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Eleanor Kolstad, born March 20, 1927, passed away Monday, April 18^th after a battle with cancer.

She is survived by her daughter Jean (Kolstad) Rediger, granddaughter Kristen (Kolstad) Pinkerton, 4 great-grandchildren, her sister Dorothy (Larson) Riddle, her brother Lawrence Larson and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Eddie and Ebba Larson, husband Harry, sons Bruce, James and Ronald, granddaughter Jennie Vanderboom, brother Leonard Larson and her sister Genevieve (Larson) Brandt.

Memorial services will be Thursday, April 21, at 2 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Patrick Stephen Zielinski died April 17, 2016 at age 62.  Born in 1954 in San Francisco, California.  Preceded by parents Edmund and Katie.  He is survived by wife: Jan; brothers: Mike, Al, and Peter; sisters: Katie Kosora and Mary Sprinkle.  He attended St. Agnes Catholic grade school and graduated from North High in 1972.  He worked at Motorola Computer Group for 32 years, 5 years at GST Aerospace machine shops as the shipping and receiving “czar”.  Pat loved fishing, going to the Salt River, tubing and hiking.  He was fond of animals especially his cats.  Pat was a great fan of the Green Bay Packers.  We will all miss his keen sense of humor, quick wit and kindness.  Arrangements handled by Bunker’s University Chapel, Mesa, AZ.  www.bunkercares.com

Lois Alma Perry Adams Modifer was born to Philip Barton Perry and Deborah Beryl Wright on August 16, 1922 in Newport News, VA. She passed on from this life April 12, 2016 in Mesa, AZ. to be with her Savior and those cherished family members who had preceded her: her parents: who died when she was fourteen; brothers: Philip Perry and William Perry; eternal companion: David Wayne Adams; son: James Barton Adams; and grandson: David Hyrum May. Executive Secretary to Valley National Bank corporate management for several years, she went on to administration of special needs veteran’s accounts for the Veteran’s Administration for more than 20 years before retirement. She then devoted her time to her family and many friends, as well as serving in the Latter Day Saint Mesa Temple.  Known to be kind and generous, she was also a lot of fun, always ready to try a new adventure or travel to Disneyland or see a friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  She is survived by her children: Carol May (Jim); Richard Adams(Patti); Michele Kepplinger; Jackie Stinnett(Reid); her grandchildren: Jim, Steve, Michael(Christine), Shannon(Jay), and Erin May; Samuel Adams; Belinda Adams; Michael Kepplinger: Cody (Naelle), Casey(Chelsea), Austin, Preston, and Brittany Stinnett; and twelve great grandchildren. Services will be held at 10 am Saturday, April 23, with viewing at 9 am at LDS Thayer Park Ward, 2835 E, Des Moines, Mesa and burial with her husband, David, will be at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 27th Avenue and Van Buren, immediately following.

Beverly Lou Baldwin, age 79, passed away April 14, 2016 in Apache Junction, Arizona. Funeral services will be held in Ohio at a later date.

For funeral service information, please contact Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Dayton, OH, 937-293-4137.

Jeanne Dorothy Hatt McArthur died with a smile on her face early Sunday morning, April 10, 2016 at her home in Gilbert, Arizona. She was 90 years old.

Jeanne was born in Marion, Iowa on September 28, 1925 to Alexander Howie Hatt and Elizabeth Ellen “Lizzy” Tice. She was the youngest of 10 children. Reginald, Helen, Betty, Richard, Harry, Vincent, Thomas, John, and Mary were her siblings.

Her father died when she was young, so as a child she helped her mother who ran a laundry business from her home. She played a number of musical instruments, played in the school band, and was especially gifted at math.

She graduated from Marion High School in Iowa. As World War II drew to a close, she went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company – making her way from Iowa, to Utah, and finally to San Francisco.

Then she took a job with Morrison Knutsen, an engineering firm, and shortly thereafter braved her way to the South Pacific island of Guam. It was there, that she met her future husband, Lloyd “Mac” Jerry McArthur, a military police criminal investigator. The two fell in love and married on the island.

From Guam, they moved with the military to the midwestern United States. In December of 1948 they had their first child, Cheryll Jeanne. Followed by Terry Lloyd “Skip” in April of 1950, and Robert Duvall in June of 1951.

In 1954, the family moved to Greenland. After two years, they moved to San Bernardino, California which would become her home for the next 45 years and where she and Mac would raise their family.  She continued in government service as a cryptoanalyst working with secret communications at Norton AFB until her retirement.

She joined the LDS church in 1973 and served in many callings. Among her favorites were doing missionary work, planning dinners and activities, and doing visiting teaching.

Jeanne and Mac traveled frequently especially after their children were grown. Among the highlights – attending the World’s Fairs, visiting Mexico, Alaska, Europe, and making frequent trips across the United States.  Jeanne spoke fondly of her LDS mission with Mac to the Chicago area in 1980.

Following Mac’s death and some personal health struggles, she moved to Gilbert, Arizona to be closer to family. She made wonderful friends and continued to have a busy social life.  She loved cultural events, donated to various charities, and enjoyed taking friends, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren “to lunch”.

