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Walter Don Nicoson
Walter Don Nicoson, 69, of Williams died peacefully at his home with his wife near his side. He was born on March 2, 1939 in Pekin, IL. Mr. Nicoson served as a City of Phoenix motorcycle police officer from 1960 – 1964, during that time he was one of the motorcade officers to escort President John F. Kennedy during his visit to Phoenix. He worked for the Xerox Corporation starting in 1964 as a Technical Specialist. Walt led a group of Xerox volunteers every Wednesday evening to build wheelchair ramps for many citizens in the community. In 1994, he retired from Xerox after 30 years of faithful service. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, wildlife lover, hiker, photographer, silversmith and painter. He enjoyed making people happy, always stopped to help motorists or anyone who needed a helping hand. His love of the outdoors and wildlife brought him to volunteer as a committee member of the Phoenix chapter/RMEF and for the past 7 years as a Habitat Partner and Founding Life member of the Arizona Elk Society.
Other memberships include; Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation and the Arizona Desert Big Horn Sheep Society. He also participated as a volunteer for several years as a “Hugger” for the Special Olympic Kids, and he worked the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, CA, while with Xerox.
For the past 20 years he turned his artistic talents to mostly art sculptures in steel. His work has graced the galleries in Sedona, Carefree and Scottsdale. He was commissioned to do life size metal sculptures for the Arizona Game & Fish as well as two subdivisions in the Phoenix area. He traveled throughout the West doing many art shows. He donated many pieces of his artwork to all the wildlife fundraising banquets and other fundraising events. His work in his steel was brought alive with his special artistic talents. Walt and his wife Cookie moved to Williams, Arizona, in 2003 and he designed and orchestrated the building of their artistic home in the quiet mountains, just west of Williams.
Walt was a loving husband to his wife Cookie, for 39 years and he loved his family, grandkids and great grandkids. Survivors include, his wife Cookie, sons, Brian Nicoson of Phoenix, Edward Nicoson of Washington, Colonel Gary (Beckie) Nicoson of Virginia, brothers, Everett Nicoson of Texas, Robert Nicoson of Phoenix, 9 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Wilma Nicoson, his daughter Linda Nicoson and his aunt Mildred Tuley.
Cookie and her family would like to thank the RTA Hospice & Palliative Care of Flagstaff. Especially, Laura, Caroline, Jen and Phil, who provide warmth, care and love to Walt during the past six weeks. They are very professional and quickly became a part of our family.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Arizona Elk Society, P.O. Box 190, Peoria, AZ 85380 or to the RTA Hospice & Palliative Care, 1000 N. Humphreys St. Ste. 200, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
No Services will be held.
D. E. “Sandy” Welch
Durward Eldon Welch, born in Atoka, OK on May 11th, 1923, passed away on Wednesday, March 25th, 2008 after a courageous year-long battle with Alzheimer’s. Sandy passed away peacefully, surrounded by family & friends, at Sunrise of Chandler.
Sandy lived a life, just shy of 85 years, as a reputable contractor, avid outdoorsman and beloved family man.
A caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Sandy’s life revolved around the love for his family. Sandy is survived by his wife Visenta, sister; Shirley Moore, daughters; Josie (Ray) Baca, Cookie (Jerry) Tackett, Nita (Ed) Tucker, Sandra (Bud) Woodruff, Martina (Gilbert) Velasquez, 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many extended family members.
A viewing will be held at Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, Friday evening at Flagstaff Mortuary (2545 N. 4th St / 774-1467) at 7:00 pm. Graveside services will be provided by Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary at Citizens Cemetery on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am.
Vicente D. Ontiveros
Vicente D. Ontiveros, 76, died, Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Flagstaff, AZ
He was born December 30, 1931 in Clarkdale, AZ to Savino and Isabel (Dominguez) Ontiveros.
Vicente served in the United States Air Force, was a St. Vincent DePaul volunteer, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the San Francisco de Asis parish.
He is survived by his loving wife Luise, sons Savino and Vicente Ontiveros, sisters, Gregoria Ramirez, Margaret Ontiveros, brothers, Herculano, Alfred, Diego, Ernesto, Savino Ontiveros, one grand son,
Vicente is preceded in death by his parents
Evening Vigil and Holy Rosary will be Friday, March 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm at St. Pius X Center, 2257 E. Cedar Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, Memorial Mass will be Saturday, March 29, 2008 at St. Pius X Center
In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Vincent De Paul, 2113 N. East Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
Marsha G. Gutierrez
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, to many, Marsha G. Gutierrez, 55, passed away on Mach 23, 2008. She was born on October 23, 1952, in St Louis, Missouri to Glenn and Marie Gardner, the youngest of six children. Her family moved to Arizona when she was young, where she fell in love with nature and animals. Her favorite past time was to go spotting wildlife. Her love for nature led her to have a career with the Forest Service in Flagstaff, AZ, as a district clerk. The is where she met her husband, Cifredo R. Gutierrez. They were married on December 30, 19982, and together enjoyed each other and nature. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. The most recent was her sister, Judy Gardner, two years ago. She is mourned by her husband, Cifredo, daughters Louise, Barbara, and JoAnn, grand children: Gerard and Kelly, Christine, Cindy and Jason, and great-grandchildren: Phillip, Nicolas, Kamri, Deraq, Kyle, Deacon, and Michael. Services will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 1:30 pm at the Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545 N. fourth Street, Flagstaff, AZ with visitation on hour prior to service.
Ruth May Gent
Born November 17, 1916, Canton, Ohio, Ruth May Gent was no ordinary woman. She came to Arizona in 1989 and lived in Phoenix, Village of Oak Creek and Cottonwood. Her parents left Ohio during the Great Depression and moved her and her brother John to San Diego, California. Ruth lived in one of our greatest periods of history. She worked on Ford Island as a civilian secretary when Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. It was a day she never forgot. Ruth was married to Jack Zimmerman for seven years. She divorced and then married James E. Gent and remained with him until he passed on in 1975. She had four children. She died February 28, 2008.
Ruth was neither famous or rich. Her family and global circle of friends counted themselves blessed to know her as “grandmother”, or “second Mom” or “Little Bird Woman” or “Weed Queen.” She touched everyone’s life in a positive way. Her love for astrology and metaphysics carried on in three of her children. She had a great love of Mother Earth, always had a big garden and canned the bounty from it. Her greatest joy was getting up in the morning to go outside and weed, plant, rake and prune her many flowers, trees and bushes. She was one with the earth and that magical connection shone through her like sunlight.
She loved all animals, wild or tame. She fed raccoons, skunks, peccary, deer and anything else that wandered up to her house for a handout. Birds flocked to her sun deck where she fed them daily. Ruth always had a cat and dog as company. When her beloved dog, Bootsie died, she said he would be waiting for her on the other side when she passed over. She was a sincere, honest, hard working, responsible and caring woman. Passing on her independence to her children was one of the great gifts she gave to them. Always feeling pain for an animal in distress, Ruth asked that a donation be sent to your local Humane Society in lieu of flowers or cards for her. She felt that was wasted money when it could be used to help the plight of animals. She will be cremated in Sedona, Arizona and her ashes spread in her beloved Hawaii, a place she loved the most. Ruth was one-of-a-kind, an indelible and memorable person who touched and changed so many people’s lives for the better. She will be remembered, always, in our hearts.
John A. “Johnny” Giovando
Flagstaff, AZ
John Giovando, known to his friends as “Johnny” passed away on February 11, 2008. Johnny was born to Dominic and Katrina Giovando on December 10, 1922.
John’s father Dominic was an Italian immigrant who came to the United States and went to work in the copper mines in Butte, Montana in the early 1900’s. After two years, Dominic had saved enough money to pay for passage for his wife and baby daughter to come to the United States. Katrina arrived at Ellis Island, and unable to speak English, a sign was hung around her neck that read “Butte, Montana”. After a three-day train ride across the country, she was reunited with her husband. The family remained in Butte where Dominic became a U.S. citizen on October 10, 1904. The family grew with the birth of a son and another daughter. Dominic was diagnosed with “miner’s consumption” in 1918, and was advised by doctors to move to a drier climate. Anaconda Mining Co. also had copper mines in Arizona, so Dominic moved his family to Arizona and went to work in the mines in Miami, Arizona. John was born in Globe, Arizona in 1922. Dominic finally succumbed to silicosis and died in 1929.
Johnny grew up during the Great Depression without a father, but with a mother and siblings who adored and spoiled him. John attended Globe High School and became an outstanding athlete. He was awarded a football scholarship to Arizona State University in Phoenix.
