Find An Obituary

Glenn Arnold Wardrop returned to his Heavenly Father on May 13, 2012 at the age of 82 after a full and inspiring life. Born January 1, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Glenn was the youngest child of Leo C. Wardrop and Roseanna Zumbrennen. He learned early the principle of hard work as he was tutored alongside his parents. As a young man, he served a mission to Great Britain after which he married the love of his life, Pauline Gale in 1953 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He earned his degree in Business Marketing from Brigham Young University and went on to spend 38 years as a Finance Director for U.S. West Communications. Glenn and Pauline moved extensively throughout their marriage, living in Utah, Georgia, Idaho, Colorado, New Jersey, Wyoming and Arizona. Having a resolute testimony of the restored gospel, he served with vigor in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including bishop, stake president and as president of the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. In the community, he served on the executive board of the Long’s Peak Council of the Boy Scouts of America, as president of the Optimist Club in Cheyenne, Wyoming and as an admissions advisor for Brigham Young University, Ricks College, and the University of Wyoming. Interested in construction, he completed his first building project as a young man with his father. As a side adventure, he went on to construct condominiums, apartments and homes. His strong work ethic led him to give 100% to every project he undertook. Of all his accomplishments, Glenn’s greatest achievement is that of having a strong, loving, unified family. He taught his children that the love and unity of a family is life’s greatest blessing. His last days were spent expressing gratitude for the love and blessings of his dear family. Glenn is survived by his wife Pauline, his children Kari, Brad (Celeste), Lon (Sheryl) and Dan (Tami); his brother Calvin (Dorthy–deceased); his 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Margaret (Whitney) Chapman and Leone (Carlisle) MacKay. Funeral services for Glenn will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 17th at the LDS Chapel at 1483 N. Driftwood Drive, Gilbert, Arizona with viewings from 9:30–10:30 a.m. that day at the church and 6:00-8:00 p.m. the previous evening (Wednesday, the 16th), also at the church. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19th at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ann C. Sweetnam, 67, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on May 10, 2012. Ann lived a life of service to her family, friends and church. She obtained her nursing degree in 1964 and retired in 2004 after 40 years of dedicated service. Ann devoted her life to the service of others and enriched the lives of all. Ann went peacefully after a short bout with pneumonia and the after effects. Ann was a devoted wife of 45 years as well as a devoted saint, daughter, sister, and grandmother who wanted nothing else but to spend time with her California rebel husband, visit her children, spouses, grandchildren and close friends. Ann is survived by her husband, Gary, their 5 children, their spouses and 21 and a half grandchildren. Also survived by her best friend and sister Vee Gooch. Ann was a woman of great faith, whose legacy of service will continue in the lives of those left behind. Services will be held at the LDS Church on 3920 E. Brown Rd. in Mesa, AZ at 10:00am on May 19, 2012. Ann will be laid to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa at 7900 E. Main St. Flowers through Crismon’s Flowers (480) 964-4595.

Ronald E. Knight peacefully passed away May 12, 2012 in Gilbert, AZ. He was born January 5, 1935 in Gilmer, TX. He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1953. He is survived by his wife of 57 ½ years Shirley and their 6 children, Ron Jr (Paula), Chris (Sheri), Cindy (Arlon), Dan (Janice), Tony (Brenda), Bonnie (Bill), 26 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. He retired from APS after 33 years. The viewing will be Friday, May 18, 2012 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a viewing at 9 AM at the LDS Stake Center, 777 E. Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ.

Page, Betty Elizabeth Wimmer passed away peacefully Friday, May 11, 2012, at her home in Gilbert, Arizona, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born to Opal Irene and William Boswell Roberts on March 4, 1944, in Washington D.C. Betty graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in D.C. and later from Brigham Young University, where she majored in Early Childhood Education. Betty met and married Loran I. Wimmer while attending BYU. They had five beautiful children. She is survived by her husband, Gregory A. Page, children Renae L. Campbell (Brett), Shelli D. Stanley (Matthew), Jeffrey L. Wimmer (Sarah), Ryan A. Wimmer, and Carrie A. Ballantyne (Thad), and twelve cherished grandchildren, who are Terran, Brookelyn, Madison, Brayden, and Jordyn Campbell; Mason Stanley; Gavin, Bryson, Austin and Colton Wimmer; Jaylee and Drextyn Ballantyne. She is also survived by her three siblings, William H. Roberts, James B. Roberts, and Eileen V. Reitz. Betty loved and was devoted to her family. She enjoyed spending time at grandchildren’s games and events, vacationing with family at the beach, taking long walks in the sand, family gatherings, painting, always sacrificing to better the lives of those she knew. Her caring spirit was displayed by her kind words of encouragement and constant support of her family. Those privileged to know Betty were inspired by her strong faith and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Russell M. Nelson has said, “The only way to take the sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.” There assuredly is sorrow but because of the love she amassed throughout her life, she leaves us with countless memories of joy, laughter, and the knowledge that she indeed lived a treasured life she fashioned with a loving family. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 17, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 777 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234, with a viewing preceding the services at 9 a.m.