She knitted countless hats, supported many missionaries, and sent thousands of cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and every holiday.  She was an avid letter writer and had an uncanny ability to remember everyone in her life with a cute card and her trademark $2 bill. She loved to cook and was famous for her potato salad and especially her “peanut butter balls.”

She outlived all her siblings and is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd “Mac” Jerry McArthur; her daughter-in-law, Lynn McArthur; her son-in-law, Juan Mercado; and her great-grandson, Clayden Hammond.

Jeanne is survived by her daughter Cheryll Jeanne Mercado; her son Terry Lloyd “Skip” McArthur (Julie); and her son Dr. Robert Duvall McArthur (Elisa); and her grandchildren Heather, Kristina, Terry, Darce, Benjamin, Helen, Daniel, Elizabeth, Cambron, Rebecca, Samantha and Lisa and various nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind 28 great-grandchildren.

Her viewing and funeral will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the LDS Chapel on 1483 North Driftwood Drive, Gilbert, Arizona 85234. Her viewing will start at 10 AM with the funeral beginning at 11 AM.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Martha Nicholson, 99, passed away April 3.  Martha was born to Gustav and Lidia (Migalski) Kleam in Traverse City, MI Oct. 2, 1916.  Growing up in Traverse City, 1 of 6 siblings, Martha would reminisce about swimming in Lake Michigan as soon as it was warm enough in the spring, picking cherries for extra money in the summer and helping her father in his tailor shop.  She married Howard Lewis in 1938.  They had two children: Mary (deceased) & Priscilla.  Howard’s work in the insurance business took the family to Lansing, MI, Peoria, IL and Des Moines, IA.  Howard passed away in 1977.  After 28 years with American Mutual Life Insurance in Des Moines, Martha retired in 1981.  In 1982 Martha married family friend Ed Nicholson.  They lived in Dubuque, IA for several years before retiring to AZ in 1994.  They had many happy years together before Ed passed away in 2011.  Martha was active in the First United Methodist Church of Des Moines, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Dubuque and Grace United Methodist Church in Mesa.  Martha is survived by her daughter, Priscilla Owens of Mesa, 4 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Nelda Watkins Gephart, 91, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away on April 9, 2016, at home with her family.

Nelda was born in Lehi, Arizona, on January 12, 1925.  She graduated from Mesa High School in 1943, after which she began working at Williams Air Force Base in Mesa.  She married Jean Rood Gephart on September 19, 1947 in Globe, Arizona.  They built their life together in Chandler, where they were happily married for 63 years until Jean’s passing in June 2011.

Nelda worked in the Chandler Public School system as a cafeteria manager at Galveston Elementary School.  She loved children and faithfully served in many church callings, mainly in Primary and Relief Society. She was known as dedicated and loving visiting teacher.

Nelda was an avid crocheter and loved to create gifts for friends, family, and even strangers.  She enjoyed traveling around North America with her husband, visiting all 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.  Nelda spent her life in service and was beloved by her family, friends, neighbors, and church family.

Nelda is survived by her children, Robert Dale (Rebeca), Linda Jeanne Castillo (Merril), and John David; eight grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Nelda is preceded in death by her husband, Jean Rood Gephart; son-in-law Merril Allan Castillo; daughter-in-law Vicki Sue DeWitt Gephart; parents, Henry Cobb Watkins and Hester Caroline “Caddie” Rogers Watkins, and siblings Vera, Alice, Willis Archie, Henry Carl, Alton Rogers, Inez, Ivan Rogers, John Hatch, Norene, and Leland Dee.

Visitation will be 8:30 am, April 14, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1115 East Ray Road, Chandler, Arizona.  Funeral services will follow at 10am.  Interment will take place at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona.  Funeral arrangements are being provided by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

George Edward Allen died April 8, 2016 after a short battle with cancer.  He celebrated his 88th birthday on April 4^th, 1928, the Monday before his death. He was born in Panguitch, Utah and is survived by his wife of eight years, Marjorie Fyffe Allen, his four children:  Kathy Miller (Tom) of Livermore CO;  John (Cindy) of Mesa AZ;  Greg (Madge) of Cape Coral Florida; and Michelle Ahlmer of Mesa  AZ, as well as, 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and one surviving sibling, Whorton Allen (Oral Kay) of Logan Ut. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 59 years, Sheila Carter Allen. After working for JC Penny for 25 years, he opened his own retail store “Sheila’s Smart Apparel” and later added “By George Men’s Fashions” in Helena, Montana. George moved to Mesa, AZ in 1987 to work for the Arizona Retailers Association. Since his retirement he became an avid golfer and could be found on the golf course Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.  He was an active member of the LDS Church and served in the Mesa LDS Temple.   He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Even though we are one day further from our tearful goodbye we are one day closer to our joyful reunion. Please join us in celebrating a life well lived on Saturday April 16^th at 3 p.m. at the LDS chapel located at 633 South Higley Road, Mesa AZ   85206. A viewing will be held in the chapel at 2 p.m. In addition, a viewing will be held Friday April 15^th from 6-8 p.m. at Bunker Mortuary – 3529 East University Drive, Mesa AZ 85213.

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.