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   Our dear Mother, was born on July 24, 1936, in Loa, Utah to William and Mable Potter and is the youngest of 11 children.  Virgie   graduated from Wayne High School, she played the Saxophone in the Marching Band and was crowned Miss Wayne County.  She went on to attend Utah State University where she met Ralph M. Arrington, her shiny dark pony-tail caught his eye.  Virgie and Ralph were married on June 22, 1956 in the Manti, Utah Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saint Temple.  Virgie and Ralph are the proud parents of 6 daughters, Connie Snyder (Scott L. Snyder), Sally Tackett (John Tackett), Lisa Conterio, Brenda M. Graves (Jon R. Hinton), Nancy Brown (David Brown) and Amy Jo Halliday (Michael Halliday), and 27 Grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. 

    Our Mother wore many aprons: seamstress, cook, singer, poem writer, and party planner.  She loved a good project and was busy most of the time on a quilt to donate or give.  She could handle a glue gun in   any event.   Music was a big part of her life.  She was a patron of the Performing Arts.  She encouraged her girls and grandchildren in piano, violin and other areas of the Arts.  She loved to play her favorite tunes and could be caught dancing in the Kitchen.  She loved life and all it had to offer!  She knew how to paint a bench, mow the lawn and have a DUP meeting, in the “Sun Room”, that same day.  Those who knew her well… know she loved a good party and a good story! She loved gardening and is famous for planting enough to enjoy and enough to give away (and that includes citrus).  She was a farm girl at heart.

    Our Mother was beautiful inside and out.  She has many, many friends whom she loved dearly.  Although, she would say, she was always the recipient of love, kindnesses and service.  She loved visiting teaching, ministering and had 100% every month for her entire life.  

   Virgie loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served faithfully in many leadership positions in all auxiliaries. Our Parents served a mission at the Family History Center and later worked for many years as an ordinance workers. She donated many hours to Church service, community and other local charities. The tender mercies of God were with her during the last days of her life, and we are so grateful.  

   Visitation will be at 9:00 AM with services at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 18^th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1249 S. 48^th St. in Mesa.

“Enjoy the Little Things in Life…for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the Big Things”.

Billy Kim Bolechala, 63, of Gilbert, AZ after a courageous battle with prostate cancer left a huge hole in the heart of many when he passed away peacefully March 11^th, 2019

Services will be held at 10:00 am March 30^th at the Atherton Ward Building, 3544 S Atherton Blvd. Gilbert, AZ 85297.

Kim was born in Logansport, IN on June 22, 1955.  He graduated from Glasgow High in Glasgow, MT

Kim was married to Patti Anne Meagan on Aug 10^th 1984, they were married for 34 years

Kim continued his education through the years when he could find time.  He had many licenses in Insurance and as a Stockbroker.  He was a compliance officer for Northwestern Mutual in Seattle, WA until June of 2014.  Kim was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he loved and served many.  Everyone that knew him loved him and his kind heart; he was the type of man that would give someone in need his last dime.

Kim had a love for all things western (especially John Wayne), Sci-fi movies and TV shows. He was a huge, true Chicago Bears fan through all the years of highs and lows.  In the last couple of years he took great interest in his family genealogy.

In March 2014 Kim found out he had stage 4 prostate cancer and was told they would do their best to get him 5 years.  So he and his wife Patti moved to Gilbert, AZ to be close to his oldest daughter and her family.

Kim is survived by his wife Patti, children: Tami (Mike), Jody (Jocelyne), Brock (Brigit), Amber, Jason (Carolyn), Amy (Leon), Israel (Rae), Arica, and Grant (Elizabeth), 21 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, mother Faye, sisters: Tammy (Jerry), Tina and Laura (Jamie), many nieces, nephews and friends.

Kim is preceded in death by Father Billy Bolechala, Mother Suzy Drummond, 2 grandchildren Chase and Sadie and other family who are now celebrating with him.

Cindy Harsh-Zimmer passed away suddenly on March 10, 2019 at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ.

Cindy was born in Columbus, NE on June 26, 1957 to Zack and Kathy Harsh-Pollard. She attended St. Isidore Catholic School, Columbus Middle School, and Columbus High School, graduating in 1975. Cindy and Don were married on June 3, 1988 and moved to Arizona. She worked at Wells Fargo for 28 years as a Collateral Analyst Manager.

