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Ammon Makoto Kashiwagi, 39, passed away April 5, 2016. Funeral services are private. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Colleen Rose Shumway (Tyler) Savittieri, age 85 passed away April 6, 2016 in Gilbert, AZ. Born August 10, 1930 in Taylor, AZ. as the fourth of eight children born to Lorenzo Rulon Shumway and Minta Marcella Willis.

Preceded in death by her parents, brothers Zane Menard Shumway, Fred Willis Shumway, Lorenzo Emerald Shumway and Larry Ronald Shumway, first husband Merrill Tyler and second husband Frank Savittieri. She is survived by sisters Carma Masonich and Sandra Chiles, brother Harold Shumway all from Mesa, children Karolyn Dana of Draper, UT, Rick Tyler of Mesa, and Marco Tyler of Kingston, WA, 18 grandchildren and 68 great-grandchildren. She was a tireless homemaker to whom family meant everything. She will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15th at 10:30 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 18th Ward Chapel, 2228 E. Brown Road Mesa. Interment at Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, AZ. Funeral arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa.

Charles Edwin Gibson passed on April 5, 2016. He had a brilliant mind, well-read and kept up on world news. His work as an engineer gave him skills of organization – with attention to details. Chuck was a regular attendee and supporter of his church. His faith was strong. He loved his family.

He was survived by Dale Gibson, wife; Allison George, daughter; Daniel Gibson, son; Esther Sanders, daughter; James Challinor, stepson; Wendy Stevens, stepdaughter; Robert Gibson, brother; and his nine grandchildren: Tyler Challinor, William George, Semeia Pfeifer, Jacob Challinor, David Pfeifer, Ian George, Nicholas Stevens, Zoe Pfeifer, and Natalie Stevens.

A memorial service in his honor will be held on April 15th at 2:00 pm at The First Presbyterian Church or Mesa, 161 N. Mesa Drive.

Memorials may be made to:

Rx Outreach
Attn: Development Department
P.O. Box 66536
St. Louis, MO 63166-6536
Rxoutreach.org

OR

WomenHeart
Attn: Laverne Coleman
1100 17th St., NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
womenheart.org

Adrian Hekking passed away gracefully on April 5, 2016 in Mesa, AZ.  He was 82. Adrian was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on March 2, 1934. As a young teenager, Adrian immigrated to the US in the 1940s after WWII. To become a US citizen, he enlisted in the Army and became an officer achieving the rank of Major. He was stationed in the USA, Vietnam, Germany, and Morocco. He spoke multiple languages and used those talents for the benefit of his newly adopted country. In addition to serving his country, his faith allowed him the opportunity to serve two LDS missions: one as a young man in the Midwest and again later in life with his wife, Mariam in Guatemala. Adrian enjoyed travelling, reading, singing, and listening to classical music.

Adrian leaves behind his wife, Mariam of 58 years and their four sons; Greg and his two sons Seth and Zane of Chandler, AZ; David (Martha) and their three sons; Alex, Richard, and David of El Paso, TX; Michael (Sandy) and their four children; Adrian, Austin, Alexandra, and Aaron of New Paltz, NY; Neil (Clarisse) and their six children; Joseph, Zachary, Julia, Eleanor, Elizabeth and Ephraim of Cincinnati, OH.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 11, 2016 at 10 am, preceded by a visitation at 9 am, at the LDS Granite Reef Ward Chapel, 1430 N. Recker Rd., Mesa, AZ

Dr. Kenneth E. Johnson Jr., 71, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning in his Mesa home, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 47 years, Becky. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ken Sr. and Joann, and his brother Mark. He is survived by his brother, Don, his wife, Becky, and their 8 children and 22 grandchildren.

Ken was born April 23, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN, but as his father served as an Army medical officer in Korea and Japan, moved to Montana, Japan, and Idaho Falls, where a very young Kenny Jr. first met his future wife. The Johnsons eventually settled in Phoenix where Ken played center for the Central High Bobcats. After serving a mission in Sweden, Ken returned to study pre-med zoology at BYU where he re-met and married Becky Hatch. They began their family as Ken started Medical School at the University of Utah where, like his dad, he specialized in Nephrology. After moving to Mesa, Dr. Johnson saw a lack of efficient care for dialysis patients and consequently formed East Valley Dialysis (with Doctors Ken Boren and David Reichert), a company that pioneered a shift to truly patient-focused and innovative dialysis treatment throughout Arizona and ultimately the US as it grew into Renal West and merged with Renal Care Group which he also directed. This was in addition to hospital work which included serving as Director of Critical Care at two hospitals.

