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Beverley June (Dana) Goebel died peacefully in her home in Paradise Valley, 15 May 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. June, as she was called, was born 11 August 1926, in Mesa, Arizona, the first born child of Gail Alexander Dana and Nedra Lee (Vance) Dana. She grew up in Mesa and lived there until she met the love of her life, August John Goebel, at a dance at the Mezona. They were married 31 December 1945 in Mesa, and then moved to California where her husband, August, was completing his law degree. From this union, three children were born. Stephen Dana Goebel, August John Goebel Jr., and Debra Christin Goebel.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband August, who died in 1983, one sister Elladene, and her son August John Jr., who lived only one day.
She is survived by her son Stephen and wife Kristen (Peterson) Goebel who reside in Mesa. Her daughter, Christin and husband Michael Seals of Chandler. One brother, Curtis and wife Lola (Gylling) Dana, and two sisters, Bonnie and husband William Workman, and Leann Hogle, known as Lanny, all of Mesa. She is also survived by seven grandchildren. August and wife, Melissa (Smith) Goebel, Courtney and husband Greg Noel, Alexander and wife Ashley (Goodman) Goebel and Elise Goebel, John Michael and wife Nauni (Bredsguard) Seals, Stefani (Seals) and husband Eldon Larson, and Christopher Seals.
She is also survived by six great-grandchildren. Reed, Ridge and Jade Goebel, Xander and Zane Larson, and Olivia Seals with one more great-granddaughter due in August.
June was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was active in the Chaparral Ward in Paradise Valley. She was sealed to her husband, August, in the Mesa Arizona Temple, 22 February 2005.
Interment will be in the Mesa City Cemetery on Friday, the 23 of May 2014 at 10:30 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, 85201.

Daniel Martinez peacefully passed away on May 16, 2014. He was born September 14, 1952, to Pedro Candido and Adelaide E. Martinez, the youngest of 8 children. Daniel graduated from Westwood High School in 1971 and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara J. Martinez. They were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple in 1993. They raised 4 sons, Mark (Julie), Jr. (Laura), Jim (Wendy), and Mikel. He is survived by his wife, sons, 10 grandchildren, and 7 siblings. Funeral services will be Friday, May 23, 2014 at 10 AM at the Kimball Stake Center, 1266 S. 32nd St., Mesa, AZ, preceded by a visitation from 8-10 AM at the same location. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ruby Joy Stephenson Coombs Parratt, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, AZ on May, 17th at 2:45 AM. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and lived most of her life in Mesa, AZ. She was the thread that kept us all together. Ruby is finally dancing in heaven with the love of her life Arthur Parratt. She could not wait until her and Artie could dance once again. Ruby had several jobs during her lifetime and the one she loved the most was working within the court system. She started out working for Judge Mulleneaux in Mesa and, for several years, state judges in Phoenix, and Gov. Rose Mofford for several years prior to retirement. Her mother felt that if she was old enough to marry at age eighteen, she could make her own outfit to go on her honeymoon. Her mother taught her well as she became a wonderful seamstress. She also excelled at the piano and organ via her mother’s teaching. For a number of years she was organist for her ward. Ruby was a good cook and loved to enter pie baking contests which she usually won. Her pancakes were also the best and every child who entered her life will remember those wonderful pancakes. In her later years, she started making afghans; everyone had to have at least one. During her last years, after suffering a stroke in 2001 that left her paralyzed on her left side and several operations later, she spent her time in a nursing home reading and working crossword puzzles. She kept a sharp mind right up to the end. Everyone will tell you she ran the nursing home and later the group home she was in. Ruby had a two month battle of severe pain, later diagnosed as blood clots. The Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center provided excellent and caring service. We especially want to thank three of her grandchildren Tammy Coombs, Sharon Coombs and Robert Kelleher for their great assistance in her final days. She is now free of pain and has returned home to the loving arms of God. We will miss her forever. Ruby Joy Stephenson was born in Delta, UT to Ormus William and Ezel Phebe Benson Stephenson on Sept. 28, 1924. Her siblings were: Donald William Stephenson (Leona), Nels Anthony Stephenson (Dorothy), Mary June Stephenson Hemphill (William Stanley) and a cousin, Earl John Steiger (Marilyn), who her parents raised. She had the following children: Tonya Coombs Himes (David), Lynda Coombs Kelleher, Steve Coombs, Russell Coombs (Debbie), and Daron Coombs (Mary). Three infant children preceded her in death: Ormus Wendell Coombs, Elyse Marie Coombs, and Aaron Coombs. Ruby was grandmother and great-grandmother to many.

Donna Mae Merrill Magnusson, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother died on May 19, 2014. She was born in Southgate, CA on January 23, 1927 to Charles and Lenore Merrill.

Donna was raised in California. In 1944 she married Eldon Magnusson in the Mesa Arizona Temple and Eldon was assigned overseas shortly after. They were gratefully reunited in 1946 and in 1955 moved to Mesa, Arizona. They dedicated their lives to the service of their family and the Lord.

