Find An Obituary

Mesa, AZ – John passed away peacefully on Friday, October 26 at age 94.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Joanne, daughter Deborah, sister Alta and brother Bill.  He is survived by son Alan and his wife Lisa and their two children, Tom and Kelly; daughter Patricia and her husband Jim, and their three children Holly, Jeffrey, and Kevin.

John was born in Harrisburg, PA on July 23rd, 1924.  He grew up there and married the love of his life, Joanne Strohm.  John entered Juniata College in 1942, but postponed his education after one semester to serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II.  During the war, he was assigned to PC 568, a sub chaser, and patrolled the North Atlantic and English Channel. On D-Day, his ship participated by helping to escort the U.S. Armada to the shores of Omaha Beach. After the war, he returned to Juniata and completed his degree in Chemistry in 1949.  He went on to earn a Master’s at the University of Delaware. In 1950, he began work at the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY and enjoyed a 38 year career with the company. During that time he held positions in multiple cities in areas such as the microelectronics division, aircraft gas turbine division, space sciences laboratory and later on in various management positions.

Upon his retirement in 1988, he retired to Peoria, AZ with wife Joanne and enjoyed his golden years in the sun golfing, gardening, traveling and in general, enjoying a well-deserved retirement.

Susanne Elizabeth (Faucher) Micheletto passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2018 in Mesa, AZ. She was born August 7th, 1928 in Chicago IL. on February 26th, 1949 she married Leo Anthony Micheletto and raised 4 children, David, Robert, Wendy and Leo Jr. on Chicago’s south side. She had 17 Grand children and 27 Great Grand children with 1 great great grand child. She loved to cook and worked with ceramics, She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, her son Leo Jr., a grand daughter Joanne Micheletto-Gertz and her great great grand daughter Athena Noelle Gertz and her siblings David, Helen, Josephine, Marion, Pearl and Rita.

Arrangements were made by Bunker  Family Funeral Home, 3529 East University Drive Mesa, AZ 85213 .  Funeral services will be at the National Cemetery, in Phoenix, AZ on Monday October 29th at 11:00 AM.

Garland Eugene Reser, 96, passed away on October 22, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona. Garland was born in Audubon, Iowa on April 29, 1922 to Samuel and Marie Reser.

Garland is survived by his daughters, Donita Coleman and Boni Pienups; and his grandchildren, Jay Stuart, Travis Stuart, and Cory Stuart; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Stuart, Aaron Stuart, Seth Stuart, Eden Stuart, Sarah Stuart, Sydney Stuart, Chandler Stuart, Lily Stuart, Charlotte Stuart, Cade Stuart, Dallin Stuart, Liam Stuart, Eliza Stuart, and Quinn Stuart. His wife, Donna Reser; his brothers, Dale and Rex; his sisters, Norma, Joanne and Joyce; two grandsons, Darwin Gartman and David Stuart; as well as his parents preceded him in death.

Garland served his country in WWII flying B-17 missions; he eventually served in the USAF until he retired in 1964. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft for ten years, and by then had established his own tax business which he operated until 2012. He loved his country, he loved his family, and he loved serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He never dismissed the opportunity to serve others in whatever way was needed. He has been a lifelong friend to many whose lives he touched along the way. But by far, he has been an example of honesty, integrity, and the poster person for “Choose the Right” to his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He was so loved, and will be so missed.

His viewing will take place on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 9:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1582 North Stapley Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85203. The service will follow at 10:00am. The Commitment Ceremony will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024 on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 1:00pm.

Robert (Bob) Frank Zehren, 91 passed away October 12, 2018.  Bob was born August 21, 1927 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He was an only child of Leonard M. Zehren and Lorene Pardee Zehren.  Bob is preceded in death by his life long friend Eleanor Kapfer. 

A Memorial Mass will be held November 13, 2018 at 11am at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.  The church is located 2654 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, AZ 85295.  The Reverend Father Greg Menagay will officiate.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in memory of Bob to Americare Hospice, 1103 S. Mesa Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210.

Bob’s final resting place will be in Appleton, Wisconsin.

“Pete” Pastore, 67, passed away on October 16, 2018, at his home in Mesa, AZ. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Pete Pastore Sr. He is survived in death by his sons, Jason Pastore, (Yvonne Pastore), George Pastore, (Nina Pastore), and Joe Pastore.

