Find An Obituary

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.

Parker Lee Jones left his earthly home surrounded by his loving family on December 7, 2015. Every day of Parker’s 10 years of life was a gift. Parker had a perfect spirit and was loved by all who knew him. He had the ability to bring out the best in everyone around him. Parker was born on October 21, 2005 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was loved by his parents Jacob and Natalie, brothers and sisters, Caleb, Amy, Chase and Katie. Grandparents Mel and Elise Jones, Chris and Pat Freestone, and his extended family will miss him greatly. A visitation will be held Friday December 18, 2015 from 6-8 PM at the LDS Chapel at 777 E. Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ. Funeral services are Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 10 AM at the same location.

“I bear witness of that day when loved ones whom we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand before us glorified and grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind. What a thrilling moment that will be! I do not know whether we will be happier for ourselves that we have witnessed such a miracle or happier for them that they are fully perfect and finally ‘free at last.’”

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Doralie Estella Wakefield Johnson of Mesa, AZ; passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

Dorie was born on February 1, 1932 in Baraboo, WI.  She was one of four children born to Lawrence and Estella Wakefield.  She is preceded in death by her parents, older brother Lawrence (Larry) Wakefield, and her husband of 56 years, John Johnson, Jr.

Dorie and John moved from Wisconsin to Arizona in 1958 and all their children still live in the Phoenix area. She is survived by her brother Bill (Joan) Wakefield, sister Lois Anderson; children: John L. (Mimi) Johnson, Linette (Robbie) Phillips, Kyle (Sherri) Johnson, Meri (Chris) Wiley and Jennifer (Tracy) Rothstein.  Her beloved grandchildren are Garrett (Leah) Johnson, Andrew (Andrew King) Johnson, Bryan Phillips, Daniel Phillips, Eric Johnson, Sarah (Christopher) Perry, Christopher Azimi, Caitlin (Cody) Jones and Abby Wiley, She had three Great Grandchildren.

Dorie was a talented watercolor artist, member and President of the Tempe Art League when she taught classes and sold many of her beautiful paintings.  She and John created a successful custom framing business in Gilbert, Frames by Dorie, of which she was very proud.  She expressed her artistic talents through drawing, painting, sewing and needlework.  She also participated in a Celtic re-enactment group with her daughters, demonstrating at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.  She enjoyed many adventures to faraway places, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Australia.

For the last few years she resided at the Citadel in Mesa, AZ and cherished the many friends she made there, especially her “breakfast ladies” and Bingo friends.

“Mothers hold their child’s hand for a moment and their heart for a lifetime”

There will be a private family ceremony.  Special thanks to the staff at Banner Baywood Hospital.  In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

Ivar Gene Fowkes of Mesa passed away December 9, 2015 at age 78. A devoted family man, Gene was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born on Christmas Eve in 1936 in Evanston, WY. He grew up working his parents’ sheep ranch with his two brothers in Almy, Wyoming. After graduating from Evanston High School, Gene attended Brigham Young University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned his Master’s Degree in the same field from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1970.

Gene married his college sweetheart Deanna Tolley in the Salt Lake Temple in 1959 and the couple had six boys. He began his career in San Diego, CA in 1959 at Convair Astronautics where he worked on the Atlas missile. In 1965 he moved his family to Connecticut where he worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. In 1976 another move brought the family to Arizona and employment successively with AiResearch, Garrett, and AlliedSignal, retiring in 2000 from Honeywell. During his career in aerospace engineering, Gene developed new engine technologies and holds several patents in his name.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gene served most of his life in various callings including ward clerk, bishopric counselor and stake executive secretary. A quiet and gentle man, he set an example of faithful Christ-like service throughout his life. Gene loved to play basketball and did not throw in the towel until he was 60 years old. He passed this love on to his five living sons, his own personal basketball team. Gene was a sports fan who also enjoyed reading, listening to music and tending the flowers in his back yard.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Signe Fowkes, brother Bill Fowkes (Ft. Worth, TX) son Erik Scott Fowkes, and great-granddaughter Moira Kathleen Knight.

Gene is survived by his wife of 56 years, Deanna Tolley Fowkes; sons Gary (Ann) Fowkes of Gilbert, AZ, David (Leilani) Fowkes of Elk Grove, CA, Roger (Kathy) Fowkes of Mesa, AZ, Brian (Kristy) Fowkes of Gilbert, AZ, and Kevin (Laura) Fowkes of Parker, CO; brother Jay (Ione) Fowkes of Santaquin, UT; 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 7-9 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services will be held on December 18, 2015 at 10 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4640 East Holmes Avenue, Mesa. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9-9:45 AM at the church.

Gene’s wife and family extend their deep gratitude to Silver Creek Inn Memory Care Center and East Valley Hospice for their excellent and loving care during Gene’s long journey with Alzheimer’s.

Royce E. Beydler, 90, of Mesa Arizona passed away December 8, 2015. He was born in Roswell, New Mexico. Royce was a proud member of the US Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, primarily in Winslow and Phoenix. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served diligently in various callings including as a Bishop and Patriarch. Royce’s warm and good natured optimism was a much appreciated guide to all who knew him.

