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Ralph Leo Preston passed away peacefully at the age of (almost) 96 on December 14, 2021, at his home in Mesa, AZ. He was born to Cyrus and Elizabeth Preston in West Jordan, Utah, on January 1,1926. Ralph led a very happy and active life filled with family and friends. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all of his life. He loved the Church of Jesus Christ and always tried to live the Gospel teachings by helping those in need and striving to live a Christ-like life.

In 1947, he married his sweetheart, Iris Young, in the Mesa Arizona Temple, and together they have six children: Alma Sanger (Bob), Mona Varga (Jim), Ralph Ivan Preston (Carme), Karen Preston-Kass (Ron), Keith Preston (Annie), and Belinda Jones (Robert). Ralph and Iris were married for 40 years until his sweet wife was called home. He then married Esperanza Farnsworth and served in four missions both here and abroad until she was finally called home after 28 years of marriage. He leaves behind another sweet woman, wife and long-time friend, Dixie Rowley-Preston, who loved and cared for him for the final few years of his life.

Ralph loved to entertain guests, sing songs, and tell stories. He has been an entrepreneur most of his life and has worn many hats, such as: business owner, motivational speaker, and landlord.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM in the LDS Chapel at 1455 N. Harris Dr, Mesa, preceded followed by interment at 2:30 in the Binghampton LDS Cemetery in Tucson.

Family and friends can watch the funeral broadcast via:http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/mesaarizonacentralstake

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.

Virginia Louise “Curtis” Larrabee 94 passed away peacefully on December 10^th, 2021.  Virginia was born to Frank and Erma Curtis on December 26^th, 1926 in Bloomington Illinois.  Virginia is preceded in death by the love of her life, Walter H. Larrabee Jr.  They were married for 55 years until Walter’s death in 2001. She was the 5^th of 7 children and the oldest living sibling.  Brother’s Everett, Art, Gene, and Frank.  Sisters Winnie and Dorothy.

Walter and Virginia were married on June 14^th 1946. They moved from Utah to Mesa, Arizona where the built their home in 1960 and resided there until April 2020. Virginia lived a life filled with family and dear friends who loved her.  She became a 2^nd Mom to Betty Marsh & Lori Kelsey and thank her for that.

Services: Monday December 20^th

Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, 940 East Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ  85204

Time: Viewing 10:30 a.m. Service to follow at 11:00

Gravesite service:  12:45 City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

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.

Matt Piccillo, 65, was born in Jersey City, NJ and passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, peacefully, with his loved ones by his side, embraced by the Father to hear the words, “well done my good and faithful servant”.

Matt grew up in New Jersey with his parents, Roselyn and Matthew, and older brother Charles.

He grew up fast and wild before giving his life to the Lord.

Matt met the love of his life, Eluisa and they married 2004. Together they welcomed their beloved daughter Gianna.

Matt and his family moved to Mesa, AZ after receiving a calling by the Lord to teach and minister there.

Matt pastored a home church with his wife Eluisa for over a decade. He was a humble and passionate teacher of the Truth who shared wholeheartedly with all those he welcomed into his home and beyond.

He mentored, taught, and guided numerous men through his men’s ministry. “He touched the hearts and restored the faith of countless people.”

Matt had a particular gift for highlighting the strengths instead of the weaknesses of those he ministered to and shepherded.

His favorite versus were Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 1:6 and Psalm 91.

Matt had an illustrious career in the luxury automobile sales industry, including the last 17 years with Mercedes Benz. He was thankful to have spent the last 7 years as the General Sales Manager of Mercedes Benz of Scottsdale dealership. He often told his wife that it was an honor and a privilege to serve the Theisen Family.

Matt was well-respected in his industry and was instrumental in his dealership continuously
being recognized as Best of the Best by the Mercedes Benz Corporation.

In his free time Matt enjoyed traveling with his family, playing basketball with his daughter Gianna, studying, teaching and sharing the Word of God. He spent time working out in the gym, taking walks, climbing mountains, sunbathing, and swimming.

