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Gwenith Nish Jorgensen, 87, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2016 after challenges related to age.

Gwenith was born January 18, 1929 in Fairview Idaho, the second child of Robert H Nish and Cassie Dean Hyde. She married Neal H Jorgensen on July 21, 1955 in the Logan LDS Temple.

She was preceded in death by daughter Lisa Ann Squires, and sister Shirley Lee. She is survived by husband Neal, daughter Kaylene Jones (Rondal), daughter Karen Millett (Doug), son Brent Jorgensen (Debe), brother Darrell Nish (LaDean) and brother Lynn Nish (Denice), 29 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held June 6, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a viewing at 9 AM, at the LDS Church, 1500 E. 6^th Ave., Mesa, Arizona.

The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their excellent care.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

William James Mellyn, 61, passed away May 30, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mesa East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa, Arizona.

Helen Crum Chapman, 90, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away May 28, 2016.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 5, 2016, 5:00-7:00 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Services will be held Monday, June 6, 2016 at the LDS 20th Ward Chapel, 848 North Westwood, Mesa, AZ 85201 at 11:00 AM, with a visitation one hour prior.

Helen was born on June 7, 1925, in Claypool, AZ, the second of eight children born to Robert Ray Crum and Ruth Anne Smithson. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Norma Arnett, Edna Mortensen, and Ruth Marie Crum, brothers Robert Ray Crum and Herman Dean Crum.  She is survived by brothers Rulon Smithson Crum, and Jack Louis Crum.

She met her beloved companion Arthur Collins Chapman while they were serving as young missionaries in the Central Atlantic States Mission. They were married in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on November 20, 1950. To them were born 5 daughters: Marianne Merrill (Walter), Elaine Fort (Milton), Patricia Freestone (Chris), Janet Ruth Woods (Steven) and Colleen Kay Coleman (Daren). Helen is the Grandmother of 21 and the Great-Grandmother of 52.

Helen was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including Bishop’s wife, Relief Society President, Primary President and Young Women’s leader. Helen loved being a mother and homemaker. She was a voracious reader, a talented alto, gifted teacher and enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world. Her wit and humor were epic as she looked on the sunny-side of life. With five daughters she had many opportunities to hone her sewing talents from Easter dresses, prom dresses to beautiful patchwork quilts and wedding dresses. She was an exquisite cook and delighted her friends and neighbors with her homemade bread and especially her family-secret recipe, date candy. She never met a stranger and was a friend to all.

She will be sorely missed on earth and joyously greeted by many in heaven with open arms including her husband and sweetheart Collins (2012) oldest daughter Marianne Merrill (2008) and great-grandson Parker Lee Jones (2015).

Fran Visina ~ May 9, 1935 – May 28,  2016

Francis Joan Mullin was born May 9, 1935 in Duluth, MN.  She was one of 12 children born to Mark and Bernetta Mullin.  She spent her childhood years in the Morgan Park area of Duluth and was a 1953 graduate of Morgan Park High.  She cherished the memories she made at her beloved high school. Fran married Frederick Visina on August 24, 1957. They started their lives together in the Twin Cities area of MN and raised their six children in Minot, ND.  After retiring, they moved to Mesa AZ to spend their golden years together.  They were to celebrate their 59^th wedding anniversary in August, holding true to their vows “until death do us part”. Fran had the privilege of being a loving and devoted stay-at- home mom.  She became active in the workplace in a variety of jobs after her children were grown.  Fran was a very spiritual woman involving herself with Catholic Daughters and other volunteer efforts. She was a volunteer in the parish office at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church.  She was quite proud of her Irish heritage and was never hesitant to let others know of her ethnic background.  She was fortunate to have visited Ireland for her 75^th Birthday.  Along with her husband Fred, Fran shared her life with children: Mark, Jeanne, Rick, Ryan, Patty and Julie; Sons-in-law: Randy, Jim, and Ron; Daughters-in-law: Karen, Peggy and Pam.  Fred and Fran have 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother, Bob, and sisters, Pat and Kay.  Fran was preceded in death by her parents, 8 siblings and son, Rick.  Funeral services will be Thursday, June 2 at 11:00 am .  It will be held at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to “Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home” (1188 N Dobson Road, Chandler, AZ  85224)

William Edward Baker Jr., 83, passed away May 26, 2016 after a lengthy battle with heart disease. Bill, or Buz as family and friends knew him, loved life and fought hard to preserve his own right to the end.