Rosary, Tuesday, 5/15/12 at 10:00a.m., with service to follow;

William Eugene Carl Johansson, 21, passed away at his home in Charleston, WV on May 6, 2012. William was born on December 21, 1990 in Melbourne, Australia to Nils Hugo Johansson and Alexandra Cristina Patton. He is survived by his parents and siblings Ingrid Linnea Dyches, Anna Katarina Johansson, and Anthony Michael Johansson. He graduated from Dobson High School in Mesa, AZ. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and most recently attended Carver College to become a Surgical Technician. He was an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and served an honorable mission assigned to the West Virginia area. He was known for being honest, gentle, kind, sweet, and brave. Indeed we can say that he was as Nathaniel of old, ‘a man without guile’. William will be dearly missed and was loved by all who associated with him. Funeral services are Friday, May 11 at 10 AM at the LDS Woodglen Park Ward, 616 S. Extension, Mesa. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Berni Dorn Harrison, a long time resident of Alamogordo, passed away at the age of 84 on May 7th 2012 in Mesa, AZ. Berni was born on December 4, 1927 to Mary Evans Harrison and Berni Dorn Harrison Sr. in Phoenix, AZ. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnne, and their four children, Jeffrey Dorn and wife Suzanne of Mesa, AZ, Don Edward and partner Michael of Brooklyn, NY, Julie Ann and husband Paul of Mesa, AZ and Evan Joseph and his wife Connie of Chandler, AZ, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

After honorably serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he resumed his employment with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, where he was a surveyor, a project coordinator and chief of field operations. He worked seasonally in Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. His family accompanied him wherever his career took him, including throughout the United States and to the continent of Africa. As a government employee on loan to the Department of State, he spent three and a half years in Ethiopia where the area of the Blue Nile River Basin was surveyed for the Emperor Haile Sellasie.

Berni was transferred to White Sands Missile Range in 1964, and the family happily settled in Alamogordo. He retired from Civil Service in 1981 to manage his local business interests.

A memorial service will be held in Mesa.

William Theodore De Martino died May 7, 2012 at the age of 87. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 27, 1924 of immigrant parents. At nineteen he enlisted in the Navy in the World War II conflict, serving in the Construction Battalion at Guadalcanal in the Pacific area. It was a period of his life of which he had vivid recollections and which he always remembered with pride.

Bill later married Rita Helen Hein, and they were parents of two children –William De Martino, Jr. and Carolyn. They lived in Florida for 26 years in the Fort Lauderdale area, where he worked as a machinist. He finally moved to Arizona in 1980, a place he truly loved. Rita died in 1992. Later he married Lorraine Pratt.

Bill was an outstanding husband and father and a much beloved grandfather to the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren of his combined families. Everyone who knew him was impressed with his fine character, his integrity, his ability to work hard and solve problems, his kindness, selflessness, and love. He is and will always be an inspiration to his posterity.

Marie Felshaw Peterson, 87, died on May 3, 2012 with her loving family by her side. She was a native of Arizona born on January 26, 1925 in Safford, Arizona to George Alma Felshaw and Mary Elizabeth (May) Morris. She moved to Mesa and graduated from Mesa High. She earned her teaching degree with high honors from ASU while raising five children as a single parent. Marie taught in the Mesa Public Schools for 15 years. She received a Master’s Degree from BYU. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She served three missions – North Carolina, Scotland and the Family History Center. She also served in the Mesa Temple for many years. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a great friend to many and always saw the best in people. She inspired and touched the lives of all who knew her. She will always be remembered by her cheerful, “Hello, Hello!

Kenneth Purvis Perkins, 73, passed away April 27, 2012. He was born August 7, 1938 in Phoenix AZ to Iris E. and Andrew C. Perkins, now deceased. His brother Ronald C. Perkins is also deceased. In 1961 Kenny was one of the members of the AZ Guides and Outfitters Assoc. Also, he was a charter member of AZ Desert Big Horn Sheep Society. In the 1950s and 1960s he raced dragsters with partner and owner Mike Kannapel. Later on he belonged to the Bass Pro Club. He belonged to Masonic Lodge #20 in Mesa, AZ and also Scottish Rite. Presently he owned & operated Perkins Diesel Service of Mesa, in business since 1948, and was a longtime member of Associated Diesel Specialists. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Mary A. Perkins, 3 sons, Andrew C. Perkins Sr., Kenneth (Jay) P. Perkins Jr., and Ronald C. Perkins Jr., also 4 grandchildren, Andrew C. Perkins Jr., Ryan Kelly Perkins, Hannah M. Perkins, and Trey Wilson. He will leave an empty place in our heart forever. His most endearing quality was “telling it like it is.

