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Beloved daughter and granddaughter

Beth Hickman was born in Rutland North Dakota to Bob & Lois Case on October 16, 1954. She was the eldest of five children & remained close with her siblings (Bobby, Stan, Carolyn, & Emerson) and their families.
She graduated from Morehead State University where she met & later married Ron Jaeb. Ron’s work took them to Montana & later Arizona. Ron & Beth had three children: Cole, Kyle, & Casey. They gained a bonus child, Zack, almost immediately upon arriving in Arizona. Ron died tragically when Casey was just an infant.
Ever a fighter, Beth returned to school to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate in order to provide for her family. She earned her masters of education from Arizona State University as a result. Soon after, she met Russ Hickman, the man that she would love for the rest of her days. Russ & Beth married and Russ adopted her children. Together they created a beautiful home.
Beth worked as a junior high resource teacher & touched the lives of countless students. Beth retired a few years ago & took on RV living. She & Russ made Picacho Peak their winter destination and traveled to ALL of the U.S. National Parks! She loved reading, knitting, puzzles, & bicycle riding. Most of all she loved her family & friends, especially her grandchildren: Amber, Joey, Troy, Page, Cloe, Jaeb, Everett, & Olive. Beth was a proud Norwegian & passed her love for lefsa onto her children and grandchildren.
Beth was intelligent, kind, fun, strong, independent, & outgoing. She enjoyed an amazing holiday season with her family. Russ & Beth spent Thanksgiving in Iowa with Cole & Kyle’s families and Christmas with family in Arizona. Beth fought hard as health issues took over. She even rallied with a broken arm & pelvis to spend one more day with her grandkids. While hospitalized her organs started to fail & ultimately took her life. She died peacefully on January 10, 2024. She will be immensely missed. She was Russ’ angel on earth & will always be his angel above.
A private memorial service was held in Gilbert, Arizona. Donations made in lieu of flowers will go to benefit education. Contributions can be sent directly to Russ via Zelle at russtherealtor@gmail.com or by check mailed to 514 Americas Way #14054 Box Elder SD 57719.

Trey D. Helquist, 23, died peacefully on January 3, 2024, on the Naval Base San Diego, California.

He was born to Charles L. Helquist Jr and Julee P. Helquist (Recker) in Chandler Regional Hospital, Arizona.

Trey grew up in the Mesa/Gold Canyon East Valley area, graduating from Imagine Preparatory in the class of 2019, and led a happy, active life with family and friends.  He also enjoyed other activities, such as travel, hiking (BSA Troop 219), music, books, snowboarding, and mountain biking.

Trey enlisted in the United States Navy on December 19, 2019, and graduated from Navy Recruit Training Command Great Lakes on February 14, 2020. He continued to serve on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the Corona Cruise and returned safely home in April 2021. He was later promoted to Gunners Mate and then transferred to the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), where he was involved in decommissioning the Bunker Hill missile cruiser.  Soon after, he moved to the amphibious USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), where he was involved with Fleet Week and communication renovations.

Trey is survived by his mother, Julee, and Ben (Stepfather) Recker; his father, Charles L. Helquist Jr.; Brothers, Colby Helquist, Blake, and Jace Recker; grandfathers, Dan Plummer, Charles L. Helquist Sr, Bob Eck, Charlie Recker; grandmothers Carol Haws, Sandra Toniazzo, Debbie Eck and Stephanie Recker. Great Uncles and Aunts: David Plummer (Jody), Morgan (Mary), Denver Johnson (BJ), and William Moore. Uncles and Aunts: Dylan (Kelly), Ryan (Tina) Eck, Keith Helquist, Melissa Wasson, Toni George, and many cousins.

Preceded in death by grandmothers Jane Johnson Eck, Barabra A. Recker great aunt, Janice Johnson Moore, , and Uncle Shawn D. Helquist.

Trey will be very missed by all.  HOOYAH!

A memorial service will be held at Bunker’s University Chapel on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at 10:00 AM. For those unable to attend in person, you will be able to view the service using this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5aPelhviUE

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Jesus Ramon Camarena, Jr. 52 passed away on January 10th, 2024 in Gilbert, Arizona after a long battle with cancer.  Born January 22, 1971 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he was a son of Jesus Sr. and Maria Emilia Camarena.

