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Nichol Elaine Imm was born in Denver, Colorado on February 24, 1974. It was the best birthday present her mother Gayle Imm ever received. In 1980 Nicholas Imm (Nick) moved his wife Gayle, daughter Nikki and older sister Adelle to Arizona. At a very young age Nikki became involved with competitive swimming and track and field. Through her Jr high and high school years, Nikki filled her dad’s office with medals, trophies and other accolades. A quad accident left Nikki with a severely fractured arm needing screws and plates that ended her competitive athletic career.

Nikki began college at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Az. She transferred to Arizona State University where she received her bachelor’s degree. Throughout her college years, a burning desire to become a firefighter had begun to grow. After several unsuccessful attempts at various cities firefighter testing processes, while working for U-Haul, Nikki decided the best way for her to become a firefighter was to immerse herself in that lifestyle while continuing to test.

On a Saturday in 1999, Nikki walked into Mesa Fire Station #1 to inquire about the testing process. There she met an engineer named Tim who offered to have her come ride along on his engine. Tim began to mentor Nikki in her testing. Nikki began working for Southwest Ambulance and directing everything in her life towards getting hired as a firefighter. In August of 2000 Nikki was hired as one of the first 3 pre-recruits, a new position created on the Mesa Fire Department. During the next year she helped to develop the departments SOPs for the pre-recruit position and along with Brandon Guerra and Dave Montemora, she made the new position a success.

The next year Nikki began her Firefighter Recruit Academy and in August of 2001 she graduated and began her dream career as a Mesa Firefighter. Nikki and Tim’s friendship grew over the years and led to them marrying in March of 2007. In September of 2012 they welcomed their daughter Abigayle into their lives. In 2014 Nikki was given the crushing news that she had breast cancer. She battled this disease for 5 years, the whole time believing that somehow she would beat it and God would deliver her a miracle.

Nikki’s strength and courage throughout her battle with cancer will be a source of inspiration for her daughter and stepchildren as well as all of her friends and family. She is an amazing woman and she will never be forgotten.

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. Funeral services are Friday, April 12 at 10 AM at Sun Valley Community Church, 456 E. Ray Road, Gilbert, AZ 85296.

Lowell passed away on April 5, 2019 and will be greatly missed among his family, friends and loved ones. He was born August 22, 1933 in Red Bluff, Tehama California, to Theodore Lloyd Foley and Alma Doris Moore.

He lived in many different places including California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho and Arizona.

He had a high school education as well as a two year college degree. He was a sign painter, commercial artist, and graphic designer by profession. He had many interests including photography, writing poetry, and he had a beautiful singing voice.

He served a mission to England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from September of 1954 to September 1956.

Lowell is survived by his wife Kay Cummings McClellan, children Todd (Judy), Jamie, Jana (Garth), Mac, Lenore (Dean), Weston, Annette (Hans), Mitchell (Carlie), Kristian (Cindy), Kara (Chet). Also, his step-children Linda (Robert), Christine (Ray) and Bill.

Lowell is also survived by a brother Mike Foley-McClellan, sisters Doris Ann McClellan, Elizabeth Pavek and Linda McClellan.

Lowell is also survived by 45 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren as well as 13 (step) grandchildren, 25 (step) great grandchildren and 3 (step) great, great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ted Foley and Alma Doris Moore, and step-father James S. McClellan and sister Norrine Burnham and brother Donald Foley. Also preceding him in death were wife Jean Young and wife Ann Lewis as well as a grand daughter Mia Catherine McClellan and a great grand daughter Molly Grace Shupe.

Paul Scott Jager, 48 chose to end his life on April 1, 2019.  Paul was born on August 30, 1970 in Port Huron, Michigan the late Paul A Jager and Connie Jager.

He moved to Arizona in 1985 at the age of 15, and graduated from Apache Junction High School in 1988.  He received a Deisel Mechanic Certification in 1988.  Paul worked most of his life as a underground construction foreman.

