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Kurt H. Merrill, 61, passed away December 24, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born June 12, 1951 in Germany. He grew up in Mesa, graduating from Mesa High. He worked as a mechanic and as a bus monitor for Mesa Public Schools. He married Sharon Morgan and they are the parents of five children John (Felicia), David, Tisha (Ryan) Mortensen, Steven (Rachel), Michael (Brooke). He is survived by his wife, children and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Karen Gardner and Lisa Russell. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was the “real

Robert Eugene Overall, 79, passed away on December 19, 2012. He was born April 9, 1933 in Dallas, Texas to Milton Thomas Overall and Lucy Delphine Holt. Robert was a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whose strong testimony and example will be remembered by those who knew him. Robert moved to Arizona in 1957 and married Ima Jean Batmon. Together they had four children: Robert Jr. (Kathy) Overall, Kelly-deceased (Sharon) Overall, Nancy (Kris) Kircher, and Jeff (Denice) Overall. His grandchildren include: Jillene (David) Guzman, Collin Overall, Nathan Overall; Ty (Sierra) Kircher, Lauren (Ted) Brimley, Zachary Kircher; Laynee Overall, Jace Overall, Kylee Overall, and two great-grandchildren, Gibson Kircher and Zoey Brimley. He is survived by his brothers Tom Overall, Atlanta GA and Bill Overall, Austin TX. Robert’s passion for painting beautiful landscapes was only exceeded by the love he had for his wife and family. Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday, December 27th at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 28th at Maricopa North Stake Center, 1718 North Date in Mesa, with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Donna Juanita Riggs Kenney, 74 passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 9th in Bremerton, Washington. Donna was born to John and Juanita Riggs in Phoenix and spent most of her life in Arizona. She was a devoted mother to her children John and Demetria, and loved deeply by her 8 grandchildren. Donna was a larger than life personality who touched many lives through her generous heart and warm smile. Donna was hard working and gave everything she had to those she loved. In 1958, Donna was crowned Miss Arizona and competed in the Miss America pageant. She continued to utilize her beauty and talents as State Director of the Miss Arizona USA & Teen pageants for many years. Donna also positively affected the lives of thousands of young women through Phoenix Honors Cotillion, a program she co-founded in 1966 and ran for over 40 years. Donna is an accomplished singer, pianist and organist. She has touched many lives through her music and will be missed. We have no doubt she will be organizing the choirs in Heaven. Funeral services are Thursday, December 20th 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS church 3344 E. McDowell Road in MESA, AZ. For more information please visit www.bunkercares.com

Our loving husband, father and grandfather, James Emery Lyman (Jim), 66, of Gilbert, died Tuesday, December 11, 2012 after a long illness. Jim was born August 23, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah; the son of J. Reynolds and Watie Lyman. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Darlene Brown of Sandy, Utah, August 21, 1964. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Survivors include his wife: Darlene; son: J. Randy (Karen) Lyman of Chandler; granddaughter: Jennifer Lyman; Grandson’s: Matthew Manning and Ethan Lyman; sister: Carolyn Hodges of Riverton, Utah. Visitation will be held Monday, December 17, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Bunker’s University Chapel. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Highland Ranch Ward Chapel, 4629 E. Guadalupe, in Gilbert, with visitation 30 minutes prior. Burial will be held at Mesa City Cemetery.

Our loving husband, father and grandfather, James Emery Lyman (Jim), 66, of Gilbert, died Tuesday, December 11, 2012 after a long illness. Jim was born August 23, 1946 in Salt Lake City, Utah; the son of J. Reynolds and Watie Lyman. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Darlene Brown of Sandy, Utah, August 21, 1964. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Survivors include his wife: Darlene; son: J. Randy (Karen) Lyman of Chandler; granddaughter: Jennifer Lyman; Grandson’s: Matthew Manning and Ethan Lyman; sister: Carolyn Hodges of Riverton, Utah. Visitation will be held Monday, December 17, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Bunker’s University Chapel. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Highland Ranch Ward Chapel, 4629 E. Guadalupe, in Gilbert, with visitation 30 minutes prior. Burial will be held at Mesa City Cemetery.

