Michael David Dorsey

The Daisy Mountain Fire Department is mourning the loss of Engineer Paramedic
Michael David Dorsey, 33, who passed away in his home on Jan. 16, 2012. He leaves behind his wife Felisha, who is five months pregnant with their first child together.
A memorial is set from 2 – 4 p.m., Sunday at Boulder Creek High School in the Performing Arts Auditorium. Boulder Creek High School is located at 40404 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem.
Mike, formerly Michael Parks, was a 15-year veteran of the fire service. He has
served as a member of the Daisy Mountain Fire Department for the last five years.
Cause of death has yet to be determined.
“It is difficult to put into words the sadness and emptiness that our organization is going through with the loss of our friend and colleague Michael Dorsey,” said Daisy Mountain Fire Chief Mark Nichols. “He was a valued member and will be greatly missed. I know
our organization is a better place for having had him here.”
An account has been established to help the Dorsey family.
Donations can be made at Chase Bank, account 2997857764, in the name of “Daisy Mountain Firefighters Charities Association.”
The Daisy Mountain Fire District was formed in 1988. It covers roughly 100
square miles, and serves roughly 50,000 citizens from the communities of Anthem,
Desert Hills and New River, Arizona.

 

 

 

Melba Louise McCarter

Melba Louise McCarter, 81, died Jan. 4, 2012, at her Desert Hills home. 
Originally from Alabama, she and her family lived seven years in Tampa, Florida where she worked briefly as a real estate agent. The family relocated to Arizona in 1978. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Charles F. McCarter and her three children, Belinda, Jenny and Scott McCarter.  A loving wife and mother, she was a homemaker and the "glue" that held her family together. Services were held at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Friday.  

 

 

 

 

E. Lorraine Mandeville

E. Lorraine Mandeville, 93, of Black Canyon City, died on Nov. 25, 2011.
Born on March 14, 1918 in Chicago, Lorraine was married to Richard Mandeville in 1944.
During her life Mandeville worked many jobs including as a World War II airplane spotter, a therapy skills coordinator for the Red Cross and working for the League of Woman Voters.
She also was an environmental advocate, working to establish the Seattle-King County Metro Commission to clean up Lake Washington. Mandeville eventually ran for the state legislature in Utah before retiring to Black Canyon City in 1986.
During her 25 years in Black Canyon City Mandeville helped organize the Citizens Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Bureau. She was a founding member of the Black Canyon City Library and served on the Board of Directors for many years. For 20 years she continued to work weekly as a volunteer in both the library and the Tourist Bureau.
Mandeville is survived by her sister, Jane Anderson of Chicago; and by 3 sons, Michael, her caretaker the past several years, Mark, also of Black Canyon City and Jon, of Lacey, Washington. She is preceded in death by Richard Mandeville, her husband of 50 years.
Lorraine asked for her ashes to be spread at the site of her husband’s ashes, in the high country of Utah. Those wishes will be carried out in the spring of 2012. A memorial service will take place in Black Canyon City at a yet to be determined date. For details call 623-374-9585.

 

 

Sindy Kay Wilson

Sindy Kay Wilson, 43, of Phoenix, lost her battle with cancer on Nov. 1, 2011.
. Born March 24, 1968, her family moved to the Desert Hills area in the spring of 1973. She attended New River Elementary, Deer Valley Junior High and then graduated from Deer Valley High School.
Wilson enjoyed the rural lifestyle, riding horses and competing in the gymkhanas at G’s Arena.
Wilson worked at the Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped where she had a passion for helping others.
She is survived by her 2 children, Kamille and Eric; parents Kenny Wilson, Karolyn and Jim Jackson; grandmother, Nedra Jones; 1 brother, Scott Wilson and his wife Mary; 3 sisters, Sheryl Kibler and her husband Danny, Stephanie Wilson and Colleen Jackson along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her soul mate, Eddie Shelton.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering is in the process of being scheduled. If you would like to reach the family to obtain information about the service email friendsofsindy@yahoo.com.

 

 

Tommy Trease

Tommy “Tom” Trease, 67, of Riverside, Wyoming died Sept. 18, 2011 at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.
Tom was born Nov. 7, 1943, in Wadsworth, Ohio to Ralph and Clara Trease. He grew up in Wadsworth until 1960, when the family moved to Arizona.
Trease served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict.
Trease was self-employed in construction, auto mechanics and the bar and grille business, owning The Roadrunner in New River and most recently the Mangy Moose in Riverside.
On June 23, 1985, he married Dyancia “Dee” Swing.
He enjoyed Nascar, hunting, and working in his barn on many projects. He was a member of the Bill Williams Mountain Men Group in Arizona and the America Legion Post 6 in Cheyenne.
Tom is survived by his wife, Dee; son, Mitch; stepson, Eddie Swing; 2 stepdaughters, Angie (Dan) Lara and Tