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Ltc. Donald L. Elwood, USAF (Retired), has taken his final flight. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 3, 2016, in the afternoon hours.

Don was born on October 4, 1928, in Minneapolis Minnesota. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1946 also in Minneapolis. He entered the United States Air Force in 1951 and became a pilot. He earned a Command Pilot rating with over 5000 flying hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with several other air medals. He married Patricia Ann Richter Elwood in 1957. He earned a B.S. in Military Science from the University of Omaha in 1964. The family moved throughout his Air Force career seeing many countries and experiencing many cultures. After retiring to Arizona in 1975, Don and Pat spent time in the mountains and built a beautiful cabin in Heber. Throughout his life he always looked for ways to help others. He volunteered for Civil Air Patrol as one of his passions. He enjoyed working with youth and motivating them to join the Air Force by taking them on field trips that included airplanes, simulators, and various unique aviation experiences. Don taught them they could do and be anything they believed in. We trust his incredible time here has had a lasting impact on all the people he knew.

He is survived by children, Dana Ward (& Carl Ingersoll), Rock Springs, WY; David (& Sally) Elwood, Brooklyn Park, MN; and Holly (& Ed) Davey, Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Kelly Qwayne, Pine Haven, WY; Amy Gilmore, Green River, WY; Christopher Elwood, San Antonio, TX; and great-grandchildren, Dallis, Angela, Colin, Zoie, Wyatt, Seth and Candace.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Pat; parents, Eleanor and Leonard Elwood; and brothers, John Elwood and Ralph Elwood.

A military service with honors will be performed at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 22, 2016; at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s name to AASK (Aid to Adoption of Special Kids) or Hospice of the Valley.

James Vernon Johnson passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2016.

James celebrated his 80th birthday on July 2nd of this year.

He was born in Elbow Lake, Minnesota in 1936 to Emil Johnson and Celia Thomason and was the 2nd of 4 children and the only son. He is preceded in death by his eternal companion Margie Luneil Morris, his parents and his youngest sister Cecelia Johnson. He is survived by his sisters Eleanor Estes and Ruth Cardona and his children, Aletha (Jeff) Jolley, Jeffery (Rhonda) Johnson, and Markley (Shellee) Johnson, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

James was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings throughout his life. He loved working with the youth, especially in the scouting program. He was an example to many young men and very instrumental in helping many of them achieve their Eagle Scout Rank. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and enjoyed camping, and cooking. He truly was a gentle giant who quietly served God and his fellow man.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday October 18th from 6-8pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel 33 N. Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85213. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday October 19th, 2016 at the Sonoran Springs Ward LDS Chapel 3025 S Hawes Rd Mesa, AZ 85212. A viewing will also be held at 9:00 am preceding the funeral.

Frank Booth, 78, passed away on Oct. 7, 2016 in Mesa, AZ. He was an amazing man. He was proud of his service to the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He earned a B.S.E.E. from California State University Los Angeles. As an electrical engineer, he participated in programs from Apollo 1 through all of the moon landings including Apollo 17, to the development of the B-1 Bomber, and every iteration of the AH-64 Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter. He was especially proud of working on the Apache, and was known to some as the “Godfather of the Apache.”

He usually worked long hours, but when he wasn’t at work, he enjoyed painting with oil paints or acrylics. Golfing was another life-long passion and when he first retired from Boeing, he spent as much time as possible enjoying the sport he loved the most.

He enjoyed taking summer vacations with his family, and camping in different national parks – Yosemite was a favorite. His wife, Eva, passed away in 2010. Frank is survived by his oldest daughter Suzanne, his son Terry, and his youngest daughter Cheryl. He also has 3 grandchildren, Jonathan, Rebecca, and Benjamin. Frank’s easy manner and sense of humor will be missed by his surviving family, friends, and colleagues.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, October 17^th with Funeral Services at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 18^th at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa.

David Lawrence Roberts, 81, born September 15, 1935 in Mesa AZ, passed away October 12, 2016, 2nd child of Howard LaVarr and Margaret Standage Roberts.

