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Eleanor Garrison (de domo Sidor), RN, BSN, MSN, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on October 24, 2021 at the age of 89. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Feliks and Julia Sidor on September 14, 1932. The third of four children, Eleanor developed a sense of adventure at an early age which she carried throughout her life; from driving fast cars to being the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college to travelling to 49 of the 50 States and across Europe.
Eleanor met Rick Sheridan, her first husband, at a New Year’s Eve Party. Together they moved from Michigan to Arizona. They were married for 25 years before he passed in 1988. A year later she met Phil Garrison, Jr.; they married in 1990. They spent 30 years together before he passed in 2020. While she did not have children of her own, Eleanor loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She became stepmother, a.k.a. “Mom v2.0”, to Sally and Dawn when she married Phil Jr.
Eleanor always knew she wanted to be a nurse and began her career after completing the Sisters of Mercy nursing diploma program in 1952. She worked at Detroit Receiving Hospital for several years before returning to school to complete her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees at Wayne State University (WSU), the latter of which she completed in 1964. She was offered a teaching position at WSU immediately following graduation. She taught nursing there for 10 years before accepting a position at Arizona State University (ASU). Eleanor attained the position of Assistant Professor as ASU. During her 33 years as a nursing professor Eleanor authored and co-authored numerous articles for professional and scholarly journals, book chapters, and was lead author of the pharmacology textbook, The Drug, The Nurse, The Patient.
She was an active member of the Arizona Nurse’s Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, ASU Retirees, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the latter of which she was a Past Madam President. Eleanor believed in the importance of giving to others. She organized health fairs, raised money for charities, assisted students with tuition, and donated regularly to the humane society.
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents Feliks and Julia, sister Virginia, and husbands Rick and Phil Jr. She is survived by her sister Delores of Dearborn, MI, brother Edward (Marion) Sidor of Grosse Ilse, MI, daughters Sally (Faye) Garrison of Mesa, AZ and Dawn (Rich) Garrison-Warn of Brick, NJ, special “daughters” Tammy Gilbert and Lisa Mangan, Brother in-law Binkley Garrison, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
A celebration of life will be held for Eleanor on December 4th at 11 a.m. at Bunker’s Garden Chapel in Downtown Mesa with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Reception to follow at East Mesa Eagles at 1 p.m. A private family service and internment will be held on February 5th at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Eleanor’s name to the College of Nursing student scholarship fund at Arizona State University (https://bit.ly/3EVa8BW) or Wayne State University (https://giving.wayne.edu/donate/nursing).
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
You never saw Jose without a smile. He was always happy and full of life.
Jose was preceded in death by his children, Amani and Marcus; father Luis Cortez, mother’s Stephanie Cortez and Francisca Cordova; grandmother’s Margarita, Maria and Josie; siblings, Lilian Ariaz, Naomi Cortez, Jessica Cortez, Raymond Rukonwitz, Luis Cortez, Jr., Evelia Rukonwitz, Connie Cortez, and Rico Cortez; four-teen nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles.
Jose will be missed by all that knew and loved him. He may be gone, but will never be forgotten.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Judy Merrell Schofield unexpectedly passed away at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ on 10/30/2021 at the age of 58. Judy was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC and lived her first 13 years in Frederick, MD until her father retired to AZ. Judy was preceded in death by her parents; Leroy and Pat Merrell, and her sister Ronnie Merrell Carter. Judy is survived by her other sister , Kathy Merrell Harding of Reston, VA as well as three children; Tracey, Matthew, and Melissa, and seven grandchildren; Raymond, Lily, Julian. Andrew, Negan, Destiny, and Devin plus one great grandchild, Gianni, who all live in Mesa. Judy’s greatest joys were her loving family and many poodles. Judy is mourned by her long-time, special friend J.D. A memorial will be held on 11/13/2021 at Bunker Family Mortuary in Mesa, and her cremations will be buried with her parents at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Mary Ann Batchelder Garner, 74, of Mesa, Arizona, died November 7, 2021, of natural causes. Mary Ann was born December 24, 1946, to Charles and Erna Batchelder in Oxford, Maine.
Mary Ann grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Windham High School. She attended Brigham Young University where she met her eternal companion, Owen Despain Garner. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 12, 1966. They lived in Windham, Maine, Riverton, Utah, and Mesa, Arizona, during their 55 years together. They made many lifelong friends in these locations and served faithfully in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mary Ann was known as an amazing baker and seamstress and she used these talents to thoughtfully bring happiness and comfort to her family and to others in innumerable quiet acts of service.
Mary Ann worked various jobs in her lifetime, but her true and most rewarding jobs were being a wife and mother. Her children can, indeed, “arise up and call her blessed”. (Psalm 31:28) She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren beyond measure.
