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Douglas Paul Hicks, 42, passed away December 28, 2015 in Lander County, Nevada. He died as a result of a collision at the Barrick Cortez Hills open pit mine in which he was a haul truck operator. Doug was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 29, 1973.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack Lee and Sue (Ramage) Hicks. Doug is survived by his daughter, Alexandria Marie Hicks, two brothers, Brad (Martha) Hicks of Elko, Nevada and Gregg (Kim) Hicks of Mesa, Arizona. Doug leaves behind extended family and friends who enjoyed his never-ending humor and ceaseless cheerful nature. He delighted always in making others laugh.

Doug grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 20th Ward of the Phoenix North Stake. He attended Sunnyslope High School. He took satisfaction in working and valued being a part of the D Crew at the Cortez mine owned by Barrick Gold Corporation near Elko, NV. He was an avid fan of Star Wars, Star Trek and WWE wrestling. He had a passion for collecting Marvel comic books and all things Disney. He enjoyed sharing music and movies with friends. Most of all, Doug cherished and adored his precious daughter and took the greatest pleasure of all in being her father.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 9, 2015 at 12 PM, with visitation at 11 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Doug will be laid to rest at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201. Please come and share memories of Doug. He will be dearly missed.

Wallace J Belnap, 93, passed away peacefully at his home December 29, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Wally was the fifth son and seventh child born to Lester and Crystal Vere Ellsworth Belnap on January 17, 1922 in Moreland, Idaho. On January 2, 1948 he married his sweetheart Carol M. Christopherson and they spent almost 68 years loving, working and raising a family together.

Wally and Carol are the parents of Christine Belnap Georges (Ramon), Michael Wallace Belnap (Janet), Susan Belnap Farmer (Scott), David Lester Belnap (Elise), Debra Belnap Thornhill (Gyle), Julia Belnap LeBaron (Milo) and Aaron Scott Belnap. They have 35 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren. Also surviving him is his youngest sister LaRue Belnap Willis of Logan, Utah. Wally is predeceased by his parents, brothers Karl, Vere, Garth and Boyd; his sisters Helen, Merle and Imogene; and granddaughter Amber Belnap.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Funeral services will be Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11 am, with visitation at 10 am, at the Desert Vista Ward Chapel, 633 S. Higley Rd., Mesa. Interment following the service at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Wilhelm Verl Tucker (Bill), 79, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bill was born September 13, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bill moved to Mesa with his family when he was 5. He graduated from Mesa High School in 1954, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He spent 3 years in the Army stationed in Japan as a surveillance and code specialist. Once home he moved to Utah to attend school. There he met and married his wife Sherrie Sherman. The couple settled back in Mesa and had three children. Bill owned and operated Tucker Meats for 20+ years. Many locals can remember picking up their custom meat orders at Tucker Meats and being greeted with Bill’s friendly smile. Other successful business ventures included, Tucker Catering, and Bill’s Landscaping. He will be remembered by all as a kind, happy, gentle man who worked hard in all his endeavors and was a friend to all. He had a passion for watching and playing basketball. He enjoyed spending time with his family boating and water skiing.

Bill and Sherrie were married for 55 years until Sherrie passed away 2 years ago. Bill is survived by his children Tricia (Kyle Kempton), Todd (Lorie) and Susan (Scott Hironaka), 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, one brother, Clyde Tucker, and his in-laws Deena and Jaron Norberg, Michele and Mike Lallatin, Tanya and Bert McMurtry, and their children. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to his caregivers at Emerald Grove Assisted Living for their years of caring and loving kindness to Bill. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8 from 6:30-8pm at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85213. Funeral services are 10am on Saturday, January 9 at the Citrus Heights Stake Center, 2549 N. 32nd Street in Mesa, AZ 85213 with visitation one hour prior.