Pete will be missed greatly by his family, especially his five grandchildren, John Paul Pastore, Dominic Pastore, Nicholas Pastore, Josie Ann Pastore, and Ellie Pastore, of whom he was so proud, and loved so dearly.

Pete worked for the United States Postal Service in Joliet, Illinois, Scottsdale, AZ, and Chandler, AZ until he retired. He enjoyed coaching his three sons in all their various sports as they grew up, and enjoyed, even more, watching his grandchildren play competitive sports.

He was loved dearly by his extended family, and friends, and will be thought of often, and missed by us all. There will be a private service held Monday, October 29th for Pete. May he rest in peace.

October 22, 2018 Nathan George Adam’s, age 71 went home to his eternal rest. Nathan was a loving and dedicated husband to his wife Ann for 49 years. Together they have 7 children and 26 grandchildren. Nathan worked over 33 years as an aerospace engineer at the Boeing Plant in Mesa. Services will be held in his honor November 3, 2018 at the LDS Chapel 10036 East Brown Mesa, AZ. Viewing at 9am and Services at 10am. All are welcome. His grave will be dedicated November 10, 2018 at 1pm in Delta, Utah.

Frances Jeanne Clute, 85, was born on February 3, 1933 and passed away peacefully on October 18, 2018 at her Mesa, Arizona home after a long and happy life. Frances is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Richard, Greg, and Debbie; her sister, Mary; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren (with one on the way); and three nieces and one nephew.

A memorial service for Frances is planned for October 26, 2018 at 2:30pm, with a visitation at 2:00pm, at the First United Methodist Church, 15 East 1st Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85210. A light reception will be served immediately following.

Jack Arnold Woodward Sr., 95, passed away on October 23rd, 2018.  Jack was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 5^th, 1922 to Blanche and Arnold Woodward.  He was employed on May 12, 1941 by Firth Sterling Steel and Carbide Company, later becoming a Teledyne Company, working 43 years before retiring and becoming a consultant for 3 years.  His service with Teledyne was interrupted by serving in the Army – Co F 1308 Engr Regt in the ETO and ASCAP theaters during WWII.  He survived the battle of the Bulge and received 3 campaign ribbons with 3 Bronze Stars and Honorable Discharge February 19^th, 1946 at Indiantown Gap Mil Res., PA.  He was a 32^nd Degree Mason and a Member of the Youghigheny 583 F.A. & M Blue Lodge in McKeesport, PA.  He was also a member of Elizabeth Township Historical Society in Boston, PA.  He was a former resident of Mt. Vernon, PA before retiring to Lakeland, FL.

In 1984, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years.  Emily Ann Jacklitch Woodward was born on February 3^rd, 1923 in Boston, PA to Hazel and Arthur Jacklitch.  Emily passed away on December 18^th, 2000 in her Lakeland, FL home.  She was survived by sons Jack Arnold Jr., of Jacksonville, FL, Bruce Malcom and wife Carol of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by son Dale Warren, who died of Melanoma at age 38 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center on September 5^th, 1991.

Also survived by granddaughters Joyce Evatt and son AJ of Jacksonville, FL; Karen Kultchinsky and sons, Avi Bryce and Joshua Liam of Jacksonville, FL;  David Woodward and sons Joey and Jacob of Yulee, FL; Shelli Luther and daughter Sara and son Aiden of Cannonburg, PA; Keri Singleton and daughters Tiernie, Kylee and Alexis of Clermont, FL;  Shawna Woodward and sons Jordan and Jackson of Monroeville, PA; Shannon Woodward of North Versailles, PA; Kristen Bifalco and her daughter Gianna Rose of Mesa, AZ; Katherine Whitmer and son, Hayden and daughter Cassie of Uniontown, PA.  Combined cremated remains of Emily & Jack will be placed in the VA cemetery in Florida.

Leilua Masina Auelua, 46 of Scottsdale, Arizona; passed away on October 20, 2018 in Mesa.  She was born on April 17, 1972 in Denver, Colorado.  A Viewing / Testimonials will be held from 9:00 am – 11:00 am with a service from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa 85213.  A Reception to follow.

Craig Lee Davis, 69, passed away on October 9, 2018 at his home in Mesa, Arizona. His adored wife, Teresa Lynn, and beloved daughter, Jessica-Rae Wallace, were at his side. Craig was originally from Woodstock, Illinois. He was fond of the outdoors where he liked to hunt, fish, hike, and camp. Craig was known to have a way with horses that people admired. For many years, he worked at Baker Bros Floor Covering as a store manager.

