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Larry E. Nadeau, 74, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona.  Born December 4, 1950, in Cherry Point, NC, he and his family moved to Orange County, California where his father was stationed at El Toro Marine Air Base.

A lifelong sports lover, Larry excelled in track and field, football, and tennis.  He was a faithful NFL fan through the years.  Following high school graduation in 1969, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force serving for 10 years. While in the USAF, he served overseas in Japan, Thailand, and Iceland before his final assignment at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

He is survived by his sister, Sherry Smith (Michael), his sons, Jeff (Sarah), and Tim, grandson, Austin, and step granddaughters Chris and Molly Garrett, and niece, Nicole Smith.  Per Larry’s request, his ashes will be released in the sea in Southern California close to where he enjoyed surfing in his youth.  His legacy will live on in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

On March 25, 2025, Barbara drifted peacefully away to join everyone she had loved and lost, including her husband Richard, her twin sister Pat, her older sister JoAnn, her parents Geraldine and Walter, and her beloved dogs.

Barbara was born June 30, 1930 in St. Louis, MO and traveled the country with her family, moving 19 times in 15 years before settling in and graduating from high school in Big Bear Lake, CA.

After moving to Arizona with her twin sister Pat, Barbara met the love of her life, Richard, and was happily married to him for 58 years until he passed. She spent 2 decades raising their 4 children in AZ. Besides her kids, she had a passion for dogs, gardening, antiques, and ceramics.  She also loved restoring old things and always had some project going around the house.  She had an insatiable sweet tooth as well that seems to have been passed along to at least some of her children.

When Barbara was happy, her face lit up like an angel and she had a beautiful smile. Everyone who knew her, will miss her, and she will always be remembered with love.

Barbara was surrounded by family when she passed on and is survived by her younger sister Phyllis Kemble, 3 daughters Debbie Barnhart, Kim Lamberson and Pam Barnhart, her son Mike Barnhart, 5 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren.

Services to be held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM, at The Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ

We ask in lieu of flowers, that you consider donating to Hospice of the Valley here in Arizona. They are an incredible organization and their teams were instrumental in helping both our Mom and Dad.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Mary Madeline Overlie was born May 20, 1941 in Grafton, ND as the first of six children to her proud parents Kendall and Dorothy Simmons. Prouder yet were her grandparents, Albert & Nora Simmons as she was their first grandchild. She attended elementary and high school in Pembina, North Dakota, graduating from high school in 1959. Madeline was a high school cheerleader for the football and basketball teams. After high school she attended Mayville State Teachers College and received a two-year degree in elementary education and a BA in Art.

Madeline’s first teaching experience was teaching kindergarten at Pembina Public School. In the fall of 1961, Madeline started her full-time teaching career at the Little Red School House in Glendive. The following year she began teaching at Lincoln Elementary School, where she continued to teach in the same classroom for the next 33 years. During her first summers, Madeline attended Mayville to complete her BS degree in Elementary Education. She continued to take summer courses throughout her career, from instructors all over Montana and some in North Dakota. She always maintained that if she added up all of her extra credits she would’ve had a Masters in education. Madeline loved teaching and all of her first graders at Lincoln School, retiring from teaching in the spring of 1995. During her career, Madeline was asked and joined Theta Kappa Gamma sorority of retired teachers. She was also a member of both the Glendive Education Association and the Montana Teachers Association.

Madeline was also a member of Glendive’s Zion Lutheran Church and fulfilled many roles in the church. She served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Fair Booth, Lutefisk Supper, the Wedding/Reception and funeral committees, Circle 5, and the altar guild.

After hanging up her teaching shingle, Madeline enjoyed many other roles in the community. She became a sub teacher and got a taste of teaching different grade levels. She made the comment had she known how much fun it was teaching other grade levels she might have switched to a different grade level had she been a full-time teacher.
Madeline spent some time working at the Eastmont facility, formerly a residential facility in Glendive for adults with intellectual disabilities. She learned a lot while working with a whole different type of people. She maintained that after she got over the initial shock, she quite enjoyed her time there.

Madeline also had many fond memories of her friends working, laughing, and stories of her ‘full-time’ extremely high-paid job at The Attic. Madeline always said it was fun to go through people’s stuff and that it was a real kick for friends and foes alike to find just the right thing for one another on its shelves.

Madeline was married on June 7, 1964 to Karl Overlie at the Pioneer Methodist Church in Pembina. Madeline and Karl have one daughter, Mary Suzanne. In 1992, the Overlie’s had a second daughter, Idunn Kjartansdottir, an exchange student from Iceland. That was a full year of learning new things.

After retiring from substitute teaching, Madeline and Karl became snowbirds and bought a home in Mesa, AZ. They spent their time shopping, golfing and living the good life.
Madeline is remembered my many of her former students, parents, teachers and friends.

Madeline was preceded in death by her grandparents Albert and Nora Simmons, parents Kendall and Dorthy Simmons (Middleton) and brother-in-law Kenneth Mosolf. She is survived by her husband Karl, daughter Mary Suzanne (Pete), sister Marilyn Mosolf, Apache Junction, AZ; brother Burt (Martha) Simmons, Lancaster, MN; Gary (Linda) Simmons, Bismarck, ND; Michael (Kathy) Simmons, Mesa, AZ; Richard (Darlene) Simmons, Pembina, ND; sister-in-law Anna Knapp of Billings, MT; and brother-in-law Fritz Overlie of Kalispell, MT and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Madeline will be held on Thursday, April 3rd @ 1 pm at Ellsworth Springs Clubhouse, 652 S Ellsworth Rd, Mesa, Arizona.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to The Greater Glendive Community Foundation. Memorial funds will be used to develop more murals around Glendive, to keep Madeline’s artsy flair alive for generations to come. Greater Glendive Community Foundation, Box 1122, GLENDIVE, MT 59330

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Russell Ivan Foster, age 52, of Chandler, AZ. He passed away from complications of a heart attack on March 24, 2025. Russ was born on July 13, 1972 to wonderful, loving parents, Robert and LuRae Foster, and was the youngest of five siblings.

Russ is preceded in death by his daughter Madison and his father Robert. He is survived by his wife, Melynde, and their five beautiful children, Mysti Welch (Ryan), Carson, Collin (fiancé Hannah), Aubree, and Gracie. He is survived by his two beloved grandchildren, Beckham and Teddie Welch. Russ is also survived by his mother, LuRae and his older siblings, Larry (Wendy), David (Carol), Michael (Heather), and Debra Leishman (Jason). Russ also left behind many other loved ones, family members, and friends.

Russ served a mission in Porto, Portugal for his church and made many lifelong memories and friends there. He greatly enjoyed creating and building beautiful homes with his father, Bob. They had many wonderful years of working together. Russ enjoyed listening to and sharing music he liked with others. Russ had a good sense of humor and enjoyed making other people laugh. He also liked playing sports and watching and rooting for his Arizona teams. However, none of the hobbies he had surpassed his very favorite pastime, which was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held at Bunker Family Funeral Home.

A memorial will be held on Friday April 4, from 10:00 to 12:00 in the morning. The public is invited to come and go, to give their condolences to the family. This will also be held at Bunker Family Funeral Home located at 3529 E. University Road; Mesa, AZ 85213.

A burial will follow the memorial at City of Mesa Cemetery (1212 N. Center Street; Mesa, AZ 85202).

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Gordon Leon Stokes, a beloved father, grandfather, and cherished friend, who left us peacefully at the age of 83 on March 25, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona. Gordon was known for his unwavering love of family, his passion for nature, and his infectious sense of humor that brightened every room he entered.

A carpenter by trade, Gordon had a sharp eye for detail when remodeling homes but also built lasting memories for those he loved. His work was a reflection of his character—reliable and crafted with care. He took great pride in his work, always putting his heart and soul into every project, whether it was building furniture or creating something special for those he held dear.