Ken is remembered by friends and business associates alike as brilliant intellectual, but also as an extremely charitable man who “helped countless people.” He believed that God blesses people so that they can bless others, and accordingly used his resources to help almost anyone with whom he came in contact, notably many young people trying to obtain higher education. He was recognized by BYU in 2007 as the honored alumnus of the College of Life Sciences for his medical career, and his charity work which continues through the Kenneth E. and Becky H. Johnson Foundation.

Members of the Mesa 18^th ward, where he lived his last 38 years, knew Ken as a caring and involved Bishop who not only helped his ward members directly, but was creative in providing for special support and care when needed. He will forever be remembered as a brilliant doctor, loving patriarch, and generous philanthropist.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 9^th at 10 am at the Mesa East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Rd. A viewing will be held Friday, April 8^th from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

William Robert (Bob) Kerr passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Helen and William Richard Kerr in Van Wert, Ohio on November 29, 1938, the third of three children.

His formative years were spent in the Midwest. The family moved to Arizona in 1951, where a few years later his father opened Kerr Sporting Goods. Bob grew up in the business that he eventually purchased and spent thirty-five years growing it into one of the largest privately owned sporting goods businesses in the Southwest. Bob loved all sports, but basketball was his favorite sport to watch and especially play.

He was an Arizona All-State player at North Phoenix High School, and later played collegiately at both Phoenix College and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Following a career ending injury he completed his education at Arizona State University, graduating in 1961. Two weeks later he married Mary Ellen (Bo) Bodine. Together the couple enjoyed 55 years of love and happiness found in family life. They are the parents of and survived by three sons, Todd Robert (Amy Perkinson), Mark Allen (Christine Rowley) and Paul Richard (Beverly Walker), sixteen grandchildren, Alison Kerr Christensen (Jordan), Elizabeth (Libby) Kerr Squires (Mathieu), Jeffrey Todd (Brooke), Amanda, Madelyn, Kate, Michael Mark, Lauren, Rachael, Sophia, Clayton Paul, Victoria, Wilson, Tyson, Melissa and three great-grandchildren, Olivia Christensen, James Christensen and Owen Squires. Bob is also survived by a brother, Richard A. Kerr, a sister, Shirley Wolters (Robert), an uncle Robert Russell Kerr and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Bob has always been a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served faithfully in many Church capacities and assignments. In his later years he loved the privilege of serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Throughout his life, Bob’s highest priority and greatest passion has always been his “FAMILY.” He leaves a great legacy for us to honor.

Viewing will be Friday evening 6:30-8:30 pm at the LDS Mesa Central Stake Building, 925 N. Harris. Services will be held Saturday, April 9 at 10 AM, preceded by a viewing at 9 AM, at the same location. Interment will be at Mesa City Cemetery.

“Kay Spiker-Petty of Mesa, Arizona, 71,  passed away among family on Sunday, April 3, 2016.  Kay is survived by her loving sons John Michael and James Anthony.  Born in Broken Bow, Nebraska, Kay was the fourth of six children and is survived by sisters Bobbie Saint and Cherie Carle and brother Duane Myers.  Kay was a devoted and loved Grammie to her eight grandchildren Adriel, Cayden, Jacob, Jamie, Jeri, Nicholas, Ryan, and Sarah.  A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 PM, at Mesa Palm Seventh Day Adventist Church  6263 E. Thomas Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial fund for educational expenses for Kay’s grandchildren.
Payable to: GrammieK Memorial Fund
% J Spiker
3009 East Pearl Street
Mesa, AZ 85213

Richard Bruce Steelman, 72, passed away March 30, 2016 in Queen Creek, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brenner Pass Ward, 32684 North Gary Road, San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Charles Lincoln Gleave passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2016 at his home in Mesa, Arizona.

Born June 13, 1927 in Salt Lake City, he was sixth of the seven children of Dr. John Ernest Gleave and Fanny Ewer Palmer Gleave. As a baby, his sisters nicknamed him “Bud”, and that was how everyone knew him the rest of his long life. As a young man, Bud was a gifted athlete, lettering in multiple sports at East High School and later as a lineman and place kicker for the University of Utah football team, where his precision in splitting the uprights earned him the title “Golden Toe Gleave”. In later life he was an avid golfer and outdoorsman, like his father before him. It is more than fitting that he left this life peacefully, while watching a baseball game. Bud enlisted in the Navy during the World War II, and was en route to the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered in 1945. He finished his Navy service at the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C., helping fellow soldiers make the transition back to peacetime. After earning a degree in Business from the University of Utah, he married East High classmate Gloria Halverson. They were constant companions for 63 years. In 1960, Bud and Gloria moved their young family to Arizona, where they remained as long-time residents of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Mesa.