Cindy had a heart of gold. She was the heart, soul, and glue of her family and always put everyone before herself. She was deeply loved by her family, her bunco buddies, her close-knit team at Wells Fargo, and many friends.

She is survived by her husband, Don Zimmer of Mesa, AZ; daughters, Heather (Frank) Lopez of Gilbert AZ and Lindsey Kluever of Benson, AZ; step-son, Josh (Heidi) Zimmer of Puyallup, WA; grandchildren, Vanessa Went, Jordan Martinez, Zack Lopez, Stacie Stephenson, and Ty Stephenson; step-grandchildren, Kassandra Lopez, Frank Lopez Jr., Andrea Lopez, Alain Lopez, Nathan Lopez, Landynn Zimmer, and Hadley Zimmer; mother, Kathy Harsh-Pollard of Columbus, NE; sister, Sandy Van Berg of Gilbert, AZ; brother, Scott (Lynn) Harsh of Columbus, NE; nephews, Heath Dodds of Gilbert, AZ, TJ (Rose) Van Berg of Medina, OH, Justin (Kristin) Harsh of Lincoln, NE; niece, Taylor (Brad) Cloke of Senexa, KS; great-nephews, Graham Harsh, Beckham Cloke, and Parker Cloke; great-niece, Olivia Harsh; sisters-in-law, Bev (Dave) Kudron of Bellwood, NE, Jo (Mark) Kruse of Omaha, NE, Karen (Elwin) Nixon of Poolville, TX, Christine (Ken) Wolfe of Omaha, NE, and Debbie (Jerry) Buggi of Columbus, NE; and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Zack Harsh; brother, Doug Harsh; step-father, Keith Pollard; sister-in law, Gail Peterson; father-in-law, LaVerne Zimmer; mother in-law, Marie Zimmer; and grandparents, Alphonse and Leona Albracht, and Lester and Lucy Harsh.

Services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Mary-Alice Hernandez, known to many as Lala Soto, passed away at 9:55pm (MST), Friday, March 8, 2019. Lala passed peacefully, surrounded by those she loved most – nieces, nephews, siblings, parents, and children.

Lala Soto was born on February 15, 1966, in Los Angeles, California to Richard and Esperanza Soto. She was raised in Gardena, California and graduated from Gardena High School. After high school, Lala worked as a telephone operator and supervisor for GTE/Verizon Wireless. She remained a resident of Gardena, CA until 2005, when she moved her children to Mesa, Arizona so that she could be closer to her father, stepmother, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

In Arizona, Lala worked a variety of data entry and customer service oriented jobs, while also volunteering with her beloved USA Amateur Boxing as a judicial official. Lala gained more friends and family by welcoming, loving, and accepting everyone she met. There was always room for one more person in Lala’s heart.

She is survived by her three children, Edward, Lydia, and Matthew; her father and step-mother, Richard and Hilda; her siblings, Steven, Brenda, Jennifer, and Elisa; her nieces and nephews, Steffany, Monique, Deanna (Goldie), Breanna, Richard, David (Runty), Alexys, Ariana, and Jacob; great-nephews, Iyzaya, and Isreal; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Services will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm (MST) on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, with a Rosary starting at 7:00pm. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00am (MST) on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 141 North Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona 85201, ending with a procession to Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1562 East Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona 85204, for a burial at 1:00pm.

Flower arrangements may be sent to Bunker’s Garden Chapel, located at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Lala’s family thanks you for the continued love and support. She loved being a mom, aunt, sister, and daughter and was truly the world’s best.

  Valene Arizona Sanders Sherwood was born in Prescott, AZ, February 14, 1925 to Amy Lola Despain and John Lester Sanders and passed March 10, 2019.

  She married her sweetheart Dan Calvin May 4^th 1945 in the Mesa, AZ Temple.  They lived in Burbank, CA, Phoenix, Eagar, Chino Valley, Mesa, Mt. Vernon Arkansas and Gilbert, AZ.

  She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life and held many positions where she was able to be of service to others.  She and Calvin served a mission to Kentucky Louisville Mission.

  She is survived by her children: Sandra (Vaughn), John (Kandy), Kenneth, Ted (Diana) and Jason.  35 grandchildren, 73 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; 1 sister: Maxine Langford.