When he wasn’t working with wood, Gordon could often be found in the great outdoors—fishing in his favorite spots, camping under the stars, or hunting in the woods. Nature was his sanctuary, and he cherished every moment spent outside, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the world. His love for the outdoors was matched only by his love for his family, and it was there, in the stillness of the forest or beside a crackling campfire, that he felt most at home.

Gordon was a devoted husband and father to his children and a doting grandfather to his grandchildren. His love for them was immeasurable, and he cherished every moment spent with his family. Whether he was sitting on his favorite patio chair, telling the same stories for the hundredth time, or sharing silly jokes that never failed to make everyone laugh, his presence was a source of warmth and joy. He had an incredible ability to make each person feel special, and his sense of humor was a gift that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Though he may have told the same stories over and over again, we never minded—each retelling was an opportunity to hear his voice, to laugh at his jokes, and to feel the love he had for his family. His laughter will echo in our hearts forever.

He was born to Dorothy and Vernon Stokes of Brigham City, Utah. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, having celebrated 47 beautiful years together. His children Tyler of North Ogden, Utah, Tami (Mike Martinez) also of North Ogden, predeceased by his daughter Jenny Staten, Michael Saxton of Keller, TX, Ronnie Saxton (Chanielle) of Billings, MT, and Keri (Todd Gordon) of Denver, CO. Gordon was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of countless friends and extended family. 

Rest in peace, Gordon. You will forever be loved and never forgotten.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Yvonne Davidson – Obituary 

Our dear mother, Yvonne Davidson sadly passed away on Saturday March 22, 2025 at the age of 73. Yvonne was born February 1,1952 in Chicago, Illinois. She resided in Mesa, Arizona. 

Preceding her in death, and there to welcome her to her Heavenly Home are her parents, James and Kathleen Davidson, her sister Adrienne Davidson, brother Romel Davidson, nephew Brian Davidson, and grandson Darin Algee.

Our beloved mother leaves to cherish 2 children, Aaron (Joanne) Algee and Durond (Glenna) Algee, brother Laird (Mary) Davidson, Braque Davidson, 7 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, nieces, nephew, and a circle of friends, extended family, and neighbors who were fortunate to have known her. She was always there offering wisdom and love in abundance. 

We will always remember the quiet moments we shared, the times when words weren’t necessary but your presence spoke volumes. Your kindness, your wisdom, and the way you always knew how to make everything feel just a little bit brighter are memories we’ll carry with us forever. You’ve left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.

~ Your loving family

There will be no services held for Yvonne at this time. Cremation entrusted to Bunker Family Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Minnie Bass Lorenzen passed away Monday, March 24th peacefully at her home in Snowflake, Arizona at the age of 93.  She was born in Norton, Virginia on September 14, 1931, to Franklin Robert Bass and Willie Boyd Vaughn. She was one of seven children. (Frank Krantz, Lola Myers, Henrietta Kendrick, David “Sonny” Bass, Stella Kiss, Elizabeth Shumaker). Minnie met and married Raymond Lorenzen on January 3rd, 1949, in Kingsport, Tennessee. They had two children, Clifton David (Marti) of Queen Creek, Arizona and Todd Raymond (Chris) of Snowflake, Arizona. Ray and Minnie have 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.  Minnie was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she was always very active. She held many positions in the church and always enjoyed serving. She especially loved family history.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 11:00am at the City of Mesa Cemetery

In Lieu of flowers, Minnie asked that we send a donation to The Tripanick Nansemond Family Indian Nation, 1142 11th Lane, Burlington Kansas 66839

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Rose Lynn Palmer Dukelow was born on 29 July 1944 in Henderson, NV to George Elmo Palmer of Kirtland NM and Pearla Rozell Peine Palmer of Paola KS.  The family lived there briefly for the war effort.

Raised in Kirtland NM, Rose attended local schools, had fun with her siblings and many cousins, and worked hard babysitting and at a variety of local family businesses. She cleaned lots of bricks and tended gardens as a kid. She was a Girl State Delegate and Valedictorian for her graduating class.

After graduating from BYU with an Associate Degree, Rose was determined to live on the east coast, and through Girl State connections she worked in Washington DC for a year and a half, for NM Representative Morris, until love sent her overseas. She met Robert (Bob) Dukelow for a blind date in April 1966, arranged by her brother LaMont. Rose liked to joke that she picked Bob up at the Greyhound bus depot (which is technically true). She traveled to Germany and married Bob in August 1966. They lived in Germany until summer of 1970 when they moved to Chico CA.

Rose’s 4 daughters include Laura, born in Germany, Lydia, Chico CA, and Rebecca and Gwyndolynn, Durham CA. Rose was active in her ward and participated in several neighborhood children’s co-ops. She gardened, canned and processed nuts from her Durham pecan orchard. In 1977 with a 2-month-old they moved back to Germany for Bob’s career.

Rose served with distinction in ward and stake positions in Relief Society, Primary and Young Women’s organizations.  She enjoyed organizing and traveling to Switzerland on Temple trips. She was active in the elementary PTA and the philanthropic arm of the Officers Wives Club. Rose helped many homesick families acclimate to German life off post. She encouraged interactions with locals, saying “bloom where you are planted”.

1996, Rose and Bob moved to Severn, MD and then in 2004 to Alexandria, VA for Bob’s work. She again immersed herself in church duties, at one point being both Relief Society president and Bishop’s wife simultaneously. She worked a few temporary jobs, with her favorite being a See’s Candies lady at the mall kiosk. She and Bob studied Hungarian language for an assignment in the Embassy in Budapest. The transfer didn’t happen but in August 2006 Rose got to put her language training to work as she and Bob went to Budapest as missionaries after his retirement. Rose and Bob managed the mission office for 23 months.

Her last move was to Gilbert, AZ after their mission. She and Bob wanted to be closer to family.  While in Gilbert, Rose again was active in church, holding many callings. She was also active in New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning at Mesa Community College and made dear friends. She attended and hosted events for the East Valley Gardeners. She enjoyed being in a neighborhood where she could walk down the street to get the mail and visit with friends as she went.

Rose always wanted to help others. She looked for the ones who needed a friend and tried to uplift and encourage them. She was a very frugal person. She enjoyed sewing and crafts in her younger years and was very interested in genealogy and family history. Especially the mystery of several overlapping Ninian Bealls of the 1700s in colonial America. Rose had a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She kept her goal of everlasting exaltation always top of mind. Rose tried her absolute best to live the way Jesus taught.

After a year of trauma and hospitalizations, caused in large part by an auto accident, Rose passed in her sleep at home on 11, March 2025. Toward the end her main concern was to be at home when she passed. The hospital staff helped her achieve her last request.

She is survived by her husband Bob.  Her daughters: Laura Dukelow; Lydia and Peter Warnick, their children Leo, Ruth, Sara, and Anna; Rebecca and Sergio Beltran; Gwyndolynn and Eric Gentry and their children Ryan and Kelly Rose. She is also survived by her sister Ann Palmer of Orem UT and brother Barton Palmer of Kirtland NM.

Funeral services will be held at 11am in the LDS Chapel, 220 E Cullumber Ave, Gilbert AZ 85234 on Thursday, 3 April 2025 with graveside service at 2pm at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Road,  Phoenix AZ 85024.

Visitation at the Chapel is offered from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday, 2 April and 10-1045am Thursday,  3 April.

A donation to the LDS humanitarian fund is appreciated instead of flowers.

To watch the funeral remotely, join this link on Thursday 3 April at 11 am: https://youtube.com/live/u1ZtDLLZYEs

To see more photos of Rose, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/rosedukelow

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Debra “Debi” Farnsworth Crapse, born September 18, 1958, peacefully passed away in Mesa, Arizona on March 20, 2025, surrounded by loving family. Preceding her in death, and there to welcome her to her Heavenly Home are her parents, Douglas and Helen Farnsworth and her sisters, Marjorie Mueller and Shirley Farnsworth, and sister-in-law Billie Farnsworth (wife of Melvin). Debi is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 45 years, W. Dennis Crapse, her children, Joshua Crapse, Jori (Andon) Mosier, Brittani (Daniel) Koepke, Bryan Crapse, and Devin Crapse, brothers Melvin Farnsworth and Kenneth (Robin) Farnsworth, Peter Mueller (Marjorie’s husband at her passing), and 9 grandchildren.