After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, where he was quickly promoted to sergeant and earned multiple awards.  From a young age, Jesus worked with his father at the family’s automotive garage in Mesa, AZ.

He was the oldest of four children and a devoted father of two sons.

Jesus will be remembered by always helping his family and friends before himself.  He was a son, brother, father and uncle that will be missed tremendously.

Jesus is preceded in death by his mother Maria Emilia Camarena.  He is survived by his father, Jesus R. Camarena Sr.; his sons, Dylan M. Camarena and Jesus R. Camarena III; his brothers, Luis Camarena and his wife Paula of Mesa, Arizona; Carlos Camarena and his wife Sheila of San Tan Valley, Arizona; his sister Stella Garibo and her husband Francisco of Mesa, Arizona.  He was an uncle to David Terrazas, Jacob Garcia, Thomas Garcia, Brianna Garibo, Gabriella Garibo, Adriana Garibo and Emma Camarena.  He was also a great uncle to Jonathon Garcia, Elijah Garcia and Luciana Garcia.

There will be a visitation for Jesus on January 22, 2024 between 10-11 am at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. The funeral mass will be January 22, 2024 at 11:30 am at Queen of Peace, 141 N MacDonald Mesa, AZ 85201. Burial will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201 at 1:00 pm.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Our dear angel mother Shirley Merrill White passed peacefully in her sleep at home on January 10, 2024. She was 94 years old.

Shirley was born on July 9,1929 in Safford Arizona to Vera (Allen) Merrill and Orson Clifford Merrill. As a child she moved around with her family until settling in Mesa during her high school years and attended Mesa High School. She was an example to all who knew her of Christlike love; always abounding in acts of charity and service to anyone in need.

She loved the outdoors and did a lot of camping and fishing. She also loved crocheting, knitting, music, serving in the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, various church callings, and most especially spending time with her family.

Upon marrying her high school sweetheart, she was often found at many a sporting events, concerts, recitals, babysitting, and any event or opportunity that involved her husband or any of her children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren; and they kept her busy. She was greatly loved and often visited by her family and friends; and being a great cook, and the best apple pie maker, served as another reason for her family to frequent her home.

She is now welcomed home into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She is also greeted by her beloved husband Wilford “Whizzer” White, her parents Vera (Allen) and Clifford Merrill, brother Robert Merrill, daughters-in-law Jolynn and Michele, grandson Ryan, and many other loving family and friends.

She is survived by her sister Elaine Merrill Ellsworth (Lynn), her brother Richard Merrill, her children Wilford Daniel (Jolynn deceased) and Linda White, Teresa Lyn White Yetter (Rich), Tammy White Malone (Scott), Cristall White Hall (Mark), Michael Chad White (Michele deceased), 26 grandchildren and 78 great grandchildren.
Mother, God greatly blessed us when He gave us you; till we meet again, we love you!

Funeral Services:
Saturday, January 20,2024
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2424 N Old Gilbert Road, Mesa, Arizona
Visitation 9:00 am
Services 10 am
Interment Mesa City Cemetery, 11:30, 1212 N Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Terry Gerard Motley, also known as “Teddy Bear” was born January 22,1960 to William and Bertha Motley. Terry graduated
from Hammond High in Hammond, In. He later attended college in Powell, Wyoming. Terry joined the U.S. Army. Upon discharge he began working for Greyhound Bus Systems until retirement. Terry loved basketball, barbecuing, and his family. In his youth, he was baptized in Jesus name at Emmanuel Temple Church. When he relocated to Arizona he attended the Brighter Day Deliverance Church. He continued in his faith and belief in God. His parents, William and Bertha, preceded him in death. Terry is survived by his wife, Denise, Children, Jason, Corey (Ebony), Brinjel, Terrance, Zachary, Tyler, Jacob. He has 21 granchildren. Two sisters Cynthia (Lewis) & Angela both of Indianapolis, In. Brothers, Curtis(Stacy) of GulfPort, MS. Tony (Ann) of Birmingham, AL, Richard(Gail) & David of Indianapolis, In. He also has a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Special Friends: John & Sandy Scully
Interment at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Tuesday January 16, 2024 at 10:30 am.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Albert Walter Kutchinsky Jr., 78 of Chandler, AZ, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on January 11, 2024 in Chandler, AZ.

Albert was born in 1945 in Latrobe, PA. First born to Albert Walter Kutchinsky Sr. and Lydia Jean Todd Kutchinsky.

He is survived by his wife Deborah Anne Kutchinsky of Chandler, AZ., as well as his children, Monica Jean Kutchinsky (Jacyln), Aaron Dwayne Kutchinsky (Becky), and Sarah Ann Kutchinsky Atkinson (Robert). He is also survived by his stepchildren Rick Gill (Julie), Carrie Gill, Adam Gill (Jessica), 23 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Albert is also survived by his sister Karen Kutchinsky Gordon and preceded in death by his brother John William Kutchinsky.

Albert is a retired SMSgt. of the United States Air Force where he served for 24 ½ years. Albert enjoyed woodworking, photography, gardening, playing cards, the outdoors, camping, hiking, spending time with his family, root beer, cherry slurpees, butter pecan ice cream and ALL baked goods.

Since 2014, he has served as an ordinance worker every Friday in the Gilbert, AZ Temple. Prior to this service, he served 5 years in the Mesa, AZ Temple. His humble devotion as a temple worker was one of his most cherished callings.

Albert was an expert mechanic, welder, and joke teller. He could repair almost anything. Albert proudly served his country, his family, and his church. He will be missed by all.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the LDS Church building located at 3450 South Lindsay Road Chandler, AZ 85286. Viewing will be at 9 a.m., proceeded by funeral services at 10 a.m.

Albert’s final resting place will be at the Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery at 719 North 27th Ave Phoenix, AZ  85009. Grave service and dedication will be at 2 p.m.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Troy M. Martalock, 62, of Mesa, Arizona passed away January 10, 2024.

Rita M McInnis passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, January 9^th, 2024. She was born March 5^th, 1935 in Toledo, Ohio to Stephen and Kathryn Irmen. She adopted three children, Kristin, Damien James, and Katie. She has 14 grandchildren and  9 great grandchildren. Rita also has 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Over 50 years of her life were dedicated to the service of others in the nursing profession. Rita went into nursing right out of high school getting her nursing degree from St. Vincent School of Nursing. She continued her education throughout the years obtaining a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. Rita was active in the Catholic Church and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. There will be a visitation at Bunker Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, on Sunday, January 21^st from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held at Saint Timothy Catholic Church, 1730 W Guadalupe Rd, on Monday, January 22^nd at 10 am. She will be laid to rest at Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery at 1pm. Memorial tributes may be made to the Catholic Church of your choice, or Hospice of the Valley.

John Talmage “Tal” Huber, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Friend returned home to his Heavenly Father on December 31, 2023.

Tal was born September 22, 1931, in Mesa, Arizona to Lee Jacob and Gladys Leona Pomeroy Huber.  On September 22, 1955, he married the love of his life, LaRae Jenson in the Mesa Arizona Temple, to whom he was married for 68 years. Tal was devoted to LaRae and his five children and was a powerful example and patriarch to his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lee Jacob and Leona Huber, older brothers Melvin and Clarence Huber and step-grandson Timothy Robinson.  He is survived by his wife, LaRae, brother Lee Huber and children; Kerri (Brent) Robinson, Marcie (Gray) Gallacher, Tammy Anderson, Jon (Denae) Huber and Joel Huber, 23 Grandchildren and 24 Great-Grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Tal nurtured a strong testimony of and desire to serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and share his love of the Gospel.  He served an honorable mission in Brazil and continued to speak Portuguese throughout his life.  He served as Bishop three times, as a Branch President twice, in several Bishoprics and has had many callings working with adults and youth.  He and LaRae served many years at the Provo MTC as well as Temple Workers at the Mount Timpanogos Temple.

Following his mission, Tal attended Arizona State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and Biochemistry.  He also completed ROTC training and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve Medical Service Corps. He completed his active-duty military training at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and served in the US Army Active Reserve for 30 years, attaining the rank of Colonel.