Benjamin Mark Hutchins, 29, passed away May 2, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Windrift Ward, 777 East Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ. 85234. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Marjorie Alice Gunnell, a resident of Gilbert and Mesa, AZ for 29 years, passed away on April 29, 2012 at the age of 87 at home in Mesa. Marjorie was born in Everett, Washington on September 26, 1924 to Florence Alverson and Lloyd Winchester. She attended school in Everett and the University of Oregon. She was one of the first women to work in the Civil Aeronautics Administration as a communicator and was working for the CAA when she was transferred to Idaho where she met her husband, Roy Gunnell. He preceded her in death in 2006. She is survived by three children: Marcia G. Madsen, Darla J. Klovski, and W. Steven Gunnell, as well as 5 grandsons. Marjorie is revered by her children for her faith, strength of character, unfailing kindness, and dedication to her family. She studied, played, and taught piano and organ from a young age, serving as an organist in virtually every LDS ward in which she was a member, as well as in the Mesa Temple. Marjorie, Roy and their family lived for many years in Bountiful, Utah where Marjorie began teaching in 1966. After moving to Gilbert, she was an officer of the East Valley Music Teachers Association, including serving as President. Teaching young people was her passion. She received the Honored Teacher Award from the Arizona State Music Teachers Association. Marjorie completed her BA in music in1995 at ASU at age 70 and continued teaching thereafter. Visitation will be Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services are Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the Gilbert Lindsay Chapel, 1150 N. Lindsay Rd., (Lindsay and Houston), Gilbert. Interment will follow at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Arizona American Guild of Organists – Marjorie Gunnell Scholarships at Box 60701, Phoenix, AZ 85082-0701.

Edgar Neeley Bouchard, of Tempe, passed away April 18, 2012 at age 80. Born April 9, 1932 in Prescott AZ, he grew up in Tucson, graduated from Amphitheater High School and attended the University of Arizona. After service in the US Army Signal Corps, he spent his career as a broadcast engineer working at several radio and television stations in Arizona including KVOA, KOOL TV, KNAZ, and KUSK among others and was also an active member of the Arizona Broadcaster’s Association. He is survived by his wife, Janette, and children Marla, Brian, and Wayne. Services will be held Wednesday April 25 at 11:00 am at the Tempe ward meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1221 W Howe St, Tempe, AZ. There will be a viewing one hour prior to services. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

C.W. (Neal) Nielsen, 90, passed away April 17, 2012. Neal was born to Neils Rasmus Nielsen and Mary Alida Wright Nielsen in Salt Lake City, UT on October 31, 1921. Neal served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He also served as a young missionary in the Northwestern States Mission for the LDS Church. He was a graduate of the University of Utah where he met and married his sweetheart, Virginia Sorensen Nielsen on May 2, 1947. He had a lengthy career in the credit reporting industry, thirty of those years as president of the Credit Bureau of Phoenix which grew to be known as Credit Data Southwest. He was honored to serve in many capacities in this industry including as International President of the Credit Bureau Association. He was a long time member of the Phoenix 100 Rotary Club and the Phoenix Male Orpheus Chorus. He loved working in the Mesa Arizona Temple where he served in many capacities including Sealer. Neal and Virginia served two LDS missions after his retirement (London South and Temple Square in Salt Lake City). Neal is survived by his wife Virginia, sons Jordan (Marsha), Tim (Barbara), Paul (Debbie) and Todd (Kathy). They have 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He has one surviving sister Lois Janke, Salt Lake City. There will be an open house Friday, April 20 from 6:30-8 PM at the Nielsen residence in Mesa for friends and neighbors wishing to express their condolences and memories of Neal. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 21, at 10 AM preceded by a viewing at 9 AM at the Mesa Central Stake Center, 925 N. Harris (south of Brown Rd). Interment to take place in Salt Lake City, UT. Funeral arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the LDS Missionary or Perpetual Education Fund at www.ldsphilanthropies.org.

Bruce McRae Radcliffe, 91 of Tempe, AZ. passed away at Beehive Homes, April 16, 2012. He was born August 4, 1920 in Shiprock, NM to Mark W. and Evelyn Taylor Radcliffe. His youth was spent in various moves to NM and AZ due to his father’s work. His family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he graduated from West High School. Bruce loved all sports especially Football, and Track and Field. He attended University of Utah, then served a mission in Argentina for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1940-1943. Bruce, nicknamed “Bud