There will be a funeral service held for Debi on March 31, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 3440 South Signal Butte Dr, Mesa, AZ 85212. The viewing will begin at 2:00 pm with the funeral program to follow at 3:00 pm. She will be laid to rest in the Pima Cemetery the following day, April 1, 2025, at 11:00 am. For more information or to make a donation towards funeral costs, please call Bunker Family Funeral at 480.964.8686.

Olivia Cortes, 72, peacefully passed away on March 19, 2025 while at home surrounded by many people who loved and cared for her deeply.

Olivia was very social and led an active life. She enjoyed activities such as camping, painting, taking day trips and had a passion for cooking. She also dedicated a great deal of time caring for others.

Olivia is survived by her two sons Robert and Nelson Fitzsimmons, grandchild Rhiannon Teague and great grandchild Rahne Teague.

Funeral services are Friday, March 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Mesa Cemetery 1212 N Center St., Mesa.

A celebration of life will be held at The Colonial Manor clubhouse beginning at 3pm. Come by to share stories and reminisce with friends and family. We will be providing soft drinks and delicious tacos from 3pm-5:30pm.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Dale Henry Sander, 76, of Bismarck, North Dakota, and formerly of Grand Forks, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dale was born on October 12, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota to Vernon and Ethel (Lykken) Sander. He often joked that his birthday fell on Columbus Day. Dale grew up in Grafton, attending country school and graduating from Grafton High School in 1966. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with a minor in Psychology, from Mayville State University. Dale’s career spanned sales and marketing in the automotive and insurance industries, first in Minneapolis and later in Grand Forks. He moved to Bismarck in 2022.

Dale married Diane Quam in Cavalier, North Dakota on June 28, 1974. Together, they raised two children, Molly and Michael, both of whom brought Dale great pride as they grew into successful, accomplished adults.

Dale was an active member of his community, belonging to the Lions Club, Elks Lodge, Rotary, and Holy Family Catholic Church. In retirement, he and Diane spent 12 winters in Sunland Springs Village, Mesa, Arizona, where they forged lasting friendships that felt like family. They spent their time enjoying golf, fishing, travel, and more. Dale enjoyed country music, fishing, airplanes, classic cars, yard work, and cheering on Sioux hockey. He had a wide circle of friends and was known for his sense of humor, often telling jokes.

Dale is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his daughter, Molly; and his son, Michael. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Brian Howell; his grandson, Brayden Howell; his brother, Darryl (Arlys); his uncle and brother-in-law, Dean Lykken; his aunt and sister-in-law, Connie Lykken; his special Uncle Norman; and his niece, Lynda Risan, along with nephews Blake Sander and Bradley and Steven Lykken.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Sunland Springs Village in Mesa, AZ and in Grand Forks, ND at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Dale and Diane Sander Endowment at the UND Alumni Association at http://give.undalumni.org/  and 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202 or to the Bismarck Cancer Center at www.bismarckcancercenter.com/foundation/.

A loving tribute video to Dale is available through this link: Dad

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Cora Richardson Leavitt passed away on March 12th, 2025 at the age of 96.  She was born November 23, 1928 to Joseph and Etta Gale Richardson as the 5th of 6 children. She grew up in a loving and close-knit LDS family with her brother and sisters. At age 20 she married Lawrence (Larry) Leavitt in the Mesa Temple and together they raised a family of six, Laurie (Guffey), Gaylene (Weight), Kerry, Steven, Wendy (Worsley) and Lisa (Chauntelle). In addition to raising her family she worked in the Mesa Public Schools in administration.

