved to California, and opened Ford, Chrysler and Cadillac dealerships. In 1956 he moved to Phoenix, Ariz., opened "Pegler's Dodge City, " then, "Freeway Dodge, " "Jeep AMC, " and Pegler's Leasing Co. He served as president of the Arizona Automobile Dealers Association. Julian was still involved with vehicles in the movie industry; therefore, many celebrities would arrive in Phoenix and the parties were many!
As a member of Phoenix Country Club, White Mountain Country Club and Pinetop Country Club, he was an avid golfer and really loved playing gin rummy with the boys.
Julian was a devoted husband to his wife Beverly for 35 years, father of sons Richard (Catherine), Marc, Robert (deceased) and grandfather to Dallas, Jordan, Connor and Matthew.
For years, Julian has been involved in the family business, "Frontier Town", in Cave Creek, Ariz. He loved the western way of life and Cave Creek was special.
Ninety two years have come and gone for Julian, but he leaves us with unforgettable memories!!
God speed – we love you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cave Creek Museum, P.O. Box One, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.
Babette “Babs” Robinson
Babette “Babs” Robinson, 47, passed away on April 30, 2012. She will be missed by husband Zeke, her two children, Laura and Jason, her parents, Rod and Josie Johnson, her brothers, Govert and Callahan, and her sister April.
There will be a celebration of her life Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. at her parent’s home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office M.A.S.H. (MCSO Animal Safe Haven) Unit.
You may donate by calling MASH at 602-876-1212 or mailing donations to:
Attn: MASH Sgt. Mejia
3250 W. Lower Buckeye Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Anne S. Wilson
Anne S. Wilson, 93, of Cave Creek, passed away on August 30, 2009. She was born in Lexington, Ky. and came to Arizona from Illinois 25 years ago.
Anne is survived by her husband James E. Wilson, daughter Kathryn (Tony) Ciccolella, her four grandchildren Alisa Panek, Michael Grossman and Joseph and Greg Ciccolella and six great grandchildren (with another on the way).
Her family will miss her terribly. Graveside services were held Thursday, September 3 in Phoenix. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4550 E. Bell Rd. #126, Phoenix, AZ 85032. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.
Jean Edwards Backlund
Jean Edwards Backlund, 91, passed away peacefully with family members by her side on September 27, 2014 in Carefree, Ariz. after a lengthy illness.
Jean was born July 11, 1923 in Kearney, Nebraska, the first child of Romie and “Tip” Edwards, Sr. She attended Kearney public schools including two years at Kearney State College. She transferred to National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois where she graduated with a B.E. degree in 1945. She taught school in Pendleton, Oregon and Long Beach, California. After marriage, she taught in Boulder and Longmont, Colorado.
Jean met B.F. ‘Chip’ Backlund at Kearney State in 1941. The war intervened and Chip served in the Pacific Theater. After he returned, they were married in Kearney, Nebraska on July 3, 1947. Jean joined Chip in Boulder where he was attending law school. On his graduation in 1949 they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where their children were born. In 1957 they moved to the Peoria, Illionois area where they still maintain a residence. In the 60s, Jean and Chip started spending their winters in Carefree, Ariz. where they also have a residence.
Jean is survived by her husband, Chip; her three children, John Backlund of Denver, Colorado.; Camy (Craig) McLaren of Chillicothe, Illionois; and Steve (Tomi) Backlund of Peoria, Illinois; grandchildren Matt (Chau) Backlund, Tera Backlund, and Eric Backlund; great-grandchildren Conner and Bryce; and her brother Don Edwards of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Known as ‘Gogo’ to her grandkids, Jean was a free-spirit who enjoyed participating in many activities including tennis, golf, bridge, painting, gardening, and yoga among others. She was a "force of nature" and you always knew where she stood.
As Jean’s health deteriorated over the last year, this difficult period has been made much easier by the help and love from family, our wonderful neighbors and friends, and the Hospice of the Valley.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. She will be interred in Peoria, llionois. If you are so inclined, Jean asked that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to her favorite charity, Planned Parenthood.
William John Crooks, Jr.
William John Crooks, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. on March 9, 1927 and passed peacefully in Carrabelle, Florida on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The 87-year lifelong journey between Chicago and Carrabelle was filled with zeal to live life to the fullest, a wonderful legacy passed to him from his mother, Stella Louise Crooks and father William John Crooks, Sr. After attending military school he would join the U.S. Army and serve as a second lieutenant during World War II. After the war he returned to Chicago and joined the brick and masonry union as a “tender” and would work on some of Chicago’s finest buildings and would master a lifelong skill.
