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Darrell Lewis Anderson, 85, passed on peacefully on August 14, 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. Darrell was born in Corinne, Utah, and was blessed with a gorgeous tenor voice. He sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, in the Southern California Mormon Choir, and in the Arizona Mormon Choir for over 20 years. He loved camping, playing board games, telling stories and spending time with family and friends. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a mission with his wife as missionaries at the Glendale Community College Institute of Religion. He served on a High Council and in a bishopric in South Carolina, as a family history specialist in the Paradise Valley Stake where he lived for over 41 years, and in many other callings, always supporting ward choir. He is survived by his wife, Delsa, brother, Max, daughters, Nancy (Bud), Cheryl (Evan), and Mckell (Dave), sons Larry (Freda) and Brian (Christine), 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death: Daughter, Ginger, daughter, Christie, and grandson, Damon Fawcett. Services are Saturday, August 17, 2013, at 10 am, preceded by a visitation at 9 am at LDS Tempe South Stake, 1111 E. Knox Road, Tempe.

Biesemeyer, William Maurice

Bill Biesemeyer, 86, passed away on August 12, 2013. He was born on February 1, 1927 in Marshall, Missouri, to Arthur Biesemeyer and Valera Fales. After serving in the Navy, he moved to Arizona where he married Joan McCarty on March 18, 1950. They were sealed in the Manti, Utah LDS Temple on September 5, 1981. Bill was the inventor and builder of Biesemeyer Boats in Phoenix, the owner of Biesemeyer Cabinet and Millwork in Show Low, and established Biesemeyer Manufacturing in Mesa in 1980. Despite a limited education, he was a very talented carpenter and inventor of several products that revolutionized the boating and woodworking industries. His products are world renowned for their precision and reliability. After retiring, he continued to enjoy constructing and flying model airplanes. He has always found his greatest success and joy in his family. His positive attitude and integrity have been an inspiration to his family as well as many others. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joan, his brother Rusty Biesemeyer, and his daughter-in-law Cindy Biesemeyer. He is survived by his son Dan Biesemeyer of Chandler, Arizona, his daughter Diane (Terry) Palmer of Syracuse, Utah, his sister Vera Hayter of Parowan, Utah, nine grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Visitation is Friday, August 23, from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services are Saturday, August 24, at 10 am, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Church, 1455 N. Harris, Mesa.

Mary Jayne Oberdick, 75, of Tempe, AZ passed away August 12, 2013. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University, Mesa, AZ. There will also be a graveside service on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 10 AM at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix.

Born August 22, 1921. Died August 9, 2013. Raised in Los Angeles, Virginia briefly attended UCLA then left home at 17 to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. Her career took her to Chicago, Philadelphia and finally to New York City where she danced with the Radio City Ballet Corps. While in New York she met and married a young naval officer from Arizona, J. LaMar Shelley. After WWII they settled in Arizona, first in Tucson while LaMar attended Law School, then in Mesa to raise a family. Six children came, Carol Boyle, Marlene (Robert) Tolman, Jana (Gunn) McKay, Mary (Mark) Hutchings, Gerald (Carmen) Shelley and James (Hollie Lavenstein) Shelley. In Mesa, Virginia ran the Shelley School of Ballet and was involved in other local fine arts organizations. Named Mesa’s Woman of the Year 1983, she was later appointed by the governor to serve on the Arizona Commission for Fine Arts. She taught ballet until her 90th year. Steadfastly devoted to her faith, she is survived by her children, 29 grandchildren and (at this count) 33 great grandchildren. A viewing will take place Friday, August 16, from 6 to 8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, with funeral services to occur Saturday August 17, at 11:00am at the LDS Chapel, 1054 W. 2nd Place, Mesa. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity, although Virginia would smile on a contribution toward one in the fine arts or to the Perpetual Education Fund.

Our Sweet Baby. Daniel William Malnar born March 29, 2013, was called back home to be with Heavenly Father on August 10, 2013. He is survived by his dad and mom, Adam and Emily, his older brother Samuel and his twin sister Holly; grandparents Billy and Beverly Dloughy, Ray and Mary Malnar, as well as aunts, uncles and lots of extended family who loved him very much. He touched the hearts of many in his 4 months here on earth. We will miss him very much, but know that we will be with him again soon. Services will be Thursday August 15, 2013 at 11AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS building at 1054 W. 2nd Pl, Mesa AZ. Visitation will be Wednesday August 14, 2013 from 6-8PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa AZ.

