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Norma Johnson McBrayer, born February 18, 1922, was called home Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the age of 92. Norma was born in Chandler, Arizona and passed away peacefully in Mesa, Arizona. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace France Johnson and Susan Cornelia Scott Johnson, her husband, James Leroy McBrayer, and all 11 of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her three children Joan (John) Collins, David (Pat) McBrayer, and Carl (Pattie) McBrayer, her 13 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Norma was known for being a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Norma grew up in the Mesa and Lehi areas. She graduated from Mesa High School in 1941. During World War II she worked at a defense factory in Goodyear, Arizona building airplanes for the war. In 1945, she was working as a waitress at the Waldrof Café where she met her husband. They courted for 3 months and were married on January 23^rd 1946 in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

After the devastating loss of her eternal companion in 1973, she reentered the work force full time. She had several jobs and eventually retired in 1986 from Havasu Regional Hospital. Throughout her life, she lived in Arizona, California, and Georgia.

Norma had many talents that blessed her family. She was an excellent seamstress and spent countless hours sewing for her family. In addition, she was always working on handiwork projects such as embroidery or crochet. She learned how to decorate cakes and enjoyed sharing that talent with her family.

Most of all, Norma has left a legacy of faith, determination, and persistence for her family to follow. We have been truly blessed to have been acquainted with our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at the Citadel Care Center for their loving care over our mother for the past several years. Thank you for the love, care, and compassion you showed her.

Her funeral services were held Friday, January 30^th at 4 PM. Funeral arrangements were made by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ralph Ivan Chaffee, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 26, in Mesa, AZ.  He was born March 17, 1926 in Sunrise, Platte County, Wyoming, the third child of Ralph Crawford Chaffee and Clara Hester (Allen) Chaffee.  He was preceded in death by his wife Ruby Ardis (Payton), his sister Helen and brother Dale.  He is survived by sons David Lee (Ann) of Mesa and Bryan Dee (Jan) of Oldsmar, Florida, five grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Ralph was tall (6’2”) and strong, and used his strength to serve all around him.  He could fix and build anything.  He built his family’s first home in Riverton, Wyoming.  He served honorably in the Army Air Corp in WWII on Ascension Island in the Atlantic.  His passion in life, besides his family, was flying.  He learned to fly as a teenager and after the war was employed as a commercial general aviation pilot.  He was an air ambulance pilot, flew for the fish and game department, and for the Forest Service over forest fires.  He always had an airplane story to tell.  He owned a gas station in Riverton, Wyoming and after moving to Kingman, AZ in 1965, he worked for Duval Mines as a heavy equipment operator.  He drove 18 wheelers throughout the US.  In 1977 he and his wife joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He served in many capacities including three bishoprics and as branch president of the Peach Springs Branch. He and his wife Ruby filled a full-time mission in the Arcadia, California Mission and served for many years as ordinance workers in the St. George and Las Vegas Temples.  In 2002 Ralph and Ruby moved from Kingman to Mesa to live with Dave and Ann and receive help with Ruby’s failing health.  In Mesa, Ralph held callings in the ward and served friends and ward members by driving them to appointments and shopping.  He always had several people he was helping.  His granddaughter remembers him as “a gentle Giant”, and a grandson called him “the strongest man I ever knew.”

Funeral services for Ralph will be held at the LDS chapel on 2835 E. Des Moines in Mesa, on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at 11 A.M.  A viewing will be held beginning at 10:00 A.M.  He will be interred in the Mesa Cemetery.

DASE- John Edward, Originally from Buffalo, NY, passed away January 25, 2015 at Lund Family Hospice Home in Gilbert, AZ, at the age of 85 after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Rita Louise Mootz Dase, parents John E. Dase and Charlotte Neureuter, and daughter Nancy Jean. Mr. Dase was the beloved father of Linda Daily, Oak Island NC; Connie Rayner, Sun Lakes, AZ; Karin Shaughnessy, Bay Village, OH; Cheryl Roberson, North Ridgeville, OH; Lori Tabares, Emporia, KS; Larry Dase, Kennesau, GA; John A. Dase, Chandler, AZ; Kathy Stephens, Queen Creek, AZ; Kim Hathaway, Doylestown, PA. His sister Jane Duewiger, Hamburg, NY and brother Richard Dase, Angola, NY survive him. He was very proud of his 24 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted father, who dedicated exceptional time and talent to his churches serving as Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Emporia, KS; Hope Presbyterian Church, Wheaton, IL., Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, Hot Springs Village, AR; Good News Presbyterian Church, Gilbert, AZ.  He shared his vibrant tenor voice throughout his life in churches and community productions. He was a 32^nd degree Mason and member of the Shriners contributing his leadership especially to the Royal Arch Masonic Lodge in Lackawanna, NY. Alongside his wife Rita, he proudly served the Order of the Eastern Star as Patron of Salome Chapter, Buffalo, NY and Grand Patron. He served in the US Navy Reserves from June 1948-June 1953.  He retired as a lifetime employee of Interstate Bakeries in 1992. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm on January 29 at University Chapel, 3529 E. University, Mesa, AZ followed by a memorial service at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Valley 1982 E. Woodside Court, Gilbert AZ 85297.