Roger Dell Moore, resident of Gilbert, AZ passed away suddenly on December 11, 2012, at the age of 44. Roger was born on March 18, 1968, in Chandler, Arizona. Roger lived in the valley most of his life. On November 24, 1990, he married his eternal companion Kimberlee Hudson whom he was sealed to for time and all eternity in the Arizona Temple. They had three beautiful boys together.

In 2006 they moved to Prescott Valley where they created many fond memories. They moved back to Gilbert in June of this year. Roger was a loyal man and loving husband and father. He was a plumber by trade but was better known for his awesome cooking skills.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberlee and three sons whom he was extremely proud of: Wyatt 18, Truman 16, and Hudson 13. Also surviving are his father Frank Moore of Batesville, AR, brother Hank of Hot Springs, AR, two sisters Beverly Lopez (Louie) of AZ and Barbara Witherite (Amy) of Dallas, TX. He will be missed more than he could ever imagine by his family and friends.

A memorial fund has been set up through both Compass Bank and Wells Fargo in hopes of raising money for the family. Anything will help his surviving wife and 3 boys. The account at Compass Bank is 670 291 8292 under the name of Michael Hudson (brother to Kimberlee) and at Wells Fargo under Roger Moore, account number 1739145629.

Visitation is Friday, December 14, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, 85213. Funeral services Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Western Skies Ward, 1155 East Ray Road in Gilbert. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 7900 East Main Street in Mesa.

Darren McCleve, 51, passed away December 8, 2012 in Glendora, California. Memorial services are Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 12 noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Harris Ward, 1455 North Harris Drive, Mesa, AZ 85203. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Marjorie Knell Robinson, beloved wife of Alex and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in Mesa Friday morning December 7, 2012 after a long bout with Parkinsons Disease. She was born July 16, 1927 in Cedar City, Utah, the daughter of Rulon and Esther Knell. Marjorie married Alex Findlay Robinson in the St. George Temple July 5, 1945.

She is survived by her sisters Beverly Jones and Gayle Ence (Keith) and by her 8 children Linda Larson (Wayne), Dale Robinson (Debbie), Sandi Brewer (John), Debbie Hunt (Lee), Karla Robinson, David Robinson (Chellee), Janine Butcher (Rob), DeAnn Wells (Jeff), 38 grandchildren and 74 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Alex and grandson Cameron.

Mom was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions and responsibilities. Her greatest love was her family both present and past and she spent many hours going to the temple and encouraging her family to do the same. She became filled with the Spirit of Elijah as she worked with her family’s genealogy and discovered sweet connections between her family and many others. She loved being surrounded by her family and listening to their stories as well as telling her own. Mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls and pies and homemade turkey noodle soup have become the standard by which her daughters and daughter-in-laws have sought.

Visitation will Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Services are Friday, December 14, 2012 at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., also in Mesa.

William Jess Skousen, 80, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on December 5, 2012. He was born Sept. 22, 1932 in Phoenix, AZ, to Jess Earl and Amy Riggs Skousen. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married Joan Taylor Skousen on June 10, 1954 in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. He graduated from Brigham Young University and received his law degree from the University of Arizona. He served our country for two years at Edwards Air Force Base. Some of the things he enjoyed most in life were hunting, working out at the gym and his family. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has served in numerous Church callings, including Bishop, High Council, Counselor in the Bishopric, High Priest Group Leader, Young Men’s President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and Priest Quorum Advisor. He and Joan served a full-time CES Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern California. He also enjoyed winning many tournaments as church softball coach and was currently serving in the Mesa LDS Temple. He was the founding partner of the law firm Skousen, McLaws and Skousen, which later became Skousen, Gulbrandsen and Patience. He was a prominent attorney and received a preeminent rating from his peers. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Joan and his grandson Ryan Gulbrandsen. He is survived by his wife of 4 years, Jane Freestone of Mesa, children Pam (Steve) Patience and Karen (Rich) Gulbrandsen. He has 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He loved dogs and has had many. He had a great love for his family and was very generous. He was strong both mentally and physically until his passing. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many. Visitation will be Friday, December 14, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will held Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10 AM at the Ridge Ward, 2220 N. Harris, Mesa, AZ, with visitation at 9 AM. Interment at City of Mesa Cemetery.

Taylor, Lawrence “Larry

Kathi Jo Brooks (Buterbaugh, Collamer), 53, passed away December 3, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visitation will be Friday, December 7, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, also in Mesa. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa.