Craig was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Lou (Kitchen) Davis, and his father, Clyde Navard Davis. He is survived in death by his loving wife, Teresa Lynn; his daughter, Jessica-Rae Wallace; two grandsons, Liam Wyatt Wallace and Nolan Blake Wallace; his sister, Penny Sprinkel; and brother-in-law, Richard Sprinkel. Craig will also be missed by his sisters-in-law, Linda Lynn and Sherry Lynn; nephews, Skyler Pierpont and Eugene Pierpont III; his cousins, Sue Denzer, Marsha Polacek, and Marliese Reeves; and his uncle, Howard Reed.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Craig’s life on Saturday, November 3, 2018. For more information, please contact the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in Craig’s name to: Hospice of the Valley, Angela Harris – Team O, 16117 North 76th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260-1793.

Monford D. Lewis, age 86, passed away peacefully in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Desert Banner Medical Center in the hospice center. Monford is preceded in death by his parents, Dillon Lewis and Edna Bates; brother, John Lewis; sisters, Ellen Murdock and Doris Trimble; and one grandson, Dirk Hall Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Verdena Barney Lewis; four wonderful children, Debrah, Dexter, Denise, and Dixie; 14 awesome grandchildren; 36 amazing great-grandchildren; one sweet great-great-grandchild; brothers, Donavon, Kenneth, and Steven Lewis; and sisters, Ada Jane Athay and Edna Mae Lewis.

Monford graduated from Holbrook High School, where he was the quarterback on the football team. He then attended Eastern Arizona Junior College in Thatcher, Arizona. Carpentry was Monford’s trade and he loved woodworking. In his free time he liked to go fishing and work in his garden. Monford loved his beautiful family and he will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held the following day on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 10:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 20^th Ward, 848 North Westwood Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201, with a second visitation one hour prior to the service at 9:00am. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Kimberly Elyse Lambert, 35, passed away peacefully at her home on October 11, 2018. She was born on June 6, 1983 in Mesa, Arizona. Kimberly will be missed by so many whose lives she enriched with her kindness, open heart, and bright mind. She never met a stranger, and embodied the principle of love, mourning with, and comforting all those who came upon her path.

Kimberly is survived by her amazing sons, Sutton Charles (10) and Brooks Innes (4). She is also survived by her mother, Ann Barney; her in-laws, Bev and Bill Candland; her brothers, Jason (Traci), Denny (Nichole), Darin (Megan), Bryan (Shelly), and Justin (Chelsea); and her four sisters, DeAnn Clinger (Kade), Jennifer Nielson (Talan), Stacy Smith (Greg), and Lindsey Smart (Greg). Kimberly is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Drummer Charles Lambert; her father, T. Dennis Barney, and many family members whom she loved dearly.

Kim valued and magnified her most favorite occupation and calling: being the mother and caregiver to her sons. They gave her meaning to fight through some of the most significant health challenges. She never stopped seeing their brilliance, their goodness, and she fought to earn each and every moment she witnessed of their lives. Her other most valued role was one of being a wife to her husband, Drummer. He was the love of her life, the one who made her world make sense and filled her with purpose and hope. His was a gentle and kind demeanor, within which Kim flourished. They worked so hard together to make the world the kind of place where their sons could grow to be good men who built upon their foundation on acceptance and love for all. This was the sustaining breath to all her actions.

She thought of her dad, Dennis, every single day and he was her example of the best kind of association, making others feel they belonged and had every right to dignity and value. She fought for those pushed to the margins and she saw them when, in some cases, no one else did. Heaven gained one of the purest advocates, and one who can make just about anyone laugh. Her humor overlaid all she did and she was so quick to make life feel doable. Her example is one so many look to for inner strength. Kim will be greatly missed by so many whose lives she transformed with her kindness. May our Heavenly Father bless her family and friends with comfort and peace as they stand the test of time and are together again.

We will be honoring and celebrating Kimberly’s beautiful life during her funeral services on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 10:00am at The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, 1010 South Recker Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85296. Prior to the services, a visitation will be held from 9:00 to 9:30am. There will also be a visitation held the evening before, on Thursday, October 18, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the same location. There will be a graveside service immediately following the funeral services at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Merwin Darwin Grant was born in Safford, Arizona on May 7, 1944, to Erma Whiting and Darwin D. Grant. Kings and princes have not been as adored as Merwin was by his doting parents and loving siblings, who are: Rita (Gary Lyon), Ronald (Keiko), Howard (the late Irene), and Robert (Jo).