Gary L. Davidson, 77, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2015 in Mesa, AZ. Gary led a very happy, fulfilling life devoted to his faith, family and providing service to those around him. He is survived by his wife Connie, and their children; Kirt, Wade, Vicki, Wendi, Mark, Cristi and 24 grandchildren, his brothers; Roger, Mike and Craig.

He enjoyed camping with his family and fishing with anyone, especially his wife; his greatest catch of all. The time he spent in the Idaho Fish and Game Dept. were some of the most fulfilling and rewarding years. He also valued the friendships that developed during his time as a realtor. He served an LDS mission at the age of 19 in the Western States Mission and with his eternal companion in the Montana Billings Mission. At the time of his death, he was serving as Stake Patriarch.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 6-8 PM at the Val Vista Ward Chapel, 745 N. Val Vista, Mesa, Arizona.  Funeral services will be Friday, January 30, 2015 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM, at the Mountain View Stake Center, 1550 N. Val Vista, Mesa, Arizona. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Menlo Dare Greer passed away on January 22, 2015. He had valiantly battled cancer for 14 years. He was born on January 29, 1929 in Shumway, Arizona. He grew up in Eagar, Arizona, but he spent much of his adult life in Scottsdale. He attended ASU where he played on the basketball team and earned his teaching degree in 1951. He married Barbara Turley in 1950 and they loved, and served together for 64 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Riley Menlo Greer and Vera and Ben Slade and his great-granddaughter Kamberlie Larsen. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara, his children Mellonie (Larry) Grohman, Teri (Richard) Larsen, Leonard Dare (Julie) Greer, and Benjamin Arthur (Allison) Greer, and his sister Nadine Slade Trickey; 19 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren have looked up to this great patriarch.

He taught school, mostly in junior high, for many years in the Creighton School District and coached many teams. Later he worked as a basketball official for high school basketball games. He has been a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worked at the Mesa Temple, and served two missions with Barbara as service missionaries.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 11 AM at the Scottsdale Stake Center, 2202 N. 74^th St., Scottsdale.  A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa.

Angel Moroni Rosales, departed this life on Thursday, Jan 22, 2015 at 7:37 PM surrounded by his loved ones. He shared 60 years of marriage with his sweetheart, Maria Floriza Rosales and was survived by their 9 children Angel Moroni Jr., Francisco Rosales, Maria Floriza Rodriguez, Eliseo Rosales, Samuel Hiram Rosales, Humberto Moises Rosales, Rosalva Rosales, Alina Larsen, and Raquel Burrell as well as their 44 grandchildren and 25+ great grandchildren.

In his 84 years of life, he blessed the lives of those he met. In his spare time he loved to serve in the House of the Lord as a temple worker. All who knew him felt of his warm spirit and inviting personality. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and cooking. He especially loved music and sharing his talent of singing.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM, preceded by a family viewing at 9:30 AM, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Maplewood Ward Chapel, 18305 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Barnard, Gerald L. (Jerry) passed away at his home on January 20, 2015 after a short illness. Born Oct. 5, 1929 in Elkhart, IN to Glen & Beatrice (Smith), he married Rebecca Wright on June 10, 1950. He is survived by his sons, Gary (Cheryl) and Steven (Shirley) of Mesa, Bradley (Susan) of South Bend, IN and Randy (Pat) of Sturgis, MI, 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters, Flora Mae Phillips and Helen Minch and his Aunt Virginia Croel. He was preceded in death by his wife Becky, his parents, brother Charles, sister Barbara and grandson Shayne. Jerry proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1948-1968. After his retirement from the Air Force he worked at Labour Pump Co., Elkhart, IN and Talley Defense Systems, Mesa. He enjoyed his time with family, garage sales, bowling and fixing things for neighbors and friends. Viewing will be from 3-5 pm, Sun. Jan. 25 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University, Mesa, AZ.  Funeral Services will be at the same location on Mon., Jan. 26 at 11 am. Burial will follow at the Arizona National Cemetery in Phoenix at 1:30 pm.

Victoria Lee-Ann McClelland, age 47, passed away January 20, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the same location.

Grant Leroy Stapley, 81, passed away January 15, 2015 in Mesa, AZ. Visitation is Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Friday, January 23, 2015 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS Evergreen Ward Chapel, 1345 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Interment at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Sheldon R. Cook, 53, passed from this life while surrounded by family in his home on January 20, 2015. He was born on August 29, 1961 in Moses Lake, WA, and spent most of his childhood in the Great Northwest where he attended Lake Oswego High School. Sheldon served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Adelaide, Australia Mission. Post-mission he met his wife, Kittrean Tanner, and they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS temple, November 6, 1986. Sheldon earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Business Administration. After graduation he spent seven years in the Indian Trade business in Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico. Sheldon then moved his family to Gilbert, Arizona where he started and was a partner at a mortgage lending company. Later in his career, he became a successful real estate agent in the valley. Diagnosed with cancer in late 2008, Sheldon maintained high spirits during his six year battle and never slowed down, working up until five days before he died. Sheldon especially loved family, friends, tennis and papaya. He took pride in his children’s accomplishments and went out of his way to help neighbors and friends.

Those who wish to pay their respects are invited to a family and friends reception at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa on Friday, January 23rd, 6-8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 24th, 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel located at 2700 E. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert, Arizona. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Mary Frances Payne Hill, of Tempe, AZ passed away January 14, 2015 at the age of 80. Mary Frances was born December 29, 1934 in her grandmother’s home in Chandler, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents Ruby and Vernon E. Payne, also by her brother Robert. Mary Frances grew up and went to school in Gilbert, AZ, where she met the love of her life Bill Hill. They were married on August 2, 1952. She is survived by her husband Bill and four sons Mark, Mike (Wendy), Larry (Susan), Jerry; her brother Vernon (April) L. Payne of Gilbert, AZ and sister-in-law Mary Payne of Sunflower, AZ. Mary Frances was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was a homemaker and spent her life devoted to her family. Mary Frances was baptized into the Church of Christ at the age of 12. She was a member of the 8^th Street Church of Christ in Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Sheryl Ann LeSueur McCleve, 58, peacefully passed away on January 11, 2015 in Queen Creek, Arizona.  She was born to Kenneth and Phyllis (deceased) LeSueur in Fort Benning, Georgia and had a younger brother, Gary. After her mother passed away, her father married Elva Griffin and three more siblings were born: Rusty, Holly & Rand.  She loved being the big sister to all of her siblings.  She graduated from Westwood High School in 1974 and attended Mesa Community College where she received an emergency room technician certificate.  Her lifelong goal of being a wife and mother were realized in 1976 when she married Karl Reece McCleve in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple.  Four children soon followed: Rebecca (Seth) Traeger, Emily (Marc) Nunes, Jason McCleve & Taylor McCleve.  She was beloved by her 9 grandchildren: Parker, Madison, Austin, Colton, Kinsley, Kelcie, Kaylie, Bennett and Brycen. She was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis Susan Wike.  Sheryl was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held various church callings throughout her mortal life.  She will be remembered for her wonderful spirit of service and friendship.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 16, 2015, at Cortina 4^th Ward, 19413 S. Sossaman, Queen Creek, Arizona. A viewing will be held at 10:00 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Greer DeWitt King, age 71, died peacefully in her Mesa, AZ home Thursday, January 8^th after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Holbrook, AZ on March 25, 1943 to Wallace and Lorene DeWitt. In 1966, Greer married her sweetheart, Dennis King, who died in the Vietnam War in 1968. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Greer served in the Army as a physical therapist. From her marriage to Ed Mason, her children Nicholas and Molly were born.

Greer was a devoted grandmother and had a love for books, gardening, music and earth’s beauty. Greer’s gorgeous quilts speak of her talent and industry. She had unwavering faith in God and Jesus Christ and was devoted to her Mormon faith.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis, her parents, Wallace and Lorene, and her son, Nicholas Mason. She is survived by her daughter, Molly Gould, her four grandchildren, her sisters Gayle DeWitt, Mimi Peery, and her brother Kim DeWitt.

Greer’s burial service will be Friday, February 6^th at noon in Provo, Utah at the Provo City Cemetery, where she will be interred next to her husband, Dennis King.

Former Arizona Mother of the Year, Myreel Smith Lewi, passed away peacefully at home in Kingman, Arizona on January 15, 2015. She left a legacy of love for family and devotion to God to her 12 children, 75 grandchildren and 182 great-grandchildren.

