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Eileen Burnham Jones
Eileen Burnham Jones, 93, passed away in her home in Thatcher on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. She was born in Mancos, Colo., on Aug. 20, 1915.
Eileen married Lamar Jones on Nov. 1, 1934, in the Salt Lake Temple. Lamar and Eileen moved from Tucson to Thatcher in 1966. Eileen worked for Saga Foods at Eastern Arizona College as the head cook for the next 20 years.
After retiring, she spent many hours doing what she loved best, and that was quilting. She attended EAC's quilting class for years, perfecting her wonderful talent and developing many special friendships.
Eileen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving many years in many different positions. She loved giving service to others and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Lamar. She is survived by her six children, Cecil Jones (Beverly) of Mesa, Russell Jones (Melinda, deceased) of California, Robert Jones (Lynne) of Safford, Diane Bryce (Robert) of Gilbert, Carol Demuth (Joe) of Thatcher and Kay Lynne Perkins (Allan) of Thatcher; 17 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Thatcher LDS Stake Center at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. Interment was in the Thatcher Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
Elvera Sedgeman
Elvera Bacho Sedgeman of Thatcher passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on Jan. 12, 2009, at the age of 81, after battling cancer for the last four years.
She was born in Barnesboro, Pa., on Aug. 13, 1927, to Paul and Mary Vargo Bacho. She was next to the youngest of nine siblings.
After attending grammar school and graduating from Barnesboro High School, Elvera went to work as a secretary for the FBI in Washington, D.C., from June 15, 1946, to January 1951. It was in March of 1950 that she met the love of her life, Joseph Sedgeman Jr. They were married Jan. 27, 1951.
Since Joe was in the Navy at that time, they made their life traveling the world with their children, Joseph Paul, who was born in Japan, and Brian Michael, who was born in Guam. Joe retired from the Navy after 30 years of service, and in 1968, they moved to Bisbee for a couple of years. From 1971 to 1982, they lived in Morenci, where Joe became a security guard for Phelps Dodge.
Elvera enjoyed bowling, crocheting, gardening, and she loved her Pittsburgh teams. In their spare time, she and Joe would travel to Las Vegas for a little fun, where she loved her deuces wild. From 1982 to 1992, they lived in Sierra Vista, and then in 1992, they decided to move to Las Vegas and enjoy their retirement. They lived there for 13 years and loved having their family visit on vacations; they would show them the best entertainment Vegas had to offer, from walking the Vegas Strip to relaxing at the pool.
In 2004, Elvera was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and in 2005, after she was in remission, she and Joe decided to move to Thatcher to be close to their family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend who loved her family and her faith. Those who met her knew they had a friend for life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Elvera is survived by her husband, Joseph Sedgeman Jr.; her two sons and their families, Joseph Paul Sedgeman (Lori) of Thatcher and Brian Michael Sedgeman (Leticia) of Morenci. Elvera has four grandchildren, Lisa (Lance) Shurtz, Michael Sedgeman, Amy Sedgeman, Anthony (A.J.) Sedgeman; eight great-grandchildren, Garret, Tyler, Landen, Lathen, Anthony, Elijah, Briseis, and one on the way (children of Amy Sedgeman); and Brenden Sedgeman (son of A.J. Sedgeman). She is also survived by her sister, Barbara (Bertha) Laczko of Sierra Vista, and her brother, Joseph Bacho of Colorado, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Elvera was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mary, four sisters and three brothers.
The family requests contributions to Mount Graham Hospice, 1600 S. 20th Ave., Building E, Safford, AZ 85546.
Rosary services were Jan. 15, 7 p.m., at the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
Lawrence Carroll
Lawrence Eugene Carroll, 101, of Safford passed away Jan. 23, 2009.
He was born in North Dakota and married Ruby Knutson.
Mr. Carroll worked as a school bus driver and moved to Arizona from Minnesota 30 years ago. Ruby passed away in 2007.
He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Sheldon) Miller of Safford.
Memorial services will be Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the Grace Lutheran Church on Main Street in Safford.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
Jose De La Luz Garcia Sr.
Jose De La Luz Garcia Sr. (Louie) passed away peacefully in his home in Duncan on Jan. 25, 2009. He was born in Lorsdburg, N.M., on Aug. 19, 1924. He was especially proud of serving his country in World War II.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Apolonia; children, Veronica (Manuel) Torres of Duncan, Rebecca (Juan) Tamayo of Duncan, Jose De La Luz Garcia Jr. of Duncan, Nancy Garcia of Queen Creek, Rachelle (Gerard) Sanchez of Oracle, Lisa Joanne (Roumaldo) Romero of Phoenix, Alfonso Garcia of Morenci; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Pilar (Tony) of Mesa; two stepbrothers, Raymundo and Marcos Garcia, all of Lordsburg, N.M., and many nieces and nephews. Acting as pallbearers were David Garcia, Cris Madrigal, Pablo Garcia, Kyle Garcia, Gerard Sanchez, Roumaldo Romero III, Jacob Cervantez, Louie Romero and Jordan Garcia.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
First Class Petty Officer Timothy R. Wood
Naval Aircrewman Mechanical (Aviation Warfare)
FE Instructor with the Pro’s Nest “The Best of the Best”
Flew and trained the P3 Orion Reconnaissance Aircraft Patrol Squadron 30
Timothy Russell Wood, 28, was born in Phoenix on March 15, 1980. He moved to Safford with his family in 1993. Timothy attended Mount Graham High School and worked at El Charro Restaurant through high school.