David married Junith Dawn Hancock June 17, 1955, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. He graduated MHS in 1953, received a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) in Accounting from ASU in 1960, was a CPA, and received a Doctorate of Law degree from U of A in February 1961, graduating top in his class. He practiced law with Johnson, Shelley & Roberts for 20 years, was Mesa Assistant City Attorney for 19 years, President of Mesa Kiwanis Club, and served as Maricopa County Superior Court Judge for 20 years. He was an accomplished dancer, pianist and gardener, and was well known for his “Mr. Rogers” impersonations

Family and Church service were his life. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a strong testimony of the Gospel and served as President of the Mesa North Stake for 9 years. David served a 2-year mission in the Northwestern States and served with his wife Junith as full-time missionaries in Albania.  They both served together at the Mesa Regional Family History Center, and later served together as Area Family History Advisors. David also served in the Mesa Temple as an ordinance worker and sealer.

David is preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons. He is survived by his wife Junith of 61 years; 10 children, Linda Kennedy (Terry), Barbara Porter (Ryan), Donna Millett (David), Douglas Roberts (Pam), Brenda Hatch (Joe), Russell Roberts (Teresa), Stanley Roberts (Crissie), Daniel Roberts (Susanne), Sharla Jordan (John), Spencer Roberts (Brandy); 45 grandchildren; and 29+ great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Howard Jr. and Stephen, and his sisters, Anne Berryman, Jane Millett and Kristen Rogers.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 6-8 PM at the LDS Mesa North Stake Center, 933 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Humanitarian Services, c/o LDS Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604 or United Way, 137 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883

Gordon Lavar King died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on October 8, 2016, in Mesa, AZ. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his battle and ultimately gave him peace.

Gordon was born on May 5, 1954, in Douglas, Cochise, Arizona to Dale Glines King and Frances Merrell. As a child, Gordon was always involved in many things, enjoyed life to the fullest, and made many friends.

Gordon helped in many ways at the Circle K Ranch (family youth summer camp in Colorado). As a very young boy he was known to cut a willow branch, attach a few hairs he jerked out of a horse’s tail, attach a bent safety pin and attach a fresh dug worm. He could pull many cutthroat trout out of the small mountain streams and put the city guys with their fancy fishing gear and bait to shame. As he got older he was especially handy in helping his father in construction and repair work around the camp.  This ingenuity and ability were exhibited in all of his business and service endeavors throughout his life.

In school he was active in chorus and wrestling. He really excelled in football at William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California.  

Gordon served in the Washington Seattle Mission. After his mission he helped his mother manage the Circle K Ranch. There he got reacquainted with Nancy Elin Davies from Newhall, California. They were married that fall on September 10, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.

He excelled in his role as father by spending a great deal of time with his five children, teaching them and playing with them. They lived in Texas, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

Gordon has been a hard worker throughout his life. He had many interesting jobs over the years including hog farming, construction, working on an oil rig, digging worms, shooting training bombs at military planes, commercial fishing, operating a plant nursery, owning a flower shop, managing a produce warehouse, mining, selling medical devices, and inventing new plastic composites.

Gordon was blessed with numerous opportunities to travel. He especially loved traveling to China on business trips. He also traveled a great deal to Shipshewana, Indiana, to visit an Amish community to buy horses and developed close friendships with many people there.

Gordon was great fun to be around. He loved playing practical jokes and teasing everyone around him. He loved working with animals and liked to go fishing at any opportunity.

Gordon is survived by his children; Elin (Richard) Daniel, Bryan King, Randy (Vanessa) King, Bradley (Socorro) King, Lizzy (Brian) Cupples; 8 grandchildren: Gerrit, Hadley, Henry, Peyton, McKenna, Ephraim, Julia, and Jane; and spouse Kimberly King. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dale & Frances King, and his brother, Val King.

A funeral is scheduled for October 22, 2016, 11:00am, preceded by a viewing from 9:00am-10:30am at the Mesa Arizona Lehi Stake Center, 1430 N Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gordon’s life. In lieu of flowers please donate to LDS Philanthropies (https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/).  

Vernetta Kay Giguiere, age 67, passed away surrounded by family on October 11, 2016.

She was born February 26, 1949 in San Antonio Texas to Grace Elizabeth (Warner) and Carl Vernon Jewell.  She is the second of four children and their only daughter.

She was married to James Earl Giguiere on June 20, 1970.  They were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Oakland California LDS Temple.

