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Georgia, 88, born Aug. 31, 1931, in Glendale, AZ, to George Arthur Dixon and Effie Elizabeth Brogden, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Wed., Jan. 29, 2020. She was raised in Glendale and Phoenix, AZ. During high school, she was in the ROTC and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Her life of service to all her friends and family is an example to all. She served as a CTR Teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 25 years, having an impact on countless children. She is preceded in death by her eternal sweetheart of 64 years Charles Owen, her son Roy (Deanna), her granddaughter Jennifer, and great-granddaughter Quinn. Her legacy will live on through her remaining sons, Gene (Julie), and David (Lawanna); 15 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. Viewing: Fri., Feb. 7, 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral: Sat., Feb. 8, 10 AM, 230 N Val Vista Dr, Gilbert, with viewing at 9 AM. More information @ www.bunkercares.com.

Sandra L. Driscoll, 68, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2020.  She was born to James and Leda Fitch in Three Rivers, MI in 1951.  Sandy led a life filled with service to others.  She enjoyed being active with family and friends, and she particularly loved her time with her grandkids.

Sandy graduated from the Police Academy in December of 1973, and soon after, she married her academy sweetheart, Randall Driscoll, on February 6, 1974.  Sandy and Randy celebrated 46 years together.  She worked with the Mesa Police Department for 30 years, and after retirement, she worked with the Salvation Army.  Sandy and Randy raised two sons: Darin G. Driscoll (Kathryn) of Peoria, IL and Brian N. Driscoll (Danielle) of Mesa, AZ.

Sandy loved her two sons and daughters-in-law, Kathryn R. Driscoll and Danielle M. Driscoll.  Sandy especially loved her eight grandchildren: Jasmyne (21), Jordan (19), Helena (18), Franklin (16), Rhealynn (15), Forest (11), Lilian (8), and Anna (6).

Sandy was preceded in death by her father, James Fitch.  Sandy is survived by her husband, Randy, children and grandchildren, mother (Leda Fitch), sisters, Cheryl Ball (LeeVan) and Jamie Brooks, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at Noon on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at the Mesa Salvation Army, 241 E 6^th St., Mesa, AZ, 85201, with a visitation beginning two hours prior to the service.  A grave site service will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St., Mesa, AZ, 85201.  Following the grave site service will be a reception at the Mesa Salvation Army.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the 100 Club of Arizona or the Salvation Army Mesa Citadel Corp.

Larry Michael “Mike” Hendrickson, peacefully passed away on January 29th, 2020. Preceded in death by his Grandparents and Grandson, Kody.

Mike was born September 23rd, 1961 in Kearney Nebraska to Larry and Bonnie Hendrickson. In 1980, Mike joined the United States Navy. He met his wife, Darlena and her son, Jason in 1985. Mike and Darlena were married on March 7th, 1986.  Mike took Jason in as his very own. They had their first daughter in February 1987, and two more beautiful daughters following in 1989 and 1990. In 1996, Mike was given a great job opportunity and moved the family to Arizona.

Mike is survived by: his Mom, Bonnie. Aunt, Dottie and her son Shaun. Sister, Lori, her husband Robert, and their 4 children. Brother, Jaime. Children, Jason, Niki and Jeff, Alyson, and Cassie. Grandchildren, Zoe, Ethan, Jude, and Harper. Mother in law, Alice. Father In law, Gary. As well as, several cousins and friends.

Mike was a very dedicated father and grandfather. An avid Nebraska Football fan. His Navy buddies meant the world to him and he looked forward to their annual get together every year. He had so many wonderful and funny stories to tell. He was absolutely the greatest man. Go Big Red.

 A Visitation  will be held, Friday, February 7th, 2020 @ 2PM followed by services at 3PM at the Bunker University Chapel

3529 East University Drive, MESA, AZ 85213

For a link to Whittlee’s full obituary and to leave a condolence message, please visit: http://www.gilbertmemorialpark.com/obituaries/whittlee-merrill-hamblin/

Whittlee Merrill Hamblin, 31, beloved wife and mother, cherished daughter and sister passed away on January 28, 2020 after a long battle with colon cancer. Whittlee was born in Mesa on December 6, 1988 to Brooks and Shelli (Ramsey) Merrill. She grew up in Gilbert and enjoyed many holidays with her large extended family in Eagar. Whittlee attended Highland High School where she enjoyed playing volleyball and playing the violin in orchestra. There she met her high school sweetheart and future husband Stewart Hamblin. Several years later they were married in the Mesa LDS temple and she graduated in Interior Design from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She worked in interior design and opened her own firm, Hamblin Group Interiors, which brought her joy, though not as much as her three beautiful daughters, Navy (6), and twins Scout and Brigette (4). Whittlee had a popular podcast (inspiredhomepodcast), ran marathons, and enjoyed the company of many friends.  She was caring, generous, loving, beloved by many, and will be sorely missed. She reached out to others as she struggled with her own illness and has been a light to all who have been touched by her amazing spirit. She is survived by her parents, husband, daughters, sister Charlee Merrill Egg (Tyler), and her grandmother, Karen Merrill of Eagar. Services will be Saturday, February 1, at 10:00AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3580 E. Houston Ave., Gilbert; with a public viewing at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, on Friday, January 31, from 6:00 to 8:00PM. Internment in Eagar. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Valley.        

John Carl Brooksby, age 96 of Mesa AZ passed away peacefully in his home on January 27, 2020. Carl was born on Nov. 17, 1923 to John Brooksby and Melinda Judd of Fredonia, AZ.  As a young boy, he herded sheep for the Brooksby Brothers, in the Arizona Strip and southern Utah.  He served in the US Navy, aboard the USS Colbert in the Pacific in WW II. After the war, he returned home, graduated from BYU, married his sweetheart, and established a long career as a CPA in the Phoenix area, eventually serving as president of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.  He and his wife VerDon raised a family of four children in Mesa.  He served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many callings, including scouting and several bishoprics.  Carl is survived by his sisters Emma and Glenda, and a brother Pres, his children Kent (Jan), Craig (Pauli), Linda Hatch (Brad) and Don (Josie), 15 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.  Carl was an avid poet and collector of cowboy poetry. https://jcbrooksby.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/if-i-get-to-heaven/ or https://jcbrooksby.wordpress.com/

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, Feb.4 at Bunker Mortuary, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, from 6-8 PM.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb 5 at the LDS Chapel, 848 N Westwood, Mesa, AZ 85201, at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing for family and friends at 10 AM (an hour before the funeral).

For a brief period on the night of Sunday, January 26, 2020, an ordinary, four-block-long residential street in West Mesa became a glowing pathway to Heaven. Luminarias, set along Palmer Street with loving care, gave off their soft golden glow, marking the way to and from the home where an extraordinary woman of courage, compassion, and Christlike love had so recently lived. It was the way this close-knit neighborhood honored her on her final journey home…the way they said to her “Godspeed” — and to her family, “We will miss her” and “Oh, how we loved and admired her.” “She is our hero!”

Stephanie Brimley, just 41 years old, was startled 3-1/2 years ago by the diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer.  Startled, but unafraid. Startled, but determined to fight with a warrior’s ferocity, with a champion’s courage. And so she did, until her body – but not her spirit — could fight no more.

She was born to Ivard and Elizabeth Brimley on May 1, 1978, in Mesa Lutheran Hospital in Mesa. She lived her entire life in that fine city: She grew up there, she played there, she went to school there, she loved friends and family there, and there she found her life’s calling.

Over the course of her life, Stephanie earned three college degrees: a Bachelor of Education degree from Ottawa University, and two Master’s degrees – one in Special Education, one in Autism Spectrum Disorders, from Grand Canyon University. Though she was the youngest of 6 children in the Brimley family, she was the first to receive a college degree, for she knew what she wanted to be – a teacher. Her career with the Mesa Public School District spanned 17 years, during which she taught at Hawthorne (now Hughes) Elementary School. Her final class assignment was 5^th Grade…and oh, how she loved those children, especially the ones who needed special attention and extra help. She made it her life’s work to reach out with love not just to ‘special needs’ children, but to all people, young or old. A friend, learning of her passing, said Stephanie “was my best friend throughout high school, my only friend really. She took me to lunch every day. She knew me better than anyone.” Stephanie embraced everyone she met, without judgment, with unconditional love – a lifestyle she learned in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which she was a lifelong member. There, in the New Testament Gospel of John, she read that the Savior gave His disciples a new commandment: “…as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” And so, she did, without restraint.

When she retired from her teaching job in 2019, it was not because she wanted to, but because that relentless enemy, cancer, had resisted her valiant attempts to beat it, and had made her unable to continue in the profession she loved. Still, she continued to teach the children around her: her beloved nieces, nephews, a grand niece and two grand nephews, 24 in all. Throughout her Church service, she taught both children and adults — the children in the Primary and Young Women’s programs in the 20^th Ward, the adults in the women’s program, as Relief Society Secretary, and adults and children as a leader in the Stake Primary Presidency.

The playful side of Stephanie took diverse forms. At Carson Junior High School, and at Westwood High School (Class of ’96), Stephanie showed her competitive side, playing no-holds-barred women’s volleyball…and playing it so well that she joined the elite Club Red Volleyball Team and traveled the Valley in pursuit of victories.

Then there were the weapons…. Yes, this kind and loving daughter and teacher and friend also loved the feel of a .22 rifle or a shotgun in her hands, plinking cans and bottles in the desert with her brother John, enjoying the fun and freedom of days in Arizona’s beautiful outdoors, while also honing her marksmanship.

Stephanie’s softer side included a passion for all things Disney. There were frequent trips with the family to Disneyland, conveniently located just seven hours to the west of Mesa. Her room at home was filled with Disney princesses, beautiful dolls of all sizes and descriptions, and pillows galore covered with Disney characters’ images. And water-filled glass ‘snow’ globes with Disney characters and scenes depicted inside. They provided a magical getaway for this woman who worked so hard in the real world.

So, too, did Stephanie’s skill in the kitchen, where she was renowned for her baking – most particularly for her delicious cupcakes, slathered generously with her incredible buttercream icing. Less than a month before her passing, she was hard at work providing 200 of these superb cupcakes for a family member’s wedding reception…an act of love and kindness typical of Stephanie.

Stephanie’s large, loving family survives her, including: Father and Mother, Ivard and Elizabeth Brimley; sister, Maribeth Child (Scott); brothers, Wayne (Gail) Brimley, Merrill (Jenni) Brimley, John (Cristi) Brimley, and Charles (Suzanne) Brimley; and 24 nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her niece, Avery Jane Brimley.

Now the honor and responsibility of sharing love, remembrance and life stories about Stephanie falls to that wonderful family, as her life is celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, 848 N. Westwood St., Mesa. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Bunker Family Mortuary, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, and on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Church. The family asks that to honor Stephanie’s kind, compassionate caregivers in her final days, that donations to Hospice at Home of Arizona, 1423 S. Higley Rd., Suite 121, Mesa, AZ 85206 be considered in lieu of flowers…and the family wishes to offer its special gratitude to the caregivers, Wendy and Jessica, who went the extra mile in service to the family.

Following the Feb. 1 funeral service at the Church, Stephanie will be buried in the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St. Her love of bagpipe music will be celebrated at the Church and at graveside by a lone bagpiper.

Blaine “Bub” Mathews, 59, passed away unexpectedly from a plane crash over the Mazatzal Mountains in Arizona on Friday, January 24th, 2020. Bub was born to Gordon and Julie Mathews in Pasco, Washington on January 16th, 1961. He was the youngest of 4 children and grew up on a farm where he learned the value of hard work and serving others. He attended Brigham Young University where he played collegiate football, graduated with a bachelor’s degree, and met the love of his life, Sandy Perkins. Bub and Sandy were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on March 1st, 1986. They later had 5 beautiful children and recently 3 little grandchildren. Bub loved nothing more than being a father and a grandfather. He worked hard at his job in commercial real estate, but nothing gave him more joy than spending time in the outdoors and attending his kids’ events. He was well known to those around him for his endless service, hard work and his unconditional love for others. As a leader in the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years, he provided an unshakable example to the boys and men around him. Many, old and young, also gathered at his house for his famous waffles each Sunday, not knowing that they would leave with inspiration and love in their hearts. He was a silent humble giant working miracles wherever he went. He will be loved and missed by all those that knew him.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 1st, 2020 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5350 E. McLellan Road, Mesa, Arizona 85205 with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 10:00 am. For more information, please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com​.

Sheila Le Sueur was born June 1, 1927 in Jersey Channel Island, UK. This island was occupied by the Nazis during WWII for five years (age 13 to 18). Five months after liberation, she started nurses training at The London Hospital. She was very proud to be a member of the League of Nurses. In 1952, she emigrated to Detroit, MI where she spent most of her nursing career at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe. She was particularly proud of her role in the new field of coronary care. In 1977, she moved to Arizona to be with family. She worked another 15 years with the last six as a Hospice nurse. She loved being a nurse, especially her time at Bon Secours and Hospice; she recalled fondly many of the staff and patients that played instrumental roles in her life and in her memories.

Sheila was always interested in American politics. While in retirement, watching C-Span, she saw a series about Alexis de Tocqueville which ignited a desire for her to know more about his wife, Mary Mottley. That simple desire turned into a 20 year quest which included several trips to France, England, and Washington DC to research the Mottley family. While retired, Sheila learned to use a computer and ended up writing three books: one on her experience at Bon Secours, one on her love of both Jersey and the USA, and one on Mary Mottley (she often said the historians ignored her even though she had great influence on her husband, Alexis).

She is survived by her sister Anne, as well as her four nieces: Sheila, Patricia, Michele, Alison, and her nephew Matthew. She remained independent to the end. God speed, Sheila.

Sheila’s ashes will be taken to her beloved Jersey Channel Island in May for burial. And her last wish for all who read this – is that you do something nice for someone else. 

Wayne Walters, 85, passed away peacefully in Apache Junction, AZ on January 23rd, 2020.  Wayne had a very happy and long life filled with family, friends hiking, sports, camping and his many loved pets.

Wayne is survived by his wife Betty, children Linda Mecham, Steve Walters ( Renae ) Mark Martin ( Teresa) Dave Walters, Joyce (Jo) DeVean (Don), Sandra “Sandee” Harrah, and Larry Walters(Becky).He is also survived  by his sister Mary Gonzalez (Al).He is also survived by 36 grandkids and 87 great grandkids.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday February 1st, 2020 at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 2520 E. Old West Hwy, Apache Junction, AZ  85270.  Viewing will be from 10:00am -10:45am.   For more information please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com.

Joe Jesse Sharp passed away on January 24, 2020 in Gilbert, Arizona. His services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 1150 West Elliott Road, Gilbert, Arizona. They will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 11:00 AM.

Betty L. Orler passed away on January 21, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. Her services will  be held on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Bunker’s Garden Chapel Funeral Home, located at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Walter Russell Bendure, Jr., was born on July 11, 1931 in Mesa, and passed away peacefully on January 17, 2020. He is survived by his sister, Irene Betts; children, Leanna and Tim; 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Russell served in Korea with the US Army. After returning home to Mesa, he worked for AJ Bayless Markets until his retirement. He enjoyed his family, his pets and being at home in his hometown of Mesa.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Betty.

Lavena Peel Herbert, age 79, passed away on January 17, 2020. She was born June 13, 1940 to Dennis Robert Peel and Lucretia Harper Peel of Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by two children, Christy Ann Herbert and Shane Leroy Herbert, five grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 12p.m., with a viewing at 11a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Centennial Ward, 422 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85203.

Dorothy Edna Becker Lahaie passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Victoria Lahaie Corrigan (Vicki), her son James Robert Lahaie (Jim); cousins Howard Ahders, Mary Sharpe, Barbara Anderson, and Arthur Heck; sisters-in-law Dorothy Ronic Lahaie and Evelyn Lahaie; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her cherished husband of nearly 60 years, Robert Emil (Bob) Lahaie, her parents Albert and Katherine Becker, and her brother William Becker.

Dorothy was born in New York City on October 1, 1930, and spent most of her childhood in Armonk, NY. After moving with her parents to Bermuda, Dorothy completed high school. There, she met her future groom, and Dorothy and Bob were married on September 3, 1949, on Long Island, NY. They settled in the Chicago area, where Dorothy worked for Graybar Electric.

The couple followed other Lahaie family members to Arizona in 1956, initially living and working in central Phoenix, then making their home in Mesa.
Dorothy worked as a homemaker during Vicki’s childhood. After Jim entered school, she worked for Maricopa County Welfare as a transcription typist, then for Mesa Public Schools as a media center assistant at Roosevelt Elementary School and Powell Junior High School.
Dorothy made several memorable cross-country road trips with Bob over the years, visiting family and friends across the Midwest and eastern U.S. With her husband’s devoted support, she also cared for her parents during their senior years.