Following his active military service, Tal and LaRae moved to Ames, Iowa where Tal received his PhD in Dairy Science from Iowa State University.  Upon graduation, Tal accepted a professorship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in Blacksburg, Virginia where he taught and did research.  Following 6 years at VPI, Tal was recruited to Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan, where he continued his teaching and dairy research for 18 years.    He then took a research and teaching position at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, where he retired.

Professionally, Tal’s research and training of graduate students from countries throughout the world leaves an enduring legacy.  He traveled to many countries assisting farmers with nutrition and increasing their dairy yields.  He was a member of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and was awarded the following distinctive awards: The American Feed Manufacturers Award (1968); Researcher of the Year (1993); Outstanding Dairy Nutritionist (1997); Fellow of ADSA (1997) and Outstanding Research in Dairy Science (Borden Award).

Tal was curious and loved learning.  He noticed and put the needs of others ahead of his own.  He would often go out of his way to help when he saw someone in need.  He loved his family, the gospel, his country and loved playing and watching basketball at almost every opportunity.  But, with all of Tal’s academic and professional success, the most important things in Tal’s life were always his faith in Jesus Christ and his family.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the LDS Orchard 6^th Ward Chapel at 1120 East 600 North, Orem, UT.  Family and friends are invited to a viewing at the chapel from 10:00 – 10:40 AM.

For those unable to attend the funeral service in person, you will be able to watch the service on your mobile device via Zoom at:  https://zoom.us/j/92194079926#success beginning shortly before 11:00 AM.

Interment and a graveside service and grave dedication will be at the Mesa City Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona on Friday January 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

In Loving Memory of John Leland Jarvis.

John Leland Jarvis was born in El Paso Texas to Lehi Defriez and Clare McGuire Jarvis, September 19, 1930.  John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol Lucille Scott, four brothers; Lehi Marlin, Clarence Verl, Sidney Carl, Earl Lavon, and Melvin Richard Jarvis.

John’s growing up years were spent in Texas, Arizona, Idaho, California, and Oregon, where his family finally settled.  John went to Salem High School in Salem, Oregon.  At a young age of eighteen he joined the Marine Corps where he spent three years serving his country.  He was honorably discharged.

John met his wife, Carol, in Salem at church, and in a few months they were wed civilly. They were later sealed together for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

John tried his hand as a glass glazer and insurance salesman.  He finally found his niche and for nearly forty years he worked at the Oregon Statesman/Capitol Journal Newspaper in Salem, Oregon where he retired.

John’s wife, Carol, passed away in 1998.  In 1999 he was privileged to meet and marry Viola Sanderson Walker.  John and Viola enjoyed 24 years of adventures together. They served a mission in Bilbao, Spain.  After serving their mission, they traveled to Mexico, visiting John’s grandfather’s homestead and the area where his father was born and grew up.  In other trips they traveled to Israel, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and several sites in the United States.  Two notable trips were to Nauvoo with Viola and then with his grandson to Washington D.C. to watch him receive an award at the Pentagon.

John’s dedication to his family and faith were primary to his life and could be seen in his everyday life.  His prayers were to be worthy to return to the presence of the Lord.  He also prayed that his family would be watched over and they would find their way to the Savior.

John is survived by his wife, Viola Sanderson Walker Jarvis, brothers James Vernon and Phillip Mac Jarvis, children Carol Ann Parkhurst, David Scott Jarvis (Laura), Dennis Lee Jarvis, Debra Sue Swift (Robert), and Jeffrey Brian Jarvis (Tracy).  He has 17 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Services may be LIVE streamed by using the zoom link for the funeral broadcast for John Jarvis:

https://zoom.us/j/98979425485

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Theresa Larsen Armstrong, 65, entered eternal rest on January 4, 2024 after a long battle with cancer, showing courage and strength until her final breath.

Theresa led an active life filled with family, friends and her love of the great outdoors. She will be remembered for her spunky personality, adventurous spirit and overall enthusiasm for life.

A memorial service will be held on January 22, 2024 at 10 AM at Bunker Family University Chapel, 3529 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at Simpleton’s Restaurant and Bar, 2639 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ. All family and friends are welcome.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

John Keith Alston, 69, of Mesa, AZ passed away on January 5, 2024 in his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  John was born on July 17, 1954 to John Henry and Marlene Jensen Alston in Pocatello, Idaho.  He was the third child, and first son, of seven children.

When he was 6-years-old, his family moved from Idaho, across the country to South Carolina where his family made many wonderful memories and grew to love the people of the South.  From a young age John was a motivated self-starter with an attention to detail, which helped him as he took charge of many family responsibilities at home, and worked several different jobs in the community.

Eventually his family moved back west to Utah and then to Las Vegas, Nevada where he graduated from ‘Valley High’ high school in 1973. Not long after that he helped to move his family to settle in the Mesa, Arizona area.

From 1973-1975, John served in the England Bristol Mission as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This spirit of missionary work would continue with him throughout the rest of his life.

After his mission, John met his sweetheart, Delia Ann Hale, when he threw her into a pool at a church activity for the young single adults.  They were married March 11, 1977 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.

John graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration.  After college, they lived in Vallejo and Fairfield, CA for a few years where John worked as a sporting goods sales representative.  Eventually, new job opportunities brought him back to Arizona to be amongst family.  John worked sales and then eventually insurance for many years.

Introduced by his Uncle Don Jensen, John navigated the world of broadcasting.  After 10 uncertain years, in 1995, he was able to secure and create the station WB 61 with his brother-in-law, Gregg Brooks, where they were proud to bring General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Phoenix Valley.

John had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He loved serving in the church and early on worked as a young men’s president and scout master, helping all four of his sons receive their Eagle Scout Awards.  He later went on to serve in the ward bishopric, on the stake high council, and loved serving as a ward missionary.

John had a gift of making people feel loved.  He could never enter an elevator or public space without making a new friend.  John knew how to make things happen, see things that needed to be done, and get them done in the most efficient manner possible.  He was funny, kind, and always a friend to the underdog.

Supporting his family was one of his greatest joys.   Through paper routes, making dip packets, school musicals, cast parties, fundraisers, dance festivals, church callings, coach, Little League president, trip planner, and listener he was there for the people he loved.

John is preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife: Delia, his siblings: Kathy (Gregg) Brooks, Teri (Rocky) Turner, Lori (Steven) Rhoton, Steven, Richard, David (Sandra), Mari-Ann (Jeremy) Allen and his seven children: John (Jamie), Christopher (Maria), Joshua (Amelia), Rebecca (Rob) Bingham, Jaimie, Jason (Anna), Katie (Kyle) Spaulding, and his 22 grandchildren.

Services will be held January 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the LDS Mountain View Stake Center (1550 N. Val Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ).  There will be a viewing held Thursday, January 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM and Friday, January 12 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will take place at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Saturday, January 13.

For those who are unable to attend the service in person, you will be able to view it here:  https://zoom.us/j/96606610728

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Freddie Alden Gilbert of Mesa, Arizona, age 86, joined his heavenly Father November 29, 2023. (Or as he would have said, he “got promoted!”)  Born April 27, 1937, to Donald Frederic Gilbert and Marian Elizabeth Stough Gilbert in Fort Morgan, Colorado, he was a cowboy at heart!

As a church janitor, USPS mail carrier, Ratheon employee, franchisee owner of 7-11 in Santa Clara, CA, owner of Gilbert Automotive, owner/operator for Mayflower Transit and driver at the General Motors Proving grounds, he truly was a “jack of all trades.”  Perhaps the job he held closest to his heart was being the Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Brandon, Minnesota.

He was a long time member of Desert Cross Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona, where he served passionately for over 30 years and was a founding member of the “Wise Guys.”

He is survived by his brothers Richard L. Gilbert of Las Vegas, Nevada and David B. Barber of Craig, Colorado, his children Timothy A. Gilbert of Incline Village, Nevada, Terri A. Reynolds of Buckeye, Arizona and Kyle E. Gilbert of Vancouver, Washington, his grandchildren Tiffany, Melissa, Veronica, Tim Jr., Victoria, Broderic and Fallon and 11 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Donald E. Barber, a sister Arlene F. Sisson and his wife Joyce Gilbert.

The memorial service will be held on January 13, 2024, at 11AM at Desert Cross Lutheran Church at 8600 S. McClintock Dr. in Tempe, AZ, 85284.  The service will be live streamed at youtube.com/@DesertCrossLutheranChurch.

Memorial donations may be made to the I-Help ministry at Desert Cross in Fred’s name.  Checks should be made out to Desert Cross with the notation of I-Help/Fred Gilbert.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Jill Thomas Frost, age 56, passed away in her home in Mesa, Arizona on January 4th, 2024 due to complications with COVID and Diabetes. 

Jill burst into this world on January 3rd, 1968 to Barbara Kay Jansson and Robert Fred Thomas in Logan, Utah. She was the second of 7 children and was privileged to have been raised in a close-knit, warm, loud, welcoming home. Jill’s parents knew all her friends by name and took great interest and joy in their lives as they grew up, which Jill later continued with her own children’s friends. 

She spent her elementary school years in north Ogden, Utah and her junior high years in Littleton, Colorado where she made friends who have stayed close over the decades.  During the Littleton years, many happy days were spent in the mountains with skis underfoot. She was a great skier on water and snow.  Perhaps, the thing she liked most about both was the suntanned face she got in the mountains and the great tan she got on the boat. Jill was just simply happier with a good tan.

Her dad was a pharmaceutical rep who enjoyed taking Jill and her siblings on special daddy daughter/son work trips with him. Jill always had a tender relationship with her dad and it showed in the giant smile he had in her presence. “Tilly” as he called her, was an eager student and those early seeds planted from her medical office visits with her dad took root. Jill pursued her medical field passion by becoming a nurse and later in life was the biggest cheerleader for two sisters and several nieces who followed suit. 

Jill met her husband Rick when he strolled into Orem’s Kentucky Fried Chicken for an all-you-can-eat meal. Their first date was to homecoming at Orem High where Rick learned quickly he had a younger brother, Scott to win over. Rick and Jill and her siblings had a closely intertwined circle of friends who impacted them greatly and have continued to do so over the years. Jill graduated from Orem High, class of 1986. She corresponded with Rick faithfully for two years while he served an LDS service mission in Alabama. Shortly after he returned home, they were married in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on July 14th 1989.

Their early years of marriage, as poor college students, at Utah State University were treasured years. Rick and Jill reflected on these years often. Some of Jill’s most cherished friendships developed in Logan. In January of 1994 they welcomed their daughter Sydni “Bug” Frost. In 1996, after accepting their first post-grad jobs in Huntington, Utah, they welcomed their daughter Cassidy, “Casper” Frost. She was equally proud, passionate and feisty in favorite roles as wife, mother and nurse. 

In the fall of 1999, Rick and Jill moved to Arizona to raise their family in the valley of the sun, where she could enjoy 364 sunny days a year. She made great efforts to manage her time and energy to ensure that her girls always got the best of her. She worked the graveyard shift as a nurse for years while the girls were young so she could be home with them during the day and available to them at the crossroads of their lives. In 2005, she pivoted into occupational health and collectively worked for over 20 years at Dignity Health. 

Jill never left a job undone, half done or even simply 100% done. She always over-delivered with her whole heart. She went above and beyond in her role as sister and aunt, earning the nickname “Aunt Hog” for her insistence on smothering with love. She instilled in her children the value of education as they watched her fiercely pursue her post graduate goals at both the University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University. 

Jill was a nurturer. She was known in her community and neighborhood for sharing her time through meaningful conversation. She loved her pet wiener dogs, who were kept warm in the Arizona winters by her crochet sweaters. Her countless roles in Church service, her crocheted blankets, Christmas toffee, homemade rolls and the love she extended towards others has impacted many. However, her best days were spent with her family, toes in the sand and a crisp diet coke with lime in her hand. 

Jill stayed busy as the soccer mom, the basketball mom and the coach’s wife, the Lotoja support crew, the RMHS basketball bookkeeper, the Easter Pageant Nurse, etc. She dove head first into whatever her girls or husband loved. In her “empty nesting” years, Rick and Jill fell back in love with passing time together. They attended 80s band concerts with siblings, paddle boarded the Salt River, attended ASU football games, camped in the White Mountains and found ways to adventure together. They took every opportunity to gather their family together and create meaningful memories that will be cherished forever. Seeing Jill in her “Grandma Jilly” era was pure magic. She will be sorely missed. 

First and foremost, Jill was a mother with a lion heart who spent her days and nights in the pursuit of her children’s safety, peace and joy. Her husband was her companion and best friend from her teenage years as they grew in faith, purpose and experience together. They built their dreams together with purpose, planning and dedication. They were committed to their shared goals and worked hard to meet them. Rick and Jill had a way of finishing each other’s thoughts and guiding each other’s decisions and actions. They could communicate so much with a teasing quip or a humorous question that made the other pause and review a situation or a statement. Jill was always quick to speak, quick to share her opinion and quick to apologize and self-correct when needed.  She was a woman of true grace, a gracious and generous spouse, mother, daughter, sister, colleague and friend. We are all changed and bettered by our association with Jill. 

Jill is survived by her husband Frederick (Mesa, AZ);  her mother Barbara Thomas (Orem, Utah), her children Sydni (Samuel Snyder, Logan Utah) and Cassidy (Anchorage, AK), her two grandbabies Cal and Huddy and her 6 siblings; Lori Zubeck (Delta UT), Scott Thomas (Holladay, UT), Holley Aldred (Orem UT), Melanie Bullock (Orem, UT), Ryan Thomas (Portland, OR), and Lindsay Curtis (Riverton, UT) and her 32 nieces and nephews, all of whom consider themselves her favorite. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Thomas, her brother-in-law Brent Bullock and her dear in-laws Herbert and Elinor Frost. 

In Mesa, a viewing will be held at the LDS church house at 3025 S. Hawes Road Mesa, AZ 85212 from 6-8PM on January 9th.  A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 10th at 11am.  For those unable to attend the service in person, you will be able to follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/98346948401

In Utah, a viewing and open house will be held at 762 E 1200 N Orem, on Saturday, January 13th from 10am-12pm. 

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to help diabetes research at diabetes.org/ways-to-give  Get Involved | ADA (diabetes.org) 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

     It is with sad & heavy hearts we announce the passing of our sweet & precious Mom aka Grandma Rozi.  Heaven received a beautiful soul on December 30^th, 2023. Sweet Rozi has suffered with severe mental illness for over 50 years. She has also been suffering the devastating affects of Alzheimer’s disease for the past six years. While we will miss her terribly, we are extremely grateful she is able to go “home” to a perfect, loving Father in Heaven, where we know she will be healed of both of these most serious of illnesses. Since her diagnosis of SMI, outside of her closest family, most people didn’t have the opportunity to know precious Rozi. She was kind, shy, smart, grateful, childlike, and unbelievably sweet. Her smile could light a room. She loved Jesus, all types of church music- especially children’s music, beautiful desert plants, and red roses. For those of us who have been lucky enough to know and love her, we will be forever grateful to and for our Rozi. She has blessed our family so much with countless opportunities to love and serve her.  She has been all things love and light in this world.

Rozi’s two greatest accomplishments were her two children she adored: TJ Lindberg (Renee) and Heidi Lindberg-Roberts-Mitchell (Darrin), along with her 6 grandchildren (Tiffani, Owen, Stone, Paige, London, and Mason), 3 bonus-grandchildren (Mackenzie, Nicholas, & Brooklynn), and 1 great grandchild (Elianna). She is survived by brothers Kent Duncan (Becky) and Phil Duncan (Penny).

She will be reunited in heaven with her lost son McKay, mother and father Louis and Gerlene Duncan, with her brother Scott Duncan (Elaine)

We are grateful for the love and prayers being sent to us by extended family as well as dear friends of our family at this time. In lieu of sending flowers or attending traditional funeral services, will you please consider helping our family honor & share our sweet Mom/ Grandma Rozi’s memory by spreading her sweet love and kindness?  We will be doing this by gifting roses to as many in our community as we can for:

RED ROSES 4 ROZI

Individual roses can be ordered for…

*    $5 per individually wrapped rose OR

*    $20 for 5 individually wrapped roses.

Each rose will include the attached message- **PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE LOVED**

Please Venmo orders along with your name to: @Compassionate-Service Club

Or you can make a donation in any amount and a group of volunteers will deliver all purchased/donated roses to as many of God’s precious children as possible to Dementia care facilities and Mental health clinics. Thank you in advance for your love and support as we honor our beloved Rozi the best way we know how: by sharing her precious love and kindness with others.