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Francis Marvin Hathcock, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Marvin served in the US Navy as an Instrument Repairman, later to become a Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service. He willingly gave of his time and resources to others. He enjoyed outdoor activities with family and playing golf.

He is survived by his 8 children and their spouses, 40 grandchildren, and a continually growing number of great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Louise Phillips and his son Charles Scott Hathcock.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 10:oo AM, with visitation at 9:00 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2152 E. Adobe Rd., Mesa, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883.

Jesus Sanchez-Vaquera, 59, passed away November 16, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 1 PM, with visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Westwood Ward, 848 N. Westwood, Mesa, Arizona. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Sherry Lynne Blankenship, 58, passed away November 14, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Sherry was born April 30, 1957 in Lexington, Tennessee. Funeral services and interment will take place in Tennessee. For additional information, contact Pafford Funeral Home, Lexington, Tennessee, 731-968-2544.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Winona Fish Green, 90, passed away November 14, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Emerald Acres Ward, 1415 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ.

Randall “Randy” Jay Hamilton, 67, passed away November 16, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11 AM, with visitation at 10 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ, 480-696-6883.

Abraham Gabriel Vicente, 82, passed away November 12, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Abe was born in the Philippines on March 7, 1933 to Canuto and Cornelia Vicente. He served honorably in the United States Navy and was a member of the Gateway Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife Sally Vicente and his six children: Abe Vicente Jr. (wife Karen Vicente) of Gilbert, Arizona; Rosemarie Amey (husband Maurice Amey) of Mesa, Arizona; Josie V. Navarro (husband Martin Navarro) of Oxnard, California; Robert Vicente of Summerville, South Carolina; Junie Vicente of Oxnard, California; and Michael Vicente (wife Susan Vicente) of Camarillo, California. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren, Travis Vicente, Ryan Vicente, Jordan Vicente, Martin Navarro Jr., Justin Navarro, Kevin Navarro, Kayla Vicente, Dominic Vicente, Leilani Vicente, Jared Amey, and Daylan Amey, and his five siblings, Santiago Vicente, Benjamin Vicente, Lolita Ugalde, Rosario Manglicmot, and Rosita Rojas.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 19, 2015 from 6-9 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

On Friday, November 20th at 9 AM, a graveside service will be held prior to the funeral service. The graveside service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ. Those wishing to participate in the funeral procession to the cemetery, please arrive at Bunker’s Garden Chapel by 7:30 AM. Following the interment on Friday, funeral services will be held at 11 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ, 480-696-6883.

Teresa Louise Fox, 71, passed away November 7, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona.

Ignacia Rodriguez, 92, passed away November 9, 2015 in Chandler, Arizona. Visitation will be Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 6-8 PM, with Rosary at 7 PM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Monday, November 16, 2015 at 10 AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 141 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ. Interment at City of Mesa Cemetery.

Trevor Jared Slawson, 23, passed away November 4, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral services are Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Corona 1^st Ward, 1111 East Knox Road, Tempe, AZ 85284. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Dr. J. Allen Leavitt, 91, of Mesa, Arizona was called home to be reunited with his wife Donna and daughters Cheryl Christensen and Amy Smith. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 3, 2015. He is survived by his children Donna Ellsworth (David), Karen Shumway, John Leavitt (Isela), Jay Leavitt (Deborah) and Kathleen Moon (Jim), 37 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

Allen was an All-State basketball player for Mesa High, Eagle Scout, WWII Navy Veteran and a Physician. He was once called the Father of Mesa by the Tribune for helping bring an estimated 13,000 babies into this world. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed serving in many capacities especially with the Scouts.

Funeral services will be Saturday November 14, 2015 at 10 AM at the LDS chapel at 5350 E. McLellan Rd. in Mesa. There will be a viewing from 6-8 PM Friday November 13, 2015 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel at 33 North Centennial Way in downtown Mesa.

Dale Clair Hilton of Mesa died November 8, 2015 in Mesa. Viewings will be held November 11 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 and November 12 from 9:00 to 9:40 AM at the Hillside Ward Meetinghouse, 1430 North Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201. The funeral will be held at 10 AM at the Hillside Ward Meetinghouse.

