A celebration of Life

You are invited to join us in celebrating the life of James Charles Knibbs who passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Banner Desert Medical Center.

Where:  LDS Church 700 S. Evergreen Rd, Tempe, AZ

When: November 28, 2018

Get together: 4:00 pm in the relief society room

Services: 5:00 pm in the chapel

Sincerely,

The James Knibbs Family

Simon Jerome “SJ” Angel, Jr. was reunited with his beloved wife, Betty Ann, on November 17, 2018. He was born in Coal County, Oklahoma. SJ retired from the Miami, Arizona copper mines after 30-plus years of dedicated service.

He is survived by his son, Larry (Kathleen); granddaughters, Kelly Angel and Kaycee Angel-Archer (Eric); and 3 great-granddaughters, McKinley Ann, Lincoln Marie, and Pierce Stella.

Private services and interment were held at the Globe Cemetery.

In memory of SJ, donations may be made to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in the name of the Angel-Archer family.

Ula Mae Jones, 87, of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 16, 2018. She is survived by three children, Dick Jones (Linda), Pam Butler, and Debbie Vest (Mark); along with 11 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandma that has a testimony of Christ and loved her family dearly. She will be reunited with her husband of 69 years, Richard E Jones and her son, David Curtis Jones. She will be missed by many.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2252 West Mesquite Road, Chandler, Arizona 85224, at 11:00am. A visitation will begin one hour prior to services, at 10:00am.

Rita Anne Anaya, 36, of Mesa, Arizona; passed away on November 18, 2018.  A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM with a funeral service at 4:00 PM, Saturday, November 24^th at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa.

Stanley Dean Ferrin was born on September 19, 1954 in Mesa, Arizona. He passed away on November 16, 2018, in his home, at the age of 64, causes incident to ALS. Stan is survived by his daughters, Janae’ (Chris), Becky, and Aprill (Nate), and his five grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Derald (Janet), Keith (Patsy), Ted (Judy), and (Betty Jo), and his sister, Coleen (Keith) Snider. He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Pearl Ferrin; his brothers, Verle (Betty Jo) and Larry; and his son, Heber. We know he is enjoying a wonderful reunion on the other side of the veil!

Stan served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States Mission from 1973-1975. Stan was a hard worker all his life! He enjoyed being an Electrician and General Contractor as owner and President of Ferrin Electric Corporation for over 38 years and served on the IECA Board since 2000. He loved the 11 years he served at the AZ Temple Lighting event. He was quite the entrepreneur and enjoyed being involved in many things, including Stan’s Ice Cream Machine Rentals that brought delicious soft serve ice cream to many! He loved history and was a Patriot. He was always helping those in need and had a great love for people; he never knew a stranger and was very generous.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the LDS Kimball Stake Center, 1266 South 32nd Street, Mesa, Arizona 85204, at 11:30am, with a second visitation from 10:30 to 11:15am. Burial will then follow the services at City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201. 

Memorial contributions can be made in Stan’s name to the LDS General Missionary Fund or to the ALS Foundation. https://goo.gl/forms/MwA7WJRi3O51fz7r2

Elvira (Urias) Nixon of Mesa, Arizona passed peacefully in her sleep on November 14, 2018. Born on October 14, 1922 in Oak Glen, California she was raised in and around Southern California. Her parents passed at very young ages, and she helped to raise her siblings, 11 in total.  A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, she met her late husband James Joseph Nixon while stationed at March Field AFB in California.  She left the Air Force to raise a family, and selflessly move the family with James to posts across the US and abroad before moving to Arizona in 1971 where they retired.

Her friends called her Vera, and her nickname was the Bear, since she was pretty grumpy getting folks up in the morning.  She was as shy and private as a person can be, married to a man that loved to be around people, but they made it work.  She loved sports (especially her Arizona Cardinals and Diamondbacks), and traveling around the country to watch baseball was a favorite pastime; which gave dad ample opportunities to share stories with complete strangers along the way.   She loved music, and her daughter Jamie made sure one of her favorite artists was playing every night when she went to bed.  She was opinionated and bullheaded, and you can see that in all of her children, because she wanted them to have a strong voice when their turn came for opportunities that she had never enjoyed.  

She was a loving mother, and opened her home to neighbors that just needed someone to talk to or a peaceful place to hang out.  She was an amazing wife to her late husband for 50 years, and his loss weighed heavy on her for the past 12 years.  She is bringing a list of honey dos for him when they meet at the gates of heaven.  She leaves behind her loving daughters Melanie Anne Hammond and husband Larry; Kimberly Beth Dallesandro and husband Joe, Jamie Lee Robertson and husband Terry and his mother Patty McCarroll; and her loving son Michael Roy Nixon and wife Tina. She was the beloved Grandmother of Elictia Tanyel Hart, Joffrey Laurice Hammond, Tessa Larey Hammond, Eva Nichole Neveau, Brandon Michael Robertson, Tyler James Robertson and Connor Joseph Nixon and great grandchildren, Micah James and Jemma Joelle Hart.  She was also the proud Godmother to Michelle Goldmeer. She has been blessed with many friends and relatives throughout her life, too many to mention all of them here, but they should all know she loved them dearly. Special thanks to her dear friend Mary Tracy for the phone calls and laughs over the years that made the past seem like not so long ago; Barbara Matzinger who kept in touch with her and sent her thoughtful cards and crafts; and Ms. Lataral Lewis, her loving caregiver and friend who was with her until the end.  A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on December 1, 2018 at the Bunker Family Funeral Home, located at 3592 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ. The burial will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery, located at 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA on December 3, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in the name of Elvira Nixon can be made to Alzheimer’s Association National Headquarters, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or at https://www.alz.org/.

Wayne J Lewis, born June 8th, 1941 in Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in North Logan, Utah, reuniting with his sweetheart and eternal companion, Maren, on November 8th, 2018.  

Wayne was the oldest son of Eddie Charles and Verna Bushman Lewis. He served a short time in the Army and then served a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covering Virginia and North Carolina. Upon his return, Wayne and Maren were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on January 25th, 1963, beginning an amazing union and raised a large family of 12 children. The two were inseparable until her death on December 2nd, 2012.

   He was a pursuer of education receiving his BA in political science in 1969 and his Masters degree in history in 1981, both at Brigham Young University (BYU). His master’s thesis identified the names of over 6,700 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had lived in the state of Missouri during the 1830s, also identifying the property owned by these early saints. 

Wayne’s work took him and his family to many places including Oregon, Kansas, Missouri, Utah, and Arizona, providing great adventures along the way.  He taught seminary in Mesa and Snowflake, Arizona, and also taught classes in the College of Religion Education at BYU.  He worked for the Presiding Bishopric’s Office in the department of LDS Philanthropies for twenty years and assisted in the financing of various projects of the Church and BYU. He also assisted in some of the priority needs of the College of Religion, BYU Sports, and the Ezra Taft Benson Agricultural Institute, and served as Assistant Dean in the College of Biology and Agriculture at BYU. 

He served in multiple Bishoprics and as Bishop of a BYU YSA Ward and most recently as the Stake Patriarch for the Desert Ridge Stake in Mesa Arizona for almost 10 years.

Wayne was a recognized historian on the Church’s history in Missouri and authored, co-authored, and published several books on the subject.  His love for the Prophet Joseph Smith led to a collection of over five hundred books that took him over 45 years to obtain. He used these to create the first reference encyclopedia about the Prophet.

Although he was very successful in his work, it was his wife and children that brought him the greatest joy.  His family has been very blessed and honored to be raised and loved by this gentle giant of a man.  He loved his children, grandchildren, and extended family with all he had.  He passed on the love of God, country, and family.  Wayne also loved and passed on an admiration for Christopher Columbus, family history and BYU sports.

Wayne was preceded in death by his dear wife Maren (2012), parents, and four siblings, Marilyn (1937), Eddie Verlyn (1947), Lynelle (2003), and Jerry Lynn (1952). 

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Shirlene and Mike Lee. Also by his children, Merie Kammerer (Kurt), Jay Lewis (Darlene), Dr.Talmage Lewis (Robyn), Ginger Boyd (Mark), Heidi Riboldi (Dr. Pablo), LaLoni Stott (David), Mollie Remund (Steve), Audrey Maycock (David), Eddie Lewis (Jennyfer), Jenny Lewis, Annie Montgomery, and Jacob Lewis (Noelle), 69 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with 7 more on the way).

A time to visit with the family will be on Friday, November 23rd, from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3526 East University, Mesa and 9-10 AM on Saturday, November 24th at the Desert Ridge Stake Center, 3440 South Signal Butte, Mesa. The funeral will follow at 10 AM. Interment in City of Mesa Cemetery.

Carin Elizabeth (Haigh) Koenig, age 40 of San Tan Valley, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2018. She was born to the late Roger Haigh and Carol Haigh on November 21, 1977 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Carin is survived by her mother, Carol Haigh, sister, Stephanie Jarvise (James) and niece, Lauren Jarvise. Being an Aunt was one of her favorite roles in life, she beamed with pride when talking about Lauren. She will also be forever remembered by her surviving uncles, aunts and cousins, one of whom (Will Haigh) donated his kidney to her.