He truly loved life!

Matty: 
• Man of God
• Man of Integrity
• Noble Man
• Man of Perseverance
• Generous Man
• A Strong Man who understood and valued the priorities of life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roselyn and Matthew Piccillo. Matt is survived by his wife Eluisa and daughter Gianna as well as his adult children Alicia, Nicole, Joseph, Anthony; as well as many spiritual children and international students, including Zeeshan and Olivia, who love Matt as a father and mentor. As well as his brother Charles, sister Lucia and brother Mario.

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.

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://youtu.be/2IcgbZJ_LYc

Afton Winona Peterson Reber 93, passed into the tender arms of her Heavenly Father on Friday, December 10, 2021. Winona had been living at the home of her devoted son, Douglas Reber for the past two years. Prior to her passing, she had been surrounded by her children, extended family, and dear friends.

Winona was born in Mesa, AZ on March 27, 1928, the only daughter of Howard Clarence Peterson and Afton Ida Clark Peterson. Her father was Mesa’s first chief of police before his untimely death from pneumonia when Winona was three years old. Her mother was a master educator and teller of stories in the Mesa schools for more than 40 years, and Winona inherited many of her mother’s amazing talents. In 1946, Winona graduated from Mesa High School, where she excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. She was Mesa High’s first female student body president, a member of the National Honor Society, an officer in Girls League, and in addition to other activities, she lettered in volleyball and softball. After high school graduation, Winona attended Arizona State College (NAU) for one year, then ASU for a year before marrying the love of her life, Leo Melvin Reber. The couple went to live in Gilbert, and together they lovingly adopted three daughters and one son. Then in 1960, Winona conceived and gave birth to their youngest daughter. Winona and Leo loved all of their progeny beyond measure. After the children started to elementary school, Winona went back to the university and completed her teaching certificate. She went on to teach third and fourth grades at Gilbert Elementary until she retired. In her teaching career, she received a number awards for her math instruction and her amazing productions of plays about Arizona history starring her elementary students.

Winona was a devoted, life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. She served in many auxiliary positions in Gilbert Ward and Mesa South Stake, including Relief Society President, ward and stake Young Women’s President, and numerous other positions of service. One of her favorite callings was that of producer for the Church traveling “Road Shows” for which she garnered much recognition. Winona also loved the work she did in the Mesa LDS Temple where she and Leo had been married.

Winona was preceded in death by her eternal companion, Leo; her parents; her brothers: Howard Dean (Bonnie), Marion George (Bonnie), Charles Reed (Melba), and Glenn Clark (Marlene, surviving), and many adored aunts and uncles. Winona is survived by her five children: Janet Reber Gist (Richard), Douglas Reber, Barbara Reber Mortensen, Sandra Reber Hausladen (James), and Linda Reber Neff Dixon. She leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren as well as many devoted nieces and nephews and her dear friends.

A viewing will be held Sunday, December 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Bunker Funeral Home, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. A family graveside service will he held on Monday, December 20 at 10:30 A.M. in the Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201.

Strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols at both services is requested. The graveside service will be broadcast, and a link will be available through Bunker Funeral Home. Go to www.bunkerfuneral.com for directions to the link. The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for their loving care of mother during her final illness.

We love and miss you, Mom.

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.

Glenna Lee Eaves, 74 passed away peacefully on December 10, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.  She was born to Charles and Grace Johnson in Phoenix, Arizona in 1947.  Glenna led a life filled with family, friends, and numerous church callings.  She is survived by her husband Doug, children Cherlene, Douger, and Jody, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and three sisters Anna, Sue, and Jan. Glenna was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Faylene, her parents Charles and Grace Johnson, one of her sisters Gladys, and both of her brothers Steve and Bob.  A grave side service will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 10 AM at Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St, Mesa, Arizona.  In lieu of flowers please see Glenna’s Go Fund Me page to help fund burial expenses. (Glenna Johnson Eaves)

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 Hoopes, 72, was called home on 30 November 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. Kathy was born to Miles Haven Romney and Dora Viola Foster in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1949. She graduated from Snow College and had a career in education with an emphasis on oral interpreting for hearing impaired students. Kathy enjoyed playing the piano and cross stitching. She was a source of joy to all who knew her. Kathy is survived by the love of her life, Jack Hoopes of which they were happily married for 46 wonderful years. She is also survived by her two sons Nathan and Wyeth, five grandchildren and her sisters Barbara and Beverly. Her graveside service will be held on Monday, 20 December 2021 at the town cemetery in Thatcher, Arizona.

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.

Robert Raymond Farnsworth was born in 1925 and passed away on December 10, 2021, at 96 years of age. He was born in Colonia Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico. He came to the Phoenix Valley as a young boy with his parents, Raymond Alonzo “RA” Farnsworth and Ellen Beecroft Farnsworth, and his younger siblings, Marion, Bertha, Alene and Ronnie. He married the amazing Doris Dixon in the Mesa Temple in 1952 and they raised three children, Raymond, Lana, and Wayne.

He had an unmatched capacity for physical work and was an accomplished farmer. He built up the family dairy near Guadalupe and Gilbert roads in Gilbert until the early 1970s, and the Duncan and Prescott ranches afterward. He selflessly provided a great deal of daily care to his quadriplegic father RA for about 40 years until RA passed away. He farmed in the Casa Grande/Eloy area from the early 1980s until about 2010.

He also had an unmatched capacity for talking, especially about the restored Gospel, and for giving long prayers. He served 4 months of a mission in Mexico in 1950-51 until he was asked by his family to return home to care for his father and help run their farm. His sharing of the Gospel continued through his life with everyone he met and over the years many joined the Church through his introduction. His prayers are also legendary. He taught his kids more of the Gospel than sometimes they wanted to know, and they are all better for it. His life and example continue to bless the generations. He loved all of his grandchildren and was always interested in what they were doing and their successes and challenges.

From 2010 to 2016, he cared for his wonderful wife Doris during her incapacity by visiting her and feeding her every day. Always looking for the next opportunity, at about age 90 he took on jobs as a security guard, Uber driver(!), and landscaper (where he was winner of the Employee of the Year award). Those are the ones that his kids know about. He drove his car until he was no longer insurable, and then drove his adult tricycle around Gilbert and beyond. In the weeks before passing he had plans to buy some Holstein calves.

We thank the Gilbert Police and Fire Department personnel, the bike shop team, and kind strangers that in his last years regularly helped him on his outings and knew him on a first-name basis. We also thank his family members, namely Sandi and Travis and family, for taking him in during his last decade and their angelic service to him. He was blessed to be able to pass quickly and to speak to many of his loved ones immediately before leaving this life.

So much more could be said. We will have a graveside service for him on Saturday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m., at the Eden Cemetery in Eden, Arizona. We know not everyone can make it, especially with the holidays. For those of you who can’t make it, we hope over the holidays you can gather your family, have some enchiladas and tacos (Raymond’s favorites), and share some kind words about Raymond and your connection with him.

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.

Alma Ruth Goss, 88, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2021 in her home in Gold Canyon, Az. She was born in Sherman Tx April 8,1933. Alma had been involved in finance since the day after graduation from Mesa High School until her retirement from the Wells Fargo Bank branch at Apache and Meridian as manager. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, yard work and church activities.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Molly Holt, daughter Michelle Farney, Sister Jean Williams, Brother Jim Holt and husband Richard. She is survived by her Son Steve and his wife Karen Goss of Queen Creek, and grand- children Natalie Goss of Apache Junction, Dustin Goss of San Tan Valley, Paul Farney of Litchfield Park and Anna Farney of Las Vegas, Nv.

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.

Danny Laurent Geurtz age 73 was called home on Dec 8, 2021 after a lengthy illness. He was a retired Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy and traveled the world in his 25 plus year career.

Danny was born in Suriname, a Dutch colony in S America and was proud to be a naturalized US citizen. He is survived by his wife Mary, son Jason and daughter Jessica as well as his sister Joyce Diepstraten and brother John Ostmeier and grandchildren, nieces and nephews and in-laws. He is predeceased by his dear mother Emmy Becher. Services will be held at the LDS stake center 1005 N Voyager Drive Gilbert on Sat Dec 18 at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations to Sante Hospice are suggested.

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.

Liana Martin, 70, born July 14, 1951 in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Saturday December 4, 2021 after a brief and challenging illness.

Liana is survived by her husband, Doug Martin, whom she was married to for forty two years.  Liana was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Dorothy Lohr.

Liana was a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science.  She spent over 32 years employed by the State of Arizona working for the State Legislature, Department of Transportation and Department of Health Services.   After retiring from the state, she maintained the administrative management of her husband’s contracting business, Beacon Custom Builders.  Liana’s meticulous attention to details and organizational skills attributed to her success in these roles.

Liana loved traveling, skiing, sailing and hiking.  She will always be remembered for her courage, sense of humor, kindness, sense of adventure and overall love of life.  Liana’s wishes were to have a gathering of friends in Payson in the spring of 2022.  For anyone wishing, please consider donating in honor of her name to the Humane Society of Central Arizona or the Payson Food Bank/St. Vincent Depaul.  These were Liana’s favorite charities.

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.

Vern Lewis Horton of Mesa, Arizona passed away December 6, 2021 at the age of 87. Vern was born in Phoenix, Arizona on April 23, 1934. Throughout his life, Vern believed in the value of hard work. He had his first job when he was around 7 years old operating the score board at the local softball field for 25 cents per game. When he was older, he graduated to selling peanuts, chewing gum and soda pop in the grandstands. From an early age he also spent each summer milking cows, driving tractors, chopping cotton and running irrigation on his sister Alice’s farm in south Phoenix. That is where Vern learned to drive and to love working on cars.

In 1948 the family moved to Prescott, Arizona, where he helped his father build their new house. As he attended high school he found that his favorite class was shop class. All through high school he also worked half a day at a feed store and a lumber yard. When he was about 14, his father had helped him to buy his first car, a 1932 Ford Model A. That car came in especially handy during his junior year of high school. Vern was invited to hike Thumb Butte with a group of classmates and there he met Sherrol Fuller, a girl Vern knew he wanted to impress. Since very few young men had their own cars in 1951, offering her a ride to school during their senior year did the trick. Vern and Sherrol started dating and Vern began to attend church with Sherrol and her family. In 1952 he was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That same year, Vern and Sherrol graduated from Prescott High School.

After graduation Sherrol moved to Mesa with her family and Vern followed. He lived with his sister Alice on her farm and worked for her husband Ted until he got a job as a roustabout working on powerlines for Arizona Public Service. Vern and Sherrol were married on January 2, 1953 and had three sons, Michael, Gregory and Rickie.

With his love for caring for cars and trucks and working on engines, Vern helped countless people with repairs. He also loved racing, and in 1960 he traveled to Indianapolis to watch his nephew Wayne Weiler compete in the Indy 500.

Vern continued to work for APS for 38 years. During his career, he drove a semi-truck hauling loads that included power poles and transformers from Page to Nogales and from Yuma to the Four Corners Power Plant in Farmington, New Mexico. In 1973 he accepted a position as the Superintendent of Hauling and Warehousing for Northern Arizona and moved his family to Flagstaff. They lived there for six years before moving back to Phoenix where Vern continued to work as a superintendent for APS. He retired in 1991.

In 1993 Vern and Sherrol accepted a call to serve in the Calgary Alberta Canada mission for 18 months. Vern also served in three Bishoprics. He showed his faith by working with his hands to help anyone in need. When something needed to be done, he was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. Vern and Sherrol moved to Mesa in 2001, where Vern’s three-car garage was always well-loved and tidy with everything in its place. Each Summer he and Sherrol loved to visit national parks and their children and grandchildren. Together they traveled all over the western United States and Canada. Vern would pull his fifth-wheel into every campsite ready to meet his neighbors and always left knowing their stories and having helped fix anything that needed fixing.

Vern was the kind of man who loved with his whole heart. He loved his grandchildren and spent hours wrestling and tickling rowdy grandkids and letting them climb up in the cab and pretend to drive his beloved truck, Ol’ Blue. He worried and prayed daily over his loved ones who were traveling or in harm’s way. He took pride in everything he owned and every job he did, always grateful for what he had been given and generous in sharing it with others. He was always most proud to tell people about his three sons, 18 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren. When saying goodbye to his family he would always ask if they needed anything, adding “If we don’t got it, we’ll get it.”

Vern is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver David and (Adah) Marie Holbrook Horton. He is survived by his wife Sherrol and his sons Michael Vern (Mary), Gregory Thomas (Robyn) and Rickie Lewis (Christy), and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We invite all who knew and loved Vern to come celebrate his life with us. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 17^th at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building at 532 S Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206. Visitation will precede the funeral at 10:00 am and interment will be at the Mesa Cemetery following the funeral.

The service can also be streamed live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWwkbRM4y1mppq_uUziDP7A

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.

Live Stream Link To View Service:
http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/phoenixarizonaeaststake

After selecting the Jolie Green Darby memorial service icon a box will appear asking for your name. You can enter any name and after doing so the service will begin streaming.

Jolie Green-Darby, 53, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on December 6, 2021 after a recent battle with Covid19.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Jolene Chilson and Jack David Green, her grandmother, Marjorie Chilson and step-father Lee Stratton.

She leaves behind the love of her life Patrick Darby and her fur baby puppy Hops, step mother,  Mary Lou Green, many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters-in law.

Jolie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Jolie was the proud owner of Southwest Kettle Corn. With her business, she would travel all over the Phoenix Valley, California and Colorado with her beautiful trailer making many great friends along the way.

Jolie’s favorite thing to do was to walk on the beach, sit and feel the sand between her toes while watching the sunset. She loved to travel and to spend time with her family and friends. She loved to keep up with her family and their activities and accomplishments. She was a very proud Aunt and loved it completely.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Biltmore Ward, 1835 E. Missouri, Phoenix, Arizona, with visitation beginning at 10:00 – 10:45 AM. Services at 11:00 AM.
Burial will be at 2 pm at Paradise Memorial Gardens at 9300 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale Arizona 85260

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either of Jolie’s favorite charities, American Cancer Foundation or the Pat Tillman Foundation.

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.

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://us06web.zoom.us/j/87486983671?pwd=NGNPOWZOZGhqcFh2YS9tWXkzL0tzZz09

http://zoom.us Meeting ID: 874 8698 3671 Passcode: 366255

By phone: 646 568-7788 Meeting ID: 874 8698 3671 Passcode: 366255

Don Hargrave passed away at his home in Star Valley, AZ, on December 1, 2021. In 1929, he was born to Steen and Bernice (Winsor) Hargrave in Phoenix. His folks later bought land in Strawberry, where he graduated from Pine grade school. He then moved to Phoenix to get his high school education at North High, where he excelled in sports. After that he became a painting contractor, painting for the oil companies all over Arizona.

Don is survived by his wife, Nilus (Brown), three children, LaDawn (Rex) Huling, Dan (Storm), and Robin (Lisa); 2 stepchildren, Bill Wahl and Karen Martin; 22 grandchildren; 67 great grandchildren; 1 brother Art (Iwana); and countless other family members. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorsey (Gardner), his parents, and brother Bob(Patricia).

Don had a great sense of humor. The nurses who came to check on him always left laughing or at least with smiles on their faces. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be at Bunker Mortuary Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Friday Dec 10, 6-8 PM. Service will be graveside on Saturday, Dec 11, at 11 AM at Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Payson. Their fantastic team helped care for Don for over a year while he battled cancer.

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.