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Dale Shewalter
The Flagstaff teacher and outdoors enthusiast known as "the Father of the Arizona Trail" died Sunday at age 59, following a battle with cancer.
Dale Shewalter lobbied various state and public lands agencies in the 1980s to form an 817-mile trail running the length of Arizona, from Mexico to Utah.
Following hikes along the Mogollon Rim and across the length of the state, he once quit work for a year and put perhaps 60, 000 miles on his car in the 1980s to lobby landholding state and federal agencies for their approval, a friend remembered.
"Ideas are good, but this guy made it happen, " said Dave Hicks, of the Arizona Trail Association.
The trail for which Shewalter helped break ground is now about 37 miles away from completion.
"For me, it goes way back, " Shewalter once told Northern Arizona's Mountain Living Magazine. "It goes back to childhood, dreaming of getting from here to there in a non-motorized way, such as hiking or horseback. It's a chance to enjoy that sense of freedom and independence."
A plaque in Buffalo Park, where he was married and fought the construction of a roadway, marks some of Shewalter's work.
Born and raised in Geneva, Ill., Shewalter enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969, before becoming a geologist and moving to Tucson, according to his family.
He hiked in southern and central Arizona, then taught elementary school in Flagstaff for nearly 30 years.
Shewalter enjoyed horseback riding in retirement, and life at his small Timberline ranch.
Shewalter is survived by son Zane Shewalter, stepdaughter Allison Hartman, wife Madeleine Shewalter, and other friends and relatives.
Craig Bruce Devereaux
Craig Bruce Devereaux, age 55, died Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Munds Park, Arizona.
He was born May 28, 1949 in Alma Michigan, a son of Bruce Wayne and Irene Cook Devereaux. Although he was raised in Michigan, he always considered Arizona to be his home.
He was a rare individual who always had a smile on his face. Craig had a good heart and rarely saw anything but the good in others. He loved to joke and tease and everyone was fair game.
Not only did Craig have unconditional love for his family and friends, he had many passions. He loved to hike, especially the Grand Canyon, his favorite place to be. He loved to bowl and spent many hours on Sundays in the bowling alleys. He had a knack for crossword puzzles. If he had to sit down he always sat to a cup of coffee (or what he called plasma), a cigarette and a crossword puzzle. He loved golf. He enjoyed watching it almost as much as he enjoyed playing it. The thing he loved more however, was country western dancing. This was his calling and everyone that knew Craig knew him in some way because of his passion for dancing.
Craig is survived by his two sons Eric and Craig Jr.; his daughter Carrie; parents Bruce and Irene; sisters Julie, Dayna, and Lissa; grandchildren Daniel, Devin and Megan; and many other friends and loved ones.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Flagstaff Mortuary 2545 N. 4th St. in Flagstaff, followed by a reception at Craig’s house in Munds Park, a place that reflects him so well, for all who would like to join the family. Then on Sunday, March 20th, family and friends will drive up to the Grand Canyon to honor his dreams of just one last hike in the canyon.
In lieu of flowers please consider helping us start a scholarship in Craig’s name. Donations will be used to help a diabetic child go to college.
Dad, you will be missed, but I know that you will live forever. We ALL love you.
Amalia Figueroa Acosta
Amalia Figueroa Acosta, 90, of Flagstaff died of natural causes on January 8, 2010 at her granddaughter's home in Tempe, AZ. She was born on September 14, 1919 in St. John's, AZ to José Concepcion and Amalia (Saavedra) Bustamante. Mrs. Acosta main goal in life was to be a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and friend.
Mrs. Acosta is survived by her 10 children, Magdalena Figueroa, Gene Figueroa, Jimmy Figueroa, Tommy Figueroa, Ambrose Figueroa, Dolores Fiorucci, Maria Hacker, Amalia Cyr, Aurelia Martinez and Angela Cookman.
She has 41 grandchildren, 79 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren. Also, her brothers, Ray and Joe Bustamante and a sister, Isabell Ortiz and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Acosta is preceded in death by a daughter, La Primera Dolores, her first husband Hijino Figueroa and her second husband Jose A. Acosta.