As a young man, Merwin enjoyed every aspect of life in his hometown of St. Johns, AZ, which he fondly referred to as “city of the West; center of action.” Though St. Johns was a small town of 1,200 people, in Merwin’s eyes it was as significant and marvelous as any great metropolis.

In high school, he led the basketball and football teams, played tuba in the band, sang in the choir, and served as both student body president and valedictorian for his graduating class. The break-neck pace at which Merwin lived life did not slow when he attended Brigham Young University. There he was an economics major, freshman class president, the university’s social vice president, and one of the original members of the Young Ambassadors performing group. Never one to shun the spotlight, it should come as no surprise that Merwin’s favorite college memory was performing on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Merwin served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexico City, Mexico mission. He loved the people and language with a vigor that did not diminish throughout his life. Anytime the opportunity to speak Spanish presented itself, Merwin took it with delight.

Merwin wisely fell in love with Charlotte Richey, whose delicate and cautious nature perfectly tempered this gregarious cowboy. Together they were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple for eternity. Their almost 50-year journey through life together was never monotonous. As Charlotte and their children can attest, proximity to Merwin made a mundane existence impossible.

Merwin took the Law School Admissions Test on a whim one Saturday morning, and a moment’s decision became a life’s passion. He attended law school at Duke University, and, after Charlotte and his children, Merwin’s next greatest love was his profession. The adage “those who love their jobs never truly work a day in their life” perfectly described Merwin. His yellow legal pad was always in hand; his mind was always engaged on his client’s behalf. In fact, he did not stop practicing until his body compelled him to do so, and, even then, he could not help but talk about the law every chance he got.

His most cherished volunteer opportunities were those that benefitted children. He was a favorite Cub Scout leader, soccer coach, and Primary teacher. No one could build a faster pinewood derby car, find creative alternatives to rained-out soccer practices, or wrangle a group of irreverent Mormon kids better than Merwin. His charm was undeniable, even to the very youngest of his acquaintances.

Though Merwin survived as many close calls as an action movie hero—from a car flipped underwater to an airplane engulfed in flames—he was not able to escape the grasp of Lewy Body dementia, which took him from his family and friends far too soon.

For the incomparable care he received during his final years, we sincerely thank Lizz Soto, Angela Mojica, Clara Aquiler, Patty Jones, the staff at Downing House, and his ever-devoted Charlotte, without whom Merwin simply could not have endured the extraordinary journey that was his to make.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00pm on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2549 North 32nd Street, Mesa, Arizona 85213. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11:00am at the same location, with another visitation held from 10:00 to 11:00am on the same day. He will be interred in the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

  Jacqueline Amanda Hoglund (Wirtinen), 63, passed into God’s hands on Monday, October 8^th, 2018 in Payson, AZ.  She was born on December 4, 1954 in Crystal Falls, Michigan to Warren David Wirtinen & Eva Mae Massi (Wirtinen, Warren). 

  She married David J. Hoglund on August 18, 1973.  They celebrated 46 wonderful years together.  She was a mother and homemaker.  Went to college and got her associates degree in accounting.  Always had a smile for everyone.  She had worked for Ace Hardware as a clerk.

  She loved reading up to 3 books at a time, loved baking, sewing, knitting, & quilting.  She headed making a large cookbook and made rosaries for the Church.

  She is survived by her husband David, son Kenneth (Beth) and granddaughter Brie, mother Eva Massi, brother William Wirtinen (Terry), Ronald Massi, and sisters Pat Comprin (Anthony), Jody Jurakovick (Dan), sister-in-law Nancy Massi. 

  Preceding her in death are grandparent Florin, Bess Warren and Onnie Bretha Wirtinen, her Fathers Warren D. Wirtinen, Virgil Massi, brothers Dick Massi & Rudy Massi.

  Please make donations to food shelves and Pet Rescues or a charity of your choice.

  She will be cremated by Bunker Family Funeral Homes.  Service for a Memorial of Jacqueline will be held at Brentwood West Community Center Main Clubhouse, 3104 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85204.  Service will be November 5^th at 11 AM with lunch to follow.