Dorothy’s self-effacing nature kept her out of the spotlight, but she’ll be remembered for her cheerful attitude, industriousness, innate kindness, and her delightful laugh. She put others at ease, and was a treasured friend to many. An ardent correspondent, she reveled in sending handwritten cards on Valentine’s and St Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, as well as notes and letters throughout the year.

Over the course of her life, she enjoyed the family’s many cats (including current residents Amber, Muffy, and CowCat), gardening, owls, historical fiction, classic films and TV mini-series, and her menagerie of stuffed animals.
Dorothy was beloved by many, and her presence will be greatly missed by all who held her dear.

Paul Clebern Reheis returned home on January 15, 2020.  Paul was born on November 16, 1931 in Elkville, Illinois to John Raymond and Allie Bean Reheis.  He grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky.  After he graduated from High School, he joined the United States Air Force, which brought him to training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona.  While in Arizona he met and married Anita Joy Bradshaw on October 11, 1951 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  After the Air Force, he went to work for Motorola and retired in 1994 after 36 years.  Paul was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various callings.  He enjoyed working with the Scouts, serving in the Bishopric and serving a mission with his wife, Nita, in the Family History Center.  Paul loved gardening and visiting his cabin in Pinedale with his wife and family.

Paul was preceded in death by wife Anita, daughter Cari (Gerald) Mickleson, and grandson Michael Reheis.  He is survived by sons, Daniel (Rena), Benjamin (Diane), Larry (Faye), and daughters Tami (Randall) Nelson and Judi (Brad) Haugen. He is also survived by sisters Mary Dukate, and Patsy Martin, and brothers Jerry, and Steven.   Paul’s family includes 24 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren and his loyal dog Max.

Kathryn Elberta “Bert” Willcutt, 84 was born on March 2, 1935, and passed away peacefully on January 15, 2020.  Kathryn is survived by her 5 children:   Randy McKim, Louis (Linda)McKim, Gunnar (Toi Morren) Willcutt, Lora (Jeff)  Shufelt, and Lynn(Richard)  Gutierrez.  Kathryn had 13 grandchildren:  Jodi McKim, Jason (Alayna) McKim, Tyler (Ashley Parrish) McKim, Travis McKim, Robert Willcutt, Rachel (Tyler Griffin) Willcutt, David (Adrianna) Willcutt, Christian Shufelt, Ryan Shufelt, Andrew Gutierrez, Zachary Gutierrez, Aleia Gutierrez, and Rhiane Gutierrez. Kathryn also had 7 great grandchildren:  Justin McKim, Kelsea McKim, Nolan McKim, Garrett McKim, Tristan McKim, Rivers Willcutt, and Charlotte Griffin.  Kathryn is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert Willcutt, both parents Elbert and Connie Lewis, one child Mary K. McKim, and her 4 siblings Mary, William, Virginia, and June.

Kathryn was born in Edina Missouri the second daughter of 5 children to Elbert and Connie Lewis.  In 1938 Kathryn’s family moved to Kirksville, Missouri where she and her siblings grew up and went to school.  Kathryn graduated from Kirksville High School in 1953.  She worked at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital in her younger days, working in the operating room assisting doctors, and helping patients.  She met, and married Dr. Robert Willcutt in February, 1961.  They had 5 children together.  After marrying Robert, Kathryn continued to work at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital until 1975.  In 1975 both Robert and Kathryn moved to Mesa, Arizona with 3 of their children.  She helped Robert set up his private practice in Mesa, which eventually became Central Arizona Medical Associates. Kathryn worked with Robert in his private practice assisting Robert in taking care of his patients until she retired in 2003.

Kathryn was an avid bowler, and she continued bowling up until her passing.  She was an awesome bowler, and took pride in seeing some of her grandchildren bowl as well.  Kathryn loved spending time with her grandchildren.  Her Mesa grandchildren would visit every Sunday afternoon.  It became a tradition so go visit grandma.  Kathryn would return to Kirksville as often as she could to visit her children and grandchildren also.  Last summer, Kathryn  attended a family reunion so she could see her entire family.  She also would return to Kirksville to see her old high school friends of the Class of 1953.  Kathryn never slowed down.  She was an active, independent woman up until her passing, and  she was loved by all her family and friends.