Sharon Elizabeth Elliott, 86, of Mesa, Arizona; Passed away on December 1, 2018.  Funeral services are pending.

Jess Vondele Williams entered into the Kingdom of God and was reunited with his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy Margarite, on November 29, 2018. He passed away peacefully surrounded by all of his children. Jess was born in Lubbock, Texas on May 21, 1934. He loved his job at El Paso Natural Gas Company where he retired after 45 years of dedicated service. He was also a member of the El Paso Masonic Lodge and the El Maida Shriners in El Paso, TX for many years.

Jess was a loving father and grandfather who provided well for his family. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Denise (Tony); sons, Leslie Rex (Jeannie) and Russell “Rusty” Eric (Tami); six grandchildren, Tina Camile, Tonya Denise, Leah Ashley, Jesse Ryan, Melissa Robyn, and Steven Austin; and two great-grandchildren, Frank James Jr. and Jessey Lee.

A visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

In memory of Jess, donations may be made in his name to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014 https://hov.org/

Marilyn Campbell Allen, age 76, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2018 at home in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born in Provo, Utah on August 19, 1942 to Max and Berma Cox. Marilyn received her Associates Degree from Chabot Community College in Hayward, California. She will be fondly remembered by her family as a loving, supportive wife and mother. She always sacrificed her needs for the good of her family. Marilyn lived with passion for life. She didn’t know how to partially commit to anything. Anyone that knew her, knew to step aside and let her take the reins. She loved to sing and teach others to sing. She also loved to work with the youth, helping them unlock their musical abilities. She was always committed to helping youth find something inside that they didn’t even know they had. She was a master of the performing arts. Marilyn was tough as nails on the outside and soft as butter on the inside. She also was a collector of beautiful things. She enjoyed entertaining and sharing her china and antique glassware. Marilyn was an incredible lady! Oh the places we’ll go and the mountains we’ll move because of the example of our amazing mother.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 23 years, Dwayne Allen; her children, Casie Campbell, Kirsten Jacobson (Brian), Brent Campbell (Allison), David Campbell (Dara), and Scott Campbell; her grandchildren, Jeremy, Makenzie, Zachary, Nathan, Benjamin, Tyler, Samuel, Ashlynn, Isaiah, Benjamin, Brandon, Mia, Parker, Claire, and Cooper; and her sister, Carol Ann Driggs (Ken). In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Floyd Eugene Campbell; her brother, Robert McCausland; her sister, Francine Christensen; and her brothers, Ronald Max Cox and Robert Wayne Cox. All whom loved her dearly and will never forget her tenacity, wit, and undying love for them.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Islands Ward Building, 1150 West Elliot Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85233. Bishop Brad Bell will officiate, with a burial following the service at Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 East Main Street Mesa, Arizona 85207. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Islands Ward Building. There will also be an hour visitation prior to the funeral services. 

Bunker’s Garden Chapel is handling the arrangements. (480) 964-8686

Guy Raymond Miller 1947-2018

Mesa, AZ. – Guy “Ray” Miller, 71, formerly of Lordstown, Ohio peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Friday, November 23, 2018 at Banner University Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

He was born on October 24, 1947, in Warren, Ohio, the son of the late Carl and Geraldine Miller.

He was a graduate of Bristolville High School and spent much of his career as a member of the Teamsters for over 25 years.

Ray married Betty Byler of Parkman, Ohio in 1971 and together they raised two children in Lordstown and they later moved to Mesa, Arizona, to be with two of their grandchildren.

While residing in Lordstown, he was an active member of Bailey Road Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee and Awana leader.  Upon his retirement in 2009, he and Betty moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church serving as a deacon.

Ray enjoyed wood working, remodeling and repair work for himself and others.  He was known for his sense of humor and kindness.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.  He most enjoyed his time with his grandchildren, watching them play sports, playing board games and taking them to the park.

