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Norman Shelman
1932 - 2011
Norman Shelman, 78 of Cottonwood, passed away at home on January 10, 2011. He was born on July 27, 1932 in Cameron, Missouri to Thomas Floyd Shelman and Bessie Cooper Shelman.
Norman attended Cameron High for 4 years. He was a Seaman in the Navy during the Korean War. He then worked in car sales. He attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Norman was a wonderful, loving husband and father.
Norman is preceded in death by parents Bessie and Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cynthia; son Thomas Shelman of Cottonwood; daughter Terra Shelman of Los Angeles, CA; brother Max Shelman of Cameron, MO and sister Eva Shelman-Hill of Cameron, MO.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 10:30 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cottonwood. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery.
Information provided by survivors.
Karen Lerette
1941 - 2011
Karen Marie (Williams) Lerette, 69, of Cottonwood died on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, peacefully at home after suffering from a lengthy illness.
Karen was born in Harrisville Township, Michigan, on July 26, 1941 where she spent her youth. In 1976 Karen settled in Arizona where she raised her six children and operated her own businesses: “Marie’s Upholstery and Arizona Customs” for over 35 years. She was a long time member of the United Church of God in Camp Verde.
She is best remembered by her numerous friends and church members for her unending kindness and her generosity of the many hand crochet items that she made and gave away. Karen loved to sew and crochet.
She was predeceased in death by her son Vedial Lerette and her daughter Rana Sena. Surviving are her siblings; Carol Jones, Judy Jenkinson, Richard Williams, Alan Stephenson, and Wade Stephenson. She is also survived by her children; Reno and Tishie Lerette, Molly Lerette, Jonathan Lerette, Johanna and Darren Keyes, and Rueben Lerette. Karen has 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Karen was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by everyone she knew. Karen was a charter member of the Flint, Michigan church area for many years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5:00 p.m. in Camp Verde, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to: Jonathan Lerette, 20541 E. Larry Lane, Mayer, Arizona 86333.
Information provided by survivors.
Raymond James Steele
1927 - 2011
Raymond James Steele, 83, of Sedona, Arizona, and Homer, Alaska, died January 22, 2011, surrounded by his loving family in the University Hospital in Tucson, AZ.
Ray was preceded in death by his brother, William Steele, his sister Minnie Steele Willard; and his parents William Christie and Minnie L. Steele. Ray is survived by his wife Sally V. Steele of Sedona, AZ, and Homer, AK; son Robert R. Steele, of Flagstaff, AZ; daughters Sheri S. Downward (Mark), of Kanab, Utah; Jennifer I. Steele of Tucson, AZ; Diane M. Gerrettie of Tucson, AZ; Denise Stearley (Michael) of Cornville, AZ; Harry B. Munsell (Kathy) of South Riding, VA; Mimi M. Dailey (David) of Payson, AZ; and Kim M. Wilmer (Thomas) of Phoenix, AZ; as well as 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A memorial service will take place Saturday, January 29, 2011, at 11:00 am at the Church of the Red Rocks on 54 Bowstring Drive in Sedona, AZ. A second memorial will take place in Homer, Alaska, for the scattering of his ashes in Kachemak Bay in June 2011. In Lieu of flowers, please send any donations to: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY payable to Relay for Life, P.O. Box 69, Homer, Alaska, 99603, Attn: Scott Harding. Ray was born August 21, 1927, in Flagstaff AZ, to a Sedona pioneer family who homesteaded the Schnebly Hill Road area. Their 160 acre homestead was a great place to discover life for a boy. At age 13, Ray bought his first model-T Ford in Flagstaff for $15.00. When returning to Sedona with the car, it broke down, and Ray walked home after hiding the car under branches of a tree. He kept the knowledge from his Dad for quite a while and then brought the car home after he fixed it. This put Ray on the path of mechanics—vehicles and aviation. In 1951, Ray joined the army infantry, where he saw heavy combat at the Yalu River in Korea. When he was discharged from the Army, he came home to Sedona and took the money he saved while in the Army and purchased the Canyon Portal Shell Station.
As Sedona began to develop into the great city it is today, Ray was known as the founding member of many businesses and entrepreneurial entities that help establish and grow the Sedona community we know today—one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan small cities in America.
Ray Founded the Sedona Airport in 1955. As a founding member he successfully saw the development the following entities:
• The Sedona Civil Air Patrol
• One of the 1st volunteer fire chiefs for 7 years
• Parade Marshall for St. Patrick’s day parade from inception
• Ray owned Sedona Cessna Air dealership
• The Sedona International Harvester Dealership
• Sedona flying Service
• Williams and Steele Land company
• Ray Steele Realty and Investments Co.
Ray’s adventurous spirit and love of flying brought him to Alaska in 1977 where he became a bush pilot for Cook Inlet Aviation, and then in 1979 began fish spotting for a number of commercial fisherman. By this time, he had married the love of his life, Sally, and they bought and cleared 5 acres of land overlooking the beautiful Kachemak Bay in Homer, AK, and built a wonderful log home. This place, and their Sedona Ranch, was their home and anchor as they ventured around the world to Mexico, Europe, New Zealand, but always came back home to the peace and quiet of their log cabin in Alaska. We will forever miss him. His voice, his wit, his years of experience and wisdom, his gestures, his smile, will always be remembered. We know where to find him—his spirit lives in the open spaces of his beloved American West and the wilderness of Alaska. His influence is very much alive in the hearts of all of us who knew and loved him.
Information provided by survivors.
