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Montgomery, Arthur Charles, age 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, 24 November (Thanksgiving Day) after a long illness. Born February 1, 1920 in Petersburg, Illinois to Ben and Grace Montgomery, he is survived by his wife Jean Montgomery, a sister Francis Peterson, four nieces Sonia Montgomery, Jean Lasky, Shirley Foulks, Pennie Robinson, a nephew John Montgomery and seven adult relatives who grew up knowing him as “Grampa Art
Urshel Claude Taylor, 74, passed away November 27, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Funeral services are Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11 Am, preceded by a visitation at 9:30 AM at the LDS Papago Park Ward, 1816 N. Extension Road. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Violet M. Walsh, 86, passed away November 21, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. Memorial services are Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 11 AM at the Mountain View Memorial Gardens Chapel.
Edmond Adolph Backlund, 89, passed away November 20, 2011 in Gilbert, AZ. He was born May 25, 1922 in Ft. Bragg, CA. He is survived by his wife Donna Backlund, sons Steve (Myra) and Gary (Jerry) Backlund, step-sons Michael (Karen), Matt (deceased), Mark and Mitch (Sue) Cutchen, 7 grandchildren & 17 great grandchildren. Services will be held on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 11 AM at the LDS Fairview Ward Bldg., 2700 E. Galveston St. Gilbert, AZ 85295. Private interment services will be held. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Virginia Lucille Cardon, beloved by family, friends, and all who knew her passed away on Monday, November 14, 2011, almost two months after her cherished husband left this earth. Born in Lansing, Michigan, her father a physician and her mother a nurse, Virginia attended the University of Arizona where she met her true love. After a whirlwind courtship of two weeks, she married Helaman and began her 71 year love affair. While in Michigan, Virginia was active in a number of volunteer organizations and ran the family sheet metal business. Soon after she joined the LDS church, she became a Stake Relief Society President. She also served in the Chicago Temple for 5 years, and as a missionary in the Duck River Indian Reservation. Virginia loved children. Her home was filled with dolls and toys that she would cheerfully give to any child who walked through the door. She was the epitome of grace and gentleness with a playful streak that delighted everyone. She was preceded in death by her husband, Helaman Pratt Cardon, her parents, Dr. Harold A. Miller and Winifred B. Miller and her brother, Harold (Ruth) Miller. She is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Bill) Kameese, her daughter, Amy (Jerry) Nickles, her son, David (Pam) Cardon, her grandchildren, Heather (Matt) Bills, Heidi (Charles) Hillman, Melissa (Maggie) Nickles, Jeffrey Nickles and five great-grandchildren, Andrew, Sophia, Tyler, Ava, and Elin. The family would like to thank Charmaine Caruso and Jeanette Griffith for their loving care. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, November 21, 2011 at the Grandview 1St Ward Building, 1455 N. Harris, Mesa; the viewing will begin at 9:00AM and the service at 10:00AM with internment to follow at the Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Herlinda Guebara Parra, 60, passed away November 12, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Josepha Guebara, her brothers, Juan and Danny Guebara, and her sisters, Rosa Vega and Juana Riggs. Linda is survived by her husband, Manuel Savala Parra, and her children, Teresa A. Hill, Lorraine Parra, Gabriel Parra, and Jesse Parra. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, Paul Parra, Jenica Perez, Faith Gould, Ashley Goodpaster, Joshua Hill, Nicholas Hill, and Alexander Jacob Leyva and 1 great-grandchild, Kellianne Parra. Linda is also survived by her brothers, Richard Guebara, Ramiro Guebara, and Joe Hernandez, and her sisters, Lydia Cavazos, Elisa Garcia, Irene Van Wambeck, Elsa Munguia, Rachel Rubio, Rebekah Plama and Mary Venegas.
A visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Mickelson, Ruth Adelia Lillywhite of Mesa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died in Mesa, AZ on Nov 9, 2011 at the age of 93. Ruth was born in Mesa on Feb 24, 1918 to Horace and Georgana Lillywhite, members of pioneer ranching and dairying families. Ruth was the oldest of their five children. She married Morris L. Mickelson in May of 1941, in the LDS Mesa Temple. Always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ruth gave a life time of service in her assignments. Ruth and Morris enjoyed their missions to Ireland and Ohio, along with working many years in the Mesa Temple. Besides caring for her family, Ruth owned her own printing business, and then worked as a secretary for the Church Education System for 12 years. Ruth and Morris are parents of seven children: Marvin (Joyce), Elaine (Jared) Huish, Susan (Jon) Meilstrup, Gerald (Cari), Morris (Susan), Donna (Dave) Lamoreaux, and Grant (Karla). She is survived by her 7 children, 43 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren and 2 sisters, Beth Osborn and Helen Poulson. Her life was one of loving service devoted to her family and God. She was always a loving mother with tender hands and a caring heart. She will be greatly missed by those she touched. Her family expresses appreciation to those at Pleasant Living Assisted Home, who have gently taken care of her. Services will be held Sat, Nov. 19, 2011, at 10 am at the LDS church building at 940 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, with a viewing 1 hour prior. A viewing will also be held on Fri. the 18th at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa 6-8 pm. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
Luverne Swart, 93, our loving mother passed away Nov. 8, 2011 and is now our angel in heaven. She is survived by 8 children and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was born in Minnesota and moved to Arizona in 1958. She enjoyed baking and cooking. Her heart was filled with love and kindness, and she will remain in our hearts forever. Private family service.
Linda Darlene Dulworth, 49, passed away November 5, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. Visitation is Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 11 AM, also at Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
Frank Fregoso, 77, passed away November 5, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. Visitation will be Friday, November 11, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS McQueen ward, 1451 W. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert, Arizona.
Lt. Colonel James M. Harris passed away November 7, 2011 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Jim will be remembered as a man who served his country, loved his family, and worshipped his God. He was born in Logan, Utah to Cliff Harris and Leona Hobbs. A beloved teacher of the gospel and American History, he retired from the U.S. Air Force, wearing the uniform in Korea and Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Marae, brother Kent (Jenice) Harris, children Kerry (Doug) Richards, Jamie (Kevin) Young, Michelle (Craig) Hollis, Scott (Karen) Harris, Brad, Lisa (David) Jones, Mark, Jenny (James) Mecham, 29 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held Friday, 11/11/11 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, 11/12/11 at 10:30 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:30 AM, at the LDS chapel at 3345 E. McLellan in Mesa.
Kathleen Ann Gillette was 57 when she passed away November 3, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services in her honor will be held Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Parkcrest Ward, 3920 East Brown Road, Mesa, Arizona 85205.
Joseph Aaron Sorenson of Mesa, Arizona, passed away at the age of 78 October 30, 2011. Joe is survived by his three sons and three daughters, 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 3 sisters. Joe was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his entire life. A viewing will be held Wednesday, November 2 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa from 6- 8 PM. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 3 at the Mesa North Stake, 933 E. Brown Road. Viewing at 9 AM and services beginning at 10. Interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery.
Grace Cain, 100, of Apache Jct, AZ passed away Oct 28, 2011 of natural causes. Grace’s door was always open to family and friends. She was a fabulous cook who would feed you, whether you were hungry or not. She rightfully took pride in her welcoming home and colorful gardens. Most of all she loved caring for babies. Grace was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Ralph Cain, as well as 5 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her only child Patsy Wurzburger, granddaughter Toby Brown (Gale), great-grandson Benjamin Cain Brown (Mary), great-great-granddaughter Bella Brown, and brothers Lloyd Faught of IL and Clifford Faught of Mesa. A graveside service will be held at 11:00a.m., Thursday Nov 3 at Mountain View Memorial Gardens, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Bunkers University Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley or a charity of your choice. Grace was deeply loved by her family and we will greatly miss her. She is now in the arms of her Lord and reunited with those who passed before her.
Arizona Obituaries And Obituary Archive
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