Donna became the mother of seven children and created a home that seeped goodness and warmth. She was devoted to her callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but Primary was her favorite, serving many years as both a ward and stake Primary president with a special love of Primary music. Donna also cherished her twenty years of service as a temple worker.

Donna became Grandma in 1967 and eventually the grandmother of 31, great-grandmother to 58 and great-great grandma to five. Grandma’s home was the hub of an expanding family and a favorite place to be. She was Grandma with a capital “G” and adored by her grandchildren.

Grandma had a generous, caring heart and an unstoppable enthusiasm for her family. She loved good conversation and an evening around the piano. Christmas Eve’s at Grandma’s house are legendary.

Every member of Grandma’s posterity owns at least one treasured quilt that she stitched herself, but Grandma’s greatest masterpiece as a quilter was her family. We thought she was just making quilts, but she was really stitching, and binding us together as individuals and as a family. The binding she cared most about were her covenants and the eternal layers of Grandma’s quilt were faith, God and family. This is her priceless legacy to us.

Donna is survived by her children, Pennie Scadlock, Kevin Magnusson (Judy), Donell Heywood (Alan), Keith Magnusson (LaDonna), Wayne Magnusson (Heather), Maureen Magnusson, her brothers, Paul and Norman Merrill, and her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband; son, Carl; her parents; and brothers, Charles and Gale Merrill.

Grandma had a wonderful sense of humor and always told us she intended to “Sing Her Way Home.” We think she did just that.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Mesa North Stake Center, 933 E Brown Rd. in Mesa. Viewing one hour prior to the service.
Interment at Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Abigail Lyn Biro, 31, passed away May 19, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services are Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Red Mountain Institute Building, 7126 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85207. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Alfredo V. Daniel, 88, passed away May 20, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. Visitation is Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 11 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Ella Farnsworth was a farm girl from Whitney, Idaho. Born on September 9, 1925, she was the youngest child of A.C. and Ella Hull with one sister (Lorna) and six brothers (A.C, Tom, Tuff, Keith, Russell and Dean). She was variously Ella, Ella Louise or sometimes just Pinky or Queenie. She was a freckle-faced, red-headed rodeo queen who went to Idaho State University and then, on a dare, taught school in a one-room schoolhouse in Treasureton, Idaho. She graduated from the Brigham Young University where she met and was engaged to Wilford “Bill” Farnsworth, the love of her life. When Bill was called to serve a mission for the LDS church, Ella taught school and served a mission in Hawaii. Following their missions, she and Bill were married in the Logan Temple and spent the next 40 years of their lives working, serving and raising their family in various corners of the world. Nonetheless, whether in Montevideo, Rio, Mexico City, Summit, Frankfurt, Manila, London, Los Angeles, San Juan or Arizona, Whitney, Idaho was never far from her heart.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ella served alongside of Bill on missions for their church in Puerto Rico, and Mexico. She had a great (and jealous) passion for the Relief Society and served her sisters in Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, England, Germany, the Philippines and even in the United States. Ella was always deeply enmeshed in the community, whether establishing book clubs, volunteering in hospitals, serving on PTA and school boards, or raising funds for scholarships, hospitals and orphanages. She had a gift of making others feel comfortable in her presence – friends, family, the discouraged and downtrodden or the little child. She loved God, she loved those she served and those she served with, loved her brothers and sisters and loved Bill, her children and their families. She is survived by her three children, Deney (Ric Paul), Marty (Marci) and Craig (Carla), and by her 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Mesa Kimball East Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4640 E. Holmes Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85206) at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations either to Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ or The Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Elizabeth Ellen (Sawyer) Heagren passed away May 21, 2014. She was born October 17, 1909 on the Norton Ranch in Gilbert, halfway between Guadalupe and Baseline on Cooper Rd. Her parents were Hubert Wade and Elsie Ann Sawyer. She did most of her schooling in Gilbert but finished high school in Indiana. She graduated from Whittier College in 1932 with a degree in Math. While in California she met her husband, Art Heagren, and they were married in 1933. During WWII she was a tool design engineer for Douglas Aircraft. Later on she worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for an electronics company. In 1972 she and Art both retired and they moved back to Arizona. After Art died in 1975 she wanted to stay busy volunteering for many things in Gilbert. She did quilting, knitting and crocheting to support the Church and town activities. She enjoyed her time at the Gilbert Museum and Historical Society. She was volunteer Treasurer for the Museum for many years. She loved the Gilbert United Methodist Church. She renewed old friendships and made many new friends in the women’s groups and especially the lunch at Chat and Chew. High on her list of fun was her bowling league. She spent her last years at the Pasadena Group Home in Chandler where she celebrated her last 5 birthday parties. She made many friends there. She was preceded in death by her husband Art and her brother John Sawyer and his wife Ola. She leaves 3 nephews, Darrell Sawyer (Dorothy), Keith Sawyer (Amy Jo) and John Dean Sawyer, many grand nephews and nieces, many great grand nephews and nieces, and 1 great-great grandniece. We all respectively and lovingly call her “Aunt Elizabeth.” Visitation is Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Graveside service is Monday, June 2, 2014 at 10 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Gilbert United Methodist Church or the Gilbert Museum.

Lillian Ruth Milroy
Born: January 20th, 1932
Died: May 21st, 2014

Our dear Mother was taken from our care into the loving arms of her Father in Heaven.

Lillian was born to Frank James Reed and Ida Rebecca Saetre. Raised in Barnes, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of 8 children, her six brothers (Earl, Glenn, Jim, John, Richard, Alan) and 1 sister (Betty) kept close tabs on her and were influential in giving Lillian an appreciation for having fun and a positive outlook on life.

Lillian married in 1951 to John Walcott Adams and is the mother of four children (Donald, Peggy, Kelly and Phillip). After raising her children, Lillian worked as an Activity Assistant at a Senior Community. She was also married to Ken Milroy in her later years.

She enjoyed the many simple pleasures in life…going for walks, playing cards, painting, sewing, Loved dancing and socializing. She also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and just spending time with family. She had a contagious zest for life that afforded her many friendships.

She truly was an angel! We will all miss her dearly!

There will be a memorial service held in her honor on Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at 2:00 PM.
Location: Community Church of New Thought
5013 East Broadway Road
Mesa, AZ 85206

Joyce Hirsch, 71, of Mesa, Arizona; passed away on May 25, 2014. She was born June 30, 1942 in New York City, New York. A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 29, 2014 and Funeral Services at 9:30 AM, Friday, May 30, 2014 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa.

Terry Wayne Starks, 69, passed away May 25, 2014 in Chandler, AZ. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 6-8 PM at the LDS Twelve Oaks 3rd Ward Chapel, 1111 E. Knox Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284. Funeral services will be Friday, May 30, 2014 at 10 AM at the same location, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM.

Elisabeth Ann Grimm, 86, passed away May 26, 2014 in Chandler, Arizona. She was born January 22, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. Memorial services may be held at a later date in Ohio.

Lucile Hadlock Layton Trost Giddings
May 13, 1918-May 27, 2014

Lucile was born in Layton, Utah the oldest child of Lionel Isaac and Bessie Bea Hadlock Layton. She graduated from Davis High School and then Brigham Young University in 1940. She often spoke of the difficulties and financial stresses her family faced because of the Great Depression. She was only able to finish college because she was lucky enough to find a job. After college she taught in the public schools. She always took money home to help her parents and younger brothers and sisters.

During World War II, while she was teaching high school, she supported the war effort after school hours by driving a fork lift at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. During the war she met Oscar Trost who served in North Africa and Italy. They were married in September 1944. This marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. A daughter, Cathy (Wiggins) was born in 1945 and a son, Hal (Trost) in 1949. Oscar entered college on the GI bill. He graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and the young family moved to northern New Mexico where Oscar worked at a fish hatchery.

After a very happy year and a half in New Mexico, Oscar was diagnosed with leukemia. He died in early 1954. Lucile then became a single parent with two small children to support. She returned to graduate school to earn a masters and then a PhD. She eventually became a college professor teaching at San Jose State, the University of Alaska and Brigham Young University.

In 1973 she reconnected with Bland Giddings. They had known each other in college. Each had gone their way, married, had children, and lost spouses. After a whirlwind romance they married in August of 1973. Lucile moved to Mesa, Arizona to be with Bland, where she lived the rest of her 96 years. Bland and Lucile loved and supported each other until Bland’s death in 2012 after nearly 40 years of marriage.

Lucile loved to travel, visiting Russia five or six times. Her son and daughter accompanied her to France and Italy. She and Bland took cruises to Australia, Greece and Turkey. Lucile also loved animals including Bland’s beloved geese and frequently adopted stray cats and dogs.

Bland’s son Val Giddings gave her the only grandchildren, Naomi and Calvin. Bland’s other son, Tom Giddings is the only one of the four children who lives in Mesa, Arizona. He has been a great support and comfort to Lucile in the last few years of her life.

Memorial services will be held June 27, 2014, 11AM, Harris 2nd Ward, 1455 North Harris Drive, Mesa, Arizona and on June 30, 2014, 11AM, Northridge Stake Center, 2375 E. 3225 N, Layton, Utah. If you wish to make a memorial gift, please consider a donation in her name to your local public television station or to the Humane Society.

Kelly Marie Cunningham-Hewitt, 42, of Phoenix, Arizona; passed away on May 29, 2014. She was born November 12, 1971 in Indianapolis, Indiana. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa, Arizona.

Bonnie Byrd, 88, passed away June 2, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services will be Friday, June 13, 2014 at 12 PM at the LDS Snowflake 2nd Ward Chapel, 9th South 2nd West, Snowflake, Arizona, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the same location. Interment will be Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 1 PM at the St. David Cemetery, St. David, Arizona. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Gayle Jacqueline Frazier, 62, passed away June 3, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 11 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 1534 North Recker Road, Mesa, AZ 85205. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.