Carin graduated from Mountain Pointe High School, attended Phoenix College and went on to work for the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department for over 19 years. She was a loving family member, loyal friend and devoted employee who brought out the best in everyone she met. She was an excellent listener and accepted everyone without judgement.

Carin was an extremely creative and talented crafter, often making special gifts for family and friends.  She also enjoyed traveling to the mountains and the beach, riding on the back of a motorcycle, singing karaoke, listening to music, reading and animals. She owned three pot-belly pigs and numerous cats over the years, including Vespa her best fur friend of 18 years.

After being taken all to soon due to a long battle with diabetes and renal failure, Carin will live on in the hearts of all those she touched. She will be remembered for so much, but especially for her strength, humor, giving nature and smile.

A memorial service will be held December 2, 2018 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85213 at 10 AM.

Memorial donations in memory of Carin may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=85855078&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T&2374.donation=form1) or the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary (http://www.ironwoodpigs.org).

Gerry Hanson, 93 passed away peacefully on November 8, 2018 in Gilbert, Arizona.  Gerry is at peace and was met by her husband Perry, daughter Kathy and reunited with so many family members.  She is survived by her son’s Brian (Jennifer), Kevin, grandchildren, Jared (Molly), Kristin (Bill), Justin, Adam, Alyssa, Zachary and two great grandchildren, Billy and Elliot.  Gerry enjoyed reading, listening to music and being around people.  She loved Coke (in a bottle) and candy.  She smiled a lot and had a funny/dry sense of humor.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 17, 2018 at 11 AM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ.  Final resting place will be Ft. Logan National Cemetery with her husband Perry in Denver, CO.

David Anthony Halbison, Jr., age 64, passed away on November 9, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. David was born in Casa Grande, Arizona on November 14, 1953 to David (Sr.) and Marlene Halbison; the second of eight children. He moved to Sacaton, AZ as a small child and attended school in Casa Grande. As a youth, David played football, worked at ‘Arizona Traders’ (the family grocery store), and upon graduating from high school joined the Army National Guard. After his military service, he returned home to work in his father’s store until it was destroyed by fire in 1991. Following the fire David switched careers, going to work for Frito Lay, where he was recognized multiple times for his exceptional sales leadership. After 26 years, David retired to spend more time with his growing family.

In 1988, David married LaDawn Flake and his three children and her five children became their children. With the arrival of their two daughters, Kelli and Ashley, the family was complete.

David’s life was one filled with service to his family, friends, and church. He served as a worker for five years in the Mesa and Gilbert temples, he cleaned and maintained the San Tan church building, and he served in a variety of church callings. David loved being outdoors in the White Mountains and on the beach at Rocky Point. He was an outstanding softball player, an ace handyman, and most recently, an off-road racer in his side-by-side ATV. He will be remembered for his faith, work ethic, endearing humor, and kind heart.

David is survived by his wife of 30 years, LaDawn Flake Halbison; children and spouses, David Halbison III (Kelly), Kirk Halbison (Brooke), Jimmy Halbison (Kacey), Kelli Porter (Brandt), Ashley Fitzpatrick (Vaughn), Shauna Jarvis (Brad), Brian Carpenter (Jennifer), Heather Arave (Dustin), Crystal Brown (Peter), and Steven Carpenter (Kelly); brother, Matt; sisters, Donna (Kirke), Mary, Lori (Mark), Lacy, and Jennifer (Mat); 32 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, David and Marlene, and sister, Debbie.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10:30am at the Partridge Ward Chapel, 4346 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, Arizona 85297, with a viewing beginning at 9:00am. A graveside service will immediately follow at San Tan Memorial Gardens, 22425 East Cloud Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142.

Condolences and flowers can be sent to Bunker’s Garden Chapel at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Saul Luther Hedquist, 38, Archaeologist, Husband, and Father       

Saul L. Hedquist passed away peacefully at his home in Tempe, Arizona, on Sunday, November 4, 2018. Saul was born September 16, 1980 to Nona Meyer and Paul Hedquist and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1999 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003. Saul was always enamored of history, culture and the outdoors. In college, he channeled these interests into an anthropology major. His dedication to anthropology brought him to Flagstaff in 2004, where he received a master’s degree in anthropology from Northern Arizona University. He continued doctoral studies in anthropology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where his research focused on the cultural significance, exchange, and many uses of turquoise to prehistoric and contemporary Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, particularly the Hopi and Zuni. In May 2016, he received a PhD in Anthropology.

Saul was passionate about his academic work. He was a rising leader in the field and garnered great respect not only for his superb scholarship, but for his enthusiasm for working collaboratively and across disciplines. His great success stemmed in part from his genuine love for interacting with people. Saul had a natural ability to be fully present during even the most casual of conversations with both colleagues and friends.