Ramon Ochoa passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 in Laveen, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Emma Ochoa, children Ramon Ochoa II, Dora Emma Galindo, Rigoberto Ochoa, Ruben Ochoa, Hilda Hernandez, Gloria Ochoa and Gerardo Ochoa. Ramon was also a loving grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He will be remembered as the kindest, most patient and loving man. He will be treasured in the hearts of his family forever.

Visitation will be held January 6, 2016 from 6-8 PM, with Rosary at 7 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Mass will be held on January 7, 2016 at 1 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 230 W Galveston St, Chandler, Arizona.

Cordelia Patrice Fernandez (Wilson), 54, passed away December 26, 2015 at 8:00 AM. Our beloved mother, sister, and grandmother is survived by her husband, Jerry Fernandez II; 3 aunts, Anita Perez, Lucille Gazzam, Laverne Thomas; her uncle, Juan Wilson Jr.; 2 sisters and 1 brother. She is also survived by her 5 children, Marissa Perkins, Rene Uriarte Jr., Jerry Fernandez III, Joseph J. Fernandez Sr., Adam J. Fernandez Sr., 3 daughters-in-law, and 13 grandchildren.

Wake services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 6-11 PM at Salt River Memorial Hall, 9849 E. Earll Dr., Scottsdale, AZ. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 10 AM at the same location. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Gene Shapley Martin, 94, died peacefully on December 24, 2015, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at his home in Queen Creek, Arizona. Gene was born on June 13, 1921, in Lamar, Missouri, to Ralph Waldo and Lorene Wills Martin. He was the second of 5 children, of which only his sister Lorene “Sis” York survives.  After losing his father when he was only 6 years old, Gene shared a wonderful childhood with his mother, three brothers and one sister. He would tell anyone and everyone that Lamar, Missouri was the birthplace of Harry S. Truman . Upon  graduating from Lamar High School in 1939 as valedictorian, Gene attended the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, Missouri where he  graduated with an electrical engineering degree in 1943. He then joined the Army Signal Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving during World War II in Guam under Admiral Nimitz.  After the war, Gene followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps to the University of Missouri Law School where he graduated in 1949.  Soon after law school, Gene joined the United States Air Force as a JAG attorney. That summer, Gene spotted  a beautiful woman standing outside her house in Lamar and told his best friend he had to meet her. Six months later, he married that beautiful woman, Donna Mae Beall,  in Lamar on December 31, 1950. Gene and Donna embarked on their life’s journey as an Air Force family in Biloxi, Mississippi where his two oldest children, Gene Jr. and Greg, were born. Their next stop was Naples, Italy where he worked for NATO and cultivated his  love for travel, food, and different cultures.  Three years later, Gene and family were transferred to Plattsburgh, New York. Two significant events occurring there were the birth of his eldest daughter, Merida and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with Donna and Gene, Jr.  Just one day after their baptism, they again picked up stakes going to Las Vegas, Nevada where their daughter Melanie was born. While in Las Vegas, Gene’s family was  sealed in the St. George temple. Gene’s last Air Force assignment was to Tokyo, Japan, where their youngest daughter, Melissa, was born. Finishing  his military career as a Lt  Colonel in 1967, Gene and family returned to Lamar where he opened a private law practice. Gene continued to be active in the LDS church as Branch President in Pittsburg Kansas and spearheading the creation of a branch in Lamar. Gene was always excited to plan a trip or adventure. He and Donna traveled to many places throughout the world visiting family and friends along the way. Lamar continued to be his home base, until 1980 when he took a job with Legal Aid in Springfield, Missouri. The family lived there for 5 years before returning to Lamar. Gene and Donna’s decision to join the LDS church proved to be an incredible blessing for them. As part of their membership in the church, they served a Family History mission to London, England from 1993-1995. In 2006, Donna preceded Gene in death in Lamar. Two years later, Gene moved to Queen Creek, Arizona to live with his daughter, Melanie and her family. Gene had a wonderful final 7 years with Melanie and other family members living in the Phoenix area.  Gene loved his wife, his family, traveling, cars, good food and laughter. But most of all, he loved his Heavenly Father and Savior and knew that they loved him. He is survived by his sister, Lorene York of Harvard, Ill.; Gene Martin Jr. (Kristina) of Rockport, Mass. and their three children;  Greg Martin and (Stephanie) of Gold Canyon, Ariz. and their 6 children and 15 grandchildren ; Merida Solum (David) of Scottsdale, Ariz. and their 4 children. Melanie St. Clair (Greg), of Queen Creek, Ariz., and their 5 children; and Melissa Eddings (Patrick) of Salem, Ore. and their son. Funeral services will be held on Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Queen Creek West Stake Building on 19730 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142. A short viewing will be held at that building prior to the service at 10 a.m. Burial will take place on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at Nigh Cemetery in Lamar.

Col. Rodney D. Bither Sr. (US Army Ret.), age 80, died Wednesday, December 24, 2015 at Banner Desert Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara Bither; three children: Rodney Bither, Jr.; Cynthia Goodwin and Steven Bither; two grandchildren: Jason Bither and Elizabeth Goodwin; one sister: Judy Drouin; two brothers: Ted Wing and Bobby Wing; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was born in Houlton, Maine, where he spent much of his childhood.  After joining the Army in 1952, serving nine years in the enlisted ranks, he became an Officer, graduating at the top of his Class from Officer Candidate School.  He served for 38 years, including two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot as well as a tour in Africa performing geological surveys.  Later in his career, he had the opportunity to fly the Apache Helicopter and was the Army’s representative for the acquisition of the Apache in Mesa.  He was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, GA.

After retiring from the Army in 1990, he spent 10 years as a Project Manager helping deliver Apache training devices for The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona.

His time as an Army Aviator led to a lifetime love of flying.  He was an avid reader and also enjoyed spending time on the links with his golf buddies.  Those who knew Rod, even for a brief time, often drew inspiration from his words as well as his deeds.  Above all, he was a loving and selfless Husband, Father and Grandfather.

Services will be held at a date yet to be determined at Arlington National Cemetery.

Lydia Joy White passed away December 20, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, August Ranch 1st Ward Chapel, 2339 S. Crismon Road, Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the San Tan Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Kendall Jack Ray, 88, passed away December 21, 2015 in Snowflake, Arizona. Funeral services will be Monday, December 28, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Solomon Ward Chapel, 977 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Philip Paul Pletz, of Mesa, AZ passed away Dec. 18, 2015. Philip was born July 31, 1943 in Lakefield, MN to Peter Pletz and Susan (Tkach) Pletz. Philip graduated from South Dakota University in Brookings, SD. He was active in ROTC and enlisted in the army where he proudly served his time in Vietnam. Philip worked in the real estate business for many years in AZ and CA. He loved his Minnesota Vikings (Die Hard Fan), golf and had been active in Ducks Unlimited and Anglers United.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Paul and Peter, and his sister Pauline. He is survived by his wife Charlene, daughters Kellie Keel and Darla Holt (David), 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and his sisters Patricia (Roy) Bieber and Philomine Frantsen.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Dec. 28^th at 11 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2121 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, AZ. In lieu of flowers please donate to https://azkidney.org or http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Stephen Crouse Driggs, born September 12th, 1948 in Phoenix, AZ to Junius El Marion Driggs and Bernice Elizabeth Crouse, Stephen Crouse Driggs passed away peacefully in his home on December 22nd, 2015 after an arduous battle with cancer. Stephen adhered to the teachings of the faith he’d be a member of his entire life, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 4th child of 5, he learned patience, kindness, and especially the value of hard work. It was those values which carried him through Brigham Young University where he met his eternal companion Sheila Gail Packard, and ultimately dental school at the University of Southern California.

After graduating from USC, the young family moved back to the Phoenix valley (Mesa) where they remain to this day. Dr. Driggs applied the lessons he learned in childhood from not only his parents, but his faith, to how he treated everyone he encountered. It became evident rather quickly just how special a person he was and how genuinely he cared for others through the faithful service he performed in his various church callings and the philanthropic manner in which he ran his dental practice. Many countless hours and days were spent providing free dental care to those all over Arizona. 