Wilford Parley (Whizzer) White peacefully returned home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at the age of 84. He was born September 26, 1928 to Isham Erdy White and Annie Belle Garner in Mesa, AZ. Wilford owned the Mesa Merchant Police, founded by his father in 1938. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout the years. Wilford excelled in four sports while attending Mesa High School and was Arizona State University’s first All-American in football. He went on to play professionally for the Chicago Bears. He is survived by Shirley Merrill White, his high school sweetheart and wife of 62 years; his children: Danny White (JoLynn), Teresa Yetter (Rich), Tammy Malone (Scott), Cristall Hall (Mark), Chad White (Michele); 26 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Edward White, Erleane Webb and Dixie Solomon. A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 7, from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Services are Thursday, August 8, at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, 933 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, AZ with visitation starting at 9am.

On July 25, 2013, Grayson Lynn Blanchard was called home before her precious feet could touch this earth. There to welcome her into the world was her mother Aimee, her father Josh, Grandma, Grandpa and her Uncles John and Jordan. Grayson’s best features were inherited from each parent including her button nose, long fingers and large feet. Grayson’s short lived life provided her parents with the greatest gift any parent could have asked for, a perfect angel. Even though her toes didn’t touch the finest sand on the prettiest beach, Grayson visited Japan and Hawaii in her first few months. Thunder will no longer be just the sound of a storm, but the sound of Grayson rolling strikes down Heaven’s alley. Funeral services are Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ole Leo Christensen, 72, of Mesa, Arizona; passed away July 17, 2013. He was an Area Manager for Cargill and loved to read, loved his family and loved to serve others. Ole is survived by his wife: Joyce; Children: Christine, Kevin, Jennifer, Emily, Dale, Paul, Peter, Sarah and their spouses; 21 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday, July 19, 2013 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, July 20, 2013 with a visitation at starting at 12:00 Noon; at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3440 S. Signal Butte Rd. in Mesa.

JOHNSON, W.C. (Bill) Command Sgt. Major, Ret., age 84, passed away July 13, 2013. He was born to William F. and Felcia Johnson, June 28, 1929 in Sikeston, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother William Johnson, a sister Lillie Klein, and three daughters: Patricia Anne Johnson, Karen Lynne Levi, and Kathleen Shakespeare. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Vernetta Johnson. They were married December 2, 1950 in Hopkinsville, Ky. He is also survived by his son David W. Johnson (Ralle’t), seven grandchildren: Christopher Levi, Julianne Levi, Matthew and Daniel Shakespeare, Joshua, Samantha, and Megan Johnson, three great grandchildren: Jaydon and Jack Greene, and Tyler Shakespeare. Bill joined the Army in 1946, part of the time served in the 11th Airborne. After his retirement from the Army in 1969, he worked for the City of Tempe as Customer Service Supervisor until 1990. Funeral services will be Monday, July 22, 2013 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Del Rio Ward, 1871 E. Del Rio Dr, Tempe, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Carmen Miranda Halsey, 71, passed away July 13, 2013. Visitation will be Monday, July 22, 2013 from 10 AM to 12 noon at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa 85201.

Abigail Goss finished her mortal mission on July 15, 2013. She aced this test and graduated early at the age of 4 years old. Despite years of fighting cancer, doctor and hospital visits, and travel, Abigail was a joy. She left this life, to continue on in the next, peacefully in her home in Mesa, AZ exactly 2.5 years from her cancer diagnosis.

Abigail loves animals (all kinds), the zoo, carousels, Barney and friends, music and singing, being told stories, and absolutely loved playing with her siblings. She loved healthy food “with no butter and no milk and no cheese and no candy” (allergic to dairy). She loved her mommy’s hair and it was constantly at her disposal.

She is survived by her daddy and mommy, Aaron and Annabeth, her older brother Hyrum, her older sisters Mary, Elisabeth, and Rachel, and both sets of grandparents Robert and Connie Goss from American Fork UT and Melvin and Sonya Ray from Vernal UT.

