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Yolanda Tamez Grover passed away on November 9th, 2021.  After a long battle with dementia, she is finally at peace.

She was born on February 7th, 1951, in Mathis, TX, to parents Quintin and Eustolia Tamez.  After graduating from Mathis High School in 1970, she pursued a degree in nursing — apt, since everyone who had the honor to know her were cared for deeply by her.

She was twice married: first, to Ludwig A. Kramarz, with whom she had two children: Ludwig Jr. and Jackie; second, to Bradley K. Grover, with whom she had a son: Nicholas, as well as a stepson, Bradley Jr.  She was married to Bradley for 29 years, until his death in 2015, and their marriage was exemplary of love and respect, as well as good humor: the two were rarely seen apart and were always laughing.

A memorial will take place on Monday, November 15th, 2021, at 12pm, at the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints, 454 N. Crismon Rd., Mesa, AZ, 85207.

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.

Those unable to attend services in person may view the livestream here: LINK

Event Code 18021

Kevin H. Cunningham, 58, passed away Nov. 6th, 2021 in Gilbert, AZ. He was the son of Lee and Ada Cunningham, born in Mesa, Arizona on July 16th, 1963. He was the youngest of 6 children.

Kevin had a very happy childhood growing up in Mesa going to Emerson Elementary, Carson Junior High, Westwood High School, Mesa Community College, and earning a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. Along the way, he was very active in all sports whether watching or playing. He also served an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Portland, Oregon from 1982-1984.

He married Wendy Ann Johnson on Jan 8th. 1988 in the Mesa AZ LDS Temple and had three wonderful children. He also had a tender heart for animals and loved caring for the cats in the family.

He is survived by his wife Wendy, and 3 children, Ryan 31, Michael 29, and Chanel 26, as well as his four sisters, LaRae Lewis, Annette Penrod, Carol Moss and Lesa Pollard. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mont Cunningham.

Funeral service will be Tuesday the 16 of November 2021 located at the LDS church at 4629 E Guadalupe Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234. Service will be held at 10am, with a visitation prior from 9-9:45am. Burial to follow at Mesa City Cemetery.

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.

Thomas Edward Keath, 54, of Mesa AZ, passed away quietly on Thursday November 4, 2021, from an aggressive cancer. Tom was preceded in his passing by his father Danny Joe Keath and is survived by his mother, Karen Keath, who provided care for him in his final days and his four Brothers, their families, and a host of nieces & nephews.

Tom was born in Kansas City Kansas at Bethany Medical Center on October 10, 1967. His first days on earth were a bit premature and he suffered early from hyaline membrane syndrome. Further, his formative years of childhood were hampered by club feet which were ultimately corrected after some significant effort. He was active in plays and other activities during his years in high school. As well, Tom served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Salt Lake City North Mission from 1989 to 1991. Throughout his life he was a fierce defender of the Savior Jesus Christ and his church.

Tom was employed for most of his work career as a mechanical maintenance worker at an apartment complex, the Coulter Dealership in Tempe, and the Infinity Dealership located in Mesa. He took great pride in his work and was liked by all those with whom he labored.

He was married briefly and divorced. However, he remained engaged in life and made many acquaintances, dated some wonderful women, and associated with individuals who often became lifelong friends.

He was an avid video gamer who both taught and learned the ins and outs of the many complex games he participated in. Also much like his brothers and Father, Tom had an interest in machinery and tech which provided him with a surplus of hobbies and prospects for intellectual refinement.

In the end, Tom had made many fine friends who’s lives he helped enrich and who did the same for him.

Services for Tom will be held November 12th from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1005 N. Voyager, Gilbert, AZ 85234.

Burial and dedication of the grave will follow at 1 PM at the Mesa City Cemetery.

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.

 

Joe Bernard Nelson, age 85, was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 5, 1936, to Samuel Bernard Nelson and Viola Virginia Werner.  He had one older sister, Shirley Ann Nelson Sherwood, who passed in April of this year.

Joe graduated from Mesa High School in 1954.  Prior to serving a thirty-six month church mission in Uruguay, Joe completed a year and one quarter at Brigham Young University.  Upon his return from South America, Joe attended Arizona State University graduating in 1962 with a degree in accounting.  He successfully completed the certified public accounting exam five years later and founded his own firm which ultimately became known as Nelson, Lambson & Co., CPAs.  He was a good friend to his partners, a fair boss to his employees and greatly respected by his clients and business associates.

Joe and his first wife, Janille Roberts Mullins, have three children:  Jason Bernard Nelson (deceased in 2004), Julie Ann Connolly and Jennifer Jo Higby.  Joe is also survived by his son-in-law, Arthur Higby, who is like a son to him.  Joe has twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  He and his second wife, Susan Walsh Nelson, enjoyed thirty-five years of marriage.  They served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had been Mesa Temple workers several years ago.

Joe lived a wonderful, full life.  His heart was generous to a fault.  While he struggled with memory, he never struggled with his love of family and dear friends. And he never lost his sense of humor.

He was lovingly cared for the last six months by true angels from Angel Home Healthcare including Jim, Patti, Frank, David, Joe and many others plus tender nurses from Hospice at Home of Arizona, especially Cassi Partridge.  Words cannot express how grateful our family is for all their love and kindness.

“What a wonderful thing is death, really, when all is said and done.  It is the great reliever.  It is a majestic, quiet passing on from this life to another life, a better life.  We go to a place where we will not suffer as we have suffered here, but where we will continue to grow, accumulating knowledge, developing and being useful under the plan of the Almighty made possible through the atonement of the Son of God.”

At Joe’s request, there will be a public viewing for family and friends Friday evening November 12 from 6:30-8:30pm at the LDS chapel located at 2414 N. Old Gilbert Road and a private graveside service for immediate family the next morning.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice.

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.

Daniel M “PAPA” Ines, born July 06, 1956, was called to be with the Lord on Thursday November 04,2021.  He was an amazing and loving  husband and dad. Daniel is survived by his wife Martha, sons Daniel and Omar, there wives Robin and Cristy, and his five grandchildren – Eli, Ethan, Savannah, Olivia, and Noah. We know your In heaven reunited with Family that has left before us. We are truly going to miss you “PAPA”.

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.

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 2^nd, 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 12^th, 2021, 6-8 pm, at Bunkers University Chapel, 3529 E University Dr, Mesa AZ, 85213. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 13^th, 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.