Stephen always had a gentle demeanor and took special care to make someone feel extraordinary. He chose to be the example for his children and others (especially the youth of the church) to follow about how to treat people along with how to truly devote one’s self to the service of God and his fellow man. The lives he personally enriched through his teachings and examples are too numerous to count. Beloved by neighbors, fellow church-goers, patients, and colleagues alike, the void he is leaving will be most difficult to fill.   

Stephen is survived by his wife Sheila and children (in descending order of age) Kristoffer, Amy, Amanda, Robert, Jessica, Carter, and Mariah, his brother Don, sister Deanna, brother Mike and has joined their eldest daughter Andrea who has been waiting patiently in heaven.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa.  Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 26, 2015 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1266 S. 32^nd St. in Mesa with a visitation from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.  Interment will be at City of Mesa Cemetery.

Jacqueline M. Lee passed away on December 19, 2015 in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 88. She passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Jacque was born in Rexburg, ID on January 17, 1927 to Grace May Hadley (Bush) and George W. Hadley. She attended school in Rexburg and Rigby, Idaho and finished high school in Pocatello, Idaho. Jacque felt life held more for her and moved to California, both Northern and Southern California. She has also lived in Washington, Hawaii, Alaska and ended up raising her children in Sedona, Arizona. There Jacque met the love of her life and husband, E. James Lee. She was a successful real estate agent and property developer.

Jacque was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Orval George Hadley and Keith W. Hadley and a beautiful grandson, Andrew Lee McFadden. She is survived by her 3 children, William M. “Mike” McFadden, Kevin P. McFadden and Tami L. (Mark) Roeder; a step-daughter Janice (Hal) Reeb, 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters, Dona Dolph and Mavis Smith.

Private funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel in Mesa, AZ. Jacque’s final resting place will be the City of Mesa Cemetery next to her husband Jim and his son, Danny James Reeb. She will be missed by all those who were blessed to know her and who can still hear her say, “I’m a lucky duck.”

Martin Frank Smith passed away on December 17, 2015 at Banner University Hospital. He was the husband of Ingrid Smith.  They shared 32 years of marriage together.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 28, 1957. He was the son of Frank and Helen Smith.  As a self-taught professional he worked in many fields such as Marketing, Custom Home Design and Building.

He belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission for the LDS church in Washington, DC. He enjoyed traveling with his family, muscle cars, photography, music and wood working. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his teaching abilities, leadership and work ethic.

He is survived by his wife, Ingrid. His children: Sheridan and Tiffany Smith, Chelsea, Nephi and Mallory Guymon, Chase and Kendall McLane, Rachel, Zach and Caitlin Johnson.  As well as his grandchildren Ava, Marlo and Colt.

His viewing will be at Bunker Funeral Home on University and Val Vista Monday Dec. 21, 2015 from 6-8 p.m.  His funeral will be the next day Tuesday Dec. 22, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the LDS church building off 40^th St. and Brown. He will be buried at Mesa City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Missionary Fund (link: https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/donations/lds-church/ldsp.html) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Delsa Marie (Shanks) Anderson, 86, was called home on December 14, 2015 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Delsa was born on the Fort Riley, Kansas Air Force base. She was an avid reader, and gifted writer and editor. She graduated as valedictorian of Logan High School in Utah, was the editor of the school newspaper, took 1^st in state for oratory, and 2^nd in state for debate. She worked for Maricopa County for 10 years as an administrative assistant. She sang in the Arizona Mormon Choir for over 20 years, and was a talented choir director and director of plays and musicals. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a mission with her husband Darrell L. Anderson, as missionaries at the Glendale Community College Institute of Religion.