Mary Ann has two surviving sisters, Carlene (Chris) Crandall of Windham, Maine, and Rebecca (Jay) Battersby of Solon, Maine.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Owen Despain Garner, of the home, and five children: Carrie Strong of Mesa, AZ, Shauna Tracy (Frank) of Glen Carbon, IL, Amy Helbig (Gerrit) of Mesa, AZ, Eric (Lorina) Garner, of Billings, MT, and Evan Garner, of Longview, WA, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Batchelder.
Opportunities to celebrate Mary Ann’s life with family and friends will take place November 12 at 6:30pm at the Alta Mesa Stake Center, 5350 E. McLellan Road, Mesa, AZ, and November 19 from 6-8pm at the Windham Ward building, 755 River Road, Windham, ME. Interment will be November 19, 2021, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook, Maine. Condolences may be expressed through Bunker Mortuary of Mesa, AZ.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Clinton Owen McLaws, 36, of Mesa, Arizona was called home on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born in Mesa, Arizona, on February 21, 1985. He is the son of Randall O. McLaws and LeAnn M. McLaws. He is dearly loved by his wife, Alicia, of 13 years and his three beautiful daughters. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he served in many capacities. Clint’s favorite things were spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. Clint loved to be the center of attention. He loved life, loved to laugh, loved to make people laugh, and found humor in all things. Clint was truly larger than life. He loved the Arizona Cardinals and was a lifelong ASU football fan. Clint’s greatest love was his wife, family, extended family, and all the time they spent together. He was a stickler for family traditions. He will be greatly missed by all those who love him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alicia, and their three beautiful daughters: McKynlee, Sadie & Brynlee. Parents, LeAnn McLaws and Randall McLaws (Diana). Siblings, Courtney Chambers, Kimber Farnsworth (David), and Kyler McLaws (Ashley). Grandmothers, Vonda Gross and Audene McLaws. Seven nieces, four nephews, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by Grandfathers, Jerry Gross and Kay McLaws. The family would like to invite you to attend a viewing on Friday, November 12th, 2021, 6-8 pm, at Bunkers University Chapel, 3529 E University Dr, Mesa AZ, 85213. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mountain View Stake Center, 1550 N. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, AZ 85213. Services will be held at 9 am, with a viewing one hour prior. Internment will be at Mesa City Cemetery immediately following, at 1212 N. Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Gilland F. Fulwilder, Sr., 73, was called home on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021. There to meet him was his wife, Vera, and six children.
Gilland is survived by eight children, many grand and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Billie Nadine (Engler) Wallace was born to Iris LoRene Crowley and Ernest Francis Engler on May 3, 1951 in Durango, Colorado. Her family lived in the “Little House” at Allison, Colorado, adjacent to the “Big House” that Grandpa Paris Engler and Grandma Madeline lived in.
Billie’s family moved several times when she was young and she lived in Farmington, New Mexico; Casper, Wyoming; and Cortez, Colorado. During this time, her siblings Janet, Ron and Dan were born.
When she was six, her parents divorced. The family moved in with her mother’s family. Their house had no indoor plumbing and she remembered trudging to the outhouse and bathing in a galvanized washtub. They hauled water in from the well and boiled it in several teapots so they could have a warm bath. The house had one pot bellied stove to warm it, and she remembers sleeping in the basement under “mountains of quilts” to stay warm.
Money was tight and everyone helped where they could. Billie’s mother worked several jobs and started a laundry service. Billie learned to wash and iron by helping in the laundry service.
During this time her mother dated and married “Daddy Gene” Woodrome. It was from Daddy Gene that Billie learned to play cards, chess, checkers, marbles and jacks. This they did a lot after moving to Wichita, Kansas as the winters were so cold that playing outside wasn’t an option. Billie loved games and could always be found teaching these games to her kids and grandkids, She loved to play just about any game with anyone who would play with her.
It was in Kansas that Billie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when she was 13 years old. She developed a strong testimony of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that she never turned away from.
Billie’s family moved to Arizona when she was a freshman in high school, and she attended Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix. Her junior year she was awarded an “Upward Bound” scholarship which allowed her to take several classes at Arizona State University the summer before her senior year.
After high school graduation, she attended Arizona State University where she met her husband Brian Edward Wallace at the Institute of Religion. They dated for some time and were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona temple in June of 1972. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1974.
Brian was an Electrical Engineer which allowed Billie to be a homemaker to all her children as well as many of her grandchildren. It isn’t uncommon for her children to respond to the question, “where did you learn ____” with, “from my mom.” Most importantly, she taught her children the gospel of Jesus Christ and all her children are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Billie was a hard worker, consistently demonstrated Christ-like service and was loving and accepting of everyone. Brian recalls that she, “never met a child or baby that she didn’t love.”