He met and married the love of his life, Margot Jean Humphreys and fathered five children, William John III, of Cave Creek, Ariz., Patti Jean, of Presque Isle, Maine, Jeffery Allen of Cave Creek, Ariz. and Cari Robin Langston, of Carrabelle, as well as step-parented three others; Lee, of Ft. Myers, Larry, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Jerry Nelson, of Cave Creek, Ariz.
Before retirement, Bill, Margot and their kids would build over a dozen spectacular, custom homes in the Chicago area, Cave Creek, Ariz., Morgantown, West Virgina and their final home in Carrabelle. Bill’s adventuresome spirit would also patent an in-ground pool design that is still used today in many parts of the country, and opened multiple retail operations in Arizona, where he joyfully played Santa Claus to many of the children in Cave Creek and Carefree.
Chief Crooks, one of his many nicknames, was an avid reader and loyal Civil War history buff, sailor and fisherman who passed on many of his passions to his children and 12 grandchildren: Carter, Casey, JJ, Matthew, Lauren, Cullen, Cheri, Billy, Keleigh, Logan, Maggie and David.
One of his more creative endeavors was to play Bill Sikes in the production of Cave Creek/Carefree Community Players rendition of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist, ” leaving many to question Bill’s construction career choice.
Bill Crooks was pre-deceased by his wife Margot Jean in 1991 and son Timothy Michael in 1996.
Ray W. Lebsock
On October 6, 2014, while surrounded by family, Ray went to peacefully rest in the arms of the Lord.
Ray was born on June 27, 1926 in Brush, Colorado to Fred and Mary Lebsock. He moved to Fairview, Montana with his family in 1929. Ray went through Fairview, Montana schools and worked on the family farm until graduating in 1944. Shortly thereafter, Ray and his brothers started a family-owned underground sewer and water construction company working throughout North Dakota and Montana.
On October 27, 1950 he married Leona Sorensen from Sidney, Montana. After serving in the U.S. Army for several years, Ray returned home to the construction business. Ray and Leona moved to Williston, North Dakota in 1958 where they raised their children, Dan and Patti. In 1982, Ray and Leona moved to Mesa, Ariz., joining their son, Dan, in his construction company. Ray loved his work and felt very fortunate to be involved in the family business.
Ray and Leona moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area to spend more time with their daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom Ray was always so proud of and loved dearly. He was a kind, gentle, hardworking husband, father, and grandfather.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents: three brothers (Ted Lebsock, George Lebsock, Gordy Lebsock); two sisters (Ruth Karst, Annabelle Sands); and his son, Dan Lebsock.
Ray is survived by his wife, A. Leona; two sisters, Mary Ann (Marv) Jentz and Bonnie (Roger) Cook; three brothers, Kenneth (Maxine) Lebsock, Robert (Judy) Lebsock and Roger (Barbara) Lebsock; his daughter, Patti (Greg) Wentz; grandchildren, Mike Monson and Jessica Nomeland; step-grandchildren, Brian (Sheila) Wentz and Sara (Matt) Hoffmann; great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family that adored and loved Ray.
Memorials may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church, Fargo, North Dakota.
A memorial service for Ray will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo. A final private interment will be held at a later date at Brorson Danish Lutheran Church, west of Sidney, Montana.
Dorothy S. Kauhl
February 8, 1924 – December 18, 2014
Dorothy Softley Kauhl, age 90, died at her home near State College, Pennsylvania on December 18. Born in Grafton, Nebraska she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse nearby. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, she taught in American Service Schools in Germany where she met Syracuse, New York native Herbert P. Kauhl. They married in 1953.
Dorothy taught in Alcoa, Tennessee; Princeton, New Jersey; and Waynesboro and State College, Pennsylvania. She retired in 1987 after 36 years of teaching. In retirement the Kauhls wintered 20 years at their Desert Palms condo in Carefree. They also travelled extensively with Elderhostels and maintained a remarkable garden around their Pennsylvania home.
Members of the State College Presbyterian Church, in Arizona they were active first at Desert Hills and then Pinnacle Presbyterian churches. A memorial service will be held at the State College church on Jan. 10.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Herb, her two daughters and a granddaughter.
