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Monica Johnson, 21, was called to heaven on March 16, 2016.  She was healthy and happily born to Waylon and Dolores Johnson in Phoenix, Arizona.  Monica was an amazing young lady who persevered despite her battle against pediatric Leukemia.  Monica loved being with family and friends and participating in their birthdays, holidays and celebrations!  Together, we grew with Monica, watching her become an avid dancer and piano player.  Monica also enjoyed the outdoors whether it was swimming, rock climbing, playing volleyball, 4-wheeling or riding quads with her Dad and sister, Melanie.  Monica received her faith formation, including baptism, communion and confirmation at Resurrection Church.  She also helped tutor younger students in their faith formation.  Monica was actively involved in the Escalante Center’s programs as a well as a volunteer in the community teaching hip-hop dance to elementary students. Monica graduated from Dobson High School, fashionably, as she was always known for wearing “Chucks”.  Monica earned the Mike Moffatt Scholarship which she used to attend Scottsdale Community College to study dance and business.  After a family vacation to Kauai, Monica would often drive to California, be on the beach, and listen to the ocean.  She enjoyed life and having special friends around her joining them for movies, a concert or at Rustler’s Rooste, where she worked over two years.  Her dream was to live in California, open her own dance studio and teach hip-hop!

Monica was a strong, smart and beautiful woman who will be truly missed by everyone, especially her parents, her “sissy”, niece Aubrey, grandparents, many cousins, Godparents, extended family and close friends.

Services will be held on Wednesday, March 30^th at Resurrection Church, Tempe, Rosary at 9:30am, Mass at 10am.  A deli-style luncheon will also be served in her honor at Philip Hall following the mass.  Donations can be made to Resurrection Church Youth Faith Formation & Teen Program, contact: Tracy Siedinski-Seyler.

Dorothy (Chaussee) Halcrow, 104, Mesa, AZ and formerly of Bowesmont, ND and Grand Forks, ND, passed away March 21, 2016 at Fellowship Square in Mesa, AZ.  She was born in Schafer, ND, daughter of John and Theresa Chaussee on August 4, 1911.  She graduated from St. Johns Hospital Nursing School in Fargo, ND in 1932.  Her nursing career included the obstetrics program at Lyin In Hospital in Chicago, IL; Deaconess Hospital, Grafton, ND and St. Michaels Hospital in Grand Forks, ND from 1954 – 1973.  She married John G. Halcrow in November 1937 in Fargo, ND and they lived in Bowesmont ND until 1954.

She is survived by her son: John (Jeanette) Halcrow of Bemidji, MN; a granddaughter: Jennifer Halcrow of Minneapolis, MN and several nephews and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her husband in 1995; her parents and one brother.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 28, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ.  Arrangements are with Bunker’s University Chapel in Mesa. Interment will be at Bowesmont Cemetery at a future date.  Memorials are preferred to University of North Dakota School of Nursing, Grand Forks, ND.

Yvonne Gibbs, born October 9, 1929 in Santa Ana, California, passed away March 17, 2016 in Tempe, Arizona. There are no services scheduled at this time.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Virgil Howard Clark, 71, was suddenly transferred home on March 17, 2016. He was born in Montpelier, ID on  August 4, 1944, to Walter and Lelia Clark.

Virgil and his bride Shauna were in their 49th year of marriage. He is survived by his wife Shauna (Skinner), their children Lance (Jodell Udy), Ed (Jennifer West), Brittney, Stephany, and 9 grandchildren, three brothers, Glenn, Owen and Nolan and his only sister, Gladys. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wayne and Alan and a grandson, Jeremy.

Virgil was a devout husband, brother, brother-in-law, father, grandfather and friend.  He truly loved all his family.

He was an avid supporter of Scouting and worked tirelessly helping young men achieve their Scouting goals. He was loved by all who knew him.  He will be greatly missed.

In honor of Virgil’s great love for the scouting program and its principles, you are invited, if you desire, to wear your Scout Uniform to the services.

Visitation and viewing will be Friday evening March 25th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Gilbert Val Vista LDS Stake Center, 1005 N Voyager Dr, Gilbert, AZ, 85234. Visitation and viewing will be Saturday morning March 26th from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM, also at the Gilbert Val Vista LDS Stake Center. Services will be held immediately afterward beginning at 10:00 AM.

Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Leona Lilly Webb, 80, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on 18 March 2016 at Hospice of the Valley at Friendship Village. She was born September 21, 1935 in Sedalia, Missouri to Amos Ellsworth Lilly and Eva Lorene Lilly. She grew up in Cross Timbers, Missouri where she attended high school and was both a cheerleader and a star player on the girls’ basketball team. Leona also attended school in Kansas City and Independence Missouri, and graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence. She was a student at both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, and she received an associate’s degree from LDS Business College.

