Find An Obituary

Amanda Faith Cook of Queen Creek, Arizona passed away March 11, 2017. She leaves behind an adoring family of her biggest fans: Justin (Father), Susan (Mother) and 4 siblings Kimball (16), Karissa (16), Kelsey (16), and Emily (11). She also leaves behind a very large extended family filled with grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins who she joyfully entertained, prayed for and loved. 

Amanda was a happy 3rd grader at Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Crismon Campus. She loved to sing and dance and was eagerly looking forward to her upcoming dance recital. Amanda was a delightful, spunky girl who found a friend everywhere she went. She loved riding her bike and learning new games to play. Amanda enthusiastically collected boxes and other treasures to create amazing works of art for those she loved.  She thought deeply and felt passionately. Amanda loves her Heavenly Father and will always be a wonderful example in remembering her prayers. Her big personality and sweet spirit will be dearly missed in this life. Amanda is preceded in death by her beloved Grandpa Crum (Robert Ray Crum Jr.).

All who wish to pay their respects are invited to a visitation on Friday, March 17 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ, and again Saturday, March 18, at 9 AM at the LDS Queen Creek West Stake Center, 19730 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, Arizona. Funeral services to follow immediately at 10 AM. Interment will follow at the Mesa City Cemetery.

Ida Carter Anderson, 88, loving wife, mother, grandmother great-grandmother and aunt, passed away at home on March 10, 2017.  

Ida’s warmth, love for others and contagious smile caused her to be loved by many. She was born November 18, 1928 in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She married and was sealed to Ralph Carter in 1948 in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. They had 3 children. In 1955 she began working for Ford Motor Company and after 30 years, she retired, and moved to Arizona to be near her family.

She is survived by her three children, Cindy Phillips (Norm), Susanne Edgeworth (Lowell) and David Carter (Diane McCoy Carter); 8 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Iva Skidmore; and brother Larry (Barbara) Pullen.

Even though she worked full time, raised 3 children and attended college, she was very involved in LDS church service her entire life. She served as a Relief Society President, Young Women President, and various teaching callings while in Michigan. While in Arizona, she served in the LDS Family History Center; the Mesa, AZ temple; in the Relief Society and assisted two Stake Presidents with various assignments.  

She enjoyed traveling, the arts, golf, swimming, the sunshine, bowling, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, quilting, and stamping. More than anything, she enjoyed people; she loved to be of service, and really loved a party, especially a family party. Her family and friends will miss her immensely and will look forward to being reunited with her someday. Her love and service to her family will be remembered forever.

The Family is so grateful to Arizona Hospice of the Valley for the care they gave to her at home in her final months. 

A visitation will be held Monday, March 20th from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 21st at 10 AM at the LDS Stake Center on 925 North Harris, Mesa. A visitation will be held from 9-9:45 that morning.

Curtis Edward Sepulveda, 63, passed away March 13, 2017 in Chandler, Arizona. A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 15, at 10 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ.

Bettye Darlene Parker, age 65, passed away at home on March 10, 2017 from complications of cancer. She was born March 15, 1951 in Mesa, Arizona and lived in Arizona most of her life. She married James H. Parker June 9, 1972 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

She is survived by her husband James, three children, Marc (Katya), Kerin (John), and Lindsay (Craig), and 10 grandchildren. She was involved in church service her whole adult life, most lately serving a Church Service Mission (Family History). She loved sewing and gardening, and especially being a grandmother. Her family and friends will miss her immensely and will look forward to being reunited with her someday. Her love and service to her family will be remembered forever.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 17, 2017 at 10 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 32584 N. Gary Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142. 

Leonard John Clair, age 91, was born July 28, 1925 and passed away at home on March 9, 2017. He married Velmer on April 15, 1950 and they celebrated 66 years together and she survives. Their three sons are Leonard (Suzanne), Ronald (Pamela) and Richard (Sandra). There are 6 grandchildren and 9 great- grandchildren. He was very loved and will be missed by his family and friends.

He resided in Burbank, Illinois until 1980 and then moved to Sunland Village in Mesa, AZ. and resided there for 37 years. He was employed for 35 years as an Electrician at Commercial-Forging in Illinois.

He served honorably in the Navy during WW II and was awarded numerous medals including a Purple Heart. He will receive full Military Honors.
His passions were fishing, cycling, swimming, watching football and baseball games, and he enjoyed Western movies.

Services will be held on Tuesday , April 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Victory Lutheran Church located at 5946 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85205. Memorial donations may be made to Victory Lutheran Church or St. Jude’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

He will be cremated with arrangements made by Bunker Family Funerals and Cremation /University Chapel, Mesa, AZ. Please sign the guest book register online at www.bunkercares.com.

Doris Arnett Whatcott, 92 passed away peacefully on March 4^, 2017 in Mesa Arizona.  She was born to Thomas William and Annie Gale Arnett in Franklin in Greenlee County, Arizona on March 30, 1924.  She had four brothers, Marvin, Charles, Howard, Fred and one sister, Dorthy.  She so loved her family!  Doris led a happy, active life filled with family, friends, music, sewing, genealogy and much church service. 

In 1949, she married Garth Nelson Whatcott. She was set up on a blind date with him by her best friend and former missionary companion (Georgia Finlinson), who was engaged to Garth’s brother (Carl Whatcott). They were blessed to raise six children, three boys and three girls.  Gaylen (Carol), Kim (Tina), Tim (Teresa-deceased, currently Kelly), Annette (Neal), Deena (Ray) and Rhea (Sam).

Doris loved missionary work.  She served in the then called, Western States Mission prior to her marriage, and then served three missions with Garth to the Roanoke Virginia Mission, Manila Philippines Mission and Cebu Philippines Mission.

Doris enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her extended family.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her loved ones.  Her Eternal Companion, Garth, preceded her in death in 2009.  We are so excited for her that they have been reunited for all Eternity.  Doris has a large and loving family with 38 grandchildren and 89 great-grandchildren and has left them all with a wonderful Legacy of Love. 

Joy Lee Matheny (98) passed away peacefully at 1 AM on March 6, 2017 at her nursing home residence in Mesa Arizona.  Her daughter Marianne was with her at the time of her passing.  Joy Lee was born on December 8, 1918 in Butler Kansas.  Joy Lee will be met on the other side of the veil by her beloved husband Orville Matheny who also passed away at 98, her daughter Jo Lynn White and her brother Max.  Joy Lee is the daughter of Darwin and Pearl Edwards.  Her siblings include her older brother Max and her sister Patty Tackett who resides in Wichita Falls.

Joy Lee is survived by her remaining children Larry Matheny, Michael Matheny, Charles Matheny, Robert Matheny, Ronald Matheny, Marianne Reid, and Bradley Matheny. Joy Lee’s influence and love was felt by all who knew her.  Including spouses, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren her family numbers over one hundred. 

Highlights from her life include living in Calgary Alberta where she and her husband Orville had a drilling company and a ranch. She and her husband served and presided over an LDS mission for 3 years in Dallas Texas.  They both traveled the world and had many friends.  We will all miss her.

Sefesi Tautalanoa Hingano, 58, passed away February 25, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 12 PM, with a visitation beginning at 6 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Olive Ward, 525 E. Second Avenue, Mesa, Arizona.

Levi Parker Waldron, 78, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed peacefully surrounded by family on February 28, 2017. Lee loved his family, history, hunting, and the outdoors. He was known for his sense of humor, kindness, and service to others. He was active in the LDS church. He had a Masters degree from BYU in outdoor recreation and worked for the City of Glendale for 31 years. Many of those years as Recreation Superintendent. Lee is survived by his wife Marcia, 5 children and their spouses, 18 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Proceeded in death by a granddaughter. Funeral services will be held Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 10 AM at the LDS church at 2618 N. Lindsay Rd. Mesa, AZ 85213.