Paul loved hunting and camping and frequently said the woods were his church.

Paul is survived by his Mother Connie Jager; daughters Kelsey and Payton Jager; grandson Remington Jager; brothers Jeff Jager and Adam Krojniak; nieces and nephews; special friends Leroy and Red Loyer, Dennis and Chantel Powers and Donna Judson.  He was preceded in death by his son Paul Scott Jager III (Pablo).  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Arizona Elk Society Youth Programs https://shopaes.org/product/donation-to-aes/

Harry Leslie Murrell passed away at his home in Mesa, AZ on March 31st, 2019. Harry was born to Leslie and Emily Murrell on July 9, 1928 in Harlem, New York.  He grew up in Corona- Long Island and graduated from Saint Anne’s Academy in Brooklyn. He then joined the Navy in 1946 and served in Cuba.  Following his stint in the Navy, he returned to New York and began working for United Airlines.

In 1955 along with his parents, he moved his growing family to Southern California. Still working for United Airlines, he settled in Huntington Beach. In 1985 after 30 years with United Airlines, he retired and relocated to Arizona.

Harry had many special interests that began with photography at an early age. He was an avid collector of Model A cars and served as President for the Model A Restorers of Arizona Club. He enjoyed traveling and visited many different parts of Europe and the South Pacific. He had a special connection to American Samoa, where he was given an honorary Chief title.

Harry is survived by his children, Denice Pola (Talati), Carolyn Yanez (Rick), John, Paul (Terri) and Edward. Additionally, 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Stepchildren, Kenneth Bauman (Sun), Dennis Bauman (deceased), Thomas Bauman, Patricia Ruiz, Susan Simkins and his dear friend, Norma Tyler.

Final farewell will take place graveside at 11:30 AM. Queen of Heaven Cemetery 1562 E. Baseline Rd. Mesa, AZ 85204

Gary James Davis, 64, of Mesa, Arizona passed away after a brief illness on April 1, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margit; daughters, Rachel Beals (David) of Illinois, Alexis Davis of Arizona, and Oakley Beachler (Nick) of Arizona; mother, Carol A. Davis of Florida; brother, Gregory Davis of Florida; eight grandchildren, Zoe Ornelas and Lucas Davis of Illinois, Enrique Davis, Kaley McTeer, and Brody McTeer of Arizona, Brawley Davis, and Zane Beachler and Olivia Beachler of Arizona; one great-grandchild, Ja’Von Jordan of Arizona; and many granddogs and grandcats. He is preceded in death by his father, George W. Davis, and his grandparents. He is also survived by many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

Gary was a Vietnam era Air Force Veteran. We will all miss his long talks and willingness to help everyone with their projects.

Many thanks to the emergency room and ICU staff at Banner Desert Medical Center for their wonderful care and kindness. Gary will forever be loved and missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Gary’s honor to your favorite charity.

Robert “Bob” D. Carufel passed away peacefully at home in Mesa, Arizona on March 31, 2019. Bob was born to Raymond and Ruth Carufel in Vernal, Utah on December 10, 1950. Bob grew up on the Salt River Indian Reservation after his family relocated there in 1960. He graduated from Westwood High School in 1969 and Mesa Community College in 1971.

During his career, Bob owned and operated Mesa Truck Supply and Nevada Mixer Supply in Las Vegas. He was also proud of his partnerships in Kenz Cycle Tech and Hunter’s Paint and Auto Body. As an avid collector, he acquired many vehicles, engines, and specialty items. Bob was always fun to be around and will be missed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Thea; daughter, Elizabeth; brother, Steve (Carol Kapplemann); sister, Christine; and niece, Rachel (Seth) Snow.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Friday, April 5, 2019 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Church of the Master Presbyterian Church, 6659 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85205. Interment will be at Oakland Mills Cemetery in rural Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Collings Foundation for the restoration and maintenance of historic Warbird planes and historic artifacts in memory of Bob.