Leona had an unshakable testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his church. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in the Gulf States Mission. It was there that she met George Richard Webb (Dick), who would later become her husband. They were married in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on June 12, 1961 and remained married for the rest of her life, nearly 55 years. She loved church service and had many callings, including Relief Society president; but, her favorite was as choir director. Leona loved music and had a wonderful singing voice. Although she worked for many years as a personal assistant for Bendix Corporation, her favorite job was as a mother to her two children, David and Denise. Leona was a wonderful wife and mother, and a fabulous cook, having run a diner for several years during her youth. She made some of the world’s best breakfasts.

She is survived by her son, David (Linda) Webb, Kaysville, Utah, her daughter, Denise (Shawn) Leckington, Shelley, Idaho; eight grandchildren: Matthew Leckington, Laura Rummler, Kevin Leckington, Catherine Webb, Jason, Chad, Bryon and Alexis Leckington; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Vivian Lilly (Ralph) Cluff, her brother-in-law Ralph Richard Cluff, and her brother Robert (Doris) Lilly.

Those who wish to help the family defray funeral and burial costs may donate to the following GoFundMe campaign: https://de.gofund.me/dquxybd8&rcid=7d0cad62eb8e11e5824cbc764e049a64

Gabriel Carlos Sierra, 22, passed away March 16, 2016 in Gilbert, Arizona. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Friday, March 25, 2016 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at the LDS Chapel located at 7361 South 164th Street, Gilbert, Arizona, 85234. Interment will be at the San Tan Memorial Gardens, 22425 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek, Arizona.

Lillian Genevieve Batiste, age 90, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. There will be a visitation on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 6 to 8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be at 10 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at the Holy Trinity Community Church, 220 South Chestnut, Mesa, Arizona.

On March 19, 2016, Norma Paul passed away in Mesa, Arizona. Norma was 74 years old. She was born in Virden, New Mexico on October 1, 1941, the second of ten children to Ruth and Owen Poulsen.

Norma inspired everyone she knew with her vivacious spirit and joy for life. She was a breast cancer survivor, a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a perpetual source of light and love to her family and friends. She valued hard work, and never retired from her successful career as an insurance agent for New York Life.

Norma’s love of music was manifested in her talents as a pianist, accompanist, teacher, organist, and choir director. In her spare time, she enjoyed to quilt, read, and shop ’til she dropped. During the later years of her life, she continued to develop her talents by learning Italian, tap dancing, and water coloring. Her greatest joy was giving to others, and her loved ones feel blessed to have her quilts, paintings, pottery, and music as reminders of her profoundly beautiful life.

Norma was fiercely devoted to her family, and spent her life making people feel they were unconditionally loved, valued, and exceptional in her eyes. She will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by five brothers, three sisters, son Cinco and his wife Amy, daughter Shelly, granddaughter Hillary and her husband David, granddaughter Stephanie, granddaughter Alex and her husband Skyler, granddaughter Rachel, grandson Wesley, and great-grandson Liam.

Funeral service will be held at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 777 E. Elliot Road in Gilbert, Arizona. Flowers can be sent to Bunker’s Garden Chapel at 33 North Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85201.

Jane Elizabeth DePasqual, age 58, passed away on March 13, 2016 in Chandler, Arizona. There are no services scheduled at this time.

Sharon Darlene Rau, 72, passed away March 5, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dolores Gustafson , 80, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2016. She was married to the love of her life for over 50 years, John Gustafson. Together they raised three children in Isle, Minnesota. She is survived by her brother Bob and his wife Jean; her children Julie Canterbury and her husband Russ;  Gregg Gustafson and his wife Anna and Mike Gustafson and his wife Nanci. She also is survived by her 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Funeral services are Thursday, March 17th, 2016 at 10 AM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa.

Amelia Fifita Taumalolo passed away peacefully on Sunday March 13, 2016 in Gilbert, Arizona.

Amelia was born to Taani and Ane Nanasi Lupe Taumalolo on March 13, 1934 in Kolovai, Tonga and moved to the United States in 1964. She resided in Gilbert and enjoyed a happy life filled with family and friends.

She enjoyed crocheting, watching football (Arizona Cardinals fan), attending her many grandchildren’s football games, spending time with her family and attending church activities.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation starting at 8 AM, at the Gilbert Stapley Stake Center, 1100 N. Cooper Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85233. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

George Richard Webb (Dick), 78, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

He was born March 2,1938 in Melba, Idaho to Edmund Layton Webb and Glyda Luella Johnson Webb. Dick grew up in Melba where he was a well-known high school sports star, winning awards in baseball, basketball and football. He was also an “A” student, graduating with honors as valedictorian of Melba High School. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) for a year before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in the Southern States Mission. It was there he met Leona Lilly who would later become his wife. They were married in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City on June 12, 1961 and remained married for the rest of his life, nearly 55 years. Dick served in the US Army Reserves and attended both BYU and the University of Utah. He became an electrical engineer working for Sperry Univac in Salt Lake City, Utah and in Weisbaden, Germany, Western Electric in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and General Instruments and Medtronics in Mesa, Arizona until his retirement in 2000.