She is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Grace, her father-in-law William Hawkins Giguiere, and her grandson Charles Aaron Giguiere.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years James, her five children Laurie Kay Schmidt (Roger), Rebecca Lynn Travis (David), William Vernon Giguiere (Rhonda), Jacob Everett Giguiere (Anna), and Andrew Michael Giguiere (Allie). Her Grandchildren Jayson Scott, Tiarra Rose, Andrea Payge, Gracee Roze, Keegan Scott, Lylee Ann, and William Hawkins. Her three Brothers James Jewell (Nancy), Rick Jewell (Sharon), and Michael Jewell (Sharon). Her mother-in-law Rosalie Giguiere. Many brothers/sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6-8 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ray 2nd Ward, 1115 E. Ray Road, Chandler, Arizona. A processional and graveside service will follow at 1 PM.  Interment will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.

Aaron Dale Heller, age 46, died Sunday, October 9, 2016 at his home in Phoenix.

Born July 27, 1970 in Garland, Texas to Stephen and Marilyn (nee Matthews) Heller, Aaron was an IT manager in the medical field.

Along with his parents, Aaron is survived by his wife Malynda; three sons, Jaavon Samuel, Nathan Daniel, Trentin Gabriel; and two daughters Sarah Jane and Sabrina Phyllis. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Shanna Hyatt, Derrick, Kelly and Brian. Aaron was preceded in death by his daughter Olivia Alice.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 15 starting at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3527 W. Happy Valley Rd., Glendale, AZ. Services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon in the Chapel.

Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, WA at a later date. Arizona arrangements under the direction of Bunkers Garden Chapel, Mesa, AZ 480-696-6883. Washington arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, Seattle, WA. 206-362-5200

M. Grant Goodman, 77, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife Gayle, children Matt, Shaw, Shanna, Wes, Darcy, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Grant worked in Heavy Construction for 58 years, including work on the Glenn Canyon Dam and many of the freeway bridges in the Phoenix Valley. He will be interred at Vernon City Cemetery on Monday, October 17, 2016.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Arthur Kay Rogers, 81 of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2016.

Kay was a devoted husband, loving father, affectionate grandfather and doting great-grandfather. Kay’s professional career in construction began in his early teens under the tutelage of his father. Kay graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1962. He continued working with The Tanner Companies and served as President of the Contracting Division. In 1983 he began his own equipment rental company, Action Rentals, and AKR Contracting, a general engineering contracting firm. He retired in 1997. Kay has been a life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he has served valiantly in many callings such as: Bishop, High Councilor and has served for the past 14 years as the Patriarch of the Tempe Arizona West Stake. His spiritual influence and example has touched the lives and left a lasting positive impact on many. His family will miss his kind smile, the generosity of his time, and his wise and loving counsel.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Sandra and 3 daughters, Kaylene (Jerry) Willis, Kathlene (Jeffrey) Hicks and Kristine.  Kay is loved and treasured by 3 grandchildren, Brittany (Cody) Fullmer, Taylor Willis and Makayla (Devin) Needs, 2 great-granddaughters, and brother, Richard (Shirley) Rogers. He is preceded in death by his son Dwayne Kay Rogers and sister Sandra Fay Rogers.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm at the LDS Ahwatukee Knox Chapel. Services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 10 am with visitation at 9 am at the LDS Ahwatukee Knox Chapel, located at 4525 East Knox Road, Phoenix, AZ  85044. Arrangements entrusted to Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Mary was born April 5, 1920, in Woods Cross, Utah to Violet Boulton Platt and father Benjamin F. Platt.

She passed away October xx, 2016, at Springdale Village in Mesa, Arizona.

She was a life-long active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, serving in many callings and later in her life in the Mesa Temple.

She was baptized in the Weber River on August 5, 1928.

She lived her elementary and high school years in Burley, Idaho, the Ogden, Utah area and Denver, Colorado; graduating from East Denver High School May 1938.

She attended Brigham Young University, where she met her future husband Scott Conrad Benson.  They were married May 17, 1941 in Farmington, Utah.  They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple in June of 1950.

Mary and Scott had four sons – Scott Conrad Benson Jr., Beric Foster Benson, Douglas Platt Benson and Christopher Lee Benson.