Cora lived a life of devotion and service, active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and serving in Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, Choir, and then serving at the Mesa Temple. She and Larry served a mission to Raleigh, NC and she considered that time to be one of the highlights of her life.

Cora had a life-long love of music and learning.  She played violin, cello, piano, and the organ and sang daily.  Cora could find a song to sing for every occasion, from show tunes to hymns, and loved classical music. She also stayed active in SIMADA (studying different topics) and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Cora was a wonderful and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, great, grandmother and great-great grandmother. She was devoted to her family and loved to feed everyone around her. If you were lucky enough to have her homemade tamales and enchiladas, or the delicious home baked bread or cookies she always kept around, you were fortunate indeed.

Cora is survived by her husband Larry, and her 6 children and 114 grandchildren who will miss her bountiful love and wisdom.

Funeral services will be held at the Pioneer Ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints at 2700 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert Arizona on March 29^th at 10 a.m.  The viewing will be in the same location at 9 a.m.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

George Rogers Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully in the Hospital on 03/20/25. This was just days before his 91st birthday.

He is survived by 11 of his 13 children. His Wife and other two children were there to greet him on the other side.

Funeral services will be held at the LDS chapel at 11121 E Ray Rd Mesa, AZ 85212 on Thursday March 27th at 10 AM with a visitation prior at 9:15 AM.

Flowers can be sent Wednesday, 3/26/25 from 12:00 PM -5:00 PM to the Bunker’s University Chapel at 3529 East University Drive Mesa, AZ 85213.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Gilbert, AZ – It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Sandra Courter, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, who passed away peacefully on the 18^th of March, 2025 at the age of 71 in Gilbert, AZ.

Born on 24^th of August, 1953 in Santa Maria, California, Sandra was the daughter of the late Lloyd Woolf and Ethel Duval.

Sandra was a devoted wife to her late husband, Charles Courter, with whom she shared 14 wonderful years of marriage. She was a dedicated mother and Wife, for whom family was the center of her life. She was a loving and supportive mother to six children. She will be fondly remembered for her kind, calming presence, her ability to see the best in others, and her insightful wisdom.

She is survived by her children, Dianna Palmer, Denise Cornett, Jeramy Courter, Kenneth Courter, Michael Courter, and Jason Courter, as well as her siblings, Pamela Palmer, April Finch, Kieth Allred, Jared Woolf, and David Woolf.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles, and her brothers Robert Woolf and Norman Dean Woolf.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her, and she will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace.

Whenever we post an obituary on the Bunker website, we are apparently supposed to put these few sentences at the very bottom:

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Myrtle Irene Thompson passed away on February 18, 2025, just a day short of her 96th birthday.

She was born in Wayne, Michigan, the daughter of Christina Ross McLeod and Ercil Joseph Crider, Sr.

Both her parents were killed in tragic incidents by the time she was four years old and her twin siblings were only three years old.  The three children were put in the care of their grandparents, David Presley Crider, and Martha Elizabeth (Boyd) Crider, and lived on their farm in Caldwell County Kentucky.

Always on the honor roll, and a tutor in Algebra and Geometry, Myrtle graduated high school second in her class.  She enjoyed music, taking trumpet, piano, and voice lessons.

Through friends, Myrtle met her husband, John Robert Grossman in Kentucky on a double date when he was visiting from Michigan.  She moved to Detroit where they were married November 22, 1950. Together they had three children; Patricia, Michael, and Karen.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family in February 1967 when her husband was killed in a fire in Montgomery, Alabama, leaving her to raise the three children on her own.

Throughout her life, Myrtle was fully engaged with her family.  She had the home that all the kids came to.  She was a cub scout den mother, an active singer and dancer, and an accomplished seamstress. Many will remember the Barbie doll clothes that she made with love.  She also pursued additional hobbies later in life, including golf and bridge. She was in a women’s gold league until the age of 93.

Through her participation in ballroom dancing, she met Arden Thompson and was married to him for nine years.