He joined the Navy in November 1999 and completed basic training February 2000 at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois with the goal of naval aviation. Graduating with honors, he was accepted into the flight mechanic program in Pensacola, Fla., after which he was stationed in Pax River, Md.
He attended flight engineering school in Jacksonville, Fla., again graduating at the top of his class.
He qualified for top security clearance that allowed him to deploy overseas and engineer the P3 reconnaissance aircraft.
Moving to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash., he was deployed numerous times, including deployments to Iraq. His fellow sailors chose him to be Sailor of the Year.
In 2006, Timothy applied and was hand-picked to be an instructor in flight engineering.
He moved his family to Jacksonville to accept that honor. He was an intricate part of a team that helped to keep our country safe. To quote his commanding officer, “Numerous people have returned home alive and safe as a result of the training they received from Timothy.”
Timothy proudly served his country. He loved his career and his family and lived his life with honor, courage and commitment.
Tim is survived by his wife, Shannon, and two children, Brooklyn and Kaden of Jacksonville; his parents, Daniel and Loretta Wood; sisters Angela Wood and Sarah Kouts (Kevin); nieces Leilani Alva, Mianna Alva and Dallis Kouts and nephews Braden Kouts and Caleb Kouts of Safford; grandparents Daniel and Diane Wood of Dragoon, Regina Evans of Safford and Jean Hanover of Pennsylvania; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at the Thatcher Stake Center.
Bobby Gene Holder Sr.
Bobby Gene Holder Sr., 64, of Virden passed away Jan. 20, 2009, in Tucson, surrounded by his family. Bobby was born Feb. 3, 1944, in Birmingham, Ala., to Arlin Holder and Audrey A. Mantooth.
He proudly served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, serving in Germany and the Vietnam War during his three tours of duty. He married Mary Jane Soto on Dec. 8, 1967, in Bisbee, and they were blessed with six children.
Bobby worked for Phelps Dodge for more than 25 years and retired from the concentrator as a supervisor. He had many hobbies. Bobby enjoyed fishing, roping, farming, hunting and included his family and friends in his pastimes.
He had a love of laughter and enjoyed telling or being a part of a good joke up to the very end.
Bobby is survived by his wife and best friend of 41 years, Mary Jane Holder; children Lisa (Jim) Barquin, Cricket (Ray) Lawson, Gina (Rick) Foster, Cindy (Danny) Congleton, Bobby (Kendra) Holder and Nicole Hodges; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; mother Audrey A. Cole; brother Larry Holder; and sister Loretta Higgins. He was preceded in death by his father, Arlin Holder; stepfather Leon C. Cole; sister Carol A. Holder Alvarez; and brother Glen Holder.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 24, 1 p.m., at the Virden Community Center.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
David Coye Estes
David Coye Estes entered into the kingdom of heaven Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, after a long fight with cancer. He was born March 4, 1924, to Goldie and David Estes, being their middle child. He married Mary Dee Hindman on Nov. 22, 1941, spending 63 years together before her passing in 2005.
David worked for Phelps Dodge for many years. He retired in 1982 as a mill foreman in Tyrone, N.M. At that time, he and Dee returned to Safford to live out their retirement years.
David was a World War II veteran belonging to the Seabees 85th Fight Battalion. He attended the First Southern Baptist Church of Thatcher.
David had many talents. He was a pilot, hunter, fisherman, horseman and mechanic. He was very proud of his Indian heritage and belonging to the Choctaw Nation.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Dee Estes, and son-in-law Fred Palka. He is survived by his children, Glenn (Peggy) Estes of Telephone, Texas, Rocky Estes of Safford, Donna (Darrell) Brabham of Globe and Pamela Palka of Safford; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services were held at the First Southern Baptist Church of Thatcher on Jan. 29. He was laid to rest next to his wife at Safford Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Caldwell Funeral Chapel.
Carl Sexton
Carl Sexton of Neodesha, Kan., died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at his residence. He was 71. The son of Roy Thomas and Hazel Mae (Reedy) Sexton, he was born Oct. 23, 1937, in Marion, Va.
He graduated from Marion High School in 1957. Mr. Sexton served in the U.S. armed forces until his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1978.
On July 18, 1965, he was united in marriage to Everdene Rae Fisher in Alamogordo, N.M. He had been a resident of Neodesha since May 1, 2008, having moved from Fort Thomas, where he and his wife had lived the previous 10 years. Mrs. Sexton survives at the home.
He worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a supervisor of timber management.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Laura L. Brake of Neodesha; one brother, Charles Lloyd Sexton of Atkins, Va.; one sister, Regina M. Price of Sumter, S.C.; three grandchildren, Tosh Littau, Wyspher Wilkes and Trayce Schmitt, all of Neodesha; and three great-grandchildren, Lane and Bronson Wilkes and Taven Littau, all of Neodesha. He is preceded in death by his parents.