We rejoice in her release to join her husband, Darrell, brothers Forrest Shanks and Raymond Shanks, sister Mary Ann Egbert, daughters Christie Rainey and Ginger Rhees and grandson Damon Fawcett. Surviving family members include sons Larry Rainey (Freda) of Littlerock, CA, Brian Anderson (Christine) of El Mirage, daughters Mckell Keeney (Dave) of Tempe, Nancy Vanderwerff (Bud) of Ogden, UT and Cheryl Bloomfield (Evan Dagger) of Altadena, CA, 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Max Anderson (Gayle) of Ogden, UT, sisters-in-law Joyce Shanks of Palmdale, CA and Flossie Anderson of Phoenix and her beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11 am, preceded by a visitation and viewing at 10 am at the Paradise Valley Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3601 E. Shea Blvd. Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, donations to LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund are suggested: www.ldsphilanthropies.org

Scott David Dumas, 57, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on December 14, 2015 at his home surrounded by family and friends.

A celebration of the closure of his life here with us, and the start of his new eternal life up above will  take place with his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM; Monday, December 21, 2015 at All Saints Catholic Church, 1534 N. Recker Rd. in Mesa. The burial of his remains at the mesa cemetery will follow at 12 pm following the service. Friends and family will come together for food and drinks at 7328 E Flower Ave, Mesa AZ 85208 to share stories and celebrate his life.

Scott, was born on September 25th 1958 in Danbury Ct , and traveled with his family to Mesa Arizona where he went to high school at Mesa High and Mountain View High school graduating class of 1977. After high school he Married Cindy Bray and had 3 children, Bryan Scott, Kristen Elizabeth, and Chad David Dumas. He ran his own cabinetry business and then sold it to spend more time with his kids, and became a sales representative for US Industrial fasteners. Woodworking was his passion, he always had the next big project planned that he wanted to accomplish one after another. Whether he was redoing a kitchen or a bathroom, or installing new shelves in his kids rooms, it was all hand done, measured twice,  cut once, his way or the highway, quality work. To relax and let loose he would be seen at the poker tables not only winning but also being the life of the table. He was known as a jokester, always with a pun and a smile. He will forever be a one of a kind Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, Nephew and Friend. He leaves behind his children , his two brothers Troy and Earl Dumas and two sisters Brenda Jansen, and Sabrina Martinez, and his parents Earl and Elizabeth Dumas.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Scott Dumas be made to the Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006, or by calling (800) 99-CANCER or donating online at www.cancerresearch.org.

Barbara was born in Colorado on August 5, 1938 – an only child. Her mother died in childbirth when she was 15 months old, and she was adopted by her aunt and uncle who lived in Joliet, IL. They did not have children of their own, and were delighted to become parents to this little girl. She attended Catholic schools and was a bright student.

When Barbara was seven years old, sadly her adoptive mother died. Her father had even left his optometric practice for a year to take his wife to Arizona, where it was thought the climate might be better for her lung disease. He was a very attentive single father and did everything he could to give Barbara the love and support she needed.

She had many friends during her school years and graduated from the College of Saint Francis in Joliet with an education major. She then began what would be a lifelong teaching career, retiring from Joliet Public Schools and working an additional 10 years after “retiring” to Arizona. Her first years were teaching science in the lower grades, but she received a master’s degree in library science. She became the librarian at Washington Junior High School, Joliet where she also worked with the gifted student program. In the summers she often traveled the world with her college roommate. In Arizona she substitute taught, was a teacher in a private Christian school and did library work at Four Peaks Elementary in Apache Junction.

In 1981, a teacher friend introduced her to her brother, Paul Pierce, an electrical engineer. They spent 28 years together, first in Joliet and later at Silverado Estates in Apache Junction where they enjoyed many friends and activities. Barbara joined Paul with his many hobbies and they were very happy together. Paul’s family welcomed Barbara and appreciated her kind caring ways. She enjoyed entertaining and spent many holidays with the large extended Pierce family. Paul died in 2009, but her sister-in-laws and Paul’s daughter continued to love and care for her.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 10 AM at Mt. View Lutheran Church, 2122 S. Goldfield Rd., Apache Junction, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, Mesa, Arizona.