Gail Hilton Wood, 85, passed away peacefully on March 28^th, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 26^th, 1933 to Lyle Hilton and Isabelle Cardon Hilton Hunt. She attended Mesa High, Brigham Young University and received a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Cal State Hayward. Gail grew up in Mesa, later met Vincent Alma Wood from Berkeley, California and they married in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple in 1954. They moved to Concord, CA where Vince started his Dental practice and soon after moved to Walnut Creek, CA where they raised their 7 children. They co-founded the Diablo Light Opera Company where they had several leading roles. Gail often played guitar and sang in community and church choirs. She served faithfully in many leadership capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gail worked with Battered Women and as a Grief Counselor and was known for her kindness and wisdom. She enjoyed traveling around the world with her husband and many friends. She was a fabulous seamstress, scholar, cook, party planner, vocalist and religion teacher. However, she felt her greatest accomplishment was her family. She is survived by her 7 children, Kent Wood (Rhonda), of Orem, UT; Keith Wood, of Folsom, CA; Michele Baer (Sterling) of Mesa, AZ; Tammy Runia (Scott) of Provo, UT; Shauna Hansen (Van) of Mesa, AZ; Noel Frame of Mesa, AZ; Stacy Woods (Matt) of Mission Viejo, CA; and siblings Kent Hilton (Rochelle) of Alpine, UT and Steve Hilton (Heidi) of Heber, UT. She was blessed with 41 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. Gail was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent, a grandson, Ryan Scott Runia, a daughter-in-law, Kathleen Stone Wood, her parents, Lyle and Electa Hilton, Alma and Isabelle Hunt and two of her siblings, Donna Hilton Gardner and Dale Clair Hilton.

Funeral Services are Saturday, April 13^th, 2019 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the Mt. View LDS Stake Center, 1550 N. Val Vista Dr. Mesa, AZ 85213. There will also be a viewing Friday, April 12^th from 6:30-8:00 PM at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund, give.lds.org/humanitarian or BYU Education Fund, give.byu.edu/memorial.

Eduardo Nieves “Ed”, 57, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2019 in Gilbert, Arizona. He was born to Juan Antonio and Eleda Nieves in Chula Vista California on July 24, 1961. Ed served in the Air Force where he completed his education in Satellite Engineering. He enjoyed the electronics field, playing billiards and the company of his grandchildren.

Ed is Preceded in death by his parents, Juan Antonio and Eleda Frances Nieves; brother Ricardo Nieves; Tios, Cindo and Luis and his grandparents.

His is survived by his daughters Kris Cesena (Ronnie Cesena) and Elizabeth Raef (Josh Raef); grandchildren Karly Swett, Giovanni, Bella & Lina Cesena; his brothers Fernando and Carlos Nieves and sisters Mercedes O’Merry and Terry Nieves.

There will be no services at this time.

Vera Colleen Hartje was born August 24, 1927 in St. Thomas, North Dakota. The daughter of Walter and Lila Hartje. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth. Colleen was married to Virgil Sellheim on November 11, 1945. They made their home in North Dakota until 1960. They then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Virgil and Colleen retired in 1986 and moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1988. They enjoyed the summer months back in Minnesota. Colleen in survived by their children; Cynthia Wadsworth(Jim Casey), Paula Hardly(Norm),  Janel Forte(Mike), Reed Sellheim, 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren.  

Memorial service will be held on Friday, April 5 at 1:00 PM at Sunrise Vista Park, 300 S. Val Vista Drive Mesa, AZ 85204

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, Belva Leona FireThunder, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 80. Belva (“Bee”) was born on August 18, 1938 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to William and Cecila FireThunder. Bee was a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe and grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation, attending boarding school and capturing the “Lakota Princess” title her senior year.

