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Patrick (Pat) Joseph Wirries (77) passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 in Mesa, AZ.  Pat was born on April 26, 1941 in Phoenix, AZ.  Son to Anthony Ortiz Jr. and Rita M. (Wirries) Gularte.  Lovingly cared for by Frank Gularte and Rita (Wirries) Gularte along with his grandparents William and Mary Mabel Wirries.

At 18 years of age, Pat joined the U.S. Air Force.  A true patriot, he served our country for 25 years in various security positions including Chief of Security Police and security in aerospace engineering during The Cold War.  He received multiple awards for his excellence in marksmanship. 

After retiring from the Air Force, Pat moved back to his birthplace – the land he loved – Arizona.  He loved the desert and its heat.  He became a Private Investigator and again worked with the U.S. government in various training roles.

Pat enjoyed traveling around the world and fell in love with photography to keep mementos of the new friends he made and the exciting and beautiful places he visited.  He always chose to go off the beaten path to explore and to experience the true culture.  In addition to traveling and photography, he greatly enjoyed music, writing, and the company of family and good friends.  He was quick to make friends – he possessed a quick wit and a generous soul.

Pat loved being with his family and taking them on great adventures.  He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He is survived by his children:  Patricia Scott, Thomas Wirries (wife Leticia), Diane Wirries, and Dawn Dalton (husband Rustin) and their mother Ann (Whitten) Wirries; his grandchildren Craig, Andrew, Kristen, Emily, Katelyn, Austin Thomas, Austin James, Jacob, and Christopher; his great-grandchildren Everett, Ethen, Giovanni, Ezra, Romeo, Autumn, Phoenix, Kieran, Anna, Craig, and Viviana – with 2 more on the way.

Pat is also survived by many siblings including Michael Gularte (wife Susan), Toni Swanson, Rosemary Droszcz (husband Pat), Regina Gomez (husband Joe), and Therese Weycker (husband Mike), Millie Ortiz, and Terri Ortiz.  His sister, Rita Jermyn preceded him and is embracing him in Heaven.

Pat also has many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and great friends to whom we are extremely grateful for their love and support during our time of grieving.

Pat will be greatly missed by many. 

The Blessing of
St. Francis of Assisi
The Lord bless you
and keep you.
May He show His face
to you and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance
to you and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!

Graveside services with military honors are on Friday, July 6^th at 1 PM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ.

Sylvia “Gayle” Garner, 81, of Mesa, Arizona was called home to her Savior on the evening of June 29, 2018. A lifetime native of Arizona, Gayle was born August 30, 1936 to parents Everett and Laura Nelson. She was the big sister of five children. On January 15, 1955, Gayle married Thomas Franklin Garner Jr. who was her constant companion and the man she “played house” with for over 63 years. She is preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Tom; their children, Jeff Garner (Sheree), Craig Garner, Todd Garner, and Shelley Webb (Brent); as well as 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Gayle had a lifetime love of music and dance. She was an avid reader with a passion for mystery novels and was fanatic about UofA basketball. She enjoyed shopping for antiques, dolls, jewelry, and gifts for her grandkids. Gayle’s proudest accomplishments were her forever family and her eternal sweetheart, Tom. She left a legacy of service, and a testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a loving mother, a patient wife, and an adoring grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a sister, a friend, a neighbor, and a disciple of the Lord. To her family, Gayle was a “restorer of paths to dwell in.”

A viewing will be held at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201, on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. A celebration of her life will be held Friday, July 6, 2018, with a viewing at 10:00am and a funeral at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 616 S Extension Rd, Mesa, AZ. Dedication of the grave and interment will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ, at 1:30pm. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Romeo and Emblem Hospice for their service and compassionate care.

Leona “Beth” (Barney) Martinsen passed away on June 24, 2018. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon and she left us peacefully and with faith. She knew where she was going.

Beth was born to Benjamin and Leona Mose Barney on April 28, 1926 in Lewisville, Idaho. She grew up working with her brothers on their family farm and remembers the bitter cold of riding a horse to school in the Idaho winters; her fingers numb on the saddle horn. But oh, how she loved the summers! At the age of five, Beth decided to attend the LDS church and would walk herself to Primary each week. She loved church and had a feeling this was the right thing to do. This determined faith would guide many choices she made throughout her life.

Beth fell in love with Don W Martinsen and on October 10, 1945 in Dillon, Montana they were married. Don was on military leave, only having a few precious days before he had to report back to service. The couple decided to make the drive to Montana to marry, since Idaho required a three-day waiting period for a marriage license and Montana had no such requirements. Both moms and Aunt Beula accompanied them so they could attend this happy ceremony. In their excitement to be married, Don and Beth didn’t anticipate the awkward, several-hour-drive back to Idaho with a car full of moms and Aunt Beula and they, now newlyweds, wanting to be alone. Beth, with a chuckle, said it was a quiet, tense drive.

The same faith that guided her down an Idaho path to Primary lead both Don and Beth to be sealed for time and all eternity on February 13, 1957 in the Idaho Falls temple. They raised their six children with this same faith—Zay Don (Beth) Martinsen, Rick Lee (Julie Heap, Amy) Martinsen, Peggy Beth Barnett, Jerry Ben (Mindy) Martinsen, J Norman (Debbie) Martinsen, and Treva Leona (Pat) Hughes. They were blessed with twenty-six grandchildren, over fifty great-grandchildren and, to Beth’s delight, a few great-great-grandchildren. Don and Beth showed their posterity what it was to be in love and to have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Their service included family history and genealogy work, temple work, and many church callings. They thrived doing this service together.

Beth’s faith saw her through the loss of her beloved Don, helping her keep an eye focused on the eternities. When her body became too frail to be physically useful, she did the one thing she could do—share her testimony with those around her. True to her nature, she did this with a peace that drew others close. You left Beth’s bedside feeling lifted and loved. So, it was no surprise that she would leave us on a quiet Sunday afternoon, as peacefully as a young girl walking an Idaho path to Primary, because she knew where she was going and who would be waiting there for her.

Services for Beth will be held at the LDS chapel on the N/E corner of Lehi and Horne, 830 East Lehi Road, Mesa, AZ, 85203 on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:30am, with a viewing and visitation beginning at 9:30am. Following the services, the graveside will be held at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Janae Bledsoe Towle, 80, of Mesa, Arizona passed away June 29, 2018, surrounded by her adoring family.  She was born May 3, 1938 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Frank and Irma Obrey. She made an early appearance and had to be delivered on the sidewalk by her father while on the way to the midwife.

 Janae moved to San Francisco in her early years with her brother, mother and step father (Guy Bledsoe) and was raised in various cities in the Bay Area.  She graduated from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California in 1956.  She attended Diablo Valley College, and Brigham Young University.

 Janae met and married Michael George Towle in 1961 and had 4 devoted children, Kevin (Robin) of Alpine, UT; Sheila; Charlotte Rush (Jeff); and Alison Turley (Guy) all of Mesa, AZ and 14 grandchildren, who all love their Grandma, Granny and G-Ma very much.

 She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she raised her children in the gospel and served faithfully in many callings. She also volunteered in the community, most notably for the John Muir Hospital Ahwahnee Guild, as the auxiliary President and committee member.

 Janae enjoyed working for Nordstrom for many years and was a corporate top seller, earning many awards. She was an avid antiques collector and dealer, decorating diva, cat lover, garage sale queen and was a person who had a generous heart, creative mind and a wonderful sense of humor.

 She never complained, and you would never have known that for many years she suffered from Parkinsonian Multiple Systems Atrophy. She leaves a large void in the lives of everyone who knew and loved her.

 She is survived by all of her children and grandchildren, her siblings, Jerry Obrey, Anita Bledsoe Dahl and Dennis Bledsoe.  Janae is proceeded in death by her parents Irma and Guy Bledsoe, Frank Obrey and her former husband and friend Michael Towle. 

 We’d like to thank the staff at Generations at Agritopia Assisted Living who cared for her so well over the last two years.  Visitation and Viewing -Saturday, July 7, 2018, 9:00 -9:45 AM followed by LDS funeral service at 10:00AM, 1455 North Harris Dr.  Mesa, AZ 85203 Internment at the Mesa City Cemetery to follow,1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201

Bradley Jason Davis – Born April 4th, 2007 completed his work here on Earth and returned home peacefully to his Heavenly Father on June 28th, 2018. Brad, B-rad, B, BDB, Beef, Beefcake, Beefcake in the weeds, Big Red, Bradley Bear…no matter which nickname you knew him by his outgoing personality and blazing red hair was certainly the life of every party and he shared his love and happiness with all those who he came in contact with. He had a passion for music, playing the piano and the drums, as well singing. He sang in any venue, from private concerts for one or two people in the house, to church meetings, as well as karaoke on cruise ships and even sang the 7th inning stretch in front of over 15,000 fans at Cubs and Giants Spring Training Games. He loved baseball and was a 5 year veteran of The Miracle League of Arizona (www.mlaz.org). He enjoyed being outside and was very active. He loved his cousins and spent any chance he could with them. He loved anything with wheels and loved going fast on anything with wheels, especially his tandem bike, the green machine, the race car, The Beast, and The Viking. He was always in the mood for bean burritos, breakfast burritos, anything chocolate, pancake Saturday, chocolate milk and never met a cookie he didn’t like. His squealing laugh and his smile were contagious. He could cheer you up with his most legendary “squeezes” (hugs). Although he was born blind, he didn’t let that slow him down. He knew who you were by the sound of your voice and never forgot a voice or a name. He taught thru his example to accept and love others for who they are even if they are little different than you. He leaves behind a loving Mother (Evonne) and Father (Jason) and three siblings, Older Brother, Tyler (13) and younger twin Sister and Brother, Abigail and Daxton (6). He has many relatives who have preceded him and will watch over him for this short time away. He is loved by all who had the privilege to know him and his departure will surely leave a void in all of our hearts, but at the same he has filled our hearts with so much love. We thank all of those who have helped him along the way, from so many friends and neighbors, as well as his doctors and nurses and therapist and teachers who have so lovingly cared for him all.

Visitation and Viewing Thursday – July 5th, 2018, Bunker Family Funeral Home, 3529 E University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85213 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral Service is Friday, July 6th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Alta Mesa Stake Center, 5350 E. McLellan Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205. Viewing 9:00 am – 9:45 am and the Funeral at 10:00 am.

Graveside service to follow at, Mountain View Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Miracle League of Arizona in Bradley’s honor. To Donate Visit: www.mlaz.org

John William Burbank, 57, passed away on June 25, 2018. He was born on March 4, 1961 in San Diego, California. John was the epitome of service and giving. His life was spent serving his family and friends and all of those he met. Because of John’s giving and Christlike demeanor, you could not help but be a better person just because you knew him.

John was an aircraft mechanic, but more importantly he was a husband, father and friend. John married Melodie Palmer and had five beautiful children: Vanessa (Andrew), Melissa (Devin), Rusty (Sonya), Hailee (Ammon) and Amber. He now has five beautiful grandchildren, Zoe, Carly, Jake, Wyatt and Gemma. Everything John did was for his family.

John was predeceased by his parents, Judy and Larry Burbank.

There will be a viewing at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201, on Friday, June 29, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11:00am at his church building, 1430 North Grand Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201, following his interment at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Laurence Wayne Fish, 90, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on June 14, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ. A native of Arizona, Laurence was born on August 23, 1927 in Phoenix to Harold Reidhead Fish and Ellen Fish (Hatch). Laurence served in the United States Army during World War II and earned the World War II Victory Medal. He will be missed greatly by those who knew and loved him.

A funeral service will be held for Laurence at 10:00am on Friday, June 29, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Camelview Ward, 3920 North 44^th Place, Phoenix, Arizona 85018. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at 9:00am. Laurence will then be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

James “Jim” Nielson passed away peacefully on June 21, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 49. Jim is survived by his mother, Phyllis Garcia; brother, Lee Nielson; and sisters, Lori Cook and Jessica Vasquez.

Jim was born on June 3, 1969 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He enjoyed track and field, bowling, and competing in the Special Olympics. Jim also had a love for everything superheroes, Star Wars, and Mickey Mouse. He spent much of his time listening to old albums on his record player and was obsessed with movies, especially VHS tapes. Jim also enjoyed going to church every Sunday and spending time with his friends and family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018 at 10:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1852 N Stapley Dr, Mesa, AZ 85203, with a viewing prior to the service at 9:00am. There will also be a viewing on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. If you would like to honor Jim’s love of superheroes or Star Wars, please join us on Thursday night by wearing a superhero or Star Wars themed T-shirt. Following services, Jim will be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Bless Phimmasone of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 15, 2018 at the age of 77.

Bless Phimmasone was born on May 20, 1941 in Laos.  She is survived by her three children Phouthone Phimmasone, Thavone Phimmasone, and Kesone Phimmasone.  She was adored by her two grandchildren (Kenneth and Katherine).

Bless spent most of her life in Ames, Iowa.  She retired from Ames School District.  After retirement, she did everything she wanted to do.  She had lived a full life.  She is great mother and grandmother.  She dedicated her whole life to her family.

Frank C. Luna, 95, passed away Friday, June 22, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on April 2, 1923 in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

He is survived by his daughters; Rosa Adame, Sally Cobos (Rene), and Irma DiDomenico; his sons, Jerry (Dee), James (Lucy), and Gary (Veronica); 24 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Fidencia G. Luna, and his daughter, Zela Luna.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lazona Ward, 1345 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ. Services will be preceded by a visitation at 9:00am. Burial will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ.

Kennard “Dewey” Ray passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Saturday, June 23, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He passed away after suffering a major heart attack.

Dewey was raised on a family farm in Mesa, Arizona and graduated from Mesa High School in 1949. After completing high school, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern Western States Mission (Washington and Oregon) from 1951 to 1953. Dewey married Ina Scott in the LDS Mesa Temple in 1953 and was also drafted into the Korean War in April of that same year. He served for two years in Ft. Lewis, Washington and was honorably discharged in January of 1955.

Dewey graduated from Arizona State College at Tempe (Arizona State University) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1958. He was a police officer for the City of Mesa for 13 years and achieved the rank of Sergeant. He also taught Criminal Justice classes at Mesa Community College and owned a landscaping business for many years. Dewey retired at the age of 65 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a facilities maintenance worker.

Dewey was best known as a loving husband and father. A few months before his passing, he celebrated his 65^th wedding anniversary to Ina Scott Ray. Dewey and his wife, Ina, had eleven children; Ina “Lynn” (1954-2015), Dewey, Scott, Dianne, Donald, Michelle, Annette, Steven, Amy Jo, Rebecca, and David. Dewey is also survived by 41 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

Dewey was an avid basketball player, enjoyed gardening, and loved to play card games and board games with his family.

A visitation for Dewey will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at 2228 E Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ 85213. There will also be a graveside service at the City of Mesa Cemetery located at 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201 at 9:00am on June 28, 2018. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Maxine Christy 80, beloved wife for 62 years of Norman Christy of Mesa, Arizona passed away Friday, June 15, 2018.

Maxine was born September 5, 1937 in Wheeler, Texas to Opal and James Polk. She had two siblings, Lois (Polk) Gossett and Bob Polk. After graduating high school in Dalhart, Texas she married and raised three children. She attended a technical training school to learn secretarial skills and bookkeeping as a young adult. Later in life she returned to school and earned her AA in Technology from New Mexico State University in Las Cruses, New Mexico. Maxine loved to learn.

She loved playing games with her friends and family and enjoyed making jewelry.  She was also an accomplished seamstress.  She sewed and created items from material often without patterns.  She loved arts and crafts and painted well. She also loved working on her genealogy.

Maxine is survived by her husband Norman Christy, son Jack Christy and his wife Becky, daughter Deborah (Christy) Tinsley, daughter-in-law Lynn Christy, step-son John Johnson and wife Christine.   She is also survived by her loving sister, Lois (Polk) Gossett. She was blessed with nine wonderful Grandchildren (Ernest Tinsley III, Christopher Tinsley, Trina (Tinsley) Peterson, Morgan Christy, Norm Christy III, Bonny (Christy) Ford, Kim (Christy) Davalos, Jack P. Christy II, Ashley (Christy) Pitkin and their spouses. She also has 18 Great Grandchildren with two more Great Grandchildren on the way, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Maxine is predeceased by her parents Opal and James Polk, her brother Bob Polk, and her son Norman E. Christy II.

A grave site service to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, June 28^th, 10am at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.   23029 N. Cave Creek Rd.  Phoenix, AZ 85024.

Dana J. Lucenta, 30 of Mesa, Arizona (formerly of Natick, MA) passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 unexpectedly of natural causes. Dana is survived by his loving parents Nicholas & Cheryle (LeBlanc) Lucenta, his brother Brian and sister Allison “Allie” Lucenta, all of Natick MA; his grandmother Joan LeBlanc of Natick MA; his aunt Barbara Leehan of Waltham MA; his uncles: Alan Lucenta and his partner Patricia Longbottom of Newton MA, James Lucenta and his wife Deborah of Newton MA, Col. William Lucenta USMC Retired and his wife Judy of Virginia, Guy LeBlanc of Marlboro MA and Wayne LeBlanc and his wife Sue Crones of Maryland; his great grandfather Richard Thurston, great aunt Carol Zachor and great uncle Stephen Thurston all of New Hampshire; many cousins; and his beloved family dog, Tulsa. Dana was born on March 24, 1988 in Newton, MA. He attended Natick High School and graduated from Proctor Academy. Following high school, Dana moved to Arizona, where he attended and graduated from Arizona State University. Dana worked as a quality review specialist at DriveTime. Dana loved playing ice hockey, golfing, and softball. He enjoyed time spent with his family especially at their beach home in Plymouth, MA. Dana met lifelong friends during many different stages of life, in Natick, on the ’88 Boston Jr. Eagles, at Proctor Academy, and in Arizona. His love of dogs led him to becoming a frequent dog sitter for friends. Dana was a avid Boston sports fan. Dana was predeceased by his grandparents: John F. LeBlanc, George Lucenta and Elizabeth “Betty” (Vitale) Lucenta and his uncles: Frederick “Freddie” Leehan and John A. LeBlanc.

Dana’s family would like to welcome friends to attend a reception in Memory of Dana from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 26th at Arizona Grand, The Vista Room, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85044.

On June 20th, 2018, Ruth Ann (Dyas) Ahrendt passed away into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ; peacefully in her sleep. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 3, 1939 to Arthur and Frances (Cox) Dyas. She had a passion for serving her community and loved her work with Maricopa County Animal Care. Ruth is survived by her two sons, Paul and David. She is loved and missed by all that knew her. Please join the family for her Memorial Service, Tuesday, 6/26/18 at 2:00 PM. Services will be held at her church, King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave, Tempe, Arizona 85282.

LyNelle Wright Jackson, 78, passed away June 19, 2018. She was born in Chandler, Arizona to William G. (deceased) and Virginia Pickens Wright (also deceased) August 3, 1939.

LyNelle and Glenn Jackson were married in Mesa, Arizona on June 4, 1955 and were later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They raised three children together; Debra (Charles Sherman), Terrie (Robert Heywood), and Fred (Richard DiNorcia). LyNelle was fondly known as “Grandma” to all of the neighborhood children. They all loved her and she loved all of them too!

LyNelle worked for many years at Wright’s Market in the Meat Department alongside her husband, Glenn, her father, Bill Wright, and her brother, Billy Wright. She had four siblings: Susan (Robert Woolsey), Marilyn (Lynn Whiting), William L. (Deceased), and Ginger (Anthony Allen).

LyNelle was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was regularly attending the Aspen Ward. She bore fervent testimony of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, which she often expressed and lovingly taught to her children and grandchildren. She had five grandchildren: Zachary Blair (Audrey), Garrett Blair (Coco), Chelsea Blair, Kaylee Sherman, and Kara Sherman. She also had one great-grandchild, Liam Blair, of which she was so proud.

Services will be held Monday, June 25, 2018 at 10:00am, with a viewing at 9:00am, at the Aspen Ward building, 1249 South 48th Street, Mesa, Arizona 85206.