Buz Baker was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on January 17, 1933. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952, at the age of 19, and retired in 1972 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. He served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. Upon his retirement he moved his wife and three sons from Alexandria, VA to Oroville, CA, where he lived until his move to Arizona in 2013.

He loved wood working, organic gardening, canning emergency food rations, and he loved to help people. He especially loved being an organizer. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Baker, Mesa, AZ and his three sons Mark Baker, San Tan Valley, AZ, Rodney Baker, Gilbert, AZ, and Glenn Baker, Lincoln, CA, grandsons Mark S. Baker II, Mesa, AZ and William G. Baker, NC, and three great-grandsons, Mark S. Baker III, Jonathan D. Baker, Joseph A. Baker, and one great-granddaughter, Diane D. Baker. Buz was also known as Uncle Bus (or Bussy) to his five nephews and one niece, Billy Bauer, TX, John Bauer, Ontario, CA, Bob Bauer, TX, David Bauer, MN, Rick Bauer, ID and Tammy Bauer, Newport Beach, CA. In addition to his biological lineage he has numerous family and friends. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, Mesa, AZ

Caryl Naylor Christopher, 90, passed away on Friday, May 27^th in Mesa, Arizona.

Born June 21, 1925 in Safford, Arizona, to Ralph and Effie Naylor, Caryl graduated from Safford HS then moved to Tempe to finish her education. During her freshman year at Ariz. State College, she met and married her lifelong companion Gilman “Chris”

Christopher and raised 4 children. Together they loved and nurtured 17 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Caryl served as a secretary for the Mesa Public Schools psychological services, retiring after 24 years; she spent her days with family, gardening and reading. Her legacy is far reaching as those who knew her will remember her sincerity and complimentary nature.

Caryl is survived by son, Kent (Lynne), Carlene Dennison, Koni Christopher and son-in-law Steve Cheney, husband to daughter Cindy who preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held Thurs. June 2, 2016 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel in Mesa. Visitation is at 10 AM, with services to follow at 11 AM. Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery.

Sandra, Diane Johnson, “Sandy”, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ. She was born on January 21, 1952, in Bristow, Oklahoma, the daughter of James and Bette Scott.

Sandy graduated from Los Plumas High School in Palermo, California and went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California Berkeley.

Sandy was especially proud of the birth of her daughter, Amy Dawn in 1973. Sandy ventured in marriage twice, but found that to be a truly waste of time. She worked with a Dental Hygienist and eventually went into Interior Design which she really enjoyed. Sandy worked at Ethan Allen eventually opening her own Interior Design company, Sandy Johnson Interiors of Scottsdale, AZ which she eventually sold. She then went into the Hospitality industry in various locations; the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ as the Director of Incentive & Insurance Sales; the Ihilani Resort & Spa in Kolina, Oahu, HI as the National Sales Manager; and lastly the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in AZ as the National Sales Manager.

Sandy was fortunate enough to spend the remaining years as a caregiver to her mother who was diagnosed with cancer. In her spare time she enjoyed keeping up with politics and local causes as you all are aware we are sure, she loved reading and spending time with her friends, family and especially her daughter, Amy and Amy’s husband Jeremy. She spent any spare time she had left volunteering with the following organizations: Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warrior Foundation, Troops First Foundation, Operation Proper Exit, and Make it Right Foundation. Quoted by Sandy as saying, “I will never stop volunteering my time for other’s, all of us should.”

Sandy was survived by her daughter Amy (Jeremy) Russell of Antioch, California. She was so happy for the both of them, she only thought of Jeremy as a son and never a son-in-law; her mother Bette Scott of Mesa, Arizona; sister, Susan Anderson of Parker, Colorado and two twin brothers, Rick (Kim) Scott of Mesa, Arizona and Tom (Cherrill) Scott of Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 01, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at Bunker’s Garden Chapel Funeral Home, the same location services were held for her father, James Scott, in the year 2000. Bunker’s Garden Chapel is in charge of all funeral arrangements. Please visit www.bunkerfuneral.com or call 480-696-6883 and they are located at 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Dress attire is going to be Comfortable/Casual.

Rochelle Martin Cluff, 75 passed away peacefully on May 26, 2016 in Gilbert, AZ.

She was born to Franklin and Lorraine Martin in Flagstaff, AZ on March 2, 1941. She was the oldest of three, with a brother, Franklin Martin and sister, Lorri Kingsley. Rochelle led a very happy life filled with family, friends and service to her church.

In 1961, she married Ronald Paul Cluff and they were lucky enough to have celebrated 55 years together raising their three children: Candace Kay Sappington (Candy), Cheri Lyn Sorensen and Jeremiah Cluff.

Her greatest joy in life was being a sister, wife, mom and grandma. She has seven grandchildren; Parker and Morgan Sappington and Cambria, Addison, Weston, Brynlee and Ellie Cluff.

Funeral services to be held at the LDS Chapel located at 234 N. Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234. Visitation: June 3, 6-8 pm and Services: June 4, at 10 am.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

George Eldon Shelley, 86, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016 after suffering a stroke.

He was born in Joseph City, Arizona, on November 13, 1929 to George Elsmore and Margaret Cleo Butler Shelley. He was the seventh of ten children.

Eldon married Zaida Marian Despain on September 15, 1948 in the Mesa Temple. They raised 6 children in Joseph City, Robert, Richard, Reed, Lyn, Eldona and Shelley Marie.

He worked for Arizona Public Service and many years in Winslow helping with tax services and accounting.

Eldon married Barbara (Bobbie) Tucker on November 27, 1999. They served as Mesa Temple ordinance workers and served two LDS missions to Santiago Chile East and the Guadalajara Mexico Temple.

Visitation will be May 27, 2016, from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are May 28, 2016 at 10 am, with visitation at 9 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1852 N. Stapley, Mesa, AZ.

Graveside services will be held on May 28, 2016 at 4:30 pm at the Joseph City Cemetery, Joseph City, AZ.

Daniel Boyce Franks, age 77, passed away May 19, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 27, 2016 at 9:00 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.

John Edward King, born May 2, 1939, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Lee West, his 6 children: Todd, Tammy (Armstrong), Nancy (Morris), Brian, Laura (Fowkes), and Michael; 27 grandchildren, and 6 (with one on the way) great-granddaughters. John has spent over 40 years in the pool industry, building, servicing, and remodeling them.

There will be a viewing Wednesday the 25^th of May, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. The funeral service will be on Thursday the 26^th of May, 2016 at the LDS Chapel, 1005 N. Voyager Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85234, at 10 am, with a viewing at 9 am.

Michele L. Gagnon passed away at the age of 49 on May 17, 2016 in Mesa, AZ. She was born February 10, 1967 in San Jose, California.  Michele is survived by her husband: Patrick; her 14 year old daughter: Kayla; and Mother: Carol Brunshwiler; she has 5 sisters one brother, many nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Wayne H Mecham passed away at the age of 97 on May 17, 2016, in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on December 9, 1918 in Mountain Home, Utah. As a young man, he fulfilled a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States mission. He served in the U.S. Army and was a World War II Veteran.

He married Geneva Seamons on Dec. 29, 1942. They had been married for 54 years at the time of her death in 1997 and there is no doubt that they had a joyous reunion upon Wayne’s passing.

He was a successful dairy farmer in Hunt, Idaho. In 1956, the family moved to Glendale, AZ, where Wayne became an auto dealer with his brother. This was his profession until retiring in 1984.

Wayne had a sense of civic duty. He was active in the political process and involved in his community. Wayne was especially known for his service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He held many positions, including bishop and stake president. Among his many fine characteristics, he was noted for his integrity, service, generosity, patriotism, devotion to family, work ethic and leadership qualities. He was a strong force for righteousness.

He is survived by his 9 children, 61 grandchildren, 171 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is loved and revered by his posterity. His presence will be sorely missed.

Services will be Saturday, May 21st at the LDS chapel located at 5250 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ. Public viewing will be at 9:30 AM and the funeral will begin at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Brian Challinor, born May 13, 1938, passed away May 15, 2015. He is survived by his wife Anne, and his son Christopher of Mesa, and other members of his family elsewhere.

Brian, along with his wife and son, immigrated to the USA in 1965. During his lifetime, he spent 30 years in the automotive industry, as well as five years in the aircraft braking world, before changing careers completely to the electronics field.

He also volunteered with the BSA and become the Council Community SME Chairman for the Clinton Valley Council in the late 1970’s. In his working years, he became a Vice-President of Sales, Marketing, and Engineering Development for a major seating manufacturer, as well as a President and part-owner of three corporations in partnership with his wife.

During a 25-year period, Brian and his family moved 13 times around the States, but finally settled down in Mesa in 1986. Brian was a Fencing and Judo Sports alternate participant in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. His other interests included building model aircraft, jive dancing with the “love of his life” Anne, teaching the art of fencing around the States, and enjoying life on ocean and river cruise vessels.

No services will be held, but condolences may be sent c/o Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

Nee Joan Adele Hanney

9/16/1926 ~ 05/15/2016

Joan Salter Wierson passed away May 15, 2016 after a four month illness. Of Welsh and English descent, she was born and raised in Hiawatha, Kansas. Joan moved to Winter Park, Florida at the age of 14. She attended Rollins College and Florida State University, where she was “Miss Co-educational” as FSU and UF became coed. It was here that she met UF student Richard Sexton Salter, Jr., married, and moved to Phoenix in 1947 where they raised three surviving children. Divorced after nearly 25 years, Joan remarried Rudolph (Rudy) Wierson for 28 years.

Joan retired from the Arizona Department of Education after thirty years as an executive assistant. She loved horses, dogs, camping, reading, shopping, traveling, friends of Bill W., her family, and most of all, her God. Called the “Prayer Warrior” by family, Joan’s inner and outer spirit were truly beautiful.

She is survived by her children, Richard Sexton Salter III (Norma), Scott Edward Salter (Pamme’), and Sue Salter Dietrich (Thomas), grandchildren Kimberly Cortright, Ryan Murphey, Richard S. Salter IV, Stephen Salter, Christine Salter, and Diana Salter Stack. Joan loved and prayed for nine great grandchildren. Her family may miss her presence but is comforted knowing she is with her Father, in whom she trusted completely.

Joan’s Celebration of Life will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. May 19^th at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley, AZ. Visitation from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Friday, May 20^th is followed by her Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. in the Music Center at St. Barnabas.

Loraine Kimbrough Dotson, age 97, died peacefully at home in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 1, 2016. Born to Cora Lucille and King Alphonso Kimbrough, and raised in New Castle, IN, she moved to Chicago for nurse training at Provident Hospital.

Loraine was married to Robert Dotson for 59 years. They raised son Michael in Chicago; then moved to Miami, FL and Mesa, AZ. Loraine was a dedicated and caring nurse for 56 years.

Memorial service Wednesday, May 25 at 11 a.m., visitation one hour prior, at First United Methodist Church of Mesa, 15 E. First Avenue, Mesa, AZ. Burial following at Mesa Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to a hospice in your area.