Mildred Lila Grace Benesch, nee Bunger passed away peacefully on February 24, 2017 in Glendale, AZ. Mildred, known as MeMe or Cecilia to friends and family was a loving and compassionate sister, aunt and friend. She was born September 7, 1928 in Los Angeles County, CA to Samuel and Alta Bunger. She spent most of her life in California, Washington, and the last seven years in Arizona. Mildred touched the lives of many during her time as a nun, teacher and avid cat breeder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Bunger and Alta McNaughton; sisters, Frances Bunger, Doris McGee, Dorothy Setchell, Margaret Tripp and Barbara Bunger; brother Samuel Bunger and husband George Benesch. She is survived by her sister Jean Newman, numerous nieces and nephews, friends and her beloved cat McKenzie. Mildred was loved and will be greatly missed by her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

James Allen May, Sr., age 80, returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, 28^th February, 2017, surrounded by his family in Phoenix, Arizona. Born on August 5^th, 1936 in Phoenix, Arizona to James Hyrum May and Havana Sorensen May, Jim graduated from Phoenix College and from Brigham Young University in Business Management. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States. On November 22^nd, 1963, he married Carol Ann Adams, in the Mesa Temple, and together they had six children: David, James Allen Jr., Stephen, Michael, Shannon, and Erin. Jim served Heavenly Father in numerous capacities, including Bishop, High Councilman, Seminary Teacher and as a dedicated scholar of the Lord’s word. Jim’s pursuits in life focused on service and improving quality of life for others, from working to expand renal dialysis units in hospitals around the world, to bringing medicinal herbs and sweeteners from South America to the United States and now worldwide. He is known globally as the “Father of Stevia.” He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; sons Stephen and Michael (Christine) and daughters Shannon (Jay) and Erin; 7 grandchildren; and his sister Ramona Sterling. Jim will be remembered as a scholar and business leader, a stalwart member of his community and faith, and a dedicated husband and father. A celebration of his life and legacy will be held on Saturday, March 4^th at 10:00am with visitation at 9:00am at the LDS Church on 2835 E Des Moines St, Mesa, AZ 85213, with burial afterwards at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona. Following this, his family and friends will have luncheon together at the LDS Church to remember Jim’s life.

Edward (Ed) Davidson, age 70, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on February 26, 2017 from complications of brain cancer.  He was surrounded by his wife, his children and their spouses.  Ed was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 16, 1946 to Arlo Davidson and Vivian Lambson Davidson.  He was raised in Chandler, Arizona where his family owned and operated Davidson’s Reliable Hardware store for many years.  As a youth, he enjoyed playing music and sports with his 3 brothers, Vance, Steve and Doug, and his sister, Arlene (Langoff).

He married Frances Thompson in 1967, and together they raised 3 beautiful children, Becky, Joleen and Terry.

In February of 2001 he met and fell immediately in love with Bonnie McKusick.  They were married soon afterwards on September 10, 2001.  Ed and Bonnie loved traveling together and went on many adventures.  Ed loved spending time with each of his grandchildren.  He enjoyed going to all of their concerts, plays, sports, and other activities.  He was and still is their biggest fan.

Ed worked most of his career as a computer engineer, the longest time (25 years) for Motorola in Mesa.  The last few years before retirement he worked for the Tempe Police Department.  Ed was an avid volunteer and loved to give service to everybody around him.  He served several years in the Boy Scouts of America.  He loved cooking and sharing his food with others and was nicknamed “Eddie Crocker” by the people he worked with.  He also had a great sense of humor that made life better in good times and bad.  He made life fun.

He was survived by his wife, Bonnie Davidson.  His children: Becky (Steve Mousser), Joleen (Brian Krueger), Terence (Kathlyn Davidson); step children:  Laura (Carl Simpson), and Dan Akridge; and 10 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held March 4, 2017, 10:00 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 9:00 a.m., at the LDS Chapel on 6942 E. Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205.

There will also be “Celebration” of his life on March 18^th from 2 – 4 pm at the Las Palmas Clubhouse, 215 North Power Rd., Mesa, AZ.  This will be an informal gathering to laugh and share funny stories about Ed, and there are many of them.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National Brain Tumor Society, 550 Chapel Street, Suite #200, Newton, MA 02458.

Craig Westover Hicks, 43, died unexpectedly after a short illness February 25, 2017 in Tempe, Ariz. He was born January 25, 1974 in Milwaukee, Wisc. to John Ridge Hicks, Jr. and Linda Craig Hicks. He moved with his family to Arizona in 1980.

Craig graduated from Corona del Sol High School in 1992, and studied music at Northern Arizona University. He was an Eagle Scout and served a two-year mission to Carlsbad, Calif. for the LDS Church. He worked in the hospitality industry in Orlando, Fla. for 8 years and returned to Phoenix in 2004.

