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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.

John Kelly Clark, 67, of Mesa, AZ, peacefully passed on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at his home with his family by his side. He was born October 2, 1948 to George Orville (Dunk) and Phyllis Clark of Oakley, ID.

After completing a year of college at BYU, Kelly proudly served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He also served as a First Sergeant in the 385^th Aviation Regiment of the Arizona Army National Guard, for a total of 27 years of service. Upon discharge from active duty, Kelly settled in Phoenix, where he completed a BS in Geography at ASU. He created Advantage Pest Control with partner Ken Renshaw and has served the greater Phoenix area for 35 years.

He married Claudia White in 1977. Kelly was passionate about spending time with his family, delivering quality service to his customers and fishing. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served diligently in various callings, including the scouting program and as a financial clerk. Kelly is survived by his loving wife, Claudia; his son Skyler and his daughter Cassandra; sisters, Larraine Davis, Christine Cahill and Julie Surry, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Clark. Kelly will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5^th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Visitation is Friday, Oct. 30^th from 6-8 PM at the LDS Kimball Stake Center, 1266 S. 32^nd St, Mesa, AZ 85204. Funeral services are Saturday, Oct. 31^st at 2 PM, with visitation at 1 PM, at the same location. Burial will be at the Oakley ID Cemetery. A special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Mayo Clinic. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Memorial services for Faye Nell Leedy will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 30th, 2015 at Bunker’s University Chapel at 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona, 85213. Faye Nell passed away on Sunday, October 25th of natural causes. She was 84 years old.

Faye Nell Leedy was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on August 6, 1931 the daughter of R.J. and Mary Ring.  She was married to Orvel Thomas Leedy on April 6, 1951, who preceded her in death. They were married for 57 years.

She is survived by her brother Dr. Robert J. Ring and his wife Dorothy, sons Tim Leedy and his wife Bonnie, and son Sean Leedy.  She is also survived by five grandchildren and spouses, Tamara and husband Edward, Andrea and husband Brent, James and wife Heather, David and wife Sandra, and Cecily. Faye is also survived by her much loved nine great grandchildren, Chase, Dustin, Ethan, Kaiya, Porter, Atticus, Emerson, Elijah, and Oliver.

Faye and O.T. lived all over the U.S., including Texas, Delaware, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Hawaii, but spent the last 40 years of their marriage in Sierra Vista, AZ. The last six years of her life, Faye lived in Mesa, Arizona to be near her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Flowers may be sent to Bunker’s University Chapel or a donation to the NRA Foundation in Faye Nell’s name would also be appreciated.

Marvin Eugene Fox, 83, passed away October 16, 2015 in Gilbert, Arizona. A memorial service honoring his life will be held on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona.

Allen Lee Afman, 74, passed away October 18, 2015. He was born in Denver, Colorado on August 22, 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gordon. He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey (Lisa) and their children Kelsey and Ryan, Christopher, and Todd (Margaret) and their son Tyler; his sister Lori Schoneveld; his sister-in-law Sherri Dieterich; and his many friends at Simpleton’s.

On October 17^th 2015 Virginia Mae Welch, 78, of Mesa, left the loving arms of her extensive family to re-unite with her sweetheart of 60 years, Marvin and her loving savior Jesus Christ. Her greatest treasure was her family, and she spent every day nurturing them in so many ways.

Virginia lived with a cheerful disposition and befriended everyone she came in contact with. She genuinely cared about others.

Virginia is survived by her children: Joan Finch (Steven), Marvin Welch Jr. (Simone), Cindy Mills (Dan) and Carolyn Straw (Mitch). Also surviving are 11 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; her parents; 5 siblings; and 2 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University in Mesa. Graveside services will be at 10am Thursday, Oct. 22, at Mesa City Cemetery 1212 N. Center St. in Mesa.

Chester Reed Jones, age 73, died on October 19, 2015 in Gilbert, Arizona.  He was born on January 6, 1942, in Virden, NM, as the youngest of five children. Chet lived in various western states, settling in Virden, NM and Duncan, AZ for 28 years and then in Queen Creek, AZ for 10 years.  He married Patricia A Seymour in the Oakland LDS temple on March 5, 1966.  His life was filled with service.  He served as a Bishop in the Virden Ward and Stake President in the Duncan, AZ stake, and was on various Boards in the community.  He retired from the Duncan Valley Electric Company in 1999.

Chet loved his family and found great joy in the lives of his children and grandchildren.  He was firm in his testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel.  His patience, kindness, dignity and grace over the 16+ years of trials resulting from the stroke will serve as a premier example of enduring eloquently to the end.

Chet is preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia, and survived by his daughter Gerlene Rhyne (Bob); daughter Shauna Jacobson (Jeff); daughter Michelle Pace; his grandchildren Jared Jacobson, Shalane Van Skoyk (Alex), Katie Jacobson, Tanner Jacobson, Amy Jacobson, Reed Pace, Kelly Pace, Hunter Pace, Nathan Pace, Ella Pace, and Tyler Pace; and his great grandchildren Kinlee and Scotlyn Van Scoyk. He is also survived by his brothers Marvin Jones and Delwin Jones and his sister, Lillian Richins, as well as many other family members.

The Viewing will be held at 9 AM and Services at 11 AM on October 24, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 19413 S Sossaman, Queen Creek, AZ. Burial services will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are handled by Bunker’s University Chapel.   For more information go to www.bunkercares.com.

Reta R. Lindsay passed peacefully to the next life Saturday October 17, 2015 at her home in Gilbert AZ, surrounded by her family.

Reta was born to Robert and Belva Robinson February 16, 1937, in Galt, Illinois. Galt is about 125 miles south west of Chicago.  She was the first of a family of four sons and two daughters.

Upon completion of high school two ladies from her small town assisted her to attend the Swedish American Hospital school, in Rockford IL. Upon completion of three solid years of school, working and State Nursing exams Reta became a Registered Nurse. She remained at Swedish American for a year or two before going to Cincinnati General Hospital where she worked as an Operating Room nurse.

Reta later moved to San Francisco, again working in the OR.  One of Reta’s patients spoke of her son who at the time was serving as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The woman also expressed that both Reta and her roommate would find more marriageable men in the Palo Alto, CA area (Stanford University).

Reta and her roommate moved to Palo Alto and worked at the Mt. View CA, El Camino Hospital a recently opened facility.

During this time Reta attended the Stanford Singles Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she met and married her husband of just over fifty years, John F. Lindsay. They were sealed in the Oakland Temple of the Church August 6, 1965.

Reta continued working while John finished his studies at Brigham Young University, graduating in 1968 with a BA dergree.

Their first of five children Serena was born August 12, 1966 while John was still in school.  Due to some complications Serena was born via Cesarian section. While her husband was in school Reta served the Church as President of the Relief Society, the women’s program in their ward. Upon completion of his degree the family of three moved to Redmond, WA where John worked in the family home building business.

After about a year their second child Todd R. was born March 10, 1969, also Cesarian section At this same time, in order to preserve cash to fund the development of their 747 aircraft, Boeing, a major area employer,  cut programs and laid off roughly 40,000 employees. The home building business suffered dramatically.

Reta’s husband then became employed in law enforcement with the US Department of Justice as a Special Agent in what is now Drug Enforcement Agency. He worked out of the Seattle office and due to Cantonese language skills applied for the overseas division.  Reta gave birth to their second son, Jared R. November 20, 1970 – also “C-section”.

The government sent them first to the Foreign Service Institute in Roslin, VA for a six month study of the Japanese language. The family of five were then assigned to the United States Embassy in Tokyo Japan. Reta continued her work with the women of the Church and also studied oil painting, a skill which she took to readily.

After just under two years in Tokyo, with her husband spending in excess of 70% of his working hours out of the country it was determined that non-traveling employment was better for the family, They moved to Sunnyvale, CA. Reta bore her fourth child, second daughter Jennifer March 15, 1974. Her fourth “C-section”.

The family then moved to Maple Valley, WA. living on a five acre mini-farm.  Again Reta was called by Church authorities to be the President of the Relief Society, where she served the needs of Church sisters, also serving as Relief Society President in a group of South East Asian refugees.

Following several years in Maple Valley, and the birth of her fifth child October 17, 1980 Bethany, also “C Section”,   John went back into the family home building in the San Francisco, CA Bay area.

The family moved to Walnut Creek CA, where the family business focus changed from home building to Real Estate investments. The family then moved to Austin, TX for almost a year prior to moving to Arizona.

Reta continued her work again as President of the women’s group. After the turn of the century Reta and family moved from Mesa, AZ to Gilbert, AZ.  In 2009 Reta and her husband John were called to go to Hong Kong to work in the Hong Kong Temple of the Church.  They returned in mid 2010. In about 2012 Reta was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia; which includes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  In November of 2014 Reta was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.

Refusing chemotherapy Reta insisted in just keeping the pain under control still able to communicate.

Reta is survived by her sister Dorothy, brothers David, Robert, Larry. Her parents and one brother Keith preceded her in death. She is also survived by her husband of fifty years, John; her children: Serena, Todd, Jared, Jennifer and her husband Shawn Hanson. Their children Colton, Tristan Ann, and Broderick; Bethany and her husband Doug Lucas.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests: Smile Train; Wounded Warriors; the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; or their own favorite.

Kathleen Ruth Peters, 74, passed away October 15, 2015. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Hawes Ward, 2265 S. Hawes, Mesa, AZ. Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona.

Janice passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends, on October 14, 2015. She was eighty-one years old.

Janice was the first child of Dallas Johnston and Clutha Layton Harvey. She attended Mesa schools and was May Queen of Irving School in the eighth grade. She attended high school in Farmington, New Mexico and graduated from Durango High School in Colorado. She was popular and well-liked by her peers.

Janice was married to Stan Austin and together they had five children. As a stay at home mom she immersed herself in her children’s activities and she epitomized her role as “super-mom.”

She had many interests and hobbies. She loved music, was an excellent seamstress, and was an avid sports fan. She had a keen knowledge of sports trivia, which she shared with her husband Newell. Anyone who knew Janice soon found out that her greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Janice is preceded in death by her parents and two children, Diana Kay Austin and John William Austin. She is survived by her husband Newell S. Webb; siblings Carroll (Kelda) Johnston of Las Vegas, NV; Betty J. Lamoreaux of Mesa, AZ, Glenn D. (Maxine) Johnston of Bayfield, CO. She is also survived by her children Robert (Connie) Austin of Rockwall, TX, Mark (Lori) Austin of Grand Junction, CO, Connie (Hal) Schoo of Gilbert, AZ; stepchildren Mike (Chelli) Webb of Tucson, AZ, Susan (Steve) Allvin of Tucson, AZ; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, October 17 at the Stonebridge LDS Chapel, 7752 E. McDowell Rd. Mesa, AZ 85207 at 10:00am. Viewing will be held one hour prior to service. Interment will be at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley-Lund Home.