An evening vigil and holy rosary will be held on Monday, January 11, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. both held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, 224 S. Kendrick St.
Interment will follow services at Calvary Cemetery, 201 W. University in Flagstaff.
Jessie M. Melendez
Jessie M. Melendez, age 75, died Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the Chandler Regional Hospital.
She was born May 28, 1929 in Jerome, AZ, daughter of F.P. and Irene Moreno Montano.
Jessie was a life long resident of Arizona, living most of her life in Flagstaff.
She married Frank F. Melendez on January 26, 1951 in Flagstaff.
Jessie enjoyed playing bingo, gambling, going on walks, laughing and singing in the choir. She was also a member of the Guadalupanas.
She is survived by two sons Robert Melendez of Chandler, AZ; Richard Melendez of Phoenix, AZ; two daughters Cecelia Melendez of Gilbert, AZ; and Gloria Melendez of Seattle, WA.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two brothers and seven sisters.
She was preceded in death by one sister and husband, Frank F. Melendez, who died in 1989.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, January 18, at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 224 S. Kendrick. Holy rosary will be at 10:00 am.
Ernesto G. Gonzalez
Ernesto G. Gonzalez, 49, died Monday, January 11, 2010.
He was born February 8, 1960 in Mexico to Malaquias and Reyna Gonzalez.
Ernesto was full of life loved his family and friends, enjoyed playing softball. An extraordinary father, husband, and friend.
He is survived by his loving wife Beverly Gonzalez, daughters Kalandra and Reyna Gonzalez and son Xavier Gonzalez
Holy Rosary will be held Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 9:30 followed by the funeral mass at 10:00 both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, 224 Kendrick Street, Flagstaff, AZ. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Faustino Ramirez Estrada
Faustino R. Estrada was born in Williams, Arizona, on February 15, 1918, to Eleuterio and Eustansia Estrada.
Faustino is survived by two sisters, Margaret of Williams, Arizona and Juanita, who resides in California, Two sons, Faustino Estrada Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona, Dimas Estrada of El Paso, Texas, and daughter Grace Romero of Phoenix. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Faustino went to be with our Lord on February 17, 2005. He died at midnight in the Phoenix Veterans Hospital due to medical complications, surrounded by loved ones. He was 87 years old. Mr. Estrada had been a resident of the Phoenix Veterans Nursing Home for the past two years. He enjoyed many friends and activities in the V.A. Center.
Faustino served in WWII from 1941 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater. His service to our country was exemplary, and he returned home as a highly decorated hero with many medals.
He continued in civilian life, as he had in the military, with great strength and determination in overcoming life's obstacles. He will be missed.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 24th, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in the Flagstaff Mortuary 2545 N. 4th Street. The viewing will be from 9:00 - 10:00 prior to the service. Interment will be at the Williams City Cemetery 2000 W. Route 66.
Martha Diane Hawk
Martha Diane Hawk, 63, of Flagstaff, AZ died Thursday, January 28, 2010 at her home.
She was born March 1, 1946 in Abilene, TX to Woodrow Wilson and Mickey (Farmer) Buford.
Martha loved horses, shopping, and spending time with family, being outdoors, quading and hunting and her dogs.
She is survived by her children: Ken and Becky Hawk of Boise, ID, Woodrow and Martha Wilson of Flagstaff, AZ; Dave and Veronica Wilson of Flagstaff, AZ; Mike and Haddi Leffler of Waddell, AZ; and Thomas and Mandy Wilson of Flagstaff, AZ, 21 grandchildren, sisters Sandy Brock of Littlerock, AR and Rene Frost of Arizona, brother Mike and Jan Buford of Flagstaff, AZ.
Martha is preceded in death by her husband David Hawk, her parents Woody and Mickey Buford and a sister Jenny Kay.
Memorial services will be held for Martha and David Hawk on Friday, February 12 at 12:00 pm at Lamb of God Bible Church, 2615 E. 7th Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
