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Marjory E. Keske, 92, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away July 6, 2013. A Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, July 15, 2013 at the 1st Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix, 3100 W. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 16th at the 1st Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ.
Robert T. Azuma, Col. USAF (ret) Fittingly for a patriot, Bob Azuma passed away on the evening of the 4th of July with the sounds of fireworks. Bob served 37 years in the U.S. Air Force, which included 9 years of enlisted time on active duty, in the reserve, and in the California Air National Guard. He received a rare direct-commission in 1964 and entered navigator training as a 2nd Lt. His Air Force career was varied with assignments in FL, TX, CA, NH, OH, MA and combat duty during the Vietnam War. It was in Vietnam that he was exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide, a possible cause of the lymphoma that took his life. Though he had lived in several places, he considered CA his home state. He was born in Los Angeles in 1937 to Fusayo and Hideo Azuma. His family was confined at Amache internment camp near Granada, CO during World War II when all Japanese-Americans were interned. After the war, the Azuma family moved to Chicago where Bob graduated from Hyde Park High School at age 16. Although he started college, he had dreams of flying and enlisted in the Air Force instead. He served as a flight mechanic and flight engineer. After his active duty tour ended, he remained in the AF reserve, moved to California and began working on a college degree. He was called back to active duty during the Berlin crisis in 1961. In Dec. of that year, he married Kayko Matsuura in Los Angeles during his holiday leave from his base in NH. He joined the California Air National Guard when he was released from active duty and returned to college, earning a BS at Calif. State University, LA. He later earned an MBA from Golden Gate University. He volunteered to serve in Southeast Asia in 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War. During his long career, his assignments included serving as a navigator training instructor; a program manager for flight simulator development; a squadron commander; the deputy base commander at Mather AFB, CA; the chief of staff to the commanding general at Hanscom AFB, MA; and the Director of Center Support at Vandenberg AFB, CA, his last assignment. He retired from the AF in May, 1991. Bob was a master navigator with over 4300 flying hours, including 695 combat sorties in Vietnam. His medals include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, and 15 other decorations. He and Kay moved to Gilbert, AZ in 2002 to be near their daughter. He was a member of the Arizona Buddhist Temple, Arizona Chapter of JACL, AF Assn. He is survived by his wife, Kayko, son Brett and wife Coleen, daughter Tamiko and husband Steve Goldinger, grandsons Christopher, Michael and David Azuma, and Sam and Danny Goldinger, his sister Hiroko Miyakawa, niece, nephews, and great-nephews. Memorial service is at 10 a.m., Sat., July 13, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley or a charity of your choice.
Irene Hall Garn, 72. After battling cancer for 4 years Irene passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2013, with her husband of 51 years by her side. Irene was born on January 19, 1941, in Tremonton, Utah. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Vera Hall and brothers Byron (Hazel) and Roland. She is survived by her sister-in-law Norma Hall and her three sisters Jean Stevenson (Evan), Norma Coombs (Theo), and Nadine Woodhead (Robert). She is also survived by her husband Daryl Hodges Garn, her children: Brad Garn (Laura), Dana Garry (Steve), Gayla Peterson (Chuck), Greg Garn (Rebecca), Byron Garn (Michelle), and Kevin Garn (Tara) along with 30 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren who all live in the Phoenix area. More than anything else Irene loved being a wife, mother and homemaker. She devoted her life to serving her family and serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many capacities. She spent 5 years serving with her husband in Hong Kong and an additional year and a half as the Mesa Arizona Temple Matron. She enjoyed writing family histories, documenting them with photos and publishing them. She was a wonderful example to all who knew her. Visitation is Friday, July 5, 2013 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa 85201. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Stake Center, 5350 E. McLellan, Mesa 85205. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to the general missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/missionary/.
Carl Emmett Nischan, 53 years old born July 20, 1959 in Phoenix, AZ and passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 in Tempe, AZ. Carl grew up in Mesa, AZ. He graduated from Mesa High School. He earned his Bachelor Degree through University of Phoenix and a Master Certificate through George Washington University. Carl was married to the Love of his life, Joanie Nischan. Carl loved living life, being with family and friends. Carl is survived by his Mother Josephine Noto Nischan, loving wife: Joanie; three sons: Jordan & wife Alisha, and their three children Anya, Parker and Marie; Son: Jameson, three daughters: Jacee, Carlee & husband Rick, and their four children Benjamin, Rylee, Emmalee and Laicee; Camee & husband Kory and their son Kleven. A Memorial Service was held Saturday June 22nd in Mesa, AZ. He was laid to rest at the Mesa Cemetery 1212 N. Center Street Mesa, Arizona 85201. A donation website was set up at gofundme.com. Cards may be mailed to 33508 NE 82nd Avenue La Center, WA 98629.
Raymond Paul St.Cyr, 83, passed away Monday, June 24, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. An army veteran, he was a class A amateur tennis player and enjoyed watching all sports. He and his wife enjoyed traveling around the United States. He was an active member of the LDS church. Among his more recent callings he served as a stake missionary as well as serving at the Family History Center. He was an ordinance worker in the Arizona Temple for 6 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son. He is survived by his wife Margaret (Peggy), 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 from 9 to 10:30 AM, followed by funeral services at 11 AM at the Acacia Ward building, 2334 E. Pueblo Ave. in Mesa.