After moving to Arizona to be with her children in 1984, she met John Ashley at a ballroom dancing class in 1995. John and Myrtle volunteered for over 10 years donating food monthly to the local food bank and helping out with various volunteer projects.  They maintained a close relationship for nearly 20 years until his death. Both the Thompson and the Ashley families adopted her as their own. She remained close to both families.

In 1991 she became a grandmother to Karen’s son Kyle. He was her world as she would say most every day.  Myrtle was devoted to going above and beyond in her role as “grandma”.  Whether they were golfing, baking, or just spending time together, making lasting memories was important to her.

She was diagnosed twice in her life with terminal cancer, but both times (2002, 2025) beat the cancer and ended up cancer free.  It only made her stronger, so at the age of 78, she returned to college to earn her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) degree so that she could give back and help those that helped her through her first cancer.

Myrtle was a strong, loving, generous, intelligent woman, and to know her was to love her.  Her laugh was infectious, her smile contagious.  She brightened up the room with her beauty, both inside and out.  She called herself “farm tough”, we called her mom.

This lovely lady was beloved by all, and the light that she shined on the world will be sorely missed.

Myrtle is survived by her daughter Patricia (Grossman) Solo and her husband, Randy Solo, her son Michael Grossman and his significant other, Jennifer Mayol, her daughter Karen (Grossman) Williams and her husband Kurt J Williams and her grandson, Kyle Williams.  Her step grandsons Steven Thompson and Michael Thompson. Nephew Dan Blake and nieces Julie Hyde and Barb McCarty. Her first cousins Phyllis Ballew and Karen Parrent.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Stone and Vine, 1035 W Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, Az, on April 18, 2025, from 12:30-3:00 pm.

Marlene Ann Wheeler, passed away on March 16, 2025, at her home in Mesa, Arizona, at the age of 85. Born on June 14, 1939, in Solon, Ohio, to Paul and Eleanor Merkel, Marlene lived a life filled with kindness, devotion, and an unwavering love for her family and faith.

She was greeted on the other side by her husband John E. Wheeler; son John E. Wheeler III; parents Paul and Eleanor Merkel; brother Paul Robert Merkel; and beautiful great-granddaughter Liberty Henkel. Plus, many other family and friends who were awaiting her presence.

Marlene was survived by daughter Rochelle Beasley (Don) and son Steve Wheeler. She cherished her grandchildren Melissa Cox (Mark), Sarah Garner (Benson), and Colby Beasley, as well as her great-grandchildren Cody, Wyatt, and Rhett Henkel; and Abby, Harper, Whittman, Quincy, and Ellis Garner. Her siblings Joseph Merkel (Pam), Donald Merkel (Diane), and Karen Lanier. Her extended family included nieces and nephews David Jones, Carrie Thompson, Scott Merkel (Pam Callahan), Stacy Frankowski (Paul), and lovingly known as “Aunt Meenie” by Havelyn Lanier, Paul Lanier (Melinda), and Sheena Frizzell (JD), along with great-nieces and nephews Brittany, J.R., and Bubba Thompson; Landon, Hannity, Payson, Ezra, and Sutton Lanier; and Fletcher Frizzell. Lastly, her precious pet companion Baby Doll.

Marlene worked 25 years as the temple president’s secretary at the Mesa Arizona Temple. Her work was a reflection of her deep commitment to her faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Marlene was best known for her kind and loving spirit. She had an extraordinary talent for flower gardening and possessed a green thumb that could make anything grow and flourish. Her gardens were a testament to her patience and care, bringing beauty to all who visited them. She also had a special place in her heart for her beloved dog, who was her constant companion.

A visitation will be held on March 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Relief Society Room at the LDS Church located at 2152 E. Adobe St., Mesa, Arizona. A funeral service will follow at 10:00 AM in the chapel at the same location. A graveside service will take place later that afternoon at 2:00 PM at Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa.

Marlene’s warmth and generosity touched many lives. Her memory will live on through the love she shared with those around her and the beauty she cultivated in both her garden and her relationships.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.