Bee moved to Aurora, Colorado (where she once rode a buffalo) and then to Mesa, Arizona in 1967, where she was surrounded by dear friends and had her only son, Brad. As “Miss Bee” she was a part of Paul Shank’s Gracious Dining team that dominated the Scottsdale dining and entertainment scene in the 60’s and 70’s, working at the Safari Coffee Shop, Dining Room, French Quarter Lounge, and the (then) new Scottsdale Hilton. Later in life Bee continued to work with friends who became family at The Little Mesa Café. When she retired, she began volunteering with the Salvation Army at the Mesa Citadel. Bee was devoted to helping and received “volunteer of the year” recognition for her continued work.

Grandma Bee was a loving friend and inspiration for her granddaughters, Kateri and Rebecca. She never passed on an opportunity to spend time making crafts, playing games, or just being with them in any way she could. The joy they brought her was returned twofold to them.

Bee is preceded in death by her father, William; mother, Cecila; and brother, Rudolph. She is survived by her son, Brad; his wife, Kristine; granddaughters, Kateri and Rebecca; her nephew, Donny; his wife, Patti; and their children, Heather Bea, Cody, and Chris; nieces, Lisa, Connie, and Colleen; great-niece, Melissa Rose; and many other loving family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Salvation Army, 241 East 6^th Street Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Darrell passed away peacefully Monday at the age of 97. Born in Logan Utah, he grew up on a small farm in Blackfoot Idaho with his two sisters, the late Donna Johnson and Beth Jensen.  He served honorably with the Marines in the Pacific Theater in World War II, after which he married and started his family, while attending college on the GI Bill. After serving for one term in the Idaho State Legislature, Darrell became a school principal in Blackfoot.  Based on his prescient insight that the Santa Clara Valley in California was the “Jewel of the Pacific”, Darrell moved his family to Santa Clara in 1955.  He secured a teaching position at Los Altos High School, and supplemented his income as a plumber’s helper in the summers in order to support his large and growing family.  Darrell was always a hardworking, can-do, optimistic, and idealistic kind of guy.

Darrell’s lucky career break came around 1960, when he took a part-time position at a night school teaching real estate.  Darrell discovered that he had considerable talent selling real estate, and for the next fifteen years supplemented his income as a high school teacher working part-time as a real estate salesman or broker.  In the early 1970’s, Darrell retired from teaching, co-founded two companies, L&M Properties and L&M Property Management, and expanded upon his career in real estate with considerable success.

Darrell went through a profound life change in the early 1990’s when he returned to the religion of his youth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, relocated to Arizona, and met and married the new love of his life. Beloved husband of Carol Sue Lott, Darrell is also survived by his children, Roy (Cheryl) Lott, Carol (Steve) Kyriacou, George Lott, Jeanne Reeves, Bruce (Jennifer) Lott, Bonnie Lott, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and Carol’s children; Jeffery Jones, Billy Jones, David Jones, and Jacquilyn (Jeffry) Allen; Carol’s 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was admired and loved by all, and will be missed.  His services will be held at 10:00 am, April 2nd, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2424 N. Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, Arizona.

Eugene Wayne Young, 75, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born to Elmer Wilbur Young and Floy Ann Payne in Mesa, AZ on February 6, 1944. Wayne led a very happy, active life, filled with family and friends. Wayne was an avid hunter and loved to spend time in the woods. He loved scouting the Four Peaks area, riding around on his Polaris. Wayne loved fishing as well and was known to spend time tossing a line out anywhere the fish were plentiful. Wayne’s favorite times, though, were when he was spending time with his grandchildren.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ann Young; his grandchild, Tysen Mason; and great-grandchild Martyn Law. He is survived by his wife, Diane Young; his siblings, Nancy Young and Diana Smith; his children, Stephanie Martin, Robert Coker, and Allen Young; his step-children, Rustie Law and Stan Law; his step-mother, Donna Young; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be conducted on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at the same location, with a second visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 9:00am.