Dick loved church service and scripture study. He was an LDS bishop twice and served faithfully in many other callings. His favorite calling was as a Sunday School teacher, but he also had a passion for family history. Even though he was nearly blind from macular degeneration near the end of his life, he performed countless hours of genealogical research. Dick was also fascinated with languages and studied German daily until his death. He was a wonderful father and husband and devoted his life to the betterment of his family.

He is survived by his wife Leona; his sister Julia Frost, Nampa Idaho; his brother Edmund Layton (Betty) Webb, Nampa, Idaho; his son, David (Linda) Webb, Kaysville, Utah; his daughter, Denise (Shawn) Leckington, Shelley, Idaho; eight grandchildren: Matthew Leckington, Laura Rummler, Kevin Leckington, Catherine Webb, Jason, Chad, Brian and Alexis Leckington; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Annette Rock (Ted) Webb, his brother-in-law Orren Duane (Julia) Frost, and his sister, Leslie (Sid) Sagers.

Ross LeRoy Wells, 72 of Gilbert, AZ passed away on March 10, 2015 at home with his family.

He was born in Albany, CA to Leroy Wells and Adele Ruth Scofield but lived most of his young life in Prescott and Phoenix. At 15 he moved to Elfrida, AZ, where he lived with his great uncle Colly Wells. Ross was active in sports and lettered all four years in 3 sports. He graduated with honors from Valley Union H.S. in 1961. He chose A.S.U. to further his education. While there he met and married his wife, Linda Fuller on Jan. 18, 1963, later sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, AZ Temple on Sept. 7, 1963.  After college they moved back to Elfrida so he could raise hogs. During this time he went to work for Arizona Electric Power Co-Op. He worked in the power industry for about twenty years, living in many different states before moving home to Arizona, where he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service. In 2011 he retired as a rural mail carrier, working in N Scottsdale Kachina Station. He really enjoyed all of his careers. Ross always loved being out in nature including camping, hunting and working in his garden.

He is survived by his wife Linda of 53 years, 2 daughters, Melissa (Roger) Elmer, Collyne (Bart) Myers and 1 son, Kenyon (Angela) Wells, 10+1 grandchildren and 9+1 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Lina, Nicole and Barb from Hospice of the Valley for their loving and compassionate care.

There will be only one viewing prior to the services from 9:00 – 10:30 A.M. on, Tuesday, March 15,2016 with the funeral service at 11:00, Services will be held at the Cullumber Ward meeting house of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 220 E. Cullumber, Gilbert AZ 85234. Internment will follow at Resthaven Park Cemetery, 4310 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85042.

Henry R. Ryberg, Jr. passed away on March 10, 2016, just days after his 81st birthday. He spent the last 13 years in Mesa, active in Masonic Lodge, Toastmasters, and his church.  Although blind since birth, he held a Masters Degree in Blind Rehabilitation and worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor in Florida and Texas, distinguishing himself as an outstanding asset until retirement.

He was the oldest son of Henry and Agness Ryberg, who preceded him in death along with his younger brother, David. He is survived by four sisters, Janice Palmer in Phoenix, Linda Arnold in Happy Jack, Karen Schultz in Mesa, and Elsa Weiss in The Dalles, Or.

Henry was very proud of his Swedish heritage, traveling to Sweden after he retired to visit family and explore his roots there. He was a lifelong learner. Additionally, he was a frequent speaker on behalf of the blind community and felt a personal responsibility to represent them and their needs in society.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Trinity Church, 2130 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85213.

Betty Noel McGee, 93, passed away peacefully following a very brief illness on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 19^th at 800 W. Chandler Heights Boulevard in Chandler, Arizona at 11 a.m.

She was born June 20, 1922 in Fruitland, New Mexico to Hamilton Bridger Noel and Eva Foutz Noel.  Betty married Clifton Ferron McGee on June 3, 1940 in Gallup, New Mexico.

She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including 20 years of service in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  Betty constantly focused on self-improvement.  She enjoyed reading many types of books, taking art classes, writing notebooks full of her powerful positive thinking and motivating thoughts.  She loved to play her organ, dance, play cards and bingo and to shop.  She was always in fashion from head to toe.  She created a warm and loving home and her family loved her cherry pies and homemade Christmas candies.  Betty extended her love to all she came in contact with.

Survivors include her four children: Ferron (Dorothy) of Gold Canyon, Bruce (Marlene) of Mesa, Beverlee (John) Kay of Snowflake and Ron (Nanette) of Holbrook; 18 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, her parents and siblings: Edmund Noel, Joy Noel, Clara Atwood.  She is survived by a brother Leland Noel in Farmington, New Mexico.

Funeral arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel.