Find An Obituary

Dan Arland Branch

On Friday, December 16th, Dan Arland Branch (83), loving husband, father of four, grandfather and great grandfather of 24, passed away. Services will be Friday December 30th viewing at 9am and services at 10am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 422 E University Drive Mesa, AZ 85203. A charismatic provocateur his whole life, he engaged regularly in political discourse, spiritual speculation, dramatic entrances, and surreptitious acts of kindness. Dan, as he was fond of reminding people, was named after his father’s favorite horse. He was born on October 22nd 1939 to Arland and Leila Branch. An active international marketing consultant for over 50 years, he travelled regularly throughout Central and South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia forging meaningful and lasting relationships everywhere he went. Deeply devoted to Christ and adventure, he served a 2.5-year mission for his church in Peru and Chile in 1960.  He married the love of his life (Cherry Gayle Overall) of 60 years in 1962, and was blessed with four children, Bret, Ben, Boyd, and Jennifer. He is remembered by his family and friends for twirling his mustache at the end of jokes, his unshakable faith in the mercy and love of Jesus Christ, the transcendence of Miles Davis, and loving his fellow man.

Preceded in death by his parents (Arland and Leila), and younger brother (Steve). Dan is survived by his wife Cherry, children, Bret (Cindy), Ben (Kerri), Boyd, Jennifer (Geoff) Boeyenga, and 24 grand and great grandchildren.

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.

Kristin Leigh Rogers (December 10, 1957– December 19, 2022)

Surrounded by her loving family in the home that she made, Kristin Rogers departed this life peacefully on December 19, 2022, after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).  She was 65.

Kristin was born on December 10, 1957.  After graduating from Ygnacio Valley High in Concord, California, she attended Brigham Young University, where she met the love of her life, David.  Kristin then chose to spend her days loving and serving her family, friends, fellow church members, and 30-years’ worth of preschool and kindergarten students at New Vistas Academy.  Kristin’s greatest life work was making her loved ones’ lives better, their days more joyful, and their characters stronger.  In her “spare” time, she became a Boston Marathon-qualified triathlete, an inimitable baker, a much-loved church youth leader, and the most fun and stylish grandma you’ve ever seen.  Kristin leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.

She survived by her devoted husband of 44 years, David; her father, Karl; her sisters, Kerry and Kim; her brother, Scott (Elaine); her eternally grateful children, Jason (Jenny), Jenny (Tom), Ashley (Will), and Amber; eight adoring grandchildren; and too many loved ones and students to count.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Janet Satterfield.

If Kristin loved anything more than her family, it was the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In the face of an insurmountable health diagnosis, she never lost her faith or begrudged her circumstances—even with certain death on the immediate horizon.  Instead, in Kristin’s final testimony—painstakingly written as her faculties waned—she expressed gratitude for her Savior, the Great Physician.  Because of Him, she knew that one day she would “mount up with wings as eagles”; she would “run, and not be weary,” and “walk, and not faint.”

Thank you, Kristin—forever our dear wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend.  God be with you till we meet again.

Funeral services are Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 10 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 7752 E. McDowell Road, Mesa, AZ.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association (https://donate.als.org/) using drogers@voyagerproperties.com for recipient’s email address.

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.

Those wishing to view the services online, may do so at the following live stream link:
https://zoom.us/j/97705775339?pwd=YVI0akFwb2o0dWNWN1krT3VHaFZjdz09
Passcode: 122222

Virginia Hastings Baker, 83, passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 14, 2022. She was born in her grandmother Hinton’s house in Hurricane, Utah, on December 20, 1938. Virginia was the fourth and youngest daughter of Harvey Elbert Hastings and Camilla Hinton. She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters: Florence Craig, Joann Steffen, and Sara Sylvia Bagley. She is survived by her husband and love of her life of 65 years, Charles Verl Baker, and her children: Laurie Patterson (Gary), Shelley Mills (Steven), Susan Baker (the favorite), Charles II (Jennifer), Matthew (Heidi-deceased; Rebecca), and Scott (Seini), including close family friends Ray Angilau (DeAnn) and Moni Angilau (Elaine). She was a grandmother of 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

When Virginia was 8 years old, she moved with her family from Hurricane to Mesa, Arizona. She attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Mesa. When the new Mesa Junior High opened, she was in the first 8th grade class. Virginia was active in the band in junior high and high school. She was also on the student council, and yearbook staff. She even interviewed actor Art Carney when she worked for the Phoenix Gazette while she was in high school.

Virginia was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations.

When her children were all in school, she worked as a school registrar at Mesa Junior High. Later, she worked as a school secretary for Johnson Elementary School in Mesa until she retired. She made many lifelong friends working at the school. Both teachers and students loved her.

Virginia loved to create beautiful wreaths and flower arrangements. She loved decorating for Christmas—her most favorite time of year—as well as for wedding receptions. We will miss her cooking and baking, especially her Sunday roasts, lemon pies, and pumpkin pies. She loved camping with her family, watching sports (an avid fan of football and basketball), and visiting relatives in other states and countries.

A visitation is scheduled on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ, 85201. Funeral services are Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 11:00 am (preceded by a visitation at 10:00 am) at the LDS Chapel at 2334 East Pueblo Ave., Mesa, AZ, 85204. Virginia will be interred in the Mesa City Cemetery. Bunker’s University Chapel will manage the funeral arrangements.

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.

Live Stream Link To View Service: 

https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fzoom.us%2Fj%2F94496287768%3Fpwd%3DT1h1dUN2RmhTWjQzeVBSY1ZpSDVCZz09&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2DZXuDoucQ7cf-sfmu5eCn

Stephen Harold Denler, 77, died at his home in Mesa, AZ on Dec. 11, 2022 after a short battle with an aggressive illness. Our beloved husband, dad, brother, grandpa, great grandpa and friend to many was surrounded by family when he passed. He is known for his love of life and family, love of adventure, wit and generosity. He loved hunting, fishing, golf, and following BYU sports. He has faith in and love of Jesus Christ which was exemplified in his faithful service and daily
life.

He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Nov. 3, 1945, to Harold and Cleo (Marble) Denler. He grew up in Richland, Washington where he graduated from Columbia High School. He loved his Richland friends and was proud to have been a Richland Bomber. He received 4 Varsity letters for playing Football, Basketball, Baseball and Golf.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the British South Mission from 1965 to 1967. He served three years in the United States Army assigned to the ROTC unit at Brigham Young University. He earned a Bachelor ‘s and Master’s degrees from BYU.

He married the love of his life and eternal companion Cristi Bishop in the Logan Temple on April 3, 1969.

His employment history included working as an executive for the May Company Dept. Stores in Southern California, teaching school in the Alpine School District in Utah, the majority of his career was spent as a furniture manufacturers representative working for these companies, ZCMI executive in Salt Lake City, Lane Furniture Company in 6 western states, AICO Furniture and Ashley Furniture.

After retirement he served 3 more missions with his wife, Cristi. They served at the San Diego State University LDS Institute, the Conference Center at Temple Square and at the Santa Monica College LDS Institute. He especially enjoyed his many opportunities for church service, some of interest were a stint at the MTC and as the Bishop of the BYU 69th ward and the calling of nursery worker in Alpine and Mesa. He also served his community as a member of the Alpine City Council for 4 years making an impact on Alpine City Parks and Recreation including the creation and expansion of Burgess Park, the gazebo in the city park and Christmas in the Park.

He is survived by his wife Cristi of Mesa, AZ; Brother, Scott Denler of Richland, WA; Children, Chelsea (Nate) Lamb of Mesa, AZ, Devon (Heather) Denler of Gilbert, AZ, Paisley (Ryan) Zerr of Yuma, AZ; Grandchildren, Brittany Lamb of Springville, UT, Alex (Tyler) Lovell of American Fork, UT, Sydney (Jeff) Bailey of Cedar City, UT, Morgan (Tanner) Lunt of Apache Junction, AZ, Mattie (Tanner) Casto of Springville, UT Brecken (Hailey) Denler of Boston, MA, Aspen (Ryan) Brady of Provo, UT, Kamden Denler of St. George, UT, Brennan Zerr of Yuma, AZ, Peyton Zerr of Yuma, AZ, Beckett Zerr of Yuma, AZ, Reagan Zerr of Yuma, AZ; Great Grandchildren, Dawson, Jackson, Brinley and Danny Lovell of American Fork, UT; Kooper, Parker and Brighton Bailey of Cedar City, UT.

Preceded in Death by his parents, Harold and Cleo Denler and his grandson Kyson Denler Lamb.

Funeral Services will be held Wed. Dec. 28th at 11:00am at 3920 E Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ. Viewing for family and friends will be from 9:00am-10:30am at the same location. There will be a graveside service and burial in the Historic Springville Cemetery, Springville, UT on Friday Dec. 30th at 12pm.

Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 is handling funeral arrangements. ww.bunkerfuneral.com

Zoom link for funeral services: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fzoom.us%

Bill Clark Flake joined his heavenly family on November 12, 2022 in Pinal County, AZ.

Born on June 29, 1966 in Mesa to parents Russel Flake and M. Gail Bonham, he lived in the state of Arizona all of his life. He graduated from Westwood High School in 1984 where he had been a member of the Honor Choir, Concert Choir, and Drama Club. Bill was so good at singing and projecting his voice, that in most of his solo and acting performances he did not require a microphone. He loved to laugh and smile, and smiled for the first time when he was just three months old – and then never stopped.

Bill loved spending time with family and he enjoyed baking and playing games, any kind of game. He had excellent memory skills and would share memorized poems (he wrote several), quotes from books and talks, and movie lines with flawless delivery. Bill was expert at sharing exciting and dramatic stories that always ended with laughter, and his big personality will be missed greatly. Bill enjoyed serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints in the California San Jose area. He contacted and made friends with numerous Tongan people whom he appreciated, served and loved.

In the last years of his life, Bill had lots of health challenges, but mostly suffered in silence and learned to rely heavily on the Lord’s mercy. He was very calm in his trials and endured patiently .He also started to learn the Russian Language which he had always been fascinated with. Bill was large in stature and size most of his life and so he looked intimidating, but he was like the bull in the story Ferdinand, with a tender oversized heart and the willingness to do almost anything to help someone in need. He began a tradition of giving gifts to those who were less fortunate annually on his birthday.

Bill is preceded in death by his mother M. Gail Bonham and his sister Carol Flake-VanErstvelde. He is survived by his Father Russel (Karen) Flake and siblings, Cherryl Mabus, DeMar (Mary Lou) Flake, Margie (Scott) Luster, and John Flake.

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.

Live Stream Link To View Service:

http://youtube.com/channel/UCtGD4mQCSi2WMLxW7POi6QQ/live

Dean H. Fuller aged 67 passed away in Mesa, Arizona on December 14, 2022.

He is leaving behind his sister Sharon Vincent and his brother Daryl Fuller as well as his surviving children Chad, Jason, Michael, and Dixie Fuller.

He was a truck driver for 48 years. He had a love for World War II airplanes, ships and Westerns. He loved to see the country and shared his memories with his family. He was a selfless man willing to help anyone in need.

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.

Peter Louis Peterson II was born February 16, 1940, in Mesa, Arizona, beginning the fourth generation of Petersons in Mesa. He was thrilled to have been able to live in Mesa his entire life.

As a child, Peter spent summers in the White Mountains fishing and worked alongside his father George L. Peterson as he drilled and maintained the water wells in Mesa. Maybe it was there he gained his love for civil engineering. He graduated from Mesa High School in 1958, where he was a member of the track team and loved high jumping.

Peter served a 2½ year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Stockholm, Sweden, from May 1962 thru Nov 1964. Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Dana Louise Blattner, at a church fireside, and they were engaged just two weeks later. Love at first sight! They married on August 6, 1965, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.

Peter studied Civil Engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe, as his alma mater, ASU was ever dear to his heart. After graduating from ASU, he worked as the City of Mesa Engineer for many years, and later joined the firm Standage & Truitt Engineering as a partner.

Peter and his wife Dana served a 17 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as co-directors of Camp LoMia in Pine, Arizona, a regional calling. While serving, he oversaw all the engineering needs of the camp, from a new water treatment system to maintenance on the lodge, main camp, and the surrounding camps. Other callings included Elders Quorum Counselor and High Priests Group Leader. He was always available for teaching the surveying merit badge and preparing amazing dutch oven breakfasts for fathers-n-sons outings.

Some of Dad’s favorite activities, outside of family reunions at Camp LoMia, would be ASU Football games (of which he was a multi-decades-long season ticket holder), camping, attending his children’s sports events, bowling, and playing handball. Dad enjoyed family history and loved working on his own personal history.

Peter Louis Peterson II died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Mesa, Arizona, on December 13, 2022, at the age of 82.

Peter is the oldest of four children born to George L. Peterson and Margaret L. Perry. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Paul Peterson and his sister Jeanne Rhoden. Peter is survived by his sister Linda Bergeson, his wife Dana L. Blattner Peterson, and their five children; Jennifer L. (Arlen) Card, Bradley D. (Julie) Peterson, Jana K. (Kurt) Gunnell, Peter L. (Angela) Peterson III, and Gregory W. (Tricia) Peterson, and 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly.

Peter’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 20, at the chapel on 1852 N. Stapley Dr., Mesa, Arizona. There will be a public viewing from 11:00am – 11:45 followed by a funeral at 12:00 noon. Burial will be directly after at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

Funeral Home is Bunker’s Garden Chapel in Mesa Arizona.

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.

Patricia Gail Pickrel passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2022 in Mesa, Arizona. She was the third child born to Joseph Roscoe & Rhoda Gail Montgomery in Mesa Arizona in 1938. She is preceded in death by both parents, a brother, Joseph Edmund Montgomery, a sister, Sue Marie Wollett, a grandson, Braydon Adair Pickrel, and a great-grandson, Eldon Adair Pickrel. She loved her Savior, the color red, angels, lunch dates with friends, sunflowers, pigs, a good hotdog and Christmas decorations. Her posterity is her most prized possession. She leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Michael Lee Pickrel, her son, Randy (Sheri) Pickrel, grand-daughter Shohni (Travis) Christensen, grand-son, Braylon (Danielle) Pickrel, grand-daughter, Sheli Bennett, grand-son, Brendon (Jessica) Pickrel with 10 great-grandchildren, Kamdyn Christensen, Decklan Pickrel, Brooklyn Christensen, Kailyn Christensen, Ellerie Pickrel, Kaysen Christensen, Brigdyn Christensen, Leland Pickrel, Blake Bennett and Parker Pickrel. Funeral Services are Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 10AM, preceded by a visitation at 9AM at the LDS Chapel at 1345 E University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Bunker’s University Chapel is handling the funeral arrangements. 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ.

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.

Kathleen Barton, 70, passed away December 1, 2022 in San Diego, California, encompassed by her loving family.

Kathleen married the love of her life Richard Gilbert Barton, Jr in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 10, 1972 and was later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. A storybook romance of the beautiful high school cheerleader marrying the handsome local football star led to nearly 50 years of wonderful moments with her husband and growing family.

Born August 28, 1952 in Murray, Utah as the youngest child of William Burgess Sr. and Vera White, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Rick (2018), brother William Burgess Jr (Fay), sister Joyce (Ray) and daughter Camille Barton Hugill (2020). She is survived by her brother Dr. Gordon V. White and leaves behind 4 children: Dr. Brandon (Kameron), Tyler (Rochelle), Megan, Josh (Dianna) as well as 11 grandchildren who she enjoyed teaching and spoiling more than anything in her life.

Kathleen graduated from Murray High School in 1970 and briefly attended both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah before starting her role as a full-time homemaker in their new home (built by Rick himself) on Stonemoor Circle in Holladay, Utah.  A “mother extraordinaire” to her five children, she would always go the extra mile to make sure every need was met, every gift obtained, and every event was attended. Her influence and mentorship as a mother figure extended to numerous relatives, friends and friends of her children, who marveled in her ability to treat everyone with generous respect, ample nourishment, and unconditional love. She was beloved by everyone in her large extended family for her unfailing kindness, fashionable style, exemplary cooking, and attention to the good qualities of each person with whom she came into contact.

While she traveled the United States and the world with her family, enjoyed the sites of Europe, danced at night in Spain, and relaxed in the beauties of Mauritius, her life’s greatest joys were spent in countless hours of reading to and nurturing her 11 grandchildren and decorating her home in preparation for the next holiday. Any holiday was reason enough to gather and express her love with a thoughtful gift to all, making sure each person felt seen and loved every time in the way only she could. Each holiday was celebrated to the max, with a revolving collection of seasonal decorations and family traditions.

Despite suffering many losses and health problems in recent years, she endured her journey well with a faithful and happy disposition, always comforting others and sacrificing her own needs ahead of those of her family. She was a devoted friend, confidant, and warm presence that cannot be replicated for the many people she influenced. Her memory and example will eternally be an inspiration and guide.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 16 at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Freestone Park Ward, 230 N Val Vista Drive, Gilbert Arizona, 85234. Friends and family are welcome to attend a viewing the same morning 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the services.

Interment will be at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms following the morning service.

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.

Wallace (Wally) Niklaus, age 86, passed away peacefully December 5, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Wally was born in Merrill, Wisconsin and grew up in Wisconsin Rapids. After graduating from high school, he joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged after four years active duty and four years of reserves.

Wally worked in the airline industry for North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. He retired from the airlines after 42 years and completed his career as the Chief Dispatcher. Wally loved his years there and built many long-term friendships along the way while residing in Wisconsin, Illinois and Eagan, Burnsville and Rosemount Minnesota.

Wally enjoyed volunteering in many ways throughout his life including coaching his daughter’s softball and basketball teams for many seasons. His spiritual life was important to him, and Wally served in various positions at Christ Lutheran Church in Eagan. During one period he volunteered to update the outdoor church sign, whenever Wally traveled and saw other churches’ creative sign, he would stop to take a picture of it for future reference.

After retiring, Wally volunteered at the Northwest Airlines Retiree Call Center and enjoyed assisting other retirees. Wally found another passion when he began volunteering at the Minnesota Zoo. He always had a love of animals but being able to assist visitors, direct traffic (usually school buses), teach others about the animals and use his sign language skills to communicate with visitors made every volunteer session extra rewarding. Wally loved his years at the zoo and fell in love with penguins and dolphins.

During his free time, Wally enjoyed doing genealogy research, traveling to Arizona for the winters and calling weekly Bingo, taking cruises (his favorite was a trip through the Panama Canal), and he never met a polka that he did not enjoy dancing around the dance floor with his wife.

Wally was loved by many, and they will remember him for his sense of humor, his faith and his caring attitude for those around him.

Wally is preceded in death by his daughter Corrine, his parents Frank and Evelyn Niklaus and his in-laws, William and Myrtle Koch. Survived by his loving wife of 62 years, JoAnn (Koch) and his children Barry (Karmen) Niklaus and Dianne (Christopher) McSweeney; also, by other loving family and friends. Military Funeral Honors will occur at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ on January 18, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Minnesota Zoo or Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, who provided a peaceful, comfortable experience for him would be appreciated.

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.

A Wife a mother a grandma too… this legacy we have from you….

Beverly June Turley 72, died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday December 1, 2022

While her family and friends are shocked by her death, they are thankful for her life. Bev  was a spunky soul who relished the simple pleasures of life. She loved crafting, decorating, and spending all the time she could with her grandkids. Beverly also loved late night talks  over ice cream, SONIC ice.  She valued the time that she spent with her family and friends. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in all that she did. You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she lived!! Beverly is survived by her daughter Heather Kay Green, daughter TeriAnne Egan , daughter Sharon Petersen, daughter Yvette Johnson. Son Sean Michael Green, son Hartley Turley. As well as Grandsons Rylle Pratt Peterson, Tanner Keith Peterson, Myles Green, Mac Green, Cameron Turley, Joseph Turley, Mat Petersen, Casey Petersen, Andrew Petersen, Jeremy Petersen, Nick DeJesus, Benjamin DeJesus, Logan DeJesus, Jacob DeJesus, Caleb DeJesus. Grand daughters Maisy Green, Brittany Turley, Elizabeth Jaquez, Alisha Turley, Bethany Angle

She may be gone .. but she will NEVER be forgotten 

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.