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Dr James M. Noble
Loving Husband, Father, Grandpa, Son and Brother, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with leukemia. Born in Wilcox, AZ in 1954 to David and LaRue Noble and raised in Tempe, AZ. Jim graduated from McClintock High School, ASU and Baylor University Dental School, having practiced dentistry in Tempe for over 36 years. He was so loved by patients and staff. Jim had a great love of the outdoors, particularly the beautiful White Mountains of Alpine, AZ, spending cherished time there with generations of family over the years. Jim’s passion for flying led him to fly his own plane over miles of breathtaking Arizona terrain. A devoted ASU Baseball fan, he rarely missed a home game. His family instilled a love of music that lasted a lifetime, playing tuba in his High School’s Marching Band and singing in the church choir until just recently. As a young man, Jim served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rome, Italy. Jim’s greatest love was his family and is survived by his wife, Sarah. He was previously married to Jeannine and together they have 6 wonderful children, Joshua, Samuel (Rebecca), Nicole (Randy), Ryan, Jeffery and John David (deceased). 4 loving stepchildren, Brandt, Loren (Lauren), Michael, Meredith, 7 sweet grandchildren and many beloved siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and Aunts. Our hearts break as we say goodbye, too soon, to our sweet Jim, Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Friend.  Funeral Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1881 E. Del Rio Dr. Tempe, AZ. December 2nd, 9am Visitation, 10am Service. Burial: Alpine, Arizona. Arrangements made by and more info at www.bunkercares.com

Virgil Kermit Roberts was born on December 13, 1923 to David B. Roberts and Hazel Comer Roberts in Lehi, Utah.  He passed away in his sleep on Thursday, November 24, 2016.  He was within 19 days of his 93^rd birthday.  He married Edith Vivian Richan of American Fork, Utah on June 5, 1942, a day after they both graduated from high school.  Virgil worked at Union Pacific in Salt Lake City for a month and then he and Edith ventured to Southern California where he worked on the DC-3 production line at the Douglas Aircraft Company.  As World War II heated up, Virgil with Edith’s support, enlisted in the Air Force to train as a pilot.  Virgil trained in a variety of training centers over the next year, most of the time Edith resided with him in military housing.  The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the War just as Virgil was ready to graduate as an Air Force Officer.  Virgil was given two choices, graduate and receive his Officer’s commission or receive a discharge from the Air Force.  Exercising their joint agency, they elected “Discharge” and traveled back to Lehi to their family and friends without the threat of further war fare.

While attending flight school, Virgil and Edith attended LDS Sunday services.  In Virgil’s words, “We were glad that I had been able to serve our country in time of war.  Especially for the decisions Ede and I made to return home to raise a family, to serve the Lord and be close to those we loved.”  They never backed away from this decision to “raise a family, to serve the Lord and be close to those we loved.”  Virgil went into his father’s brick mason business.  He worked side by side with his father.  Virgil eventually became the sole owner of their masonry company after his father retired.  He built a good masonry business and served in an Elder’s quorum Presidency, as Scoutmaster and as a member of a Bishopric.

In 1964, he and Ede moved to the Mesa, Arizona area, to find a climate that would be better for Edith’s health.  He started “Roberts’ Builders and evolved from a mason to a builder.  In 1979, he turned Roberts’ Builders over to his son, Dennis and son-in-law, Mike Dubois.  He and Ede then started on a second career working for the LDS Temples & Special Projects as the owner’s construction supervisor.  He and Ede supervised the construction of the 1980 Winter Olympics Visitor Center at Lake Placid New York.  This assignment was followed by the Bishops Store House in Snowflake, Arizona, the Welfare Center and Grain Silos in Mesa, a shopping center and Ware house in Phoenix.  He was then assigned to the Construction Department as the Owners Representative for the construction of the Dallas and Chicago Temples.  They then served as missionaries assigned to the Cambodians living in Florida.  He and Ede became temple workers in the Mesa Temple and served for 20 years.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 74 years, Edith Vivian Richan. They are survived by their six children:  Dennis Roberts (Vicky); Christine Finlinson (Fred); JoAnne Dubois (Michael); Elane Palmer (Rick); William David Roberts (Wendy); and Kelly Dale Roberts (Marci).  Their posterity includes, 6 children, 6 spouses, 28 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great- grandchildren.  A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85213.  The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the LDS Chapel located at 1550 North Val Vista, Mesa, Arizona.  A viewing will be held at the Chapel on Saturday, starting at 1:00 pm.    A brief service will be held in Lehi, Utah December 10, 2016 at the Wing Mortuary in Lehi.  Interment will be at the Lehi, Utah Cemetery on Saturday, December 10, 2016.  Special thanks are due to the “care-givers” at the Legacy Care Center in Mesa, Arizona.