She leaves behind a rich legacy of seven children, Brian (Eddie) Wallace II (Stephanie), Churstan Owen (Jeremy), April Rogers (Larkin), Katie Moore (Nathan), Heber Wallace (Brianna), Levi Wallace (Kristine), Joshua Wallace (Dasha) and 27 grandchildren.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Howard Preston Owens passed away peacefully on October 30, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona at the age of 62. Known by friends as “Howie”, he loved life, the gospel, family, friends & the great outdoors. He especially loved the time he spent with his wife, Claudia & hunting & fishing with his Grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. The Funeral Services will be held Saturday November 6, 2021 at 4629 E Guadalupe, Gilbert, AZ at 11 am, preceded by a viewing at 10:15 am. There will also be a private viewing dedicated to family Friday November 5, 2021 from 5:30- 7:30 pm at Bunker’s University Chapel- 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Brent Incardone, born July 22nd, 1971, was called home Friday, October 29th, 2021 to be with the Lord and his late father Joe. He spent his entire 50 years in Arizona, creating a beautiful family with his wife Shelley and daughters Aubree (22), Kortnee (19), and Sophee (13). He was known for his strong work ethic, humor, warmth, and strong family values. He made everyone around him feel welcomed and loved, unless you were dating one of his daughters. Brent will be remembered as a man that loved camping, riding, boating, hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. He will be greatly missed for years to come. Funeral services are Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6655 E. Preston St., Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s are appreciated.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Willa Dean Lamb, 91, passed away in Twins Falls, ID. Services will be held in Arizona.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Ruth Jeane Jackson passed away quietly on October 27, 2021, in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born in Gould, Arkansas on June 8, 1927.
A child of a section foreman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, she moved several times before settling in Redfield, Arkansas. She graduated valedictorian of her class. Shortly after WWII, she met a handsome young pilot named Ralph at a fish fry on the Arkansas River. They remained totally smitten with each other and happily married for 65 years. Jeane’s life as an Air Force wife took her to New York, Maryland, Ohio, Libya, California, Nebraska, and finally, Arizona.
Jeane loved playing games, watching birds, growing roses, learning, and nightly Jeopardy. Jeane was a very popular team member in Trivial Pursuit. She was an accomplished seamstress and a dynamite from-scratch cook. She was a founding member of the Gov. Hunt DAR Chapter. Jeane was active in her church, sang in the choir for almost 50 years, and ran the Meals On-Wheels program. Jeane was warm, gracious, and welcoming with a rare generosity of spirit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Jackson; parents, Carl E. and Ruth B. Rowles; brother Carl (Son) Rowles, Jr.; sisters Lorraine Moring, and Nona Herbert. She is survived by her four daughters: Rosalinda (Michael) Brown, Ruth Margaret Allerton, Rhonda (Luccia Rogers) Jackson, and Rebecca (Thomas) Scotney; also five grandchildren Timothy (Carra) Brown, Christopher (Venus) Brown, Nathan Stipes, Tyler Scotney, and Laura (Cosmo Anaya) Scotney; and three great grandchildren: Caralyn Brown, Connor Brown, and Clarissa Brown.
Our sincere thanks to the staff at Bee Hive Homes of Gilbert for the love and care given to her for the past five months.
Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Mesa, AZ on November 13 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Association or Macular Degeneration Research.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Sharon Solomon James 81, passed away in Gilbert Arizona on October 25, 2021, after a short but cruel struggle with cancer.
Sharon was born in Mesa Arizona at the Mesa Southside District Hospital on January 30, 1940, to Leona Crandall Solomon and Richard Jennings Solomon. She was the youngest of 4 children and is preceded in death by her parents and older brother Dick.
She attended elementary school in Mesa and graduated from Mesa High School in 1958. Shortly after graduating she moved to the Los Angeles area where her sister Ether Lynn was teaching school. She worked at US Motors in Anaheim for several years before moving to the US Postal Service from which she retired after approximately 35 years of service.
She married Lee James who worked with her at US Motors but later divorced. She was not able to have children but had an abundance of love that she gave generously to her cat colony.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Richard (Dick), and is survived by her sister Ethel Lynn Sandler and, a brother Stephen (Steve). No funeral is planned, but a graveside service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Sanjay Pravinkant Shukla, 64, of Chandler, AZ, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021.
Through his jovial nature and optimistic demeanor, Sanjay was a brilliant man who pursued the journey of lifelong learning. An engineer at heart, he enjoyed reading and the exploration of new ideas. He treasured life through music, art, philosophy, and culture. Sanjay was a great father, husband, and a source of inspiration for his son Vivek and wife Sujata. He will be loved and missed.
Funeral Visitation and Service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, October 29, 2021 at Bunker Family Funeral and Cremation, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
For those unable to attend in person, the service will be broadcast via the Zoom link below:
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but www.bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
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