Lisonbee, Phoebe Juell Fuller, born in Eden, Arizona, in 1924, passed away peacefully on June 26th. She was a selfless, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, known for her good nature and sense of humor. She is survived by her five children, Dan (Janet), Wayne (Sandy), Ron (Cindy), Diane (Larry) McLeister, and Sandy (Tim) Salley, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one brother Ken Fuller, and three sisters, Lucille Farr, Opal Hopps, and Carolyn Smith. Phoebe served in many callings in the LDS Church including the Bishops’ storehouse, and worked with her husband, Galen, in the Mesa Temple for over 10 years. She worked at Kino Jr. High, enjoyed travelling, decorating, and always put her family first. Visitation will be at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, on Monday, July 1, from 6- 8PM. Funeral services are Tuesday, July 2, at 10 AM preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS 25th Ward, 848 N. Westwood in Mesa. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
Kathleen Ray Palmer, 87, was the sixth of nine children born to John Alexander and Juanita Stout Ray. “Kay
Michael G. Chionchio, 95 of Mesa, Arizona; passed away on June 17, 2013 in Mesa. He was born on April 4, 1918 in Bronx, New York. A visitation will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University in Mesa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, June 21st at Christ The King Catholic Church, 1551 E. Dana Ave in Mesa. Entombment will follow at Queen Of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa.
Velia L. Lopez, 78 was called to join our Lord in Heaven on June 14, 2013. She was born on January 30, 1935 to Martin and Anita Lobato and married Victor M. Lopez on December 24, 1953. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Velia is survived by her husband, five (5) children; Margie Velasquez (Bob), Mitzi Lopez (Tim), Daniel Lopez (Evelyn), Debbie French (Rick), Victor Agustin Lopez; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many family members and friends. She devoted her entire life to raising and guiding her family. She was truly loved by her family, friends and everyone she met, even though she will leave a void in our hearts, she will always be remembered. We love you Grandma and we will miss you. Funeral services are being coordinated by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa AZ. (480) 696-6883. In lieu of flowers, donations to Premier Hospice are suggested.
Mark Brinton Johnson, 58, passed away Friday, March 14, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. Funeral services are Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Grandview 1st Ward, 1455 N. Harris, Mesa, AZ 85203. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Benjamin “Benny” Elbert Hinds, 78, passed away June 12, 2013 in Queen Creek, Arizona. Funeral services will be Monday, June 17, 2013 at 10 AM at the LDS Gilbert 12th Ward, 1483 N. Driftwood, Gilbert, AZ, 85234. Services will be preceded by a visitation at 9 AM.
Russell D Jorgensen, 62, of Mesa, Arizona passed away June 10th, surrounded by his family. Russ was born in 1951 in Evanston, WY and raised in Utah. He graduated from Davis High, Utah State University, and the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri. Russ moved to Mesa, AZ to start his medical practice in 1985. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings. He also was an avid amateur radio operator (N7TWG) with friends and contacts around the world. Russ is preceded in death by his mother Betty Ann Jorgensen. He is survived by his wife Vicki and their 5 children, Eric (Lynn), Heather, Ryan (Britney), Matthew (Rachel), Ashlee (Josh) Durrant, all of the Mesa area. Russ is also survived by father Ray Jorgensen, brothers Lynn (Sheryl) of Utah, Dale (Michelle) of Oregon, and sister LuAnn (Val) Morton of Utah. Russ and Vicki have 11 grandchildren including 2 on the way. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 15 at the LDS chapel at 1550 N. Val Vista in Mesa at 10 AM, proceeded by a visitation at 9 AM. A visitation will also be held Friday, from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Missionary Fund or the American Heart Association.
Vickie Lynn Jensen Swain, 58, passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, Arizona on June 9, 2013. She was born at the Army base in Tooele, Utah in July of 1954. After her father completed his tour of duty in the Army, having served courageously in Korea, her family alternated their time between living in Southern California and Phoenix. She graduated from East High School in Phoenix in 1972. Vickie enjoyed her family, friends, house boat trips to Lake Powell and going to the movies with her best friend Teresa. She also served faithfully in her church in Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society. She was a friend to all and was always looking for a way to lighten the load of others. Vickie was preceded in death by her father, William Duane Jensen, her step-father, Rosario Porto, and her two sisters Angela and Karen. She is survived by her mother, Marion Jo Porto, her husband of 41 years, Scott Swain, all 6 of her children, April Wolanin (Randy), Holly Phelps (Brandon), Tammi Adolpho (Johnny), Daryl Swain (Yara), Jolene Selover (Jeff), Jeffrey Swain and 18 grandchildren with number 19 on the way. There will be a viewing at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ between 6 & 8pm Thursday, June 13. Funeral services will be at the LDS Mesa East Stake Center at 2228 E. Brown Rd. in Mesa at 10am Friday on June 14, with viewing an hour before the services. Interment will immediately follow at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale.
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