Scott Sr. graduated from University of Arkansas Medical School in June 1948, and accepted an internship at Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph Missouri, where the family lived until Scott’s retirement in June 1976.

Mary was active in civic affairs, PTA, the medical guilds, Methodist and Sisters Hospital Boards. She was also active on the Community Concert Board, the Fortnightly Club and the Symphony Guild.  She served as President of the Women’s Division of Chamber of Commerce and a Chairman for the Women’s Medical Auxiliary.

She served in many calling in her church – Primary, Sunday School and Relief Society.

She was a breast cancer survivor.

Mary loved to travel.  She and Scott traveled the world, including Hawaii, Scandinavia, Europe, South America, the South Seas, Australia, the Mediterranean and many exotic locales.

They moved to the Mesa, Arizona in March of 1978, living in Sunland Village until she moved to Springdale Village Assisted Living in May of 2013.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Benjamin and Violet Platt, brother Sterling Platt, grandson Beric Foster Benson Jr, and two sons Christopher Lee and Beric Foster Benson.

She is survived by two sons, Scott Conrad Benson Jr. and Douglas Platt Benson, 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Frank Miranda, born May 6, 1952, passed away unexpectedly October 1, 2016, in Gilbert, AZ. Frank survived by his loving wife, Deborah and his sons; Todd, Micah, and Drew, three daughter-in-laws as well as five grandchildren.

Born to Anne and Mike Miranda in Tucson, AZ Frank grew up playing the devoted role of big brother to Annette and Vera. Raised in a large Italian family, he was continually surrounded by aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and their “friends.” In his early years, Frank quickly earned a reputation with the nuns due to hyperactivity; this energy level served him well in athletics. He excelled at both football and baseball at Catalina High School, which earned him a baseball scholarship to the University of Arizona. Before college graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbi Jones, at St. Phillips of the Hills Episcopal Church underneath the majestic Santa Catalina Mountains.

Frank led an active life. He always dreamed of playing in the big leagues and loved the time he spent playing semi-pro throughout his adult life. While his sons were young, he was always volunteering as a coach. Whether it was basketball, soccer or baseball he was always active be in the local community.

Frank and Debbi raised their family in Mesa, AZ where they watched with pride as their three boys grew to men.  He was proud of his family, but he was most proud of being “POP” to his grandkids.

He spent thirty years in the ceramic tile industry which began in Tucson with a brief stop in Albuquerque, NM, before eventually settling in greater Phoenix. Whether it was serving on the Board of Directors for the Arizona State Association of Tile Contractors, serving as Education Committee Chairman and board member, Frank was a respected industry expert. He developed many close friendships with those he worked with over the years.

When Frank was not on the baseball field or golf course he could be found “putzing” around the house, tackling various home improvement projects. If his projects were complete, he most certainly was lending a hand to one of his boys’. He had a saying, “If you can’t finish a project on Sunday, don’t start it.” His boys’ became accustomed to either fetching a cold glass of ice tea or holding whatever tool was not needed at the time, essentially functioning as organic tool belts. He loved driving up to the land, clearing the brush and long lunch after a day of hard work.

Frank was what many people would consider “old-school,” he was a man of faith, family, and friends. He could always be relied upon to assist those in need, lend a strong hand and an open ear. He was a quiet listener, often sitting back and then only adding his two-cents after all voices were heard.

Frank left this world a better place than he found it, having loved and cared for all around him. He will be missed by friends and family but continues to play ball in our hearts.

Service will be held October 6, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ at 11:00 AM. Interment to immediately follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1562 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ. A reception in his honor will be held at Guido and Vera Russo’s home at approximately 1:30pm following the burial services, 7414 E. Forest Trail Circle, Mesa, gate code 7414.

In honor of Franks love of teaching and helping children please consider donating to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 1000, Department 142 Memphis, Tennessee 38148. Online donations can be made at www.stjude.org/give, click “Donate Now” and the select “Dedicate my donation”.

For more information go to www.bunkercares.com

Serenity (Sera) Janet Stewart was born July 12, 1978 at Doctors Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona to Dale Mason and Marilyn Petersen Stewart. Sera was raised in Tempe, AZ along with her three brothers, Beau, Matt and Roy. As the sparkle in the family, she was always happy, smiling, a joy to be around, and making friends wherever she went. When she was eight, she learned to braid hair, and eventually playing with hair became her life’s work as a Corona del Sol High School and International Academy of Hair Design beauty school graduate in 1996.

