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Renae Owens Theabold, 77 of Mesa, passed away in the quiet early hours of Monday, September 21st. Renae was born on June 12, 1938 in Show Low AZ and LOVED being a Show Low girl! She was the 12th child of Almon David and Alta Ellsworth Owens. Currently survived by 3 of 11 siblings-Moylen Owens of Show Low, AZ. Duane Owens of Ojai, CA. and LaPriel Gillespie of Taylor AZ. She attended grade school in Show Low and graduated from Snowflake High School in 1955. Renae wore the title of youngest with great honor and felt a bond not only with her siblings but with her nieces and nephews-many of whom were close in age to her!

In November of 1956, Renae married her favorite guy Harry Theabold in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple. The two ventured out on their own, settling in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and finally Mesa, AZ, where they have been living for the past 40 years. Married just short of 59 years, Renae is survived by her husband (and still her favorite guy) Harry Theabold. The two of them raised 6 children-Each one said to be Renae’s favorite! Monica Kivett (now deceased)Stan Kivett,  Shaunna Krieg (Doug) of Mesa, Kim Carroll of Mesa, Rhonda Johnson (Jeff) of San Tan Valley, Justin Theabold (Melanie) of San Tan Valley and Brandon Theabold (Jennifer) of San Tan Valley. From those 6 children they have 34 grandchildren, 11 step grandchildren. and 36 great grandchildren! Each grandchild knew for certain they were their “Grannie’s” favorite. If you were with Renae-you were the only one in the room. She had a way of bringing laughter and joy and silliness into any situation. She was quick witted and loved by all. She worked 25 years as a food server at Marie Callender’s. Just recently, until becoming ill, Renae has worked at Costco being the cutest food sample lady with a following of customers seeking out her trademark yell of “Oh Yum”!

Renae delighted in her family and was the epitome and definition of a devoted wife, loving mother, nurturing grandparent, and loyal friend. Renae was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many different callings over the years from Primary President to Relief Society Counselor. Most recently Renae was the Greeter on Sundays and a Visiting Teacher.

A viewing for Renae will be 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 25th, Bunker’s Mortuary, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85213.  Funeral services will be Saturday, September 26th at 10:00 with a family viewing at 9:00 a.m. at the Los Altos Ward LDS Chapel, 2300 W. Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85202. Internment will follow at the Mesa City Cemetery.

Sybille (Billie) Koberstein, born March 21, 1947 in Germany, passed peacefully away in Phoenix, Arizona on September 20, 2015 among family and friends.

Billie was preceded in death by her loving husband, J.R. (Bud) Koberstein, and her mother and father, Elfreda and Heinz Hill. Billie is survived by her sons, Dale, Ed and Greg (Nancy) and her grandchildren, Elijah, Lauren, Luke, Jaida, Easton, Sienna.

Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Chapel,1881 E. Del Rio Drive, Tempe, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Juliamae “Judy” Bishop, 94, of Gilbert, AZ passed away peacefully on September 18, 2015 in Gilbert.  Judy was born April 23, 1921 in Adrian, MI to Harold and Rena Schneider.  She served as a nurse in the United States Navy Nurse Corp during World War II.

Judy married Isaac “Zeke” Bishop on October 18, 1947.  They lived in Brighton, South Lyon and Hastings, MI before retiring, and in Wyoming, MI and Mesa, AZ after.  Judy was preceded in death by Zeke in 1994, and she lived in Haslett, MI, Mesa, AZ and Gilbert, AZ after his passing.  She worked as a Registered Nurse for many years, with her most recent position being at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, MI.

Judy is survived by her five children Deborah (Stuart) Strait of Gilbert, AZ, Gregory (Suzanne) Bishop of Richland, MI, Rebecca (Eiko) Hekman of Kentwood, MI, Jeffrey (Katherine) Bishop of Roswell, NM and Bradley (Kathleen) Bishop of Chandler, AZ; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister Beverly Musolf of Haslett, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 12:45 p.m. on October 3, 2015 at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, MI, with her son, Pastor Gregory Bishop, officiating.  Arrangements were made by Bunker Family Funeral Home in Mesa, AZ and Riley Funeral Home in Lansing, MI.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice at Home of Arizona, 7254 E. Southern Ave., Suite 111, Mesa, AZ   85209.

Arthur Dale Seiter, 81 passed away peacefully on September 16, 2015 in Mesa, AZ. He was born to Hellmut and Leona Shill Seiter on Christmas Day, December 25, 1933 in Provo Utah.

Arthur graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City Utah, where he participated in the R.O.T.C. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

He married Diana Crane on December 23, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on August 21, 1956. The first four years of their marriage was spent at Mtn. Home Air Force Base, in Idaho. There they had two sons, Dwayne Lee and Kenneth Bryan. Upon finalizing his obligation to the Air Force and earning the Rank of Staff Sargent, they returned to Salt Lake City where Art joined his father’s floor covering business, and the family settled in Murray, Utah. Two more sons were added to the family, Robert Arthur and David Eugene.

In 1968 he left his Father’s business and with his sons started his own floor covering company, “Interwest Floors” specializing in commercial floors, the business grew to service all of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. They worked hard, played hard and enjoyed many family vacations together, and enjoyed the time they spent with each other.

In 1978 they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona for Diana’s health. In Arizona Arthur and Diana started a family business in floor coverings, “Sun Country Floors”. After a short time they moved to Mesa, AZ where Arthur still resided when he passed away. Their four sons married and the family grew with grandkids and great grandkids. Arthur and Diana had many special moments together in their 60 years of marriage. They had opportunities to travel, such as their trip to England where they worked on genealogy and met many family members that they corresponded with for many years after. Arthur was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as well as many charities and other organizations, including the Sons of the Utah Pioneers.

Arthur was preceded in death by Diana his sweetheart of more than 60 years in 2012, his parents, and a great grandson Chase Bryan Hunt in 2011, He is survived by his brother Terry, sisters Joy, Prilla and Dixie, sister-in-law Cheryl, his four sons and daughters in law, Dwayne Lee and Patti Edwards, Kenneth Bryan and Calie Mae Skinner, Robert Arthur and Jenifer Allen, David Eugene and Tracy Dalrymple. Grandchildren, Shawni, Mindy, Wesley, Travis, Brooke, Joshua, Nicole, Heather, Megan, Kyle, Angela, Jed, Jake, Austin and Hayley. Arthur is also survived by 38 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday September 25, 2015 from 10am to 12 noon at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201. A graveside service will follow the visitation at 12:30pm at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa AZ, 85201

Gerald (Tom) Clark, 80, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2015 in Mesa, Az. He was born April 20,1935 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Hiram and Catherine Clark. While growing up there, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and attended Logan High School. He married Shirley (Skip) Lawrence in 1956 in La Crosse. They moved to the Kenosha area in 1959 where they  raised their family. He worked for the American Brass Company in Kenosha for a number of years. He retired  from Hollister Corp. in Libertyville, IL. in 1999, followed by numerous road trips and vacations. They moved to Queen Creek, AZ in  the summer of 2013.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Scott (Lynda) of Milton, WI; Julie (David) Hackamack of Gilbert, AZ; Bruce (Kenya) of Reno, NV; and Thomas (Cindi) of Kenosha, WI; Eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He is further survived by two sisters, Virginia Anthony of Onalaska, WI, Patricia Huiss of La Crosse, WI. and one sister-in-law, Ruth Clark of La Crosse, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Jim; Bill; Bob; Chuck, and an infant sister, Beverly. Further Preceded by sisters-in-law Doris Clark, Audrey Clark and Helen Clark; brothers-in-law Romey Anthony and Jerry Huiss.

He was known for his sense of humor, high energy, work ethic, altruism, and love of family. His proudest accomplishment was organizing the first Clark family reunion, an event that has endured through six generations.

A celebration of his life will be held in La Crosse on Saturday, Oct. 17th, 2015. Details to be announce at a later date.

Carol M. Shaw, 76 passed away peacefully on September 15, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona.  Carol, an Arizona Pioneer Descendent, led a very happy and active life filled with family, friends and church.  A lifetime of activities included working with and developing educational programs for Christian youth, Genealogy and most importantly spending time with her family. Carol had volunteered as the Secretary of the White Mountain Horseman’s Association.  She is survived by her husband Hugh Shaw, her sons Brian (Suzanne) and Dan (Kimberly), 8 Grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  Memorial services will be held on Wednesday Sept 23, 2015 at 10:30 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:00 AM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 University Dr. Mesa, Arizona followed by a Graveside Service at National Military Cemetery at 23029 North Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, Arizona at 1:00 pm.  For more information go to www.bunkercares.com

Helen (Sutton) O’Donnal

Helen O’Donnal, 84, of Chandler, Arizona passed away peacefully on September 12, 2015. Helen was born February 26, 1931 to Henry and Cordelia Sutton in Haleyville, Alabama. Helen lived in Mesa/Chandler for the majority of her life. She married Marvin O’Donnal on February 14, 1948, and they had four children together. Helen loved playing with and serving her family, her four legged friends, and golfing. She was able to care for, teach, play with, and love her children and grand children. She could not be found polishing her cupboards, but outside playing golf, kickball, sword fighting, crafting, or a game of jacks with her family. She loved special occasions and would often cook delicious homemade meals for her large extended family. She had a sweet tender giving heart. To her dying breath, she was thinking of others. Helen was loved by all who met her. She will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Cordelia Sutton; sisters Ozella, Mary, and Rose; brother Harold; first husband, Marvin O’Donnal;   sons Vic and Steve, (Debbie). She is survived by sisters Odell Wiederhold and Frankie Shoemaker (John); brother Charlie Sutton (Carol); two daughters Sally Jeannine O’Donnal and Sherri Petrie (Don); ten grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 from 6:00-8:00pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, located at 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:00am with viewing beginning at 9:00am at the LDS Chapel located at 1451 W. Guadalupe Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233 (SE corner of Guadalupe and McQueen Rd).

Gustave Ernest Bliss, 84, died September 13, 2015 with his family at his side.  Gus was born in San Diego, CA in 1931 to Charles and Florence Bliss.  He was a veteran of twenty years in the US Army, 1948 – 1968.  Gus served in two combat theaters during his service.  He was a radioman in the Korean conflict and in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.  His most notable awards were the Air Medal, 19 times, the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

His last station of duty was the Panama Canal where he became an avid amateur archeologist, wresting from the jungles of Panama, a collection of rare bottles and artifacts.  In 2008, he self-published a book on the subject, Bottlers Utopia.

After his service he continued to fly.  Flying fire contracts was his venue for many years.  At 65 he retired from commercial flying.  Reading history, fishing and prospecting were just a few of his other interests.  He always had a project.  As a member of the LDS Church, Gus was extremely active in the church.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gracie, whom he married when he was 21 and she was 15; sons: Ernest (Jane) of Alaska, Daniel of Wyoming, Wayne (Karen) of Apache Junction, Cathy of Utah, Mark (Amy) of Utah; sister: Charley Ann Stoffel of California, half-brother: Lonny Haptonstall of Arkansas; half-sister: Gladys Kellog of California, 11 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his brothers: Lee, Dale and step-brother Junior Haptonstall.

Services will be held 10 AM, Thursday, September 17, 2015 with a visitation 1 hour prior at the LDS Church, 2520 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction.  Burial will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix.

Roger Allen Cochran, 72, of Mesa, Arizona passed away September 4, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona.  Funeral Services are Monday, September 14, 2015 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:30 AM at the LDS Church, 5620 E. Adobe Rd., Mesa, AZ.

Rudger Puckett “Rudge” Hiatt, 90, died September 10, 2015. He was born June 9, 1925, in Mt. Airy, North Carolina to David Lafayette and Ethel Mene Puckett Hiatt. He was the third of 11 children and he learned to work hard and serve others while in his youth.

He met his beloved wife while attending BYU and they spent many years working to gain his education. He earned his medical degree from Duke University, and began his medical practice in Mesa in 1953. He returned to school to specialize in surgery, and opened his general surgery practice in 1957. He was in private practice in Mesa until 1991. He and his wife then moved to Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, where he accepted a position as surgeon with the Navapache Hospital. He practiced in the White Mountains for ten years, until he retired in 2001.

Rudge believed that service to others was service to God, so he dedicated his life to service and served on the Maricopa Medical Foundation Board of Directors, the Maricopa County Medical Society Board of Directors, the Arizona State Medical Society, and the State Safety Commission. He was one of the founders of Mesa Lutheran Hospital, and helped found Desert Samaritan Hospital. At Mesa Lutheran, Desert Samaritan and Chandler Hospitals, he was chief of surgery for a total of over twenty-five years. He served on the Mesa Fine Arts Commission. He was a member and president of the Mesa Rotary Club and held a record of perfect attendance for twenty-six years. Rudge served the Boy Scouts of America at the District and Council level for many years. He was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts for his outstanding service to the youth of America. Mesa’s Sertoma Club awarded him its “Service to Mankind” award. Rudge was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many capacities throughout his life, including as Bishop of the Mesa 20^th Ward. A caring and compassionate man, Rudge will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death, one month earlier, by his wife of 71 years, Ruth Brinton Hiatt. He is survived by his seven children: Susan (Tom) Biggs, Phil (Roma Lee) Hiatt, Jan (Kent) Brooksby, Lisa (Deon) Caddy, Karl (Diana) Hiatt, Karen (Mike) Cutchen, Nancy (Dale) Sabin, 38 grandchildren and 119 great-grandchildren.

Services to be held Saturday, September 19 at 10 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 848 N. Westwood in Mesa, with a viewing at the church Friday evening from 6-8 pm. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Felipa V. Escobedo, 85, passed away on September 6, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Avenue, Mesa, AZ. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Susie Ishikawa Sato, born August 5, 1917, passed away peacefully at home on September 7, 2015. A native Mesan, “Peaches” graduated Mesa High in 1934. She was involved with Cactus Pine Girls Scouts, Mahnah Club, and the John Rhodes Rehabilitation Institute. She was also a longtime proponent of Mesa and Arizona history with the Arizona Historical Foundation, Mesa Historical Society, Mesa History Museum, and Mesa Public Library History Room. She was Mesa’s first Pride In Mesa recipient in 1998 for her lifelong efforts to preserve the history and legacy of Mesa.

Susie was married fifty years to her husband, Carl, prior to his passing in 1991. She is preceded in death by parents Kurataro Ishikawa and Hatsuno Taniguchi, brother Zedo Ishikawa, and sisters Jean Hirohata, Sally Ishikawa, and Mary Tanita. Susie is survived by her children Suzanne Nakashima (Will), Barbara Brennan (Barry), and CK Sato (Holly), eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two sisters—Sumiye Nishida and Helen Hirohata, sister-in-law Janet Ikeda and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 26,2015 at 11 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. No flowers please. Donations will be forwarded to organizations of Susie’s interest.

Mary Elizabeth Otero, 96, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 4, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. She was born November 11, 1918 in White Oaks, New Mexico to Manuel Guevara and Petra Gonzales.

Mary was loved dearly by all her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Frances Klinge, Dorothy Jones-Montgomery, Teresa Durm, Anna Weisheimer, Lorraine Hudnall, Maria Meuret, Connie Prewitt, John Otero, Paul Otero, Sally Garrett and Benny Otero. Her legacy will continue with her 134 grandchildren including her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her children: Catherine Otero, Freddy Otero, Robert Jones and Mary Mendoza, and also by her husband Hugh Allen Jones in 1944, and her husband Mariano Montoya Otero in 1970, and her eight siblings in New Mexico. Mary was a devoted wife and mother and was loved by all. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1955.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 14, 2015 from 6-8 PM, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa, AZ 85213. Funeral services are Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 618 S. Signal Butte Rd. in Mesa, AZ 85207. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:45 AM, followed by the funeral service at 10 AM. Final resting place will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ross Nash Farnsworth Jr. passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on Sept 5^th, 2015 at the age of 59. Ross was born on February 14, 1956 in Mesa, Arizona to Ross Nash and Anita Cox Farnsworth. Ross was the second of 12 children, all of whom he preceded in death: Beth Coons (Chad), Julie Ashby, Joe Farnsworth (Sharanette), Amy Ahlstrom (Craig), Janet Turk (Terry), Bonnie Shill (Mark), Ruth Collins (Dave), Carol Tingey (Mike), Sherri Gurr (Kevan), Tom Farnsworth (Melissa), Jill Geigle (Jeremy).

Ross attended Westwood High School and had fond memories of his hometown Mesa. He loved the community and people dearly. After high school, he graduated with a degree in business from Brigham Young University. One of the known highlights of Ross’s life was his LDS mission service in Bogota, Colombia. During this time, he gained a love for the Colombian people and for all Latin Americans. His friends and family have known him for having a “Latino heart” as he has been continuously engaged in service to Latino people through his charity, One Life At a Time (olaat.org).

In 1979, he married Lori Barnes and they were blessed to have 6 children: Ross Nash Farnsworth III (Ashley), Brooke Martin (Brett), Heidi Ainge (Tanner), Haylie Nolen (Spencer), Ashton Farnsworth (Jill), Aubrey Farnsworth.

Ross was an entrepreneur and enjoyed working with many different people on many different projects spanning real estate, technology, education, and media. He was generous to a fault, and committed himself fully to helping individuals face challenges or afflictions of life- both financial and personal.

Ross’s greatest joy came from his 6 children and 13 grandchildren. He had a personal and special relationship with each of them and, as with everyone he met, he impacted them deeply and inspired them to always be their best, be kind to others, and to always seek to build the kingdom of God. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12^th at 10 AM at the LDS Red Mountain Institute Building, 7126 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ. There will be a viewing Friday September 11^th from 5:30 – 7 PM, at the Mountain View Stake Center, 1550 N. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to One Life At a Time (olaat.org).

Mary Viola Riggs, 91, of Mesa, Arizona, beloved wife of the late V. Keith Riggs was born on December 20, 1923 in Globe, Arizona. On the morning of Sunday, August 30, 2015, Mary passed away peacefully of natural causes in Mesa, Arizona.

She was the daughter of Otto and Hattie Malone of Globe, Arizona. Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Judy Palmer (Jim) and siblings Jessie, Alice, James, Edna Rae, and Thomas. Mary is survived by her children Russell Riggs (Sundy), Gerald Riggs (Cynthia), Alma Goodman (Gary), Vicki Sherwood (Sam), and her sister Ruth. She has 20 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Mary attended school in Globe, Arizona and graduated from Globe High School in 1941. Mary married Keith on June 22, 1941, and they were later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. She served in many positions within her church, where she was loved by all. Mary and her husband Keith served a full time mission for the LDS church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her greatest joy in life was being with and serving her family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3^rd from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be Friday, September 4^th at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Groves Ward, 1550 N. Val Vista Dr., Mesa. Burial will take place at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of the Valley, or The Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Harold Archer, 83, of Mesa, Arizona passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2015. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to James Ernest and Bessie Verla Stewart. Harold owned and operated Dependable Print and Mailing Company for 20 years until retiring at age 70. Harold enjoyed ultralight flying, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, square dancing and spending time with family. Harold is the beloved father of David, Barbara, Michael, Sueann, Carla, Johnny and Helen, grandfather of 25, great-grandfather of 36.

Visitation will be Friday, September 4, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 10 AM, with visitation at 9 AM, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1455 N. Harris Drive, Mesa, Arizona. Interment at the City of Mesa Cemetery.