Find An Obituary

DUDLEY JOY ASHCROFT, 92, Born 22 October 1917 in Cannonville, Utah to Josiah Emer Ashcroft and Arrilla Hamblin. He was reunited with his eternal sweetheart, Lola Whiting and 20 siblings, on May 17, 2010. Youthful memories include growing up in rural Eagar Arizona. As a loving and dedicated father and grandfather he leaves Moe (Gale), Lynn (DeeAnne) and La Kay, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. His family and children were his whole life. “If Grandpa can’t do it, nobody can.

Johnson, Emmy Lou, 78 of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully on the evening of May 15, 2010 surrounded by family members. Emmy Lou was born June 25, 1931 in Los Angeles, CA, the daughter of Joseph and Florence Westerdahl Kendall. She will be remembered as a wonderful, caring and giving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She was dedicated and devoted to her family and friends. Her grandchildren always looked forward to visits at grandma’s, which always ended with a bowl of ice cream. She was a widow for the past 25 years and raised her children in righteousness. She was very active in the Republican Party and volunteered at the Mesa LDS Temple for many years. We are comforted with the knowledge that she is finally reunited with her beloved Mac, never again to be separated. She holds a special place in all of our hearts and she will be missed. Emmy Lou is survived by her sisters, Karen Chapman and Karol Layton, her six children, Michael (Kelly) Johnson of Mesa, AZ, David (Joylene) Johnson of Mesa, AZ, Kathy (Rick) Carlsen of Mesa, AZ, Gregory (Lori) Johnson of Gilbert, AZ, Timothy (Alicia) Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT and Jennifer (Roger) Goodman of Mesa, AZ, her 26 grandchildren, 1 deceased grandchild, and 4 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held May 20, 2010 at 10 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1911 N. 24th St. in Mesa (1 block south of McKellips between Gilbert and Lindsay Roads). A viewing will be held May 19 from 6-8pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ.

Luise B. Holmes, 90, born January 30, 1920 in Salt Lake City, UT passed away May 10, 2010 in Mesa, AZ. She retired from the City of Mesa and was an accomplished artist and published poet. She was a devoted temple worker for over 20 years. She was preceded in death by her husband James C. Holmes; daughters Marjorie H. Weeks, Becky Lee Stephens; sons Stephen T. and James C. Holmes. She is survived by her children Lynn Jackson, Leslie (Herbert) Snyder, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Services will be Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10 AM at the LDS Cornerstone Ward, 422 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Henry G. DeVeau of Mesa, AZ passed away May 7, 2010 at home. Henry is survived by his wife June, 5 children, 3 step-children, 33 grandchildren and more than 40 great-grandchildren. He was a member of the LDS Church. Henry served his country in the Air Force as a pilot from 1943-1946. He was a co-founder of the Phoenix Flyers. He was previously employed by Berge Ford and later owned an Exxon station at McKellips and Mesa Drive. Funeral services are Wed., May 12, 2010 at 9 AM preceded by a visitation at 8 AM at the LDS Three Fountains Ward, 1852 N. Stapley Dr. in Mesa. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the HDSA (Huntington’s Society). Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Kay Jean Smith Allen, born May 30, 1933 in Bisbee, AZ, passed away May 5, 2010 in Mesa, AZ. She was the daughter of Nephi Lot Smith and Zetta Elizabeth Kempton of Safford, AZ. She married Conrad K. Allen on December 14, 1950 in the Mesa AZ temple. They are eternal sweethearts. She loved everyone she knew and they loved her back. She filled her family’s life with love and music. She has left a legacy of faith and will be greatly missed. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is survived by her loving husband, Conrad K Allen, and eight children, Roni Bates (Ivan), Christon C Allen (Debbie), Noel S. Allen (Karen), Cory N Allen (Cindy), Kevin K Allen (Robin), Melodee A Jones, Shawn C Allen (Susan), Elizabeth Banks (David). Her posterity included 53 grandchildren (49 survive her), 79 great-grandchildren (78 survive her), and 1 great-great-grandchild. A viewing will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. at the Boulder Creek Stake Center at 3025 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa, AZ. 85208. The memorial services will follow at 10:30 a.m. The family would like to express love and thanks to all those who have blessed their lives and the lives of their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

J. Darwin Gunnell, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a well known Mesa Business, Community and LDS Church leader, passed away on April 29, 2010 at the age of 94. His legacy of dedication and generosity to his family, his community and his Church is unsurpassed. He was preceded in death by his wife Olive, of 53 years. Darwin is survived by his children; Brent (Laura), Lamoine (Susan), Steve (Rhonda), Douglas (Ellen), Kay Bradshaw (Mark), and Scott (Rachael); 35 grandchildren, 93 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren; his wife Dorothy and her daughter Rita Abbott Rhodes (Vaughn) of Tremonton, Utah. He leaves two brothers, Karl (Norene) and Grant (Alice) and one sister, Ruth Strong (Raymond).

Darwin was born a twin, the 4th of 9 children to Charles B. and Myrtle Cutler Gunnell in Snowville, Box Elder County, Utah. His boyhood was spent in Howell, Utah where his parents had a dry farm raising Turkey red wheat. He attended grade school through the 8th grade, went on to Bear River High School graduating in 1933. He attended Utah State College in Logan before serving a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission with headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Following his mission he married Olive Christopherson from Garland in the Logan Temple on July 5th, 1939. He then entered into partnership with his father in their extensive farming operations for 3 years. In early 1942 he moved his family to Mesa, Arizona to enter the tire business as a franchise operator with the O.K. Rubber Welders Company, a tire retreading and repair company. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, normal supplies of retreading materials were reduced as was the availability of new tires and his growing business was at the crossroads. He saved his business by recognizing he could repair tires found in salvage yards. This was the first of many opportunities he took advantage of as his business prospered over the next 40 years.

In 1963 he and several others founded the “Big O Tire Company

Ernest Samuel Briggs, born March 10, 1919, one of 9 children of Azer R. Briggs and Emilie Osterloh of Magrath, Alberta, Canada, passed away April 29, 2010. In his youth he graduated from “Olds School of Agriculture” and during WWII served his country in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Ernest married Elizabeth “Betty” Spence of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of 7 children: William Azer (Karen) Briggs of Regina, Sask., Canada, Victoria (David)(deceased) Sweat of Salt Lake City, UT, Patti (David) Petersen, Rosemary (Paul) Burt, Margaret (Jay) Kocherhans, Nora Jane (deceased) (Kemp) Farnsworth, all of Mesa, AZ, Spence Ernest (Marla) Briggs of Peoria, AZ and a posterity of 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. After farming in Alberta, Canada for 25 years the family sold the farm and moved to Mesa, AZ. Ernest built a swimming pool for race horses (rehabilitation and therapy) near Turf Paradise in Phoenix. Ernest trained and successfully raced horses for many years. Ernest has always been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to many positions of responsibility; serving as a Bishop, Stake Missionary, Temple Ordinance Worker and Asst. to Quorum President and Bishop’s Counselor. Visitation will be Monday, May 3rd 2010 from 6-8pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ and 1 hour before services. Funeral Services are Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 10:00am at the LDS Miller Ward, 933 E. Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.

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.