The events of December 7, 1941 changed the course of Johnny’s life, as it did for so many of his generation. Johnny joined the United States Marine Corp in December of 1941. After graduating early from Globe High School in December, Johnny and his best friend Joe Bert took a train to San Diego for boot camp. Johnny often said his introduction to the Marine Corp led him to believe he had joined the wrong side. Johnny wrote to his mother and told her how scared and homesick he was. He became part of the Second Marine Division and fought on Guadalcanal Island. His best friend Joe was killed in action on that island. Johnny also made the landings with the 2nd on Tarawa and Saipan. In the campaign on Saipan, Johnny was wounded twice and awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery.
After WWII, Johnny returned to Globe and went to work in the copper mines. After a short time there, he decided to utilize his veteran’s benefits and go to college. He and three friends left Globe and went to Flagstaff, Arizona, to attend Arizona State Teachers College (now Northern Arizona University). There he met the love of his life, Patricia McCormick. He and Pat were married in 1949. Johnny worked as a police officer for the City of Flagstaff until his graduation from college. He decided to take a job as a teacher at the Arizona Reform School for Boys at Fort Grant, Arizona. John taught Industrial Arts to young men who had been in trouble and were sent to the school. Johnny’s somewhat troubled youth gave him a desire to try and help young men who had gotten into trouble with the law. Johnny and Pat lived at Fort Grant until 1959, when they decided to take their two young sons and move back to Flagstaff. Johnny took a job with the State of Arizona as a probation officer. He left that position to become the Court Bailiff of the Superior Court of Coconino County. In 1969, he transferred to the Juvenile Probation Department of Coconino County. In 1975, he was promoted to Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Judge. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1983. There are many young people that had their lives turned around after appearing in front of “Judge Giovando”.
John liked going bird hunting with his Brittany, J.D. (Just Dog), but without question his favorite activity was watching any kind of ballgame involving his sons, grandsons, or anyone else he remotely knew.
John is survived by his son Mike (Linda) Giovando of Columbus, Montana, and K.C. (Madeline) Giovando of Tonto Basin, Arizona. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeremy (Renee) Giovando of Billings, MT, Steven (Saje) Giovando of Phoenix, AZ and Sherri Dawson of Phoenix, AZ. He also has three great grand children, Isabella Giovando of Billings, MT, Savino Giovando and Dominic Dawson of Phoenix, AZ. John was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Patricia. A daughter, Sheila Carver, also predeceased him.
Services for John will be held February 23, 2008 in Flagstaff, AZ at Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545, N. 4th St., at 11:00 a.m.
John was very proud of his family and of being a Marine for life. So long, we love you Dad and “Semper Fi!”
James Alan Keyes
James Alan Keyes, 73, of Flagstaff died Wednesday, February 13, 2008
He was born November 14, 1934 in Hillsdale, Michigan to George and Elizabeth (Kemp) Keyes.
James served in the United States Air Force and then went on to graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in criminal justice. He worked in law enforcement and served as watch commander for 10 years at Camp Navajo.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, of Flagstaff, AZ, sons James, Jr (Doris) and Kevin (Laura) both of Arkansas, three grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter, brothers Russell of Washington and George of Tucson, AZ
James is preceded in death by his parents and son Alan Keyes in 2006.
Services will be private.
Rosemary “Rosie” Irene Otto
Rosemary “Rosie” Irene Otto, 74, died Tuesday, February 19, 2208 in Flagstaff.
She was born December 10, 1933 in Lansing, MI to Andrew and Mary (VanElls) Kremer
Rosie a lifetime member of the PTA and the Emblem Club, she began, at an early age, playing solo organ at the S. S. Peter and Paul Parrish in Tucson, then on to various high school musical activities.
Rosie was an accompanist for young musicians at Solo and Ensemble Festivals throughout Southern California. She was co-founder of the Antelope Valley High School Band Booster Club plus Emblem Club Organist for many years in Lancaster, CA. Because of these accomplishments, Rosie and Bob have several musically talented children and grandchildren.
Rosie was chairwoman of the Antelope Valley Fair Taco Booth for several years until moving to Flagstaff with her husband Bob in 1994. She also won awards as an enthusiastic avid bowler and loved baking and cooking for friends and family.
She is survived by her loving husband, Robert K. Otto, daughter Beverly Ann Torres, sons Donovan Andrew Otto and Thomas Keith Otto, 10 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sisters Theresa H. Renner and Andrita L. Hockett.
Rosie is preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Helen Kremer.
An Evening Vigil and Holy Rosary will be Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at St Pius X Center, 2257 E. Cedar Ave. Funeral Mass will be Friday, February 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St Pius X Center. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homicide Survivors, Inc. at 32 N. Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 or www.mivictims.org