  Preceded in death by her husband Calvin, oldest daughter Danna, son Phil and his wife Kristi, Kenneth’s wife Jennifer, her 3 brothers: Alva, Dwight, Lester and 2 sisters: Dot Milne and Elaine Judd.

  Funeral will be held Saturday, March 16^th at 21320 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, Arizona.  Viewing at 9:00 AM and services at 10:00 AM.  Internment at 5:00 PM in Eagar Arizona Cemetery.

  SHE LOVED being a MOM and was the world’s BEST!

Cynthia Lynn Lees (nee King) left us for an eternity with God in Heaven on March 6, 2019. She passed away peacefully at home in Mesa, Arizona following years of gradual loss of mental and physical function from Huntington’s Disease. 

Cindy was born June 19, 1949 in Aurora, Illinois to Elmer E. (Edd/Eddie) King and Helen King (nee Sullivan) On August 1, 1970 she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Andrew Lees, II.

They first lived in Wheeling, IL while she continued her training as a Dental Hygienist at Loyola University of IL Dental School while Bob served at Great Lakes Naval Base.

After earning her AA degree as a Dental Hygienist in 1971, they moved onto the Naval Base for their second year of marriage. There she worked in Waukegan IL as a dental hygienist to begin payback of her student loans.

From August 1972 through June 1974 they lived in Bolingbrook, IL. There, she continued as a dental hygienist at her all-time favorite practice in Darien, Illinois. Her earnings supported them both as Bob continued his education.

In July 1974 they moved to AZ where Cindy practiced her skills as a Dental Hygienist….again providing a steady income while Bob began his business.

She lived in Arizona nearly 45 years with her loving husband. During that time, she gave birth to, nurtured, and raised their four children. Which in turn made possible her six grandchildren and the seventh due this month.

Throughout this time, Cindy was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, cousin, and friend to all.  She never missed an event involving her children……and lived for escaping the heat of Phoenix in the forests of Alpine, AZ.  She never met a person she didn’t like! Her infectious smile will be forever with us. It was her invitation to all she met….to be a friend!

Cindy is survived by:

Her husband: Bob  

Her son: Andrew Lees & fiancé Rosemary

Her daughters: Amy (Lees) & Eric Horner, Sheila (Lees) & Tony Damiani, Karen (Lees) & Brennen Bawden

Her Grandchildren: Olivia, Owen, Maddox, and Lincoln Bawden; Scarlett Horner; Blair (and Roman…..due soon) Damiani

Her siblings: Greg King, and Debra (King) Waegner.

A Funeral Mass Service will commence Friday April 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church at 1551 E Dana Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204. 

Immediately following there will be a “Celebration of Life Reception ” Please check the following website for details:  https://cynthialeesmemorial.weebly.com 

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in Cindy’s name to The Arizona Chapter of Huntington’s Disease Society of America: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E5596&id=9  

Jerry Allan Pfannenstiel, 82 passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at his house in Mesa, Arizona.  He was born March 4, 1937 in Ness City, Kansas to Linus and Veronica (Schlitter) Pfannenstiel.  He was a construction superintendent, building many churches and other commercial projects.  He also owned J & G Lumber and Ace Hardware in Hoisington, Kansas.  

He served in the Navy, four years active duty and four years reserves.

He was a member of Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife Geralyn (Schneider) of 59 years, daughter JoRae Myers of Galva, Kansas, a son Jody and daughter-in-law Jan of Salina, Kansas, two grandaughters Tana and Heidi Myers, two brothers, Arnold and Vincent and four sisters, MaryAnn, Cathy, Inez and Serena.  He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Bernard, Linus Jr., Joseph, Frank and Mike.  

A memorial service with military honors will be at 2 pm on Sunday, March 10 at Sun Life Resort, Mesa, Arizona with Reverend Larry Kassebaum officiating.  

Memorials are suggested to Victory Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

Mesa – James “Vic” Victor Smallwood passed away February 27, 2019 in Mesa, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 10, 1941, in La Grange, Georgia to Edgar and Elizabeth Smallwood.

Vic served in the US Navy for 25 years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert and retired as a LCDR. He heroically served several tours in Vietnam. After retiring from the Navy, he worked at Unidynamics and Pacific Scientific.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a loving father and grandfather he was dedicated to his family, church and community and was known and loved by many.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, 13 children, 55 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his wife Aldean, his parents, one sister and four brothers.