Floyd Eugene Pitney Jr, 65, passed away on November 17th, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.

He was born to Floyd and Alice Pitney in Manhattan, Kansas on April 7th, 1951. In 1976 he married Becky Richey, they have seven children: Rusty Pitney (Nancy), Nathan Pitney (Wendy), Heather Payne (Aaron), Jonathan Pitney (Melissa), Blaine Pitney (Amy), Ginger Connor (Romeo), and Kelsey Pitney. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Ciminski, his wife Becky and their seven children and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am (with a viewing at 10 am) Saturday November 26th, 2016 at the LDS Stake Center at 1100 N Cooper Rd Gilbert, AZ. An earlier viewing will be held Friday November 25th, 2016 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa, AZ.

Tribute video: https://youtu.be/KEeqoH1qFTw

Marlene Marie Leonard, 60 years old, of Mesa, Arizona passed away November 18, 2016 in Chandler, Arizona.

Marlene’s whole life revolved around her children and grandchildren. Anything they needed, from just support in life to a little push in the right direction, Marlene was there whole-heartedly cheering them on, with all her love and a camera to capture the moment. It never mattered whether the situation was good or bad, her presence was guaranteed to be there. She always found a way to work with what she had and still provide everything to her kids and grandkids that they would need to succeed through life’s most challenging times. Her love was never ending.

Marlene was the loving mother of Chad Fuller, Jeremy Fuller, April Fuller, Amber Fuller and grandmother of Shane Fuller, Seth Fuller, Ava Sanchez, and Logan Whitney.

Funeral services will be Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

JoAnn Jackson Ulm, age 72 died peacefully on November 22, 2016 at the Hospice of the Valley, in Gilbert Arizona.

JoAnn was born on September 14, 1944 in Pinedale, Arizona, the daughter of Cyrus Rodwell Jackson and Nellie Foutz. JoAnn grew up in the small town of Pinedale with her four brothers and three sisters. She worked for 35 years at Motorola, in accounts payable and travel audit, a job that she loved.

She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served in many callings and capacities mainly in Young Women’s and Relief Society, even when her memory was beginning to fade. Her greatest love in life was her family. She was a devoted mother to her girls and she loved her grandchildren more than anything. She was the one that you would see on the ground giving them horsey rides or taking them to the park and will always be remembered for her birthday traditions. She was thrifty but never stingy and loved showering her children and grandchildren with presents on Christmas morning. She would blow kisses that would chase them around the rooms and taught them how to grandma clean. And was always known for telling her family daily how much she loved them.

JoAnn leaves behind two daughters and their spouses, LeAnn and Daryl Hunt and Cyndi and David Palmer, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. JoAnn is also survived by her three sisters, Laree Hall, Elaine Goodman & Nadene (Jackie) Shumway and her two brothers Doug and Larry Jackson.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 6-8 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lindsay Ward, 1150 N. Lindsay Road, Gilbert, Arizona. Funeral services will be  Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the same location. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Gerardo (Jerry) Montano Fernandez Jr. (57) born October 3, 1959 passed away on November 15, 2016.

He has now joined his father, grandmother, sister, brother, and wife who welcomed him with open arms.

