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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.

Norval Craig Jesperson, 86, of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully in his home on September 27, 2016.

Norval was born on September 30, 1929 and led an amazing and full life.  In 1952, he married the love of his life, Sybil Norma Lamoreaux, for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  He traveled the world and spoke several languages.  He was a successful Attorney and Judge, and was passionate about Missionary work.  He was very active in the LDS church and held many positions throughout his life including serving as a Mission President in Peru from 1977 -1980.

He is survived by his three children, Jennifer Scott (Raymond), Jill Mowery (Jim) and Spencer Jesperson (LoraLee), fifteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and siblings Beverly Porter, Lauralee Sorensen, LeLand Jesperson, David Jesperson and Pamela Rarick. He was preceded in death by his wife Sybil Jesperson, parents William Leroy Jesperson and Grace Mae Jesperson and siblings Bill Jesperson, Ronda Puckett, Grace Despain and Arlyn Jesperson.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the LDS church located at 933 East Brown in Mesa. The viewing will be at 9 AM and the services at 10 AM. He will be laid to rest in the Central Arizona Cemetery.

The family of Irving J and Ethlyn Ray announce their joyous reunion in heaven after she slipped peacefully from mortality on Friday, 23 September 2016. The daughter of Hans and Mynoa Richardson Andersen, she was born in Thatcher, AZ on 15 December 1925 but lived most of her life in Mesa, AZ where she met and married Irving and with him reared their ten children:  Kenneth (Tina), Melvin (Sonya), Cynthia (Dale Flake), Mynoa (Alan Williams), Marlene (Gary Hinton), Juanita (Jeff Hill), Ilene, Ruth Ann (Michael Petramalo), Jenise (Bill Zundel), and Christine (Michael Hitchcock).  She has 85 grandchildren and 290 great-grandchildren (today’s count).  She is adored by all of them.

Ethlyn, a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, found great joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ, her family, music, and service as she shared her blessings with everyone she knew and some she didn’t. She worked hard, loved deeply, gave generously, and cheerfully handled life’s challenges in a way that inspired us.  We are so happy for her safe return to her sweetheart, her daughter, Juanita, and multitudes of other precious and beloved family and friends.  To quote her 16-year-old friend, Noah, “The angels got one of their best back.”  Good job, Mother!

Visitation will be Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 6-8 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mesa East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Friday, September 30, 2016 at 10 AM, with a visitation at 9 AM, at the same location.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Monte Kay Tingey was the 3^rd child born to Carmon (Hap) Riddle and Genevieve Turner Tingey in Preston, Idaho on January 28, 1938. The family lived on a cattle ranch in Wayan, Idaho where Monte began his formal education in a one-room school house. Summers were spent at the ranch; during winter months, the family moved to Grace, Idaho for the children to attend school. Monte graduated from Grace High School.

During the 7^th grade school year, Monte met Miss Linda Rae Ashbaker; he was smitten by the beautiful, dark-haired girl, with deep dimples and captivating smile. He liked her so much they exchanged Christmas gifts! Linda was more than a high school sweetheart, they were soul mates. They were sealed for time and all eternity on December 18, 1959 in the Logan LDS temple in Logan, Utah.

Monte worked as a carpenter, home builder, master craftsman and cabinet maker in Bountiful and Centerville, Utah. After a wonderful vacation to Hawaii—they couldn’t get enough of the ocean, beach and beauty there, so they sold nearly everything and moved to Kona, Hawaii. After a few short years, love of family—especially the grandkids—brought them back to the mainland—Arizona. An injury caused Monte to retire early which lead him to expand his creative and artistic talents even more. He focused on turning artistic bowls and vases which were featured and sold at Work of Artists in Scottsdale for over 20 years.

Monte passed away at home on September 23, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children Todd Carmon (Annette) Tingey, Kellee (Alan) Howell; Guy Mont (Diana) Tingey; grandchildren, Amanda (Aaron) Cromar, Emilie (Todd) Sallee, Mitchell Todd Tingey, Kaycee Rae Howell, Cody Robert Howell, Elizabeth Diana Tingey, Alexander Guy Tingey, and Gracie Sue Tingey; great-grandchildren, Anna Cromar, Ty Sallee and Tad Sallee; sister Carma Latvala, brother Stephen (Brenda) Tingey and sister-in-law Ruth Tingey.

