Find An Obituary

Robert A. Johnson, 76, of Gilbert, AZ died peacefully at home Monday. Born in Brockton, MA to Arthur and Ruth Johnson; he was Vice President at Brockton Hospital and President of the Goddard Hospital Stoughton, MA. An avid golfer and reader, whose humor and kindness were recognized by all; he joins his son Scott who died in 2008, and is survived by his wife Gayle Maroon Johnson, daughter Cheryl Spear, son Kevin, brothers, Arthur, Ernest, and Larry, grandchildren Douglas and Donald Spear, Samantha and Jamie Johnson, and countless friends. Celebrations of Bob’s life are being planned for the near future in both AZ and MA. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ALS Association.

Joseph Lawrence LeQuia went to eternal rest on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, after an extended stay at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa. He was born July 6, 1929 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, MI to Joseph N. and Rose A. (Pepin) LeQuia. Joseph and Helen were residents of Niagara, WI and are current residents of Good Life Resort in Mesa for 20 years. They were married on August 9, 1948. He is survived by his wife Helen, six children Michael LeQuia, James (Cindy) LeQuia, Susan Johnson, Carol (Dan) St. Arnauld, Richard (Tammy) LeQuia, and Joseph (Emily) LeQuia. He has 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard, Ken, Paul, and Francis. He is survived by his sisters Theresa, and Rosemary and his brother Bob. He worked many years for Red Owl Corporation, then built his own store LeQuia’s Foodland in Niagara, WI. Coming from outside of Niagara, he really enjoyed meeting, working with and becoming a part of the community. After selling the store he went to work for Culligan Water and then to D & L Plumbing in Iron Mountain, MI. He was a devoted family man and enjoyed playing pool and horseshoes. He was nicknamed “Joe Fix It

Virginia Grace Wright, our sweet mother, passed away on Feb. 12, 2010. She was born Aug. 11, 1920 in Mesa, AZ. She married William Goodman Wright in the Mesa LDS Temple on Oct. 18, 1938. Her loving husband Bill and only son Billy preceded her in death. Her surviving daughters are Lynelle Jackson (Glenn), Susan Woolsey (Robert), Marilyn Whiting (Lynn), and Ginger Allen (Tony). Mom had 18 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren. Mom loved working at Wright Market as the Postmaster. Customers loved her and would stand in long lines for her to wait on them. She was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Relief Society President and in various other callings as well as being the Bishop’s wife for ten years. Funeral services will be February 18, 2010 at 10:00 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9:00 AM at the LDS Church at 422 E. University in Mesa. Burial will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883.

Garner Allen Mabry Jr. passed away in his Mesa home at 9:13 AM on Friday, February 12, 2010, an exceptionally great day in Arizona, holding the hand of his dear wife of 67 years, Helen Dixon Mabry. He was surrounded by all six of his children, many of their spouses, and several of their 32 Grandchildren. Over 77 Great- and 8 Great-Great Grandchildren waited prayerfully for the news. Born an only child in Baytown Texas on June 25, 1924, Al is preceded in death by his father Garner “Pop

Rebecca Merrill Fullagar was born on September 3rd, 1954 in Ajo, Arizona – New Cornelia Hospital. Becky passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2010 at 1:17am following a long struggle and illness at Banner Baywood Hospice in Mesa Arizona. She was preceded in death by her Father, Arthur R. Fullagar and Mother, Irma Merrill Fullagar and is survived by Christopher A Fullagar – brother, Robyne Bunker Fullagar – sister-in-law, Wren Merle Fullagar – niece, Carson Christopher Fullagar – nephew, Hallie LaPriel Fullagar – niece, William B Merrill – uncle and many cousins in Arizona and other states.

Becky graduated from Ricks College in 1974 and BYU with a BA and MA in 1977. She worked for the City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department early in her work career. Most recently she was very proud of her work in jewelry design with Artawakenings of the East Valley, where she was learning the art of beading. Her presence will be missed at Jewelry exhibits through out the Valley. Funeral will be Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 10:00 AM the Mesa 60th Ward Building, 2152 E. Adobe, Mesa, Arizona 85213. Interment will follow at Mesa City Cemetery.

Aubrey M. (“Skeeter

Gloria May (Reedy) Brinton, Born 12-2-23, deceased 2-8-10. Married 6-24-41 to Harold Reedy. Children: Bill Reedy, Richard Reedy, Jean Wharton, and Bob Reedy. Married 3-2-91 to Dilworth Brinton. Her greatest accomplishment was her family. She loved to go to parties. She was the second female mgr. in the JC Penney Co. Viewing will be Feb. 11 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services will be Feb 12 at 10am at the LDS Church, 933 E Brown Rd, Mesa.

Connie Miranda, 71, passed away February 8, 2010 in Tempe, AZ. Visitation will be Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr in Mesa. Funeral Services are Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3201 S. Evergreen Road in Tempe. Connie was a beautiful, loving, and sweet mother of five children, eleven grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She valued family above all, and gave of herself so that her children may succeed. She was a true Samaritan and always gave what she had to those in need. She will be dearly missed by all who know her.