Frank Lorenzo Connolly
1939 - 2011
Frank Lorenzo Connolly 1939-1/19/2011. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away peacefully at home in West Jordan, Utah. He was born in Arizona to Dow and Alida Connolly.
He grew up in Arizona and loved Sedona and the Verde Valley his entire life as well as the many lifelong friends he made there.
Frank graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Army before fulfilling a mission in France for the LDS Church. He graduated from Brigham Young University and was a life-long Cougar fan. He married Carrie Jacobs in 1967, and they made their home in Salt Lake City and Evanston, Wyoming before they retired to California when he was diagnosed with cancer. Frank loved to dance, to watch great plays, to build things, to eat chocolate, pecans and cherry pie.
He had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing along with Nat King Cole recordings. He was a gifted writer of poetry, plays and stories. Frank loved giving a helping hand to others and always remained loyal to his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Carrie, six children, Danielle Brown (Jonathan) California, Michael Connolly, Illinois, Tara Connolly, Utah, Laura Styer (Skeet) Alaska, Colette Gardner, (Jordan) Utah, and Ben Connolly, Utah as well as eight grandchildren. He is also survived by five siblings: K Connolly (Barbara) Cottonwood, Colin Connolly (Joan) Cottonwood, Lavona Areghini (Jim) Mesa, Judy Foshee (Snowflake) and Karen Dorsey (Taylor).
Services were held in West Jordan, Utah Wednesday, January 26, 2011.
The family would like to express gratitude to the many kind expressions of sympathy they have received from his many long time friends in the Verde Valley area.
Theodore Martinson
1934 - 2011
Theodore E. Martinson, 76 of Cottonwood, passed away on January 26, 2011. He was born on December 21, 1934 in Hayward, Wisconsin to Mundrup and Hazel Martinson.
Theodore attended WYEAST High in 1953 and then went to OTI College in 1963. He was in the Airforce and also worked as a diesel mechanic.
Theodore made and contributed crafts for the ladies of Angels Attic at the Mt. View Methodist Church of Cottonwood. He enjoyed woodworking, cars, and motorcycles and was the best husband, dad and poppa.
Poppa Marty will be loved and missed by all whose lives he touched and his family and friends.
Theodore was preceded in death by his first wife Jeane “Harvey” Martinson. He is survived by his wife of 8 years, Janet of Cottonwood; son Kenneth “Scotty” Martinson of Bethel, AK; daughters Tammy Graham of Anchorage, AK, Diana Bland of Wasilla, AK, Dawn Martinson of Mesa, AZ; brother Charles Martinson of Bisbee, AZ; sisters Peggy Swanson of Prescott, Vivienne Girardin of Prescott, Beth Scheer (George) of Parkdale, OR; friend Kenneth Whiteside; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 31 at Mountain View Methodist Church in Cottonwood at 10:00am.
Any contribution may be made to the Mt. View Methodist Church, 901 S. 12th Street, Cottonwood 86326.
An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.
Information provided by survivors.
Benjamin James Latham
1992 - 2011
Benjamin James Latham, 18 of Cottonwood, passed away on March 4, 2011. He was born on May 7, 1992, in Cottonwood to Wayne and Sheila Latham.
Ben attended Mingus Union High School. He worked at Safeway and was currently working at the Old Town Tavern Grille. Ben was preceded in death by his grandfather, Edwin Latham. He is survived by his parents Wayne and Sheila; sister Sarah Latham; uncle Mike Krois “Uncle Dizzy” of Cottonwood; grandmother June Harvey Oldrey and grandparents Patrick and Jane Krois of Cottonwood.
Services will be held on March 12, 2011 at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood . The visitation will begin at 12:00pm with the service at 1:00pm. A reception will follow at American Heritage Academy, 2030 E Cherry St, Cottonwood .
We would like to invite you to join us as we say goodbye to our precious son and brother, Ben. Ben, like a shooting star, always made you smile and feel good. Unfortunately our time with him did not last long enough. So join us as we bid Ben farewell and good luck on his new adventure.
Information provided by survivors.
Diana Larson
1959 - 2011
Diana Shattuck Larson, 51, died on March 6, 2011, in Camp Verde. Diana was born on May 2, 1959, in San Antonio, Texas, to Burt and Bonnie Shattuck. Her family moved to Flagstaff in 1966. After graduating from Flagstaff High School in 1977, she worked for Nordstrom & Associates, and then W.L. Gore & Associates as an Administrative Assistant until retiring to Camp Verde as a result of a battle with multiple sclerosis. She married her best friend and companion, Mark Larson, in 1984.
Diana was devoted to preserving the rural character of Camp Verde. She was appreciative of the Camp Verde Marshals, particularly Oscar, for his patience as she worked to protect the community from low-flying aircraft. She was an amazing gardener and enjoyed working in her pecan orchard surrounded by her beloved hounds and kitties. Diana was a kind and caring person, whether it was her participation in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program or spending time putting together special artistic gifts.
Diana is survived by her husband of 26 years, Mark Larson, her mother and father, her twin sister Donna (Jim) Smith, sisters Debbie Nibecker and Jill (Tony) Schuster, brother Richard (Patti) Shattuck, 8 nieces and nephews, 1 great-niece, 4 dogs and 5 cats.
A Rosary service will be held at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, with a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. on Friday March 11. Following services there will be a reception at the home of her parents. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, remembrances and gifts be made to your local Humane Society in honor of Diana’s love for animals.
Arrangements are under the direction of Norvel Owens Mortuary.
Information provided by survivors.