Bud is survived by his wife, Gloria, sons Joseph (Janet), Robert (Stacey) and Kelly (Karen), 11 grandchildren and sisters Connie Gardner and Mary Moeller. Bud was preceded in death by his brother John Palmer Gleave and sisters Lucille Uffens, Lorna Richardson and Ruth Greene Hill.

We remember him for his unfailing generosity and good humor. We will miss his positive outlook. As advancing years took their toll, his motto was always, “I’m just glad to be here one more day”.

Visitation is Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 7-9 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Friday, April 8, 2016 at 9 AM, with visitation at 8 AM, at the LDS Elmwood Ward, 925 N. Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ.

This week we said good bye to our wonderful wife, mother and Nana, Priscilla Joyce Pursley Hatch. She lived a quiet life but a noble and great one.

Joyce was born on August 22, 1926. She lived in Arizona nearly all the years of her life. She grew up in the Safford Valley, a beloved daughter of Josephine and Buster Pursley. She was their first child, a wonderful sister to Bob, Mike and Sherry who came after her, and has been greatly loved by them. She went to college, served in the military, and had many dear friends and good times. She had a close and special connection to her parents, especially her dear mother, our Mamma Jo, and she learned from them the hard work, determination, and great faith which would become part of her life and her legacy.

In Thatcher she met a young man who was coaching and teaching and began a new part of her life which would last for nearly sixty-four years. Boyd Hill Hatch was the perfect counterpart to Joyce; a man of few words with a sometimes gruff demeanor over a giant giving heart. With the polish and refinement of her gracious ways, the couple became a wonderful team. Theirs was a love for the ages. Together they raised seven children, Tony, Debbie, Brenda, Guy, Adele, Kirk and Becky.

Our mother was well-read, refined and educated. The seasons of her life were devoted to her husband, home, and family. Her greatest joy and deepest affection were for her family, and each day was spent putting our needs ahead of her own. She was up early every morning and her hands were busy each day, running the house with efficiency. She made our home lovely and welcoming, she did laundry with zeal, and she went about all of her tasks with a glad heart. Mom loved music. From Andy Williams to the Beatles, she always had something playing on the radio.

Joyce had a great combination of qualities that fit her for motherhood—she worked hard but she knew how to have fun, was smart and serious but could take the teasing, she was strong and resilient but amazingly gentle and kind. There was an added measure of comfort and love whenever she was about, and her serving and giving ways blessed all of our lives.

She made the world a better place by being in it. The people who have known her have often commented on how kind and gracious she was, and how much love they felt emanated from her. The communities in which she lived, first Mesa and then later Snowflake and Pinedale, are filled with people who knew and loved her.

As our dad worked teaching, coaching, and in construction, she backed him up and supported him always. She was the best coach’s wife, supportive through all the years of baseball and basketball, winning or losing she was always there to cheer the teams on.

Later in life they moved to the cabin in Pinedale, and one of our mother’s greatest joys was to be out there amongst the tall Pines, her ivy and her honeysuckle covering the porch, a quiet place of beauty and peace in which to pass the days. They lived there for over twenty years, and for all the children and the grandchildren, it was a place to restore and renew, a place to escape the world, the comfort of coming home. They enjoyed this time together, and spent several years in temple service at the Snowflake Temple.

Our mom endured so well through the many adversities and afflictions of her life. Near the end she was simply going along on sheer will, and yet she rallied through time and again, trying to stay and watch over her family. Our family has been so grateful in the last three years when our mom and dad came back to live in Mesa for the constant loving care from her daughters Adele and Debbie and son-in-law Kenny Lewis. There has been helping hands from the rest of the family, respite from Brenda and Becky coming from Utah to help, and added efforts and service from many of the grandchildren. We are grateful for the loving and gentle care of the Reflections Hospice workers, especially Jill and Amy, Lucy and Andrea, and Dr. Shirif. Mother was 89 years old when she passed away on March 30, 2016 surrounded by her family.