Bradley James Shepherd, 50, passed away December 5, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS Harmony Park Ward, 1266 South 32nd Street, Mesa, 85204. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Gary Ray Collings, 71, passed away December 6, 2012 in Tempe, Arizona. Graveside services are Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Russell Wayne Rusk died November 30, 2012 in Mesa, AZ. He was born July 26, 1929 to Chester and Neoma Ruth Taylor Rusk in Rolla, KS. Russell married his sweetheart, Sybil Crandell on May 27, 1955 in Mesa, AZ. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa, AZ LDS Temple.

He served his country as a diesel engineer in the US Navy from 1949-1953, spending much of his enlisted time in Korea during that conflict. Russell was a founding member of the Arizona Fire Mechanical Association and a fulltime charter member of the Tempe Fire Department. He served that community with honor and distinction, retiring in 1990.

Russell is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sybil Crandell Rusk and children Don (Joy), Alicia (Terry) Fair, Jim (Liz) and Donita Eade. Twelve grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren also survive. While Russell was a man of few words, his strength of character was evident in his actions. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed!

A viewing will be held Friday, December 7, 2012 from 6-8pm at the Lindsay LDS Ward, 1150 N Lindsay Rd in Gilbert, AZ. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10am with a viewing prior at 9am. Interment will be in the Mesa City Cemetery.

1946 ~ 2012

Our most beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, Alison, passed away December 1, 2012, in Mesa, AZ, at age 66. She was born to Maren Eccles and Ralph Williams Hardy in Ogden, Utah, on April 9, 1946. She was raised in Washington, D.C., and lived in Salt Lake City, the greater areas of Los Angeles and San Diego, and Mesa, Arizona, where she spent the final 15 years of her life.

Alison is remembered for her warmth, love, generosity, and her magnetic personality. She dedicated her life to family and serving others. Her family and close friends knew of her unrelenting strength and qualities forged by significant events in her formative years. The unexpected death of her father when she was 11 was a seminal event. Her widowed mother entered the workforce and singlehandedly raised Alison and her four siblings, providing a lifelong lesson in courage, work, and devotion. She was injured in a severe car accident at age 18 the aftermath of which was burden she bore well contributing to her bedrock trait of perseverance and a fighting spirit.

After viewing “Cheaper by the Dozen” at an early age, she determined that she would have twelve children. In what serves as the epitome of her persist nature she went on to bear six boys and six girls, adopted three children who were refugees of the Vietnam War, and along with her husband, raised fifteen children.

Alison studied music at the University of Utah, where she was first chair violinist. The tone of her violin was moving, reflecting both the joy and pain of her life, and she set the tone for many weddings and church events throughout her life. She was also a talented singer, pianist, and organist. Alison married Craig Allred Decker, on December 22, 1967, in the Salt Lake City Temple. She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by all 15 children: Annie Tran Dinh, David Tran, Amy Tran, Nathan, Alison Russell, Jared, Rachel Clifford, Joshua, Jacob, Maren, Hyrum, Elizabeth Caradine, Seth, Laura Peterson, and Clare Thomas. She has 28 grandchildren. Alison is also survived by her mother, husband, and siblings: Ralph Williams Hardy Jr., David Eccles Hardy, and Maren Hale; and her beloved brother-in-law Jonathan Edwin Johnson II. She is preceded in death by her father and sister, Clare Hardy Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at the Mesa Arizona Kimball East Stake Center 4640 E. Holmes at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Flowers and on line condolences may be directed to Bunker Family Mortuary, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 and bunkerfuneral.com. Viewings will be held from six to eight on Friday evening at the Mortuary and at ten Saturday morning at the Stake Center. Interment will take place on December 12 at noon in the Ogden City Cemetery in Ogden, Utah, where her father is buried.

Hazel Phyllis Chapman, born on February 2, 1940 in Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2012. She is survived by her son Curtis Koleber (Sandra) of Maricopa, AZ., her brother Norman Hansen (Judi) of Bakersfield, CA., her sister Delores Ohler (David) of Chandler, AZ. and 10 grandchildren. Hazel will be remembered by all who knew her as a loving person who was always willing to help others. Services will be private. Contact the family for more information.