Find An Obituary

Russell D. Kinsey passed away April 22, 2010. He was a life long resident of Mesa and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by his wife Patsy, sons Jim and Shawn, daughters Kathleen and Joleen, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be Wednesday, April 28, 2010 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 29 at 10 AM preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Mesa North Stake Center, 933 E. Brown Rd. in Mesa. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

John Nance Bevell, Sr., passed away April 19, 2010 at his home. John was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and leaves a legacy of faith. He owned the JB Sales Water Distiller Company. John is survived by his wife Betty; their eight children Nancy Randall, Judy Michaud, Lori Shumway, Sheri Bennett, John N. Bevell, Jr., Kathy Durfee, Glen Bevell, Melanie Hull; 34 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Frances Folkersen, Linda Bevell, Stella Horne; brothers “Mac

Leonard L. Paschall Jr. 3/28-1938 to 4-17-2010, of Mesa AZ formerly of Norwood, PA. Born in Philadelphia, PA, graduated from Darby High School. Employed 25 years at Boeing Vertol in Essington PA as quality control manager and 15 years at McDonnell Douglas, Mesa, AZ. Survived by wife of 53 years Marcia, children Leonard, Sherry Bock and Jacqueline Bauer, grandchildren, Amanda, James, Kaycee, Kelsey and Lenny, sisters Doris Paschall and Kathy Ilean Frederick, MD. Memorial Service Friday, April 23, 2010 at 4:00p.m., Bunker’s University Chapel 3529 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85213. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Michael L. Masciantonio Scholarship Fund, Neumann College c/o Institutional Advancement, One Neumann Dr., Aston, PA 19014-1298

Lovel U. Wheeler. Grandma quietly passed from this world to the next on April 14, 2010. She is mother of eight children, Bill, Dick, Lovel, Ben (deceased), John, Doug, Karen and Diane, and a multitude of grand and great-grandchildren. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, she lived her 96 years in the Valley of the Sun. Grandma knew what made life good: family, friends and service to God and mankind. She instilled these values in her family. She is proud of the accomplishments of her descendents. We are proud to call her Grandma. Her viewing will be from 6 – 8 PM Friday April 16, 2010 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, preceded by a viewing at 9 AM, Saturday April 17, 2010 at the LDS Chapel, 745 N. Val Vista, Mesa, AZ. Interment will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Evelyn Leona Martin, 78 passed away April 7, 2010 in Mesa, AZ. She was born January 14, 1932 in Blanchard, OK. She is preceded in death by her husband John C. Martin, Sr., son Ralph J. Gaalaas and her mother Ollie V. Bailey. She is survived by her sons John C. Martin, Jr., David W. Martin; daughter Kimberly Legault; brother Ralph (Barbara) Thomas; sister Mary (Butch) Scott; grandchildren Cory and Sean Gaalaas; Christian, Cody and Jessica Martin; James, Amber, Kaitlyn, Michael, Joseph, Lauren, and Isaac Legault; great-grandchildren Aaron Craig, Bailey Parker, Ian, Maddy and Rachel Gaalaas; Seth and Heather Gaalass and life long friend Patricia Burton. Visitation will be Monday, April 12 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 11 AM, also at Bunker’s Garden Chapel followed by burial at Mountain View Memorial Gardens.