She met her husband, Ryan Allen, when he came in for a hair cut and, although they had lived within a mile of each other their whole lives, this was the meeting that was the start of a beautiful family. Ryan and Sera married on May 16, 1998 at her parent’s home in Tempe, AZ and have four wonderful boys – Hayden R Allen, Porter D Allen, Owen G Allen and Sawyer S Allen; their boys were the light and love of her life.

She was a wonderful mother, always thinking of fun places to go and things to do, and loved camping and being outdoors. Sera and Ryan moved to Cache Valley, UT in 2003 and stayed for 8 years where she made many lasting friendships. They moved back to Arizona in 2011, they were able to buy their dream home in San Tan Valley where she started making new friends.  She went to work at Salon G and made friends with coworkers and clients and she reconnected with all her friends from childhood. Her favorite holiday was the 4^th of July and she loved the parade in Show Low, AZ where they went each holiday. She loved family and friends, and was always interested in what was happening in their lives. She celebrated their triumphs and mourned their sadness, and was a friend to all who met her.

She died September 21^st after a 19 month battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) 4, brain cancer. Survived by her husband, Ryan; her boys, Hayden, Porter, Owen and Sawyer; her mother, Marilyn Stewart; her brothers, Beaudry (Amy) Stewart and Roy (Hillary) Stewart; her sisters, Wendy (Bob) Kitts, Penny (Vic) Markiewicz and DaleAnn Stewart; Nieces and Nephews, numerous in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins. She is joining her father, Dale Stewart, her brother, Matthew Stewart, her grandparents, Homer and Alma Petersen and her Nana, Margaret Stewart.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 8^th, at The Falls Event Center, 4635 E Baseline Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234. In lieu of flowers we request donations to the family for their needs.

Michael Alan McDonald, age 58, passed away September 27, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. No services are scheduled at this time

Marcus Thomas, age 70, passed away September 28, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Wake services will be held Friday, October 7, 2016 at 5 PM at the Xalychidom Piipaash Nyvaash Building, 3660 N. Horne Road, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 6 AM at the same location. Interment will be at the Lehi Cemetery, 926 E. Thomas Road, Mesa, AZ.

John N. Swanson passed away in Casa Grande, AZ on September 28, 2016 as a direct result of prostate cancer.  He was born in Wichita, KS on January 24,1933 to Harold E and Helen G. Swanson. He graduated from East High in 1950 and was a proud member of the State Championship Track and Cross Country teams.  After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University, he completed his formal education 20 years later with a Master’s Degree in Business from California Lutheran University.

In July, 1958, John married Joan M. Lauer of Akron, Ohio and from this union came three fabulous children, Jeffrey J., Laura, and Randall. Following Joan’s death from cancer in 1968, he married Janan O’Keefe Sabag and became an instant father to her equally fabulous children, Patricia, Richard, and Cheryl.  John often said that our family set the global standard for what a blended family should be.

Following John’s retirement in 1993 from the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, John and Jana spent the next 20 years travelling the country in their RV and thoroughly enjoyed the RV lifestyle. Along the way, they were active in the Escapees RV Club and have many RV friends scattered around this beautiful country.  Unfortunately, their travels were cut short by Jana’s cancer related death in 2014.  In 2015, John married Donna J. Clifton, a long-time RV friend, and they continued RV traveling until John’s health deteriorated.

Survivors include his wife, Donna (Casa Grande, AZ), children: Patricia (Buckeye, AZ), Jeff (Las Vegas, NV), Laura (Venice, CA), Richard (Roxbury, CT), Randy (Spokane, WA), Cheryl (Colbert, WA), sister Sandra Wiechert (Lawrence, KS) and sister-in-law Patricia Fenno (Georgetown, TX).

At John’s request, no services will be held. A private Celebration of Life may be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, John requested that you take an old friend out to lunch or make a donation to a non-religious charity of your choice.

Billy Wax, age 68, passed away September 28, 2016 in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201. Funeral services are Monday, October 3, 2016 at 9 AM at the same location.