His interests were in the Arts: music, theater and film. He was known among family and friends for his beautiful singing voice. He especially loved singing karaoke, and had an impressive repertoire of songs spanning many decades and genres.

He is survived by his mother, Linda Hicks; father and stepmother, John and Sandy Hicks; brother and sister-in-law Ridge and Julee Hicks and their children; sister Wendy Hicks; sister and brother-in-law Lindsay and Tim Watrous and their children; and stepbrothers Jared Jones, Chad Jones, and Brad Jones, as well as their wives and children.

Craig was loved and will be greatly missed by his family.  A private family memorial service will be held.

Henry Alden (Al) Whetten, Jr. graduated from this life on 25 February 2017 in Mesa, Arizona at the age of 94. He was born to Henry Alden Whetten, Sr. and Lillie Mae Beecroft on 2 November 1922 in Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico.  

Al had a true “Wild West” experience in his early childhood in Mexico. His family moved to the Phoenix/Mesa area in 1936 when Al was fourteen. He was an industrious youth and could be found delivering newspapers, selling ice cream from his bicycle in Mesa and later, milking his own herd of cows in South Chandler before and after attending Mesa High School every day. 

Al joined the Armed Forces during World War II and served as an MP in England.  After the war he returned to Mesa and met and married Elda Hansen in the Mesa LDS Temple on 1 August 1947. They lived in Mesa where Al worked as a dairy farmer. In 1950 they moved to Idaho to try dairy farming there but returned to Mesa in 1956.  At this time Al decided to try his hand at building houses and found his true niche in life.  He became a contractor/developer and ran Your Home Construction for many years.  

After losing Elda to cancer in 1972, Al married Lenore Hatch in 1979.  They had a wonderful companionship, enjoying their later years with travelling to Church History sites, square dancing and serving as the best Grandparents in the world.   

Al was predeceased by his wife Elda, sons Stanley and Dion, daughters Vernell Johnson and Marva Sonntag, brothers, Robert, Lloyd and Bill and wife Lenore. 

He is survived by his brother Tom (Gayle) of Tucson, AZ and sisters, Arlene (Darrell) Waite and Kathleen Whetten both of Henderson, NV; daughters Denise (Ron) Taylor, Pat (Phil) Stapley, son Kerry (Melanie) Whetten all of Mesa, AZ, sons-in-law Raymond Johnson of Lakeside AZ and Greg Sonntag of Salt Lake City, UT, twenty grandchildren, forty-six great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.  

Viewing is Friday, 3 March 2017 from 6 to 8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. There will also be a viewing on Saturday, 4 March 2017 at the LDS Taylor Park Ward, 825 S. 32^nd St, Mesa, AZ 85204 from 9 to 10 AM, with services immediately following. Interment will be at City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St, Mesa, AZ. 

Mark D. Csader, 54 passed away peacefully on February 25, 2017. 

He was a loving and generous son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.  He is survived by his wife Annette, children April (Roger), Brian (Elisa) and William (Kaitlin), his six grandchildren, his parents Mike and Virginia Csader, and his three siblings, Michael (Wendy), Michelle Fenlason (Don) and Marvin (Laura).  He is also survived by his in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a loyal Boeing employee for 30 years who really loved his job.

Funeral services are Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 11 AM preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa.

Karissa Hall, 42, was called home on February 22, 2017, in Mesa, Arizona. Karissa led a very happy active life filled with family, friends, and many activities such as “jeeping,” photography, writing, reading, her dream of a chicken farm, and her church. In 2008, Karissa joined American Airlines as an employee of US Airways as the business analysist for the learning management system.  She moved to the Learning and Development Team for American Airlines, where she built many lasting relationships and friendships with her co-workers.  She was a dedicated employee where she loved the challenge and opportunity of her work.  She loved her nieces, nephews and Primary children. She is survived by her mother Sue Hall, father Daniel Hall, sisters Tammy, Dana, Cabrena, Veronica and brother Jeremiah. Funeral services are Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11 am at the Park Crest Chapel, 3920 E. Brown Road, Mesa, Az. There will be graveside service in Eagar, AZ, Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 11 am at the Eagar Cemetery.