As a friend, Saul was incredibly supportive and engaged, and he could be counted on to show up when he was needed. Beyond his steady presence in their lives, Saul’s friends will remember how much fun he was. He was the guy you called if you wanted to grab a beer or needed a runner on your relay team. He was a strong runner, always happy to pick up the toughest legs, and sure to be present at every hand-off to cheer on his teammates. Saul had a wealth of knowledge on society, history, pop-culture, and sports (particularly of his beloved Cubs and Packers), making him a crucial member of any pub trivia team. He was a musical aficionado—as long as the music was classic rock. Saul especially loved the Beatles, the Kinks, the Band, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and Led Zeppelin—all with the volume turned up loud. Most of all, Saul loved being with his family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman and spent many happy days hiking, camping, fishing, running, and playing disc golf with friends and family.

Saul wanted nothing more than to make other people happy and to do good in the world. On both fronts, he was tremendously successful. He is survived by his wife Leigh Anne Ellison; daughters Chelsea and Leila Hedquist; his mother Nona Meyer; father and step-mother Paul and Meg Altmix-Hedquist; brothers Seth Hedquist and Zach and Jake Simmons; and his mother and father-in-law Sandy and Jeff Ellison.

All are welcome to attend a celebration of life planned for the afternoon of January 5^th, 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona. Details will be posted at http://bit.ly/2DlL4rb as they become available.

Cheryl Willis Moore of Mesa, loving mother and “Nana” passed away Monday, November 12^th with her family by her side.  Cheryl was born May 13, 1927, in Taylor, Arizona to her parents Thomas Willis and Metta Denham Willis Bills.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gailya Willis Ball Harris, and two siblings that died shortly after birth.  Surviving are her four children Terry Moore, Larry Moore (Denise), Danny Moore (Cheena), Sherry Pierce (Gary); eight grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren.  Our Mom and Nana was a kind and loving person and was adored by her family and so many others.  She will be missed more than words can say, but her influence will always be a part of us and she will live forever in our hearts.  Her memorial service will be Friday, November 16^th, 11:00 AM, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa.  Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery immediately following the service.

Tyler James Koerner, 26 years old, passed away in Tempe, Arizona on the morning of November 7, 2018. Tyler was born in Lancaster, California to Steve and Lancette Koerner. His paternal half-sisters are Stefani Hughes and Tiffany Zehring. His maternal half-brother is Jason King. Tyler, though the youngest member of his family, was survived by all the others. Tyler’s love interest and life partner was Sara Cooper, who mourns his passing. Tyler was adored and deeply loved.

Tyler was a quiet man who was most remarkable for his intellect and his consideration and sensitivity to the feelings of others. There was never a moment of hesitation when Tyler was asked a favor. More reliable than most, he applied his competencies to help other people.

As a teen, Tyler was a go-getter. He became an Eagle Scout by accomplishing a gazillion merit badges and doing a special project to aid a homeless shelter. At 15, he became a lifeguard at Big Surf waterpark; he rescued fair maidens there every summer for the next six years.

Tyler graduated with honors from Mountain View High School, class of 2010. He went to ASU on scholarship where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. During his senior year, he worked at Layne Christensen Company as an engineering intern. He excelled and impressed. Upon graduation, Layne promoted him to engineer. About that time, Intel Corporation also recognized his potential and Tyler accepted their offer instead. Tyler took assignment to night shift at a microchip facility in Chandler, Arizona where he did technical work to maintain the operations of manufacturing machinery. Tyler liked Intel and enjoyed the people he worked with. Working full time nights, Tyler simultaneously pursued a master’s degree at ASU during the daytime.

Tyler was a man who worked hard. While his dedication to his budding career and his master’s work constrained his avocational options, he did make time for friends and family. In recent years he has been able to experience skydiving, marathon running, range shooting, snowboarding, and sailing. Eager to explore the world around him, Tyler visited Europe; has seen the beauty of the national parks; snorkeled coral reefs; and learned to soar with his father. Tyler was an avid reader from a very early age and that surely contributed to his lucid writing. Most recently, Tyler had taken up art. He left an acrylic painting of Sara, not quite completed.

Tyler and Sara rescued a high energy boxer mix from the pound just six weeks prior. Whenever Tyler was about, Lucy’s tail swung with such velocity as to bruise those standing too close. If Tyler had a tail, it might have done the same.

With Tyler passing at his prime, humanity has taken a hit. The world will be less than it might have been. Tyler had grand plans interrupted.

The Celebration of Tyler’s life will take place on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 10:00am at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. The Celebration will be officiated by Karoline Davidson. A reception will follow at the same location.