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Bonnie Wolf and Gary Tingey; and grandson, Zachary Mont Tingey.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at www.jdrf.org

Norma K Bougie (Melgard) 93, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2016 in Mesa AZ.

Norma was born December 16, 1922 in Leeds ND, the daughter of Louis and Nora Kubousek. The family moved to Grand Forks where Norma attended school, lived and worked until her retirement. She married Ralph Melgard in May, 1947. He died in March, 1976. She married George Bougie in June, 1978. He died in February 1987. She retired from Northwestern Bell after 37 years of service. Norma loved traveling, dancing, golfing, needle work and most anything active and social. She was admired and respected by all who knew her.

She is survived by sisters Betty Lund of Brooklyn Park, MN and Marlene Barton of Mesa AZ as well as step children Paul (Deborah) Bougie of Bernalillo, NM, Mary Jo (Henry) Miller of Paynesville, MN. Also several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lester (Sonny) and Morris Kubousek and sister Evelyn Vanyo. Per Norma’s request, no services will be held. Burial will be in Grand Forks ND.

Peggy Joyce Oliver, 84, passed away on September 18^th 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. Born in Holbrook, AZ on April 4^th 1932 to Clyde and Grace Oliver, she was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved and cared for her parents, brothers, sisters, and their children at various times throughout her life.

She is survived by her son Brent Oliver (Klaudette), granddaughter Tara Foote (Mark), four great-grandchildren: Tessa, Mallory, Marin, and Simon. Also survived by her sisters Gerry Bigelow, Clydene Mizer, Cherie Hathcock, Sue Hundley and brothers Larry Oliver and Ronnie Oliver. Preceded in death by her parents and sister Bonnie Miller.

Funeral services are Saturday, September 24^th 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by visitation at 9 AM, at Mesa North Stake Center at 933 E. Brown Rd. Burial at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Alva Holyoak, age 94, passed away September 16, 2016 in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Meridian Ward, 2520 E. Old West Hwy 89, Apache Junction, Arizona. Interment will be at the Emery Cemetery in Emery, Arizona. Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel.

Joyce Cogswell, 88, passed away in Mesa, Arizona on September 14 after a short illness.

Joyce was born in Antlers, Oklahoma on May 3, 1928. She moved to Mesa shortly after WWII and married Harold Cogswell. They raised a family among the citrus groves of the east valley. Joyce was active in church, sold Avon, and loved photography.

She is survived by three sons, Denny, Tom, and Darryl; their wives, Gayle, Lorna, and Linda; 8 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Joyce was dearly loved by all and will be missed.

Services will be held Tuesday September 20 at 12 noon, preceded by a viewing at 11 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery following the funeral.

Ellen Suzanne Thomas, 75 passed away unexpectedly on September 9, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.

Ellen led an adventurous and independent life filled with family, friends, teaching, and her books. She left Detroit, Michigan for adventure in Europe, returning years later to the snowy Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and ultimately landing in Arizona.

She is survived by her husband John, children Kirsten, Karin and Steve, 11 grand- and great-grandchildren and 4 grand-dogs.

Funeral services are Friday, September 16, 2016 at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ, www.bunkerfuneral.com

Justin Morgan Allen, age 38, passed away September 9, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. A visitation will be held Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Friday, September 16, 2016 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1430 N. Grand, Mesa, AZ.

Esperanza Preston, age 90, of Mesa AZ, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family and loved ones on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. She was born Feb. 26,1926 in Compostela Nayarit Mexico, to her parents, Enriqueta de la Mora and David Pina.

She is survived by her husband of 28 years Ralph Preston and her children, Anne Kowalski (Allen), Gary Farnsworth (Frances), Nancy Tafoya (Terry), Elizabeth Sowards (Tommy), Jeannette Corolis (David) and Alan Farnsworth (Veronica). She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Alonzo L. Farnsworth, her daughters Carole Cresap (David) and Pearl Furse (David) and granddaughter Patricia Espiriti. She is the grandmother of 32 grandchildren and 72 great-grandchildren.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings including 3 foreign missions, to Guatemala, England and Mexico City. She was a 30-year survivor of cancer and finally succumbed to failing health.

A viewing will be held Thursday from 6-8pm at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E University Mesa AZ. There will be a viewing at Adair’s Caroon Mortuary in Nogales AZ on Friday from 6-8pm. The funeral will be Saturday the 17th at 10am at the LDS Church in Nogales, followed by interment at the Nogales Cemetery.