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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.

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.