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Fred Montoya Jr.
Fred Montoya Jr., 78, died Friday, April 10, 2009.
Mr. Montoya was born Nov. 1, 1930, in Flagstaff, where he lived his entire life. He and his family owned and operated American Laundry for 43 years. He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him. He was known for his sense of humor, fatherly wisdom and especially the love that he had for his family. Mr. Montoya is survived by Ramona Montoya, his beloved wife of 56 years; children, Rebecca (Jim) Rasmussen of Phoenix, Diana (Mark) Middleton, Steve (Tammey) Montoya, Angela Montoya and Leah (Jim) Radloff, all of Flagstaff; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother Albert (Fina) Montoya; and sister Francis (Frank) Gonzalez.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Montoya Sr., and his mother, Stella Montoya.
Viewing will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary. The funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Flagstaff Church of The Nazarene, 3505 E. Soliere Ave. Condolences may be left for the family a www.norvelowensmortuary.com.
Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Mary Burns
Mary Rowena Burns, 97, a resident of Flagstaff since 1985, died on April 14, 2009. She was born Feb. 25, 1912, in Fergus Falls, Minn.
She was salutatorian of her high school class and graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1936. She was a member of Mortar Board, which has kept up a Round Robin letter since 1936. From 1943 to 1945, Mrs. Burns worked at the Samuel Goldwyn movie studio in Hollywood, Calif., as a secretary in the art and research departments. One day she played a game of badminton with actor Gene Kelly.
She was a member of the Flagstaff Dancing Grannies for several years. She belonged to the Delta Gamma Sorority and to Chapter AT of PEO, Flagstaff.
Mrs. Burns is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Burns; son-in-law William Acheson; two granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Maynard, and daughter Cathy Acheson.
Per Mrs. Burns' request, services will be private. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com.
Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Ramona Ahumada
Ramona Ahumada, 79, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, surrounded by her family, the most important people in her life.
Mrs. Ahumada made Flagstaff her home beginning in 1951. She was the owner, creator and chef at Ramona's Cantina. She loved her restaurant, which she and her husband managed and operated for 17 years. Ramona's Cantina gave her so much pleasure to cook, talk with friends and to give back to her community. She was very involved in Flagstaff and was a member of the St. Pius choir and the Soroptimist Club. She will be missed by all of those that touched her life and loved her. She was known for her sense of humor, love for her family and her dedication to her husband. Mrs. Ahumada is survived by Augustine "Gus" Ahumada her lifelong companion and beloved husband for 59 years; children George (Bertha), Ron, Chuck (Lisa) and Patty (Alfonzo); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Her daughter Joanie died in 1986.
Services will be Monday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2257 E. Cedar Ave. Rosary will begin at 10 a.m., with Mass following at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. Condolences can be sent the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com.
Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Thomas Lowther
Thomas Melvin Lowther, 78, of Williams, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the Flagstaff Medical Center.
Mr. Lowther was born Sept. 3, 1930, in Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; son Thomas Lowther; daughter Donna Dorman; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Eileen Johnson.
He was preceded in death by one grandson.
Private services were held.
Norvel Owens Mortuary handled arrangements.
Darlene Wandell-Moak
Darlene Frances Wandell-Moak, 67, formerly of Flagstaff, died March 18, 2009, in Lakewood, Colo., of respiratory failure from her battle with lung cancer. She was born Oct. 29, 1941, in Greensburg, Kan., to Ervin David Spurgeon and Nora Magdalene Lunz.
Mrs. Wandell-Moak had worked at the mini storage off of Empire Road for the last seven years and had to leave recently due to health issues. Her son took her to his home in Colorado for the remainder of her life. Her family extends a special thanks to the owner and employees of the mini storage for all of the loving care they provided Mrs. Wandell-Moak. She is survived by her children, Frederick E, Moak II of Phoenix, David J. Moak of Tampa, Fla., Angela D. Moak of Tampa, Fla., Gabriel I. Moak of Northglenn, Colo., Pearl L. Bailey of Rifle, Colo., Aaron M. Dominguez of Frisco, Colo., and Godfrey A. Moak of Pueblo, Colo.; brothers William R. McAdoo of Pratt, Kan., and Larry G. Spurgeon of Kingsland, Texas; and sisters Mary A. Campbell and Nancy A. Spurgeon, both of Ottawa, Kan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Ronald Joseph and Dwight Taylor Spurgeon; and sister Clara Alice (Spurgeon) Trudeau.
Cremation has occurred and no services are pending.
Ruth Romero
Ruth Romero died Thursday, April 16, 2009, in Flagstaff.
She was born in Flagstaff on Nov. 19, 1944, to Louis and Tomasita (Griego) Romero. Mrs. Romero was a very loving and caring person. She would welcome you with open arms and a smile with no end. She loved spending time with her family. Even though she had no children of her own, she treated her nieces and nephews, as if they were her very own. Family was very important to her and she would help out no matter what the cost. She loved to go bowling, playing games on her computer, watching Disney movies, playing cards and making tortillas. She was getting ready to retire and was so excited, but the one thing that she was going to miss was all the people that she worked with. Her family and friends are going to miss her laughter and her kindness.
She is survived by her brother, Ernest Romero; niece Emma Martinez; nephews Tony (Dianna) Santillan, Ray Santillan, David Santillan; and many other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Effie Santillan and brother Eddie Romero.
An evening vigil and holy Rosary will be today, April 19, at 7 p.m. and a funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 20, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, 224 S. Kendrick St. Burial will follow the service at Calvary Cemetery, 210 W. University Ave.
Arrangements are by Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary.
Jack Smith Sr.
Jack Smith Sr., 88, of Flagstaff died April 15, 2009, at his home. He was born Oct. 6, 1920, in Shonto.
He is survived by sisters Faye and Juanita; brothers Harry, Gales and Calvin, all of Shonto; son Jack Smith Jr.; daughters Rosie Black of Shonto, Jackie Laughter of Phoenix, and Renee Marek and Bernadine Villegas, both of Flagstaff; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and John Smith; two brothers; one sister; and two daughters, Betty Tootsie and Karen Smith.
A funeral service will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Mountain Top Assembly of God, 1749 N. Main St., with interment immediately following in Citizens Cemetery.
Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Celeste Y. Ferguson
Celeste Y. Ferguson died Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, at the home of T.J. Gallegos.
She was born in Elko, Nev., and moved to Flagstaff with her family in 1968. She was an avid hiker, explorer and environmentalist and encouraged everyone around her to appreciate nature. She loved her dogs Max and Olive, who kept her constant company. Family was very important to her. She made every effort to make family gatherings an occasion to remember.
Her family and friends will profoundly miss her laughter, her uncanny thoughtfulness and love.
She is survived by her spouse, Mike Gentry; daughter Cassidy Ferguson; brothers Scott (Virginia) Ferguson and Mark Twain (Janet Phillips) Ferguson; sister Christine Ferguson; a niece; and a nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Celia Ferguson.
The friends and family of Celeste extend a special thanks to her good friend Gail Weems and eternal gratitude to T.J. and Michaela Gallegos for their selfless help and love.
There will be a private family gathering in her honor.
The family suggests donations be made to hospice.
Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Jimmy Belin
Funeral services for Jimmy Belin will be Friday at 1 p.m., at Maranatha Assembly of God.
He lived in Birdsprings, where was well known and loved everyone. He will be missed. Mr. Belin is survived by his brothers, Albert James, Jack Belin, Raymond Belin; sister Mary Belin Begay, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, James and Irene Belin; aunt Rita Dailey; and grandmother Susan Curley.
Greer's Mortuary of Winslow is handling arrangements.