He is survived by his six children Frances Fernandez, Jerry Fernandez III, Joseph Fernandez, Adam Fernandez, Rene Uriarte, and Marissa Perkins, his daughter in-laws Sylvia Loya and Jessika Fernandez, as well as 14 grandchildren, his mother Mary Mendivil, two sisters Irene Martinez and Delia Sanchez, two brothers Ben Torres Sr, and Eddie M. Fernandez Sr., as well as Numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved very much by all his family members and may he rest in peace.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 28^th, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Funeral service will be held on November 29^th, 2016 at Salt River Memorial Hall, 9849 E. Earll Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85256. Final resting place will be at Salt River Cemetery, 10661 East Palm Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

Edwin ‘Dean’ Salladay passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016.

He was born November 21, 1947 in Miami, Arizona to Edwin E. & Lucille Salladay. He graduated in 1964 from Miami High School. Dean met his wife Cheryl Peel while living in Mesa. They were married in the LDS Mesa Arizona Temple in 1970 and were together for 38 years until Cheryl passed away. Dean married Susan Dey Brown in January of 2016 and enjoyed his last year together with her in Queen Creek. Dean passed away peacefully in Phoenix with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Edwin E. and Lucille Salladay, his wife Cheryl Peel Salladay, and his sister Sharon Armstrong. He is survived by his wife Susan D. Salladay, his daughters Sherri (Scot) Bradford, DeAnn (Matt) Flygare, stepchildren Krista Sarant, Weston (Bridget) Burgess, Sonia (Blake) Parker, and Brittany (Sinahi) Zarco, 7 grandchildren and 9 step-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, Dec. 3^rd at 11 am, with visitation at 10 am, at the LDS Chapel, 20415 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Queen Creek, AZ.

Sheala Lauren Clark-Understiller, 30, passed away unexpectedly on November 15, 2016. She was born on August 27, 1986 in Mesa, AZ.

She was a loving mother of Jager Alan Thompson (9) and Jazilyn Ryan Understiller (4). Sheala loved her children more than anything in the world. She loved taking her kids hiking, to the beach, to the parks and the lake. Her eyes were filled with joy watching them participate in their various sports, dance and gymnastics activities. She was so proud of them! They were the love of her life and we know that she will continue to watch over them. Sheala loved animals, especially dogs and cats. She was a certified make-up artist, a licensed massage therapist, a CNA, a phlebotomist and enrolled in school to become a PCT. Sheala would say, “I love to learn new things!”

She is survived by her son Jager and daughter Jazilyn, her parents Norman and Chassi Clark, her younger siblings Cameron (Katie), Dallas, Cade (Taylore), Mabry and Sunni, her grandparents Mary Clark, Glenn Burrow and Norleen Cross and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday November 20, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Monday November 21, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Chapel located at 1455 N Harris, Mesa, AZ. Following the funeral, the burial will be held at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Alberta Farnsworth Wagner, 89, of Mesa, passed away on November 16,2016. She was born in Dublán, Chihuahua, Mexico on December 27, 1926.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Herbert Wagner Sr.  She is survived by her four children Clarence H. Wagner Jr. (Linda Hansen), Mary Catherine Bunker (Arvin Bunker), Andrew C. Wagner (Debbie Campbell), and Robert A. Wagner. She is also survived by her 19 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren who were the joy of her life. She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will be dearly missed by all.

Funeral services will be Monday, November 21, 2016 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Park Center Ward, 422 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Noreen Matthews, age 85, passed away November 15, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 18, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lazona Ward, 1500 E. 6th Avenue, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the Central Cemetery in Central, Arizona.

Cleone Hyde McCoy Porter 89, passed away on November 12, 2016. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho on the fourth of July to Charles W. Hyde and Lily Kramer Hyde, the second of two daughters. She and her sister, Maureen H. Cook were greatly endeared to each other and were often seen holding hands throughout their lives.  She has preceded Cleone in death.

Nothing was more important to Cleone than her family and every life decision was influenced by that devotion. She was a woman of great beauty but possessed even more loveliness within as she filled her life with generosity, humor, compassion and a desire to serve others. She was a woman of deep faith and had an abiding trust in her Father in Heaven.

She earned a degree in nursing and worked many years as an RN and administrator. She sought knowledge and understanding of all things, yet retained her childlike wonder at the beauties of the earth and it’s Creator.

She traveled the world with her son John McCoy III, who preceded her in death and was one of the treasures of her heart.

Later in life Cleone met and married Richard A. Porter, who brought every bright happiness and blessing into her life, saving, as she said, “The best for last.” Together they served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Liberty, Missouri and enjoyed a sweet companionship and growing posterity.

Cleone touched many lives. She leaves a legacy of love, determined hope, faith in the Divine and an enduring desire to walk in light. Her smile measured the breadth of the love and tenderness she carried inside, she lived her life in profound gratitude and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by Kathleen M. Stapley, (Donald T. Jr.), Michelle Porter Dahl (Daniel) , Max Porter and (Kathleen). She leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was adored by all.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1483 North Driftwood Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85234.

Our wonderful, hard-working, loyal father passed peacefully from this life on Friday November 11, 2016. Kent Jensen Layton was born on April 25, 1942 in Sanford, Colorado with his twin brother Keith.

He is survived by his wife Kay, his children Shane (Jenni), Todd (Emily), Bryan (Natalie), and Melissa (Jay), and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Melva (Jensen) Layton.

He was known for his exceptional skill in basketball, playing for Sanford High, BYU, Adams State, and the Air Force. Kent worked at SRP for 25 years and then as a Realtor for the next 30 years. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many positions with his most influential as Scoutmaster.

We will miss our devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. We look forward to being with him again and eating big bowls of ice cream together.

Funeral services will be held Thursday November 17, 2016 at the LDS Church at 6001 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe, AZ, with the viewing from 5:00 to 6:45 PM and the funeral service following at 7 PM. Interment will be the following Saturday at 11am in Sanford, Colorado. For more information go to www.bunkerfuneral.com

Gary R. Wilson, age 61, resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away Monday, November 7, 2016 at his residence.

Gary was born October 19, 1955 in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, and grew up in California and Oregon. He was on the Sheldon High School swim team and won regional swim team awards in high school. He graduated from Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon in 1973 and attended the University of Oregon, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and a member of the U of O cheer squad. He graduated from Portland State University with a BS degree in Speech Communications in March of 1979. He worked in sales and marketing for many years in Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona and was recently retired. Gary was an avid weight lifter, an expert snow skier and water skier and enjoyed outdoor activities.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward F. Wilson and Shirley L. Hummel Wilson, of Tigard, Oregon, a sister Julia Wilson Gage of Portland, Oregon and a brother Scott A. Wilson of Irvine, California. He is survived by a daughter Erin N. Graff of Gilbert, Arizona, a son Gregory R. Wilson of Mesa, Arizona, a nephew Zachary Gage of Portland, Oregon, a granddaughter Bella, age 10, and a grandson Troy, age 9. In the last five years of his life he shared many happy memories with Christine Shamrell, whom he loved very much.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 at 10 AM at 1010 S. Recker Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85296. Friends and extended family are invited to attend.

Barbara Ann Dachtler Loof, age 68, passed away in Mesa, AZ after a long battle with Aplastic Anemia on 11/12/2016.  She was born June 24, 1948 to Maurice and Margaret Hansen Dachtler in Sioux Falls, SD.

On April 3, 1971, she married Wayne Loof.  They lived in Rapid City, SD for the next 46 years, to this union their awesome son, Kevin was born.

She is survived by her husband Wayne Loof; son Kevin (Christina) Loof; sister Julie (Tom) Terlisner, sister Donna Dachtler; and brother Dale (Susan) Dachtler.  She was preceded in death by her parents, twin brother Robert, nephew Scott and brother-in-law Calvin.  She will be cremated and interned at the National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at a later date.

Kenneth David Thompson, 70, of Laveen, Arizona passed away November 7, 2016 in Sacaton, Arizona.

A traditional overnight service will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 beginning at 4 PM, at 5909 W. Squawberry Drive, Laveen, AZ. Graveside services will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10 AM, at the Co-op Cemetery in Laveen, Arizona.

Rose Marie Wakefield, 80, passed away November 4, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Graveside services will be Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10 AM at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ.