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Larry Thurman Upton, 76, beloved husband and father, passed away on December 20, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Memorial services to be held in Phoenix, AZ at 3:00 pm on January 21, in the Washington 2 Room, Hilton Garden Inn, 15 East Monroe, and in Pima, AZ at 11:00 am at the Relief Society Building and at 12:30 pm at the Pima Cemetery on February 4.
Larry was born to Lattney and Elizabeth “Betty” Upton on December 13, 1940 in Morgantown, Kentucky. He spent his childhood in Bowling Green, Kentucky and Pima, Arizona. He graduated from Pima High School in 1959, attended Eastern Arizona College, graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 1980 and the American Bankers Association National Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma in 1985 where he was elected class president and received honors.
He is survived by his wife, Judy McDonald; four children, Justin Upton, Stephanie Espinoza, Heather Evans, Corbett Upton, and step-son, Steve Alford; seven grandchildren: Derek and Trevor Espinoza, Haley, Ryan, and Hilary Evans, Katie Alford, and Shannon Upton; and great-granddaughter, Lyla Espinoza. He is also survived by his siblings, Melanie Sumner, Janet John, Pam Jones, and Sadie Blind.
Larry was a man of many talents and interests. In addition to spending a career in banking at Valley National Bank, First Interstate Bank, and Chase Bank, he was also an financial advisor for Primerica and an amateur dirt-track stock car racer (http://www.uptonracing.com). But, an accomplished storyteller, his favored passions were history and literature. He was an amateur historian (“Who Robbed Major Wham? Facts and Folklore behind Arizona’s Great Paymaster Robbery” with Larry T. Ball, which appeared in The Journal of Arizona History, which was awarded the Arizona Historical Society’s “Journal Article of the Year,” Bowling Green Stock Car Racing, The Historic Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Memory is a Wonderful Thing, Perspective: One Family’s Journey Across America), and an author who expressed himself in several genres (http://larrythurmanupton.com): drama (Great Trial of the Wham Robbers), memoir (A Bowling Green Boy), and fiction (The Cocopah Murders and Sugar Doll). His most fervent wish was for “ordinary” people to record their stories, thoughts, and personal narratives.
A life-long learner himself, Larry was an enthusiastic advocate for education, funding/supporting scholarships and endowments for community colleges in Arizona. He saw education as a vital tool to understand the world and oneself and to contribute to one’s family and society.
He loved to spend time and travel with Judy, the love of his life, visiting many states and Europe. He also enjoyed spending time at their second home or “retreat” in Show Low, Arizona, visited often by friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Eastern Arizona College (Alumni Library, History Programs, English and Language Programs, https://eacalumni.org/donate) and/or Special Collections Library, Western Kentucky University (http://www.wku.edu/library/development/donate.php).
Adelia Esther Shumway passed away peacefully on January 5, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona, just weeks after a happy, family-filled 89th birthday. She was born December 17, 1927 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Everett Bentley Huggins and Laura Sheppard.
The eldest of three children, Dede learned about hard work and self-reliance while living as share croppers on a farm during The Depression. When she and her brother, Harold, were not helping with the chores or attending school in the one-room schoolhouse, they were exploring the wilderness, dodging snakes and catching fireflies.
When World War II began, the Huggins family had left the farm behind and was living in Gary, Indiana. There they welcomed a new baby brother, “Billy,” when Dede was 16 years old. Dede attended Portage High School where she lettered in basketball, baseball and track. She also played a role in the school play, reported for the school newspaper, and sang in the choir even though she never considered herself to be much of a singer.
Just after graduating high school, Dede moved with her family to Tucson, Arizona where she would meet her eternal companion, Richard Shumway. On June 27, 1947, they were married in Winslow, Arizona. After Dick graduated from the University of Arizona, they set off to California to start their life together and raise a family of their own. Eventually settling in San Lorenzo, Dede raised 5 children and made many life-long friends. On June 4, 1955, Dede was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has since always had a strong testimony of the gospel and played many roles in serving others including den mother, young women’s leader, and the bishop’s wife for their ward. In 1990, Dick and Dede served a 2-year mission for the church on the very small island of Niue in the South Pacific.
In their golden years, Dick and Dede retired in Mesa, Arizona near many of their family members. Dede took on the role of grandmother, making each grandchild feel special with family holiday parties and summers spent at the cabin in Pine, Arizona. She honed her photography skills by capturing each memory she created in volumes of books for us to now treasure.
Dede is survived by her 5 children; Randy Shumway, Mike Shumway, Marsha Crosby, Steve Shumway (Pat), Debbie Whetten (James), 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and her brother, Bill Huggins (Kay). She is preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Laura Huggins, her husband, Richard Shumway, and her brother, Harold Huggins.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11 AM, with a visitation at 10 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 532 South Greenfield Road, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Dede requested donations be made to Hospice of the Valley.
Alberta (Hawkins) Hathcock, 95, of Mesa Arizona, passed away after a brief illness on January 8th 2017 in Mesa Arizona.
She is the daughter of Albert Wesley and Mary Jane (Kempton) Hawkins, and was born in Mesa on December 11, 1921. She attended Mesa Schools and graduated from Mesa High School. She later attended the Lambson Business College. She married David Stanley Hathcock on August 6, 1942 and together they raised six children; Karen Tyler (Ross) of Mesa, David Stanley Jr., of southern California, James Edward (Donna) of Orange California, Jane Garvin (Kirk) of Running Springs California, Robert Keith (Leslie) of Mesa, and Jean Smith (Thane) also of Mesa. Dave and Alberta were happily married for 53 years.
Alberta was a stay-at-home mother; she loved to cook, sew, paint, garden and play with the grandchildren. She kept books for her husband’s custom trailer business and ran a Diet Center from her home.
Alberta was preceded in death by her husband David Sr., daughter Karen, son Dave Jr., brothers Derral (Norma Lee), Kenneth (Jean), Max, Grant (Happy), Donnie, Clyde, and sister Beulah Mae Cox (Edward). Alberta had 24 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
A public visitation will be Monday January 16, 2017 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Family graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 11 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
Bonnie Lee Thorpe, 88 peacefully rejoined her departed loved ones on January 4, 2017. Born January 3, 1929 to Theron Beesley Lee and Charlotte Tams Lee in Brigham City, Utah. She graduated with honors from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a minor in Geology and was an active member in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. A Brigham City Peach Queen for 1947, she possessed a caring, charismatic personality and optimistic outlook on life. A talented and disciplined student, Bonnie was selected as the Editor for each of her Junior High, High School and University Yearbooks. A voracious reader, she particularly enjoyed mysteries and romantic novels.
Bonnie married Sherman William Thorpe prior to completing his surgical training as a medical student attending Temple University in Philadelphia. Their marriage was sealed in the LDS Logan Temple in Utah on August 23, 1950. In 1951 Bonnie joined her husband deployed in Sendai Japan where, as a commissioned officer in the Army, he served as Chief of Surgery for a Japan Logistical Command Army hospital treating US military casualties flown in from Korea and civilian radiation victims from regions around Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As a member of the Department of Army Civilians, she toured military camps throughout Japan auditing financial records for the Army.
The couple moved to Mesa in April 1958 and set up the East Valley’s first surgical practice wherein she managed the office. Bonnie was active in Church, Civic and sorority organizations. She became a residential Realtor and in 1982 became the Realtor of the Year for the State of Arizona for her Safety through Songs educational program that was implemented nationally by the National Association of Realtors. In 1985 she co-founded the world’s first commercial drone manufacturing company with her son Douglas with whom she continued to work into her eighties.
Bonnie enjoyed attending and serving her Church, being with her family, boating, swimming, hiking, camping, motoring across the country many times, travel abroad and especially gazing at “Frog Inlet” and the Sea of Cortez at sunset from her “Casita del Mar,” a small home she bought with her husband on Pelican Point near Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband on December 24, 1999. She is survived by her sister Luana Horne, twin sons Douglas Thorpe and David Thorpe, daughter Christine Helfers, son William Thorpe and their spouses; 11 grandchildren: Stacy Lippert, Christine Smith, Steven Thorpe Castro, Nicholas Thorpe, Maggie Thorpe, Beth Everhart, Nate Everhart, Katherine Blaha, Stephen Thorpe, Brian Thorpe, Alison Thorpe; and two great-grandchildren Zachary Lippert and Emma Everhart.
There will be a visitation Friday, January 13, 2017 from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 12 Noon, preceded by a visitation at 11 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1455 North Harris in Mesa. Interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.