She was born September 27, 1920 in Ashurst (Graham County), a descendent of some of Arizona’s original settlers. She was raised in Globe, one of five children born to Lorenzo Wickliffe and Blanche Rogers Smith, and studied at Arizona Teachers College (now NAU). She married Malin Wilson Lewis, of Mesa, in the Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 17, 1943. They settled in Ajo where they purchased the Desert Dairy, later named the Malin Lewis Distributing Co., a milk products distribution business, which continues today under the ownership of their son, Malin. All 12 children were born in Ajo. Two of the children—Ardene in 1948 and Selwyn in 1995—are buried in Ajo. Myreel sang in a popular a capella trio and was very active in the LDS Church, the Desert Music Club and Republican Women. In 1967, the Lewis family moved to Phoenix, where Myreel continued to serve in her church and community. In 1980, she was chosen Arizona Mother of the Year. She had served a mission for the LDS Church in her youth to Virginia and later served two missions with her husband to San Francisco and Mexico City. Myreel and Malin moved to Kingman in 1995 to live with their daughter, Delon Pease and her family. Malin passed away in Kingman in 2005 at the age of 90. In her later years, Myreel compiled a multi-volume history of her life that serves as a treasure to her family today.

She is survived by her brothers Melvin, of Payson, AZ and Norman, of Spanish Fork, UT; her children Myreel Linton (Larry) of Argyle, TX, Corwin (Lynette) of Eugene, OR, Crismon (Vivienne) of Gresham, OR, Dantzelle Allen (Brad) of St. George, UT, Stayner (YuFei) of Houston, TX, Malin (Sally) of Ajo, Irvan ‘Wick’ (Lynn) of Thatcher, Delon Pease (Clyde) of Kingman, Duraye of Mesa, and Durelle Gimenez (Oscar) of Hartford, CT.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 16, 2015 at 12 noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 610 Eastern St., Kingman, AZ.  The funeral will be preceded by a visitation from 10:45 – 11:45 AM at that same location. Graveside services and burial will be Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 12 noon at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center St, Mesa, AZ.  Arrangements were handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Hazel June Grant Sandberg, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2015 in her home surrounded by her family. Junie to most of her family and friends, loved making her 23 grandchildren feel welcome at their traditional Sunday afternoon visits with a full cookie jar and ice cream cones. Her walls filled with portraits, snapshots and photo albums attested to her devotion to her family.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she was called with her husband Carl to serve in the Mesa Arizona Temple for over 20 years. Her favorite assignment was welcoming and escorting the new brides.

She was born in Brigham City, Utah to Howard Eldredge Grant and Emily Hazel Howard on May 30, 1921. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Hyrum Carl Sandberg, brother Joey H. Grant (La Kaye), daughter Connie Lee (Daniel). son Jaren G. Sandberg (Melinda), son Scott E. Sandberg (Faye), 23 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Hyrum Carl Sandberg III (Barbara), parents and six siblings.

Viewing will be from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel 33 N. Centennial Way. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am at the McDowell Chapel, 7752 E. McDowell, Mesa. Family viewing at 9 am. Internment at 12:00 at Mountain View Cemetery on 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ.

Barbara Ann Hill, 83, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in her Mesa, Arizona home on January 9, 2015. Barbara was born August 15, 1931 in Lansing MI to Charles and Bessie Chenoweth. She studied business and sang in the choir at Lansing Eastern High School. After graduation in 1949, she married Richard Dean Hill, her husband of 65 years. They began their married life on the Hill family farm in Ithaca, had two sons and moved to Lansing in 1956 where their daughter was born. The family moved to Jackson in 1965 and then to Adrian in 1969. Barbara worked as a bookkeeper for a jeweler and a men’s clothier in Jackson and later as a secretary at Dura Corporation and Adrian College before retiring with her husband to Mesa, Arizona in 1985. Her faith was woven into the fabric of her life. Christ was the focus. She began each morning in bible study and worship, met her husband at Church of God youth camp in St Louis, MI, taught her children by example, led adultSunday School classes and bible studies for over 30 years and held several statewide offices in the women’s groups in both Michigan and Arizona. Always active and curious, she read a great deal, visiting most states in the US and traveling once to the Holy Land and twice to Europe. Barbara was a self-taught computer user and avid genealogy researcher. She was also a life-long music lover and has passed that passion on to her children. The consummate hostess, Barb loved to entertain in her home and she was famous for her cinnamon tea rings. The family will always be grateful to the loving folks at Banner Hospice who provided such wonderful care for Barb and for all of us. Barbara is survived by her husband of 65 years, Richard Hill of Mesa AZ, son Barry Hill (Melissa) of Whittier CA, son Melzor Hill (Patricia) of Apollo Beach, FL and daughter Renee Lucci (Robert) of Gilbert AZ, brother Donald Chenoweth (Lori) of Lexington KY, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Viewing Friday January 16 from 6-8pm at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University, Mesa. Service – Saturday January 17 at 1:00pm, East University Church of God, 6630 E. University, Mesa