Ray will be greatly missed by his loving wife Betty; son Jeffrey S. (Nancy) Miller of Mesa, AZ.; daughter Julie Miller-Hock of Charleston, SC., grandchildren Nicholas & Luke Miller, and Madison Hock, brothers; Carl A. Miller and Espy H. Miller.

A Memorial Service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Mesa, Arizona on December 15, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., which will be followed up by a Celebration of Life service at Bailey Road Baptist Church at a time and date to be determined in early 2019.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/donate/ in Guy R. Miller’s name.

Joseph Flynn Bellows died November 27, 2018 from complications of cancer.  He was born in Payson, Utah on September 1, 1954, the fourth of 6 children.  His childhood and youth years were spent in Lake Shore and Spanish Fork, Utah.  Joe’s passing was preceded by his wife Sandra, parents Joseph Charles Bellows, Veryl (Liston) Bellows, and sister Rebecca Morgan. Joe is survived by his siblings, Michael Flynn Bellows (Laurie), Jeffrey Flynn Bellows (Marion), Marinan Barta, and Dianne Galligher.  He was proud of his many nieces and nephews and found great joy in their successes.

After graduating from Spanish Fork High School in 1972, he enlisted in the US Air Force serving as a logistics and transportation specialist at Luke AFB, Arizona, Osan AFB, South Korea, and March AFB, California.   After his honorable discharge in 1976, he moved to Mesa Arizona where he spent the remainder of his life.

He was employed by Arizona West Contracting Construction Company.  All of his life he enjoyed working with his hands and building things.  His work with AW allowed this gift to flourish and he worked in all phases of the construction process.  He was a master carpenter and a job superintendent for many years.  He loved creating and continued to work until his diagnosis.

The company specialized in the building of commercial structures and churches.  He often spoke of the privilege of working on projects inside the Mesa Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   In the latter years of his life, he embraced the faith of his childhood and served in numerous responsibilities in the priesthood and auxiliaries of his church.

Joe had an endearing and robust personality.  He loved to tell jokes and the mischief in his eyes, as he shared these stories, drew us in and always solicited laughter before he reached the punch line. His sometimes-gruff exterior was one of his most endearing traits. He was rarely reserved when offering unsolicited input but his oversized heart and short memory made him easy to love.

The time between diagnosis and his passing was short.  We will miss him but we were greatly blessed by the time he had and that he could share with us his faith in Heavenly Father’s love and his expressed willingness to submit to His will.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9:00am with services to follow at 10:00 am.  It will be held at the L.D.S. Chapel located at 925 N. Harris in Mesa.

Please view the video tribute at: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/B93692NPXY665BHL

Darvil Lavern West from North Pole, Alaska passed away peacefully in Gilbert, Arizona on November 25, 2018. Ever the outdoorsman, Darvil loved to hunt, fish, or just take off on his snowmobile or airboat; anything adventurous, he wanted in on it. He worked hard and played hard. Darvil worked on the Alaskan Pipeline and the ice roads; any job that didn’t restrict him to a desk in an office, he gladly took on. He lived life on his own terms, always.

Darvil is predeceased by his father, Norman L. West. He is survived by his mother, Evelyn West; sisters, Norma King and Janis Wilkins; brothers, Royce, Wade, and Nolan West; children, Sundee Burney, Tiffani Kinghorn-Clayton, Ryan West, and Jason West; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Voyager Ward, 1005 North Voyager Drive, Gilbert, Arizona. A viewing will be held prior to the services at 10:00am. Burial will be at the Lakeside Cemetery, 1265 Larson Road, Lakeside, Arizona 85929, on Friday November 30, 2018 at 12:00pm.

Edmund “Devin” Vest, age 41, passed away on November 19, 2018. Edmund was born in Phoenix, Arizona on December 16, 1976 to Edmund and (belated) Maricanna Vest.

Services will be held at Xalychidom Piipaash Nyvaash, 3660 North Horne Road, Mesa, Arizona 85203, on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 6:00pm. There will be a traditional cremation ceremony at 4:00am on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Lehi Cemetery, 926 East Thomas Road, Mesa, Arizona 85203.

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/.