Dale was born April 8, 1940 to Lyle Hilton and Sally Electa Palmer Hilton in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His childhood and teenage years were spent in Albuquerque where he graduated from Highland High School in 1958. After serving a 2½-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico, Dale earned a Baccalaureate degree in Sociology from BYU, Baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration and Education from ASU, and a master’s degree in Spanish from ASU. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Throughout his life he accepted and fulfilled many callings in the LDS Church, including as a stake high councilor. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Electa Hilton and his sister, Donna Jeanne Hilton Gardner. Siblings Lyle Kent Hilton, Gail Hilton Wood, and Steven Lyle Hilton survive him.

Roselle Therese Horwath, 69, of Maricopa, Arizona passed away November 3, 2015. Funeral services are Monday, November 9, 2015 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Velma Carolyn (“Bonnie”) Sheldon was born August 20, 1927, to Carroll B. and Grace Lucille (Overpack) Shuster and passed away October 30, 2015.  She spent her life in the Henderson, Elsie, and Owosso, Michigan areas and in Mesa, Arizona.  She attended Rush Center Elementary School and graduated from Elsie High School in 1944 and from Mesa Community College in 1976.

On Dec. 7, 1946, Bonnie married Jack LaVerne Sheldon, Sr., and together they celebrated 64 years of marriage. She was devoted to activities for the youth including service as a 4-H Club leader. She served as the Youth Director and Executive Director of the YWCA in Owosso.  With her husband, Bonnie received an award from the State of Michigan for their service to youth.  She taught homemaking skills for the Shiawassee County Extension Service.  She also served on the staff of the Arizona State Library and Archives and on the staff of Arizona State University Library.  Bonnie was known for her sewing, gardening, cooking, canning, rug hooking and other artistic endeavors.  She enjoyed her book, doll, and other collections.  Bonnie was always busy and she never stopped learning and living.  She was known for being kind and caring and funny and for making people feel special. Bonnie was known for dancing with Grampy and playing on the floor with her grandkids.  She was known for speaking up and being adventurous.  She loved traveling with her family and she was never afraid of something new.  She had so many projects yet to do and plans with family and friends for the coming years.  We will all miss her.

Bonnie’s greatest joy was spending time with her extended family.  She is survived by her children, Diana Wilkes of Roosevelt Park, Michigan, Neil (Susan) Sheldon, Sr., Linda Marie Kerlin, Niki Sheldon, David Sheldon, and Jack (Barbara) Sheldon, Jr., all of whom live in the Mesa-Tempe area. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Todd Carroll, L. James Carroll, Jennifer Towner, Wendy Sheldon-Barraza, Neil Sheldon, Jr., Robert Sheldon, Adina Morgan, Christopher Sheldon, Travis Kerlin, Jessica Arreldon, Sterling Sheldon, Donald Sheldon, and Jack Sheldon, III, their spouses, and many great-grandchildren.  She also made a difference in the lives of 23 foster children.  Bonnie was predeceased by her husband, her parents; two sisters, Kathleen Lucas and Alice Doretta Ferguson; two brothers, Marland “Bud” Shuster and Arlin Shuster; and one grandchild. She is survived by one sister, Vera Marie Poullion and two brothers, Melvin (Carol) Shuster and Calvin (Lesley) Shuster.

A service to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be held Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 12th Ward, 2152 East Adobe Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85213.

The family is also planning a memorial service for Bonnie to be held in Michigan during the summer of 2016.

Bobbie Pratt Tanner (90) passed away peacefully on Thursday October 29, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Bobbie was born February 18, 1925 in Colonia Dublan, Mexico to Emerson and Irene Pratt. She moved to Mesa in 1928 and then moved to Phoenix in 1939. Bobbie went to high school at Phoenix North High where she met her forever sweetheart, John H. Tanner. They were married on February 8, 1946 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years together. Bobbie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many stake and ward callings. She served as a dedicated Mission President’s wife over the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1987-1990. She later served as the Matron of the Mesa Arizona Temple from 1991-1994.

Bobbie was genuinely interested in everyone. She loved people and had a profound effect on all those she met. Her positive optimism was remarkable and contagious. Bobbie had many talents. She was very creative and was an expert seamstress and had a flare for interior design. Bobbie loved beautiful music and enjoyed the peacefulness she felt at her homes on the beach.

Her greatest passion was being a mother. Her children honor her for the tender care she gave to each of them throughout their lives. Words cannot express how greatly she will be missed.

She is survived by her sisters Marjorie Peterson, Glenna (Bud) Woodward, Maureen (Max) Colgrove, and brother Wayne (Louise) Pratt, her children Linda (Steve) Allen, Norm (Judy) Tanner, Shari (Ralph) Larsen, Marilyn Smith, and Ron (Leslie) Tanner. John and Bobbie have 26 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren.

Bobbie and her family appreciate the love and great care she received from her physical therapist, Brian Trotter, and the caregivers at Emerald Groves, her assisted living facility.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1005 N. Voyager, Gilbert, AZ.

Warren Merkley, age 91, passed away peacefully with family by his side in his Mesa, Arizona home on October 28, 2015. He was born in Vernal, Utah on April 21, 1924 to George Albert and Georgiana Blackburn Merkley. Warren and his beloved wife of 66 years, Cleone Woolley Merkley, were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were blessed with four wonderful children: Marty Merkley of Alexandria, Virginia; Triss Stephens (Daniel) of Grants Pass, Oregon; Julie Peterson (Steven), and Janet Lewis (Jerry) both of Mesa, Arizona; 17 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to these, he is survived by his sister, Marie Voyles of Vernal, Utah.

Warren was known to all by his infectious smile, calm demeanor, and ever-ready desire to serve. He served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II and was a courageous and fortunate survivor of two kamikaze attacks on the USS Ticonderoga. It was in the dark and bitter aftermath of these attacks that Warren’s character shined the brightest. A call went out to man the disabled ship’s 40 MM guns to protect it from further attack. Many of the crew were killed, injured, or otherwise suffering from the trauma of the attack and were unable to perform this duty. Although he had training on the 40 MM guns, his duties as a Flag Marine attached to the carrier’s captain had positioned him in different responsibilities prior to that night. Nevertheless, realizing the vulnerability of the carrier and its crew he accepted this call to duty and stayed up 12 hours through the night protecting the ship.

As the owner of a Goodyear tire store in La Crescenta, California and a 7-11 convenience store in Lake Oswego, Oregon he was loved and trusted by his customers. They always knew that they would be greeted warmly by this humble soul. Warren and Cleone accepted a call to serve in the Virginia Richmond Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1994. They were also called to serve in the Vernal Utah Temple where they labored for 8 years. Warren loved everything about the outdoors from birdwatching to camping, fishing, and hunting and enjoyed sharing his love for nature with his children and grandchildren.

Warren will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by his family who take comfort in the knowledge that families are forever and that they will all be together again someday.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the Stewart Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 611 North Stewart, Mesa, Arizona 85201, with a preceding visitation from 9:00 – 9:30 AM at the church.

A second funeral service will be held in Vernal, Utah at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 6, 2015 at the Ashley Valley Mortuary, 410 North 800 West.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883.

John Voelker Riggs, born September 12, 1935 in Phoenix, AZ, passed away in Mesa, AZ on October 26, 2015.

John graduated ASU and then University of Arizona Law School in 1962. He practiced law for over 40 years. He was a faithful, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served a mission in Central America, and spoke fluent Spanish. As the oldest child, he lived by a code of fairness to his family, friends, and clients. John was always willing to help and serve others and loved to take pies to those he cared about.

He is preceded in death by his parents John Dell Riggs and Juanita Voelker Riggs, and his sister Donna Riggs Kenney. He is survived by two brothers Michael (Diana) and Timothy (Ann), along with 8 nieces and nephews and their 32 children.

Visitation will be Monday, November 2, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Edgewood Ward Chapel, 4640 E. Holmes Rd., Mesa, AZ. Flowers can be arranged at Watson Floral.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.