Gloria “Jean” Ray, 75, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2019 at her home in Mesa, Arizona. She was born to Richard and LaVon Ray on July 8, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jean taught for Mesa Public Schools for 40 years and has influenced the lives of many children. She loved her nieces and nephews and enjoyed being with them often. Her talents were many – from sewing, calligraphy, genealogy, crocheting, and mostly doll making.

Jean is survived by her brothers, Ken and Elton, and her sisters, Rivon and Dorothy. Her brother, David, preceded her in death.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Cooley Park Meetinghouse, 3345 East McLellan Road, Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, at 9:00am. Jean will be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Perpetual Education Fund or the Missionary Fund for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Jean was a faithful, life-time member. https://ident.lds.org/sso/UI/Login?service=credentials

Our loving mother, Candace Ann Clemans, passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. Mom was a kind hearted and devoted mother and friend. She opened her heart and home to many and made sure that anyone who walked in the front door knew they were welcomed and they were safe. Mom showed her love through action. She may have had sharp opinions at times but, she was selfless and would go above and beyond for anyone. She was an adopted mother and grandmother to many of our friends growing up.

Mom was an X-Ray Technician at Banner Desert for 25 years. She was a respected mentor to coworkers and students. In her retirement years, Mom enjoyed gardening and working on small household projects (including remodeling her kitchen). She also enjoyed traveling to the beach, visiting family, and spending time with her fur babies at the dog park.

Candi was born on September 25, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John and Carol Kernan. She is preceded in death by her father, John P. Kernan, and sister, Mary Sue Kernan. Candi is survived by her mother, Carol Kernan of Mesa, AZ; brother, Michael Kernan of Kanab, UT; her four children, Jennifer Phaneuf (Jim) of Chippewa Falls, WI, Karen Clemans of Anchorage, AK, Andy Clemans (Cassandra) of Bend, OR, and Sarah Clemans (Josh) of Mesa, AZ. She was very proud of and loved her ten grandchildren, five nephews, and numerous extended family members very much.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the family home on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Maricopa County Animal Control, where Mom and Sarah rescued Wilson, Gus, Olive, and Jack.

Loretta Kay (Flake) Kanavel passed away peacefully on March 4, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.  Loretta was born to Rolf and Jean Flake in Mesa, Arizona on June 4, 1956.  She lived in Arizona nearly all of her 62 years, and spent most of her formative years in Gilbert.  On April 25, 1992 she married the love of her life, Patrick Kanavel, and they made their home in Mesa.  Loretta was full of life and had an infectious laugh and a ready smile for friends and acquaintances old and new. 

Loretta spent several years working at Gordon Darby as office manager.  More recently, she worked for more than 5 years as teacher’s aide at Crismon Elementary.  She loved her work at the school and the dear friends she made while there, and considered her greatest life’s work to be her family.        

Loretta is survived by her husband, Patrick, and son, Jonah, and stepdaughters Jamie Kanavel and Carrie Kanavel-Hyde, and three grandchildren.  She is also survived by parents, Rolf and Jean Flake, of Gilbert and siblings LaDawn Halbison, Kent (Lori) Flake, Reed (Amy) Flake, Kirk (Lori) Flake, and Kristen (Carl) Bloomfield.  She is preceded in death by a brother-in-law, David Halbison.   

Memorial services are Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 220 E. Cullumber Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234.  The memorial service will be preceded by a visitation from 10:00 -10:50 a.m.  Flowers may be sent to the church building at 220 E. Cullumber Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234 for arrival between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, or a donation to Hospice of the Valley is suggested in lieu of flowers.   

Linda Leigh Oliver, born August 10th, 1947, left this world into the next on Sunday, March 3, 2019. There to meet her were her parents Richard and Detta Oliver and son Jordan Gauthier. Left to carry on are her devoted husband Rudy Seliskar, daughter Julie (Gauthier) Reymond, Sean Reymond and granddaughters Sydney and Camryn Reymond. After teaching for 32 years in Montreal, Canada, she contributed her incredible talents as a behavior health specialist and passionate teacher in the Mesa community. Known for her compassion and dedication to others, she will be missed by all. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa on Friday, March 15, 2019. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to the MPN Research Foundation (Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Network). Visit www.bunkerfuneral.com for further information.