We so dearly loved our mother and Nana. We feel blessed and honored to have had her in our lives for so long.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 2 PM, preceded by a visitation at 12:30 PM, at the LDS Linden Valley Chapel, 971 Timberland Road, Linden, AZ, just off Hwy 260. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Hardy Danton Jackson passed away on April 1, 2016, in Queen Creek, AZ. He was born to Connee Nielsen and Howard Delano Jackson on December 27, 1976, in Lakeside, AZ. Both parents, his grandmother Lula Nielsen, his wife Cali, daughter Makenna, and two sons Grady and Porter survive him. Siblings include Delana (Dana) Waite, Howard Jackson, Jr., Delton Jackson, Malisa (Earlie) West, Loretta (Phil) Simon, Jared (Tammy) Jackson, Connee (Joe) Ortiz, and Corwin Jackson. Hardy loved golfing, hunting, and fishing, but loved his family most of all. Spending time with his children and watching them play sports gave him great satisfaction and pride. He was an excellent welder, making decorative gates and fences. Although he battled leukemia and lung disease for many years, he was a kind soul who inspired all who knew him. Funeral services will be Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour beforehand at the LDS chapel at 22035 E. Ocotillo Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142.

Howard Milton Troupa, 89 years old, entered eternal life on March 29, 2016.  He was born in Princeton, IL, to Dr. Albert and Kate Troupa, and placed in the hospital’s first chicken-type incubator until his parents took him home.  He met his lovely wife Edna Mae Troupa and enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Together they welcomed four beautiful daughters, Debbie Reed (Warren), Mary Lou Gennaro (Franco), Karen Sue Tansill (Joe), and Laurie Mae Troupa-Knox (Liz); 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ, on April 5, 4:00pm, and a Memorial Service will be held at Fellowship Square, Mesa, AZ, Grand Dining Room on April 6, 10:00am.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

James Benjamin DePriest, 71, passed away March 27, 2016 in Gilbert, Arizona.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 1, 2016 at 7 PM, with visitation from 5-6:45 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

Interment will be Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 2 PM at the Heber-Overgaard Cemetery.

Lucille Adelle Rollins passed away on March 28, 2016 in Gilbert, AZ. Lucille was born on March 18, 1930 in Danforth, Maine to Richard Kenneth Gray and Leone Elizabeth Neal. She moved with her husband and children from Maine to Mesa, AZ in 1974 and resided there the remainder of her life.

Lucille was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She was devoted to her family and had a great gift for nurturing. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in which she served many positions faithfully. Her faith in the Lord was strong and true to the end. She loved nature, literature and never failed to see the beauty around her. She enjoyed reading, painting and gardening. She was truly happy when in the service of others.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Leland Jay Rollins, her siblings Anita Campbell, Joan Tolman, and Vance Gray Sr, and son Timothy Rollins.

She is survived by her sisters Maxine Virgie and Beverly Bubar, her brothers Richard, Roger and Rex Gray, her children Richard & Rosilie Rollins, Jon & Didi Rollins, Lawrence & Patricia Rollins, Christopher & Dominique Rollins, Melanie & Kerry Whetten, Anne & Robert Howard and Aimee & Alec Eymer; daughter-in-law Patti Rollins and foster daughters Georgia & Wayne Mathison and Regina & Richard Waite; 35 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren, of blood and heart.

Visitation is Thurs., March 31, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Fri., April 1, 2016 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the Alta Mesa Stake Center, 5350 E. McLellan Rd., Mesa, AZ 85205. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Olive Larson Evans, 96, passed away March 26, 2016 in Chandler, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be Friday, April 1, 2016 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lyn Rae Ward, 1266 S. 32nd Street, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Clyda Bleak, 81, peacefully passed from this life on Monday, March 21, 2016.  She was born on April 10, 1934 in Blanding, Utah to Oren Kenneth and Marba Helquist Palmer.  She had 2 sisters and 3 brothers, one of which preceded her in death.

She married the love of her life, Floyd Robert Bleak on June 22, 1951.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS temple on June 22, 1974.  Floyd passed away in 2014.  Floyd and Clyda were the parents of 7 children, 6 daughters and 1 son.  Carol, Kathleen (Rick), Sheila, Daniel (Audrian), Donalyn (Danny), Colleen, and Carolyn (Terryl).  Carol and Colleen preceded Clyda in death.

One of Clyda’s greatest joys was being a mother, she was truly and angel mother, that was only expounded upon when she became a grandmother and then a great grandmother.  Her children and grandchildren knew that she was only a phone call away.  They eagerly shared with her the joys and challenges in their lives.  She had 21 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  3 granddaughters preceded her in death.

To know Clyda, was to love her.  Her life was one of service, she portrayed Christlike attributes in all that she did.  A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “she exemplified all the Church would seek to accomplish in the lives of its members”.

She had a passion for sewing and quilting, making numerous baby quilts to give as gifts.  She loved to cook and bake, everyone loved receiving homemade candy from her, especially during the Christmas season.  Her family will always have treasured memories of campouts and family parties at her house.

Her memorial service will be Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11:00 am with at 10:00 visitation.  The service will be held at the LDS Church Building located at 20415 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142