Anna Rae Vance Jones Collins, 79, of Mesa, AZ passed away peacefully April 5, 2010. She was born May 21, 1930 in Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is survived by four loving daughters Kathy Farnsworth, Debi (Gary) Hall, Donna (Rohn) Robinson, Lory (Rob) Fenske, 15 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands Doyle Calvin Jones and Sidney Collins and granddaughter Sharon Ann Farnsworth. Services will be held Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 11 AM preceded by a visitation from 8:30-10:30 AM at the LDS Elmwood Ward Chapel at 925 N. Harris in Mesa. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Yvonna Farr Tyrrel, 85, passed away April 4, 2010 in Chandler, Arizona. She was born June 2, 1924 in St. Johns, Arizona to Golden and Josephine Farr. She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Lee (Howard), and her sons Barry D. Ethington (Marsha) and Collin Scott Ethington (Rosalie) and her grandchildren Michael Lee (Julia), Deborah Johnson (Lance), Stephen Lee (Misti), Rebecca Adams (Brandt), Mary Maroon (Matthew), Kristie Farmer (Brenon), Laurel Kramer (Thomas), Kari Klineman (Jarl), Krista Kader, Megan Ethington, Sarah Ethington, Collin Ethington, Nathan Ethington, Danielle Wheeler (Matthew), and Cosette Ethington. She is also survived by her brothers Ronald Farr (Sytha), Anthony Farr (Vickie) and her sister Dolpha Coleman. Yvonna taught school and was a counselor in the Phoenix Union School District until her retirement. She was a devout Christian and worked tirelessly in the service of others. We will miss her. There will be a viewing Friday, April 9 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 10 at 10 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1950 W. Galveston in Chandler (corner of Dobson and Galveston). Burial will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Elberta “Birdie” L. Davis, 92, passed away at home in Goodyear, AZ, Thursday, April 1, 2010. She was born November 14, 1917 in Denver, CO. She was a retired nurse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornell B. Davis, daughters Patricia Worrall and Sharla Rae Snyder, and grandsons Jon Rowlands and Tommy Worrall. She is survived by her son C. B. “Bing” Davis II, daughters Teri Ellis, Cheryl Tyler, Daunell “Dawn” Castleberry, Becky Page, Genae Heiner, 29 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was sealed to her husband in the Salt Lake Temple. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 7th from 6-8 p.m. at Bunker’s Mortuary, 33 Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Burial will be at the Payson, UT cemetery on Saturday, April 10, 2010.

DeGroff, Leon (Lee) passed peacefully into eternal life at home in Mesa Monday evening, March 29th after a valiant 11 year struggle with several serious health problems. He continued to have fun right to the last hour with friends and family. Lee spent 4 years in the Navy and while in his third year of service married his sweetheart, Helen Jensen in 1957 and had 52 good years with her. Lee was born in Kearney, New Jersey in 1937 and continued to live in other locations in New Jersey until 1972 when he moved the family to Arizona for a better place to bring up his boys: Kreg Robert, Kenneth Christian, Keith Edward (predeceased) and Kyle Lon. Lee started 3 successful businesses in his lifetime, comprising a fleet of Jumbo Ice Cream trucks, Task Masters Landscaping, and Arizona Train Depot. Ever since childhood Lee has been fascinated with model trains and even founded his own train club called ABTO (Arizona Big Train Operators). Lee was also a fan of the Diamondbacks, Sun Devil football and the New York Yankees. He was a Little League coach for his son’s teams and enjoyed watching them progress. Lee and his wife loved to travel and their favorite place to visit was The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island in Michigan. They also loved their home in Strawberry, Arizona until his health prevented him from traveling to higher elevations. He loved being with his wife, sons and their children and was devoted to his family. Lee made friends everywhere he went and was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a faithful home teacher. He leaves his wife Helen, his sons, 16 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, his sisters Doreane and Denise and a brother Edward. Visitation is Monday, April 5, from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Tuesday, April 6 visitation will be from 9–9:45 AM followed by funeral services at 10 AM at the LDS chapel at 1455 N. Harris in Mesa. Burial will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Lee to Hospice of the Valley.

James Lee Jewell, better known as Jim is survived by his sister Verna Clemens & brother Herschel Jewell both of Arizona & his three children, Pat Hobbs, & her husband Max of California, Jimmy Jewell of Arizona , & LoriBeth Shaffer, & her husband Reese of Texas. Jim has three grandchildren, Keith Hobbs & his wife Merilee of California, Chad Hobbs & his wife Kimera of California & Reba Shaffer of Texas. Jim has 5 great grandchildren, Amanda Hobbs, Kameron Hobbs, Landon Hobbs, and Melissa Hobbs & Brigette Hobbs. WWII veteran, Jim served in the Navy. He has lived in AZ his entire life primarily working

in sales. Visitation will be Monday, April 5, 2010 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Graveside services are Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 11 AM at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street in Mesa.

Rita Rich Westover. After a courageous battle with cancer, Rita was called home to be with her Father in Heaven on March 27, 2010. Born Aug 18th, 1947 to Gail and Emily Williams of Jerome, Idaho, her formative years were spent on the family dairy farm where she learned to love nature and value hard work. In 1970, she graduated from Brigham Young University, and shortly thereafter fell in love and married her eternal companion, the late F. Brent Rich, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They settled in Eugene, Oregon, where they raised their five children and actively served in the community and church.

In 2002, Rita married her second great love husband, James H. Westover, of Phoenix, Arizona. During their time together, they were privileged to serve together as LDS missionaries in the Florence, Oregon area. There, as in every moment of her life, Rita’s cheerful smile and personality touched the lives of everyone she met.

Charity was Rita’s most distinguishing characteristic. Her greatest joy in life was serving those she loved, and she loved everyone. Rita is survived by her husband, mother, 5 siblings, 5 children and spouses, 5 stepchildren, and 23 grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 6-8 PM at the LDS Glen Lakes Ward chapel, 8840 North 61st Ave, Glendale, AZ. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM with a visitation at 10 AM on Wednesday, March 31st, at the same location. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Standage, Peter James passed away peacefully on March 23rd 2010 in Queen Creek Arizona. Peter was born August 21, 2007 in Mesa Arizona. Peter is survived by his parents, David and Jamie Standage, his siblings, Sarah, Ben, Emily & Timmy. His grandparents, Helen Combs, Charles & Mary Beck, Tom and Cheryl Whipple, and Betty and Harley Jarvis. His aunts and uncles, Bill & Carrie Walden, Scott & Jennifer Standage, Paul Standage, Marc and Deanna Chesley, Shauna & Chris Benson and 15 cousins. Peter was preceded in death by his grandpa Keith F. Standage. Peter had a special place in his heart for the dear Walden family as they treated him as their own from the first day they met him. He loved to sign each of their names. Peter had a special gift of making everyone feel loved. He brought a smile to every person he met. Although he lived only 2 and half short years, in those years he brought a lifetime of happiness to all who knew him. He loved to read books, taking baths, going into the ocean no matter how cold it was, eating fishy crackers, taking walks to the park, playing with the dogs, but most of all he loved his family. We are grateful to the many wonderful people who loved and cared for him, a multitude of people to great to name individually but you know who you are. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday March 27, 2010 at 10 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 19730 E Ocotillo Rd, Queen Creek, AZ. Located just west of the NWC of Ocotillo and Hawes. Arrangements entrusted to Bunkers Garden Chapel. Although we will miss our precious perfect Peter, we are eternally grateful that we were blessed with his special spirit and can’t wait for the day that we will see him again and feel of his Christ like love.

William Newton Bickford, 93, of Mesa, AZ passed away March 12, 2010 in Mesa. He was born February 26, 1917 in Lawton, OK. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wanda, daughter Linda Pigman, 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He had a 38-year career with Mountain Bell and loved to watch the Dallas Cowboys, win or lose. Services will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa.

Donald Thomas (“Tom

Fleming, Bernard G. (Bud)

Beloved father and grandfather of Mesa, Arizona passed away

December 24th, 2009 at the age of 84. Born in Kimball, South

Dakota in 1925, Bud grew up in a proud, hard working, farming

family that endured The Great Depression and drought to later

revel in military service, career and family. He is preceded in

death by his parents and eight of nine siblings. He is survived

by one sister, Bernice Miller of Edgemont, South Dakota, his

daughter Susan of Mesa, his seven sons Richard, Michael, Roger,

Timothy, Philip, Jeffrey and David of Denver, Colorado,

nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Mass

will be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 26th, 2010 at Queen of Peace

Catholic Church, 141 N. MacDonald in Mesa with military honors and interment

immediately following at the Veterans National Memorial

Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.

Patricia A. Decker of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away March 19, 2010 of cardiac arrest. She was preceded in death, in 2006, by her husband William. She is survived by her two sisters Jeanette Crow of South Haven, MI and JoAnne Williams of Haslett, MI. Also survived by three sons Dean (Beth) of Marietta, GA, Dan (Kate) of Hastings, MI, David (Diane) of Cincinnati, OH and her 7 grandchildren. She moved to Sun Lakes in 1987. Patricia was a homemaker, raising her three sons. She enjoyed reading, laughing, whistling, and anything Irish. She was a member of St. Stevens Catholic Church. A devoted mother, she was dedicated to her faith, loyal to her family and always proud of her country. Family requests that memorials be sent to goredforwomen.org/donate.aspx or St. Basil’s Catholic School Endowment Fund. Mass of Christian burial was held at Wednesday, March 24, 2001 at 9:30 AM at St. Stevens of Sun Lakes. Graveside ceremony followed at Valley of the Sun Cemetery, Chandler, AZ. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.