Royce was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 64 years, Joyce, and 1 grandson. He is survived by his children, Royce Jr. (Mary), Lisa (Jim) Bloomer, 5 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Chapel located at 1249 S. 48^th St. Mesa, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ryan Daniel White, 42, passed away December 6, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201. Funeral services will be Friday, December 11, 2015 at 10 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3775 South Greenfield Road, Gilbert, Arizona, 85297. Interment at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona.

JoAnn Weibel passed away on December 3, 2015, after a brief illness.  She was born in West Phalia, Kansas on July 17, 1933. Her parents were Ralph and Louise Brubaker. Her dad worked for the railroad and they moved frequently. They settled in Minnesota where JoAnn attended and graduated from high school. JoAnn worked for several prestigious companies in Minneapolis, and at the age of 23 met and married Stan Weibel. Their first child, David, died at birth. A daughter, Susan was born in 1959 and Becky in 1964. After their divorce, JoAnn moved and lived the rest of her life in Mesa, Arizona.

She loved to travel and spent a few years in Colorado Springs, Colorado. JoAnn loved Hawaii and visited the islands 3 times. She worked the latter part of her years as a caregiver, work which she really enjoyed. She lived for the last 14 years at Centennial Village in Mesa, where she had many friends. JoAnn sold her car years ago, and used the bus, cabs and the “Buzz” to go all around the town. She loved the zoo, shopping, music, walking, and eating out. Her favorite food was anything with chocolate!

JoAnn is survived by her sister Kay Christopherson (Donny) and her daughters Susan Ray (Steve) and Becky Wallace (Russ). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Caleb Wallace (Jessica), Tyler Wallace (Sara), Susan Gwinn (Jamai), Tina Dean (Caleb), Angelica Ray, and Alicia Mason and her great-grandchildren Haylee Dean, Alayna Dean and 2 more on the way!

A very special thanks to all the caring nurses and physicians who cared for JoAnn during her illness and for the kind and thoughtful care she received at Mesa Christian Health and Rehab. She appreciated them all very much.

JoAnn made many dear friends at Centennial Village. She enjoyed and cared very much for them. Thank you for giving her your friendship and care for 14 years.

Though she has left this earthly life, JoAnn is reunited with her parents and loved ones and many friends that awaited her. For this knowledge her family is grateful and this gives us the peace and courage to continue on.

The Hayden family sadly announces the death of their patriarch, Scott M. Hayden (born June 23, 1912), at the age of 103.

A longtime educator in Williams and Scottsdale, he passed away, peacefully, at his home in Tempe, of natural causes, on November 28.

While a student at what is now NAU, in 1939, he met Jewell Carney, at the Grand Canyon, where they both worked for Fred Harvey –she was a “Harvey Girl”, he was a tour bus driver. They married and settled in Williams and ultimately had five children.

On summer breaks from teaching, he was a railroad dispatcher, coinciding with his fascination for trains and thence for model railroads. He also designed and built model airplanes.

During WWII he helped survey and design the Navajo Army Ordinance Depot at Bellemont.

He lived a full, multi-disciplined life; a consummate jazz musician, he was a pianist, trumpeter and banjo player, as well as a vocalist.

With Morse code as a second language, he was an avid ham-radio buff. In recent years, he was known as one of the oldest participants in the Daily Arizona Weather Net and for his almost daily quip, “The bucket is dry”. In ham radio jargon, “the key W7SMH is silent.”

In the 60s, many of his articles, with accompanying photographs, were published in Arizona Highways Magazine.

Preceded in death by a daughter, JoAnn, he is survived by four children: John Hayden (NM), Bruce Hayden (TX), Mary Virginia Hayden (MI), and Cynthia Hayden Day (AZ); four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to memorialize Scott can do so by supporting: Williams High School Alumni Memorial Scholarship and/or the Daily Arizona Weather Net – Wildflower Mt. Repeater.   Please contact misterjohnhayden@live.com for details.

Private services were held by the family at Tempe.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Margaret Lydia Feldkamp, 93, passed away November 25, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. She was a retired registered nurse, a member of the Church of Illumination, and a life member of the National Health Federation.

Services and interment will be at the Beverly Hall Memorial Gardens, Beverly Hall Corporation, Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Arrangements were handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, Mesa, Arizona.

Obdulia Imelda Gibson, 44, passed away November 29, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on February 17, 1971 in Nuevo Casas Grande, Chihuahua to Jose Arturo Lom Anaya and Imelda Lom. She was a graduate of Brigham Young University, a homemaker, and the most wonderful mother.

She is survived by her husband Brent Gibson, her children Lynx Brenton Gibson (age 6) and Reo Gibson (age 3), her sister Monica Salas, and her brother Gustavo Lom.

Funeral services are Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at 3 PM at the LDS Chapel, 3010 E. Thunderbird, Phoenix, AZ 85032. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.