Billy Joe Taylor slipped away January 2, 2017. He is preceded in death by parents Marvin and Minnie (Kerr), siblings: Odis and Betty Jean of Lubbock Texas, wives: Joy (Wossum), Wanda (Thompson), and Jenne (Hoefflin) of Mesa, Arizona, and daughters: Karen and Nancy (Robertson) of Portland Oregon. Survived by local sons Michael and Dennis, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He served honorably in the Navy during WWII in the South China Sea and worked for Studebaker, Haliburton, and APS.
Mrs. Doris Lillian Marchiolo was born on August 8, 1923 to Edna Demers Etue and Azarie Etue in Manchester, New Hampshire. She was a lifelong Roman Catholic and truly loved her Lord, praying, reading the Holy Bible, and praying the Rosary daily.
She married Aurelio “Leo” Marchiolo July 5, 1942 and they made their home first in Brooklyn, New York, then East Farmindale, Long Island and then settled in Lima, Ohio where they lived for the next 10 years. They moved to Cincinnati for the following 5 years and finally made the move to Port Charlotte where they lived until 2004. Following the death of Leo, Doris was brought out to Mesa, Arizona by her daughter Joan and granddaughter Denise and she lived in Mesa until she flew into the arms of her Lord on January 1, 2017. Heaven truly rejoiced that day when she was able to meet her great-granddaughter, Arwen Berkseth.
Doris was a homemaker for her husband and three children Vincent, Joan and Mary. During her life, she loved bowling, word puzzles, and watching the news, classic movies and Dancing with the Stars. She was preceded in death by her daughter Mary and her husband Leo. She is survived by her sister Helen “Jeanette” Duebler, her son Vincent Marchiolo, her daughter Joan Ward, her granddaughter Denise McClain, her grandsons Ryan Berkseth and Adam Berkseth and her great-grandchildren Lily Berkseth, Ava Berkseth and Asher Berkseth.
May her memory be eternal. Doris, Mom, Granny, you will be greatly missed.
Our Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and friend Donald Cutts was called home on Christmas day. We know this was a blessed Christmas gift – to be reunited with his beloved wife Irma, and other family members including his sons Joe and Steven. He served honorably in the US Airforce and never lost his love of flying. He is survived by his Brother Paul, sister Grace, and daughters Eileen and Donna and his son Dan. 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. We will miss his kind heart and quick sense of humor. We will miss his beautiful singing voice and love of all sports – especially his Yankees. Most of all, we will miss the love and care he freely shared with his family and friends. We love you Dad. Funeral services are Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00am at Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby Idaho, preceded by a visitation and viewing at 9:30am.
John Patrick Kleiner Jr., 67, passed away Saturday December 31,2016 at home in Mesa, Arizona.
John is survived by his wife, Kerri Sue (Allen) Kleiner; his sons, Aaron (Melissa) Kleiner and Andy (Tracy) Kleiner; his daughters, Kristy (David) Call and Jenny (Jeff) Johnson; his brother, Kent (Cindy) Kleiner; 7 grandchildren; and many close friends. John was a Retired Administrator for Mesa Public Schools.
A public viewing will be held Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday Jan. 7, 2017 at 10 AM. The viewing & the funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 925 N. Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ 85203.
With his family present, Harry C. Furphy, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2016. Harry was born December 3, 1924, in Clarkstown, New York. He was a World War II Army sniper. After an honorable discharge, he came out to Arizona, to attend Arizona Teacher’s College (ASU). While in college, he met his wife, Maxine Norr. Harry and Maxine were married on October 14, 1950 and had 4 children. He started out as a school teacher, and then worked as an engineer for General Electric and Honeywell for many years. He was a key part of the computer upgrades at NORAD, in Colorado, during the Cold War, in the 1970’s. Later on, he worked as a software systems architect consultant.
Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, in October of 2012. He is survived by his 4 children: Lesley Hunt, Lynda Key, Jeff and Debbie Furphy, and Christopher and Kim Furphy. He also has 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way). Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 214 West Grovers Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85023, on Friday, January 13, 2017, with a viewing at 9am and funeral service at 10:30am. Following the funeral service, an Honor Guard Military Ceremony will be held outside of the church building.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG Foundation online at https://averystrongdipg.org/donation/ or mail to: Avery Huffman Defeat DIPG Foundation, P.O. Box 1811, Auburn, WA 98071. 100% of donations (minus payment processing fees) go to research for a cure. DIPG stands for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which is a rare form of terminal brain cancer, in children. One of Harry’s great-granddaughters has this cancer.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Stotler, Bonnie Lou
75, of Mesa, AZ passed away on December 26, 2016. She was the matriarch of the Phoenix clan. Bonnie touched and had a positive impact on many people. She had many valued customers from the banking industry who turned into lifelong friends. She loved to explore lighthouses and family meant everything to her. She is survived by her husband, James, her two sons, Daniel and John Brogan, stepdaughter Sherry Stotler, brothers Arlie “Bud” (Velma) Staten and Mick (Cathy) Staten and grandchildren: Sean, Michael, Kayli, Bryanna, Brandon, Taylor, Brittany, Kassey, Krissy (Richard), Harley and Kyle, and great-grandchildren: Kaydence, Mason, another Mason and Mersie. She was a surrogate grandma to Janet and Tim. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins. She loved her extended family dearly. She was preceded in death by her sisters Jean, Lavonne and Judy, and brothers Barney and Jack. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 11:00 to 1:00 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa, AZ. The memorial service will be Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. also at Bunker’s University Chapel. Condolences may be left at www.bunkercares.com.
Nephi Rudolf Poecker Sr. (66) of Florence, Az. passed away peacefully on December 27, 2016 in San Tan Valley, Az. Nephi was born March 15, 1950 in Halberstadt, Germany. He married his eternal sweetheart on June 14, 1968 and was sealed for time and all eternity one year later in the Salt Lake City Temple. Nephi was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved spending time with his family, laughing and playing games. Nephi loved fishing, camping and hunting and loved watching sporting events, especially when his grandchildren were participating.
Nephi is survived by his wife of 48 years Gloria “Teeny” Poecker and his six children; Nephi R. Poecker Jr., Jeffery Poecker, Johanne(John) Jayne, Gessika Bennett, Jared(Meaghan) and Cortney Tenney. His 15 grandchildren; John “T”, Justine, Janssen, Jace, Eric, Heather, Hailey, Austin, CeCelia, Prestin, Louis, Emma, Keatyn and Camryn, and great grandson; Ezeriah. His brother Rudy(Cindy) Poecker and sisters; Susanna (Klaus) Piotrowski, Darlen(Roger) Stubbs and Sonja(Kent) Peterson. Nephi was preceded in death by his parents Rudolf K. and Elfriede J. Poecker.
Services will be held on Wednesday January 4, 2017 at the Bella Vista LDS church building at 1521 E. Bella Vista Rd. San Tan Valley, Az. 85143. The viewing will begin at 9:00am and the services will follow at 10:00am.
A second viewing will be held on Friday January 6th, 2017 from 5:00-7:00pm at Fausette Funeral home in Castle Dale, Utah. The graveside service will be held on Saturday January 7th, 2017 at 1:00pm at Orangeville City Cemetery in Orangeville Utah.
Larry Neff Jarvis II died unexpectedly at home on December 16, 2016 in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 43. Larry is survived by his loving mother Yvonne, his sister Joy, and a plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Duke and Olive Morris, his grandmother Opal Jarvis, and his uncles Jerry Morris and Harley Jarvis.
Larry was born on June 5, 1973 in Mesa, Arizona to Yvonne Morris and Larry Jarvis I. Larry was Junior Class President of the Class of 1990 at Westwood High School. He was always a Westwood Warrior at heart. It is our hope as a family, that Larry is finally at peace. We will remember Larry as a joker, a wrestler, a colorful storyteller, a charming, clever, creative, man and always a Westwood Warrior.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, December 30, 2016 at 12 noon at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints located at 1415 E Southern Ave in Mesa, Arizona. There will be a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Larry’s life. The family is accepting donations in lieu of flowers to assist with unexpected funeral expenses. Donations may be made to https://www.gofundme.com/larry-jarvis-funeral-expense-fund
Thomas DeWitt Vance, 63, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2016 in his Mesa, AZ home. He is preceded in death by his father, Marion Isaac, his mother, Elizabeth Adelaide, his sisters Susan and Emily, his brother Kenny, and his son Russell. Tom was born to Marion and “Betty” Vance on December 4, 1953, in Mesa, AZ. Left to carry on his legacy of love and hard work are; Cheryl, his loving wife, his children Stacey, Stephanie (Lance), Evan (Marisol), Michael (Emily), Troy (Kristin), Jason (Jessie), Matthew (Jana), Sarah (Cory), and his 25 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings David (Lynn), Cathy (Terry), Janie (Jerry), Mike (Debbie), Richard (Barb) and Carolyn. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family, making people laugh, serving others, traveling, and working on projects. As a man of great faith, he served many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; as well as a 2 year mission in Japan. He dedicated 33 years of hard work to Salt River Project as an Electrical Meter Man. In his final years, he became a great source of inspiration for his family and friends. After his diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme, he continued to find joy in life and was very optimistic in all of his trials. Always one with a smile, he was best known for his kind and gentle nature. Tom gave the best hugs and was a strong example of faith and hard work. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 10:00am, preceded by a visitation at 9:00am at the LDS church located at 2424 N. Old Gilbert Rd. Mesa, AZ 85213.
Julio Hidalgo Nieto nació el 1 de Agosto de 1922 en Oaxaca México y falleció el 26 de
Diciembre 2016 en Gilbert, Arizona. Sus padres fueron José Trinidad Julio Hidalgo y
Luz María Nieto Cobos. Contrajo nupcias con Blanca Rosa Navarro Esperón el 10 de
Mayo de 1944 en Tierra Blanca Veracruz. Tres años después fueron sellados en el Templo de Mesa Arizona.
Trabajó para Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México por mas de 30 años. Fué Director
de Internados del Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas durante tres años.
Sirvió como Presidente de Rama en Tierra Blanca, Veracruz durante 17 años. Fué
ordenado Patriarca en 1980 por el Elder L. Tom Perry, llamamiento que desempeñó
hasta el día de su fallecimiento a la edad de 94 años.
Sirvió como obrero en el Templo de la Ciudad de México junto a su esposa durante
11 años. Fueron llamados oficialmente como misioneros de tiempo completo para
el Centro de Empleos durante 4 años.
Julio Hidalgo Nieto deja un legado de servicio, amor y dedicación al evangelio. Le
sobreviven sus hijos, Mary Hidalgo, Thelma y Jesus Córdova, Harold Hidalgo, Miguel
y Olga Hidalgo, Blanca y Servando Rojas, Jorge y Paulina Hidalgo, Jaime y Gabriela
Hidalgo, Patricia y Jesus Melchor. 46 nietos y 89 bisnietos.
Los servicios funerales se llevarán a acabo el Viernes 30 de Diciembre 2016 en La
Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días ubicada en 220 E. Cullumber
Ave. Gilbert, Arizona 85234. Visita 9-9:45 am. Servicio Funeral 10:00 am.
Sepultura inmediatamente después del servicio en Resthaven Cementery 4310 E.
Southern Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85042
Erwin A. Standing, known as “Stan” or “Bud” to his friends and family, was born May 28, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The son of Ruth Braby Standing and Erwin Hyrum Standing, and the younger brother of Beverly Standing Limburg, all of whom predeceased him, he grew up in Salt Lake City, graduated from the University of Utah after serving a mission in Australia, and lived for many years in Bellevue, Washington, then Mesa, Arizona, where he passed away on December 25, 2016, at the age of 91.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly forty years, Judith (Judy) Standing, and her children, his beloved step-children, Molly Fisher and Todd Bishop, as well as by his devoted children from his first marriage to Beverly Farnes Standing (who died in 1975 after a long struggle with cancer), Sue Standing, Jane Standing O’Harra, Dean Standing, Scott Standing and Karl Standing, thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, a niece and three nephews.
Stan worked for many years as an independent real-estate appraiser in the Phoenix area. Prior to that, among other jobs, he worked as a salesman for Hastings Manufacturing Company and Prudential Insurance, a personnel manager for Boeing, and a bank manager at Great Western Savings and Loan. Stan was an avid reader and a passionate temple worker. He was also known for his quirky sense of humor.
Services for Erwin A. Standing will be held on Friday, December 30th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints chapel located at 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ 85213. There will be a viewing at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome and invited to attend. He will be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
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