Crystal Warvie Hart, 43, passed away January 31, 2010 at her home in Queen Creek. She was born April 9, 1966 in Mesa to William and Donna Hargus. She is survived by her husband JB Hart, daughter Lauren, father William Hargus, sister Elaine Enlow and brother Robbie Hargus. Crystal was loved by many and will always be remembered by her outgoing, fun-loving personality, and infectious laughter. She was a caring and loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend that will be truly missed. Visitation will be Monday, February 8, 2010 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, followed by Graveside services at the Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street.

Robert LeRoy Hurt passed away February 3, 2010 in Mesa, AZ. He was born June 1, 1923 to Harmon Leotho and Bertha Griffing Hurt in Londale, WV. He joined the Navy during WWII, serving on a carrier and in Japan, New Guinea and Australia. After the war he worked in construction, building homes and churches. He moved to Arizona in 1970. Robert was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in leadership positions, scouting and as a temple worker for 13 years. He also served missions with his wife Norma in Illinois, Salt Lake City and Kansas. Robert loved to travel with his family, especially by train. He was a loving husband, father and friend to all who knew him. He is survived by Norma, his wife of 30 years, children Robin Hurt, Claudia “Pinki

Ralph Stanley Martineau, 83, passed away Jan. 28, 2010 in Maricopa, AZ. He was born May 23, 1926 in Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico to Leland Knowlton and Irene Brown Martineau. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife June Beecroft Martineau, daughter Alberta Lee Martineau Rapier and sister Ruth Martineau. He is survived by his daughter Josephine (Lynn) Bates, sisters Carmen Spillsbury, Catherine Merrill, and brothers Knowlton, Reed, Kent & Bill Martineau, grandsons Ryan and Jerry Rapier, James Bates, granddaughter Rachel (Russell) Weaver, and great-grandchildren Katie Raff, Abbie, Braden, Logan & Katie Rapier, Jocelyn, & Lucas Weaver, and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was a mechanic and millwright. He owned and operated two construction companies in Tempe/ Phoenix Arizona, (Machinery Erection Service, and Pima Construction) as well as a wrecking yard (Eastside Auto). His Hobbies were rock hounding, and mines. After retirement, he bought, fixed up and sold cars, trucks and large equipment.

The visitation will be Feb. 5th at10 AM, followed by services at 11 AM at the Maricopa 1st Ward Chapel, 45235 W. Honeycutt Ave, Maricopa, AZ. Arrangements by Bunkers Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa AZ. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley who served and helped so well in Ralph’s final days

Chester Lee Smith, 70, of Mesa, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2010. He was born July 19, 1939, to Marion and Harriet Griggeory Smith in Waynesville, MO. After joining the Navy in 1957, and having visited family in Arizona, he persuaded his mother, brother and sister to move to Mesa. Chester worked in the telecommunication field and retired from AT&T in 1999. He spent over 30 yrs as a volunteer and President of the Mesa Girl’s Softball League. He served on the Mesa Parks Board and was named the 1993 recipient of the Award of Excellence by the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association at the group’s 43rd annual conference. Chester is survived by his wife of over 49 years Diana (Young); three children Shelley Reid (Eric), Mark Smith (Lisa), and Connie Chastain (Kevin); nine grandchildren; sister Harriet and brother George. Visitation will be held Monday, February 1, 6:00-8:00 pm with the funeral Tuesday February 2, at 10:00 am at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.

John Wesley Watson 72, passed away January 23, 2010 in Casa Grande, AZ. He was born in Phoenix, AZ on 1-1-1938. He loved his work of 35 years for the Mesa Public Schools as a teacher & student counselor. He also spent his life serving others through his church callings. He was preceded in death by his father Wes Watson. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Janelle, three sons, Reed (Becky), Kevin (Jane) Paul (Becky) & 11 wonderful grandchildren. Also, his mother Vera Watson, two sisters Sandra Cooper, Sue Williams, and one brother Tom Watson. Visitation will be held Wed. Jan. 27, 2010 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services will be Thu. Jan. 28th at10:00 am, preceded by a visitation at 9:00 AM at the LDS church building, 787 E. Kortsen, Casa Grande, AZ.

Vernon Paul Curnow, a retired Army veteran of World War ll, peacefully passed away on January 26, 2010, after a lengthy illness. He was born July 6, 1914 in Central City, Colorado, and was the oldest of five children. He graduated from East High School in Denver. He entered World War ll in 1944 and retired as a LT. Colonel after 20 years of service. Vernon was an accomplished diver, trampolinist, and skater. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in several church callings. He spent most of his spare time working on cars. He lived most of his life in Colorado, but in 1988 he moved to Mesa, Arizona where he spent the last 22 years. Proceeded in death by Joseph Curnow (father), Mabel French (mother), Raymond Curnow (brother), Paulene Juhnke (sister), and Robert Curnow (brother). He is survived by Eileen Curnow, his sweet wife of 62 years, and his three children Richard (Joyce) Curnow, Verleen McDougal, and Stanley (Amy) Curnow. He leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, Alberta Pierce (sister), and several nieces and nephews. His family was so blessed to have such a sweet, kind, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. In his honor a visitation will take place at Bunkers University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa. Monday, February 1, 2010 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.