A public viewing will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the LDS Hillside Ward, 1430 North Grand, Mesa, 85201. The funeral will be held Friday, July 19, 2013, at 10:00 am with a viewing at 9:00 am at the same location. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201.

Abigail influenced many people during her mortal life–teaching us about enduring love, happiness, patience and forgiveness, hope, and deeper faith. She has a stronger testimony of Christ than we’ll ever comprehend on this earth. She will be fiercely missed, but our reunion will be pure joy and compensate for our temporary separation. We know her spirit is busy now, teaching others about the joy and love that comes from knowing Christ.

Erma Whiting Grant (1918-2013) was born in St. Johns, Arizona. The child of Pioneers Edwin Isaacson Whiting and Ethel Farr Whiting and sister to Farr (Mel), Melba (Sherwood), Virgil (LaVelle), Merwin and Lee. All have predeceased her. She was born into a world just ending its first global war. A world engulfed in a pandemic more viral and more lethal than any since the days of the bubonic plague. 20,000,000 people died from the Spanish Flu that winter. She was spared. Spared to live a life of great endowment with her eternal and extraordinary sweetheart Darwin D. Grant. Now nine and a half decades after her birth her posterity is her Opus, her communion with friends is her everlasting joy and her eternal union with Darwin D. Grant (1938) in the Salt Lake Temple with a pronouncement of marriage by Church President Uncle Heber J. Grant is her crowning achievement. She attended BYU, graduated with honors from the LDS Business College. Her skills were legendary. A prolific letter writer and a skilled newspaper reporter, she for years wrote for the Arizona Republic and contributed local color articles to her home town newspaper the Independent News. She and Darwin served faithfully in many positions in the LDS church; they were temple workers for decades, full time missionaries in the City of Nauvoo, Illinois, and a bishop and a bishop’s wife. Those were times of great satisfaction and joy. She loved to dance, she loved to sing and she loved parties. With her sweetheart, she taught dance for five decades. They were dance directors for their stake, their ward and their region. She was the Miss America pageant director for Apache County for years. She found great joy in sports, especially ASU sports. She loved her Diamondbacks and her Suns. She memorized batting averages and ERAs and idolized Steve Nash. Her children knew they were loved without reserve or prejudice. They are Rita (Gary), Merwin (Charlotte), Howard (Irene), Ron (Keiko), and Robert (Jo). She has 22 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Her life as a spectator was full of recitals, plays, sports of every kind, band, orchestra performances and fun. That “Barbie Grammie

Tim Corley, 50 of Mesa, AZ left us peacefully on July 13 , 2013 in his home. Tim was a native of Niles, IL and long time employee of Johnson Controls. He is survived by his cherished wife Yanping “Ping

Kristine Kay Jackson, 65, passed away July 5, 2013 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Monday, July 15, 2013 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, 85201. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Helen McShane, 92, of Mesa, AZ died Friday, July 5, 2013. Helen was born in New York City, New York on December 9, 1920. She worked for AT&T for 15 years and lived in Mesa since 2005. During her time in Mesa, Helen volunteered at Red Mountain Senior Center. Patrick McShane, her beloved husband, predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter Ellen McShane and her husband, Paul O. Boisvert of Shelburne, VT; Pat Wallace and her husband, Bob Wallace, of Tucson, AZ; Kathleen Hawthorne and her husband, Steve Hawthorne of Mesa , AZ; and Brian McShane of Poughquag, NY. In addition, Helen is survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren Matthew Wallace; Danielle Hampton, her husband Hank Hampton, and son Henry; Tim Wallace, Lauren Grant, her husband Abe Grant, and daughter Lucy; Ryan Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Daron McShane. A funeral mass will be celebrated at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 1534 North Recker Road, Mesa, AZ on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Janice B. Alquist, 77, of Mesa, AZ; passed away July 6, 2013. She was born on January 11, 1936 in Indiana, Pennsylvania; the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Merell T. Brummert. Janice graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1953 and went on to attend Robert Morris Secretarial School. After graduating, she was married to Clifford G. Alquist in 1955. Janice was a devoted sister, wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996. She is survived by four children: David, Mark, Daniel and Tracey; 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Service to be held at 4:00 PM, Thursday, July 11, 2013 at Bunker’s University Chapel 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, Arizona 85213.