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Daniel “Dan” Gene Collins, 82, Mesa, AZ, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and a friend to everyone he met, passed from our presence on Saturday, April 1, 2017 after a sudden illness.  

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Jennie Collins, sisters June and Katherine, brother Elmer, first wife Nancy B. Platts Collins, second wife Norma Nelson Brooks Collins, and daughter Penny Rose.

He was survived by his brother John Collins, wife Anneva Whipple McCain Collins, children, Alice Ormiston, Chuck and Kathy Collins, Kirk and Sue Collins, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Dan was born in Neodesha Kansas, but spent a fair amount of time in Oregon as a child. Dan served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He raised his 4 children with his first wife, Nancy, in Washington. Dan met Nancy when they both worked at Boeing. For a while Dan worked at the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant in WA. Dan retired from Boeing in 1997.

After the passing of Nancy, Dan married Norma. They split their retirement days between Mesa AZ and Burien WA. They welcomed their beloved dog, Charlie. Dan and Charlie were travel companions and made many airplane trips together. Dan married Anneva after the loss of Norma.

Dan was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 50 years. He loved doing genealogy and had served at the Seattle Temple.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5620 East Adobe Road MESA, Arizona 85205 Interment will be in Everett WA.

Mark Arlo Davidson, passed away, peacefully in his sleep, from Congestive Heart Failure at his home in Gilbert, Arizona on March 26, 2017, at the age of 44. He was born in Provo, Utah on November 12, 1972 to J. Stephen and Judith Davidson and was the third out of eight children. When Mark was a baby the family moved to San Diego, then Fairfield, and finally settled down in Vacaville, CA in 1975 where they stayed until the children were grown. Mark graduated from Vacaville High School in 1990 and soon after served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints In San Antonio, Texas (Spanish Speaking) from 1991-1993. As a lifelong active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mark willingly served as a volunteer in many different capacities, including countless years in the church choir , ward mission leader and as a Sunday school teacher. His faith was strong and his heart was big. If there is one word that best describes him it is : Passionate. From a young age, one of Mark’s greatest passions was music. Starting at the age of 11 through age 18, Mark sang baritone then later bass, in his family barbershop quartet (The Davidson Forever Family), with his dad and two sisters, Wendy and Lisa. They performed opening day at Marine World Africa U.S.A. (now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom) in Vallejo, California and continued performing there for seven years. He continued this singing tradition, started by his father, by singing bass in many different barbershop quartets and choruses throughout his life in the different places he has lived.

Mark married “The Love of his life” Bridget Ann King, on January 11, 1997 in the Portland, Oregon LDS temple. He and Bridget welcomed three beautiful children into their lives in October 2008: Monique (11), Marcus (9), and Michael (8), and anxiously anticipated when they would permanently become a part of their family. Soon after, their family was complete with the birth of Darrigan in November of 2009. The three oldest children were officially adopted in November of 2010 and then the pinnacle came when they were sealed together forever as a family in the Sacramento LDS temple in February 2011. His family was his EVERYTHING!!!

Mark had a love of driving and made it his career of choice. The majority of his career was spent driving for Brinks Armoured Trucks. He also enjoyed driving limousines and for Uber. The last few years of his life, he became extremely passionate about the dangers of texting and driving. He founded and was CEO of the non-profit organization, DRIVE CELL FREE, and spent much of his time traveling and educating others on the risks of distracted driving.

Life changed drastically for Mark and his family, when he was diagnosed with familial Cardiomyopathy in November of 2014. He soon was unable to work and his quality of life deteriorated progressively until it was recommended that he get evaluated for a heart transplant. Unfortunately, due to health insurance issues, he was unable to receive a heart transplant in time.

Mark is survived by: wife Bridget Ann King Davidson; 4 children: Monique Ann (Oliver) Ames; Marcus Anthony, Michael Arlo, and Darrigan King Davidson; 1 Brother and 6 sisters; Angela (Evan) Weinzinger, Wendy (Russ) Gentry, Lisa Davidson Maslen, Melia Davidson Peterson, Char (Oliver) Tanner, Trent (Emily) Davidson, and Mary(Justin) Prillwitz; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents: J. Stephen and Judith Davidson.

Funeral service on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 10 am (viewing at 9 am) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2958 S. Recker Road Gilbert, AZ

Graveside Service Immediately Following Final Resting Place:

Valley of the Sun Cemetery 10940 East Chandler Heights Road Chandler, AZ

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Mark Davidson Children’s College Fund Payable to Bridget Davidson (wife) 3610 S. Winter Lane Gilbert, Az 85297 or Bridget Davidson on Venmo

Barbershop Harmony Society:
Payable to Harmony Foundation International  harmonyfoundation.org or by mail: 110 7th Ave. North Ste. 200
Nashville, TN 37203

Denna Skousen Martineau was born in Santa Ana, California on March 12, 1939. While she was still a child, her parents moved to Nevada where they lived in Caliente and Overton until she was 15. She completed elementary school in Nevada.

The family then moved to Mesa where she attended Mesa High School, graduating with high honors in 1957. After high school she attended Brigham Young University, graduating with degrees in elementary education and early childhood and family development. She taught school in Mesa and Tucson.

After college she returned to Mesa and married Melvin Howard Martineau in the Arizona Temple on April 12, 1963. During their marriage they lived in Mesa, El Centro, CA and Tucson. They adopted three children, Eric, Sharon and Joseph.

She worked in all the LDS church auxiliaries and for the last 18 years has been a temple worker in the Mesa Arizona and Cochabamba Bolivia temples. She served three other missions.

She is survived by her husband, her three children, ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She died March 26, 2017. She was 78 years old.

A visitation will be held Sunday, April 2, 2017 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Monday, April 3, 2017 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1050 S. Hobson, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 10 AM at Binghampton Cemetery, Tucson, Arizona.

Dwayne Roger Awerkamp, 81, passed away March 23, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. Funeral services will be Friday, March 31, 2017 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1111 E. Knox Road, Tempe, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Donald Raymond Bauer, 77, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Hospice of the Valley in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife at his side.  He was born in Jay, Delaware County, Oklahoma, November 30, 1939, to John Henry and Crystal Carl Talbert Bauer and was the youngest of five children.

The family moved to Wilder Idaho when Don was two years old.  He attended all 12 years of school in Wilder and graduated in 1958.  He joined the Army April 17, 1959 and was honorably discharged April 25, 1962.

After his service in the Army, he had several different occupations including truck driving, telephone repair and service, building construction and cable splicing.

Don married Helen Jean Smoot on February 10, 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They settled down in Parma where Don worked for the local telephone company.  In 1976, the bought Jay’s Drive-In in Parma which became known as The Burger Shack.  Several years later they sold the drive-in and Don went to Boise State University to become a Heating and Air Conditioning technician.  He graduated with Honors and started Bauer Heating and Air Conditioning which he ran until 1998.  While he owned his own business, he also worked for the Air Force in Mountain and then became the Facility Manager at the Wilder Radar site until it was closed.

Don retired in 1998 and he and Helen sold their home in Parma.  They eventually bought a home in Mesa, Arizona where Don put his knowledge of house construction to good use by adding a family room to their home and remodeling the house. He also did home remodeling and handyman jobs in Mesa.  Don and Helen split their time each year between Mesa in the winters and  the Caldwell area in the summers.

Don was an avid golfer, loved to fish, play cards and dice games and enjoyed spending time with the friends he made throughout his life.

Don was a member of the American Legion, Apache Junction Post No. 27 for 18 years.  He is survived by his wife, Helen, his daughter Lynann Stewart of Meridian, ID, granddaughter, Leslie Ann Stewart of Boise, ID, sister Lula Mae Nelson of Kennewick, WA, brother John (Joan) Bauer of Seattle, WA, and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother and brothers Gene and Carl Bauer.  Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at the Wilder City Cemetery in Wilder, ID at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests you send contributions to Hospice of the Valley – Lund Home, 1982 E. Woodside Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85297.

Elizabeth “Betty” Asay Stine, aged 91, joined her dear husband Carl Stine, eleven siblings and her parents, Al and Dolly Asay, on March 21, 2017. Betty passed away at her Mesa, Arizona home and is survived by her five children, Linda, Karen, Steve, Jim, and Mark, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Betty was born in Lovell, Wyoming. She was a WWII bride, farmed in Wyoming and Montana, then lived in Vallejo, California for 37 years–retiring to Mesa, Arizona for the last 26 years. She loved time with her family, feeding them, playing games and telling stories. We will miss you!

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10 AM, at the LDS Chapel located at 2220 N Harris Dr., Mesa 85203. Burial will be at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Mesa, Arizona.

Sally Jo Sayre, 78, died March 23, 2017 in Gilbert, AZ; she was born on September 19, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio.  She was preceded by her husband Charles “Chuck” Sayre.  Survived by her son: Larry Sayre (fiancé Shirley) of Mesa, AZ; daughter Fawn (David) Gibson of WV; her niece Cindy (Chris) Gaylord of TN; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  A visitation to be held at 11 AM and Services at 11:30 AM, Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2835 E. Des Moines in Mesa.  Burial at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, OH.  Arrangements were entrusted to Bunker’s University Chapel.

Daniel Russell Lyman, 65, passed away March 21, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Memorial services may be held at a later date.

Ruth Nolet Dwyer, nee Welker

Ruth Nolet Dwyer, 90, loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt got her “ticket out” (to quote her) to eternal life on March 21, 2017.  She passed away quickly and peacefully due to congestive heart failure at the Heritage Village, Mesa AZ.

Ruth was graced with a wonderful sense of humor, loving kindness, and keen artistic talents. She always sought to bring beauty into her life and the lives of other.

She was born in Idaho Falls on July 17, 1926 to Effie Barkdull Welker and Nels Carson Welker. She married Paul L. Curtis in 1946 and together they had one son, Brent P. Curtis. Ruth married William E. Nolet (the love of her life) in 1962 who preceded her in death in 1979. Ruth remained a widow for many years but remarried late in life to James Dwyer in 2002, widowed in 2004.

As a young girl Ruth’s artistic flair was witnessed in a talent for the violin and this inner artist followed her throughout her life and was expressed in all her endeavors, from cooking, to sewing, painting and interior design. Ruth sought to create beauty throughout her life for others to enjoy.

Stylish, classy, and artistic, Ruth spent much of her adult life working as an interior designer. Her beautiful homes were canvases for her to express her innate artistic talents.

Ruth had a strong faith in the LDS Church, which was the bedrock of her life. She was very active in her faith and sought to good works wherever possible and made many close and dear friends along the way.

The last of six siblings, Ruth is now reunited with her family. She is survived by her son Brent, nieces Joellyn Machnics, Jeanne Towle, Diane Bohling, Janie Wells, Julie Hildebrandt and nephew Steve Davis, and many grand nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff at Heritage Village and Premier Hospice Care. A very special thanks to Marie and Charlie Derouen, whose love, kindness and support brought comfort and joy to Ruth in her last two years of life.

Jay Wesley McReynolds, 69 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 22, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on September 22, 1947. Jay is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Irene Juanita Kinder McReynolds, daughter Elaine McReynolds Conley-Bigelow, son Thomas Carter McReynolds, grandchildren; Anthony Thomas Conley, Paige Elaine Bigelow, Parker Daniel Bigelow, Thomas Clare McReynolds. He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Clare McReynolds III and Hazel Byron Heustis McReynolds.

Jay spent the greater part of his childhood on their family’s farm in Laveen, Arizona. At the age of 16 his family relocated to Horner Mountain Ranch in Mayer, Arizona where he spent the remainder of his teenage years. He proudly enlisted and honorably served in both the Army (6 years) and the Navy (2 years). Jay was a member of the Thunderbird Masonic Lodge #48 where he held the title Master Mason as well as the 32nd Degree in the Scottish Rite. In 1997 he was knighted Sir Jay Wesley McReynolds through the Royal Order of Scotland. Jay was and is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son and friend.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Mary Katherine Adams, 99, passed away March 20, 2017 in Gilbert, Arizona.

Mary Katherine Harle was born in Mawer, Saskatchewan, Canada on May 10, 1917.  A longtime resident of Canada, Mary moved with her husband Harold Dean Adams to Mesa, Arizona in 2011 to be near their son, Dr. Larry Adams, a Mesa dentist.  Mary was a talented homemaker, known for her wonderful cooking and baking, and her professional seamstress skills. 

She enjoyed travelling with her husband in their retirement years, seeing Europe, Russia, the Carribean, Egypt and Israel. 

Mary is survived by her husband Harold, her only child Larry, seven grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.  She also has three living siblings in Canada, one sister and two brothers.  She was loved by all and especially enjoyed the hugs and kisses of the little ones. 

Mary was just short of 100 years when passing, an age not uncommon in her family.  While we will miss her, we look ahead to celebrating her hundredth birthday on May 10, 2017.

A visitation was held Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 9:00 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Following the visitation, a graveside service was held at 10 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street in Mesa.

Deonne James McClelland, 36, passed away March 19, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona.

A visitation will be held Monday, March 27, 2017 from 6-8 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 10 AM, at the Living Word Bible Church, 3520 E. Brown Road, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. 

March 7, 1932 – March 17, 2017

Kolla, Chera Chandra Sen Gupta, Retired

Longtime Mesa resident, born in India, Sen passed away suddenly, aged 85.

Sen was the 5th child in a family of 12 children, born in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, India, to father, Kasi Viswanadham and mother, Kanakavalli Tayarama, now deceased. Sen was born to parents of privilege and business acumen, but whose high ideals led them to turn instead towards providing the under privileged access to opportunities their station in life would otherwise not have afforded them.

Sen’s parents also actively supported the Great Mahatma Ghandi to achieve freedom and independence for the Nation of India. So passionate was Sen’s mother in her desire to support that great leader, that even while pregnant with her 5th child, she marched with Ghandi, resulting in her arrest and detention. Chera Chandra Sen Gupta was born in Jellor Central Jail. Sen was always proud that Mahatma Ghandi himself laid the foundation stone of his parents’ building project which became Shri Shraddananda Ashram in Tenali, built to provide an education center for the underprivileged, an orphanage and a shelter for abused women.

Sen may have been born in jail, but he was always mindful of being the son of pioneering parents, striving and pushing himself to realize success and so honor them. He was educated at Tenali Talook High School, Andhra Christian College in Guntur and Rishi Valley Education Center in Chittoor, AP. The fearless adventurer in him led him to leave India for Europe, aged 20, moving to Germany and then England, where he earned a BSc at London School of Economics. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he earned an MBA at UCLA, and met and married Tessa, ironically a British expat, and expanding his family to include his daughters, Sandhya and Tara.

Sen worked for the tech giant, Control Data, in Minnesota, and relocated to France and Switzerland to become their Financial Controller. His career then took him to Cork, Ireland, where he worked for Data 100. He settled in Mesa, Arizona in the late 70s and with the purchase of his house, indulged his passion for a beautiful garden.

Sen’s other great passion was planes. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1952 and later, in 1966, obtained his commercial pilot’s license. In 1978 he was invited by Air France to a complimentary flight on Concord to break the sound barrier and, later in retirement, volunteered at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix Arizona as a Navigator. Of course, he was also an avid racquetball player! In all his pursuits, Sen was a charismatic bon vivant. His mother gave him his lifelong nickname of “Gopi,” which means ‘playful’ – the moniker he is still remembered by today.

Sen is survived by four brothers Satya Kumar, Shanti Kumar, Jyothi Kumar, Dharma Kumar; two sisters Jyostna Devi, and Sobhavati; daughters Sandhya and Tara and his grandson, Leon Kolla. Sen is greatly loved for his wisdom and kindness. He will be painfully missed by all his family and fondly remembered by all who met him.

Margaret Jeanne Wright was born February 1, 1924 to John and Milly Luffy in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. She was their third child. She is survived by two brothers, Bill of Scottsdale, Arizona and Jim of Pennsylvania.

She was a longtime member and officer in the VFW Auxillary and worked as a registered nurse and as the office manager at the family owned business, Chandler Ready Mix. She is survived by three sons, Bill, Mike and Rick.

A public visitation will be held Thursday, March 23, 2017 from 6-8 pm, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 24, at 11 am, preceded by a visitation at 10 am, at the Trinity Baptist Church, 2130 E. University Drive, Mesa. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.                                                                                 

Norma June Peden, 84, a lifetime resident of Mesa, returned to her Heavenly home on March 16, 2017.

She had a love for her husband, her children and her grandchild – and, of course, Diet Pepsi. Everyone who met Norma fell in love with her. She was classy, beautiful and always well dressed. She spent her summers with her sweetheart, David, at the cabin in Pinetop, Arizona where she enjoyed lunches with her girlfriends, dinner parties with their many wonderful friends, and sitting on the porch watching the hummingbirds.

She is preceded in death by her husband Larry, parents Charles and Amelia Urrea; her brothers Oscar (MaryLou), Chuck (Cindy), Bennie (Helen); sister Bea Huber. She is survived by her husband David Phelps, sisters Mona Westfall, Cecelia Burns; her brother Don (Melinda); her two children Philip (Cindy) and Bea; her granddaughter Suzie (Jason); and many nieces and nephews. She will forever be missed and loved by all those who knew her. Private family services have been held per her wishes.

Kathleen passed away peacefully at the age of 89, on March 8, 2017. She was born on July 16, 1927 in Stevensville, Montana to Frank and Helen (Smith) Krout.

Kathleen was a loving mother of 5 children, grandmother of 9, great-grandmother of 28 and has 4 great-great- grandchildren.

Kathleen was a retiree after raising her family and helping with the family businesses that took her many places around the country. She also worked and lived in some of the National Parks; the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Yellowstone.

She is preceded in death by her second husband Linus Dahle, her first husband Fred Kolb, her sister Alice Carnes, her son Philip Kolb and her first grandson Aaron Valentino.

Kathleen is survived by her children; Jim Kolb, Amy Jacobson, Mabel Turner and Pam Herrera. Also survived by her siblings; Roger Krout, Mary Gallagher and Edith Carnes.

She will be remembered for her fun-loving nature and for being a character. She enjoyed telling stories, reading and sending birthday cards.

Funeral services for Kathleen and her grandson, Aaron Valentino, who preceded her in death on March 5, 2017, will be held Friday, March 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM. It will take place at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85201. She will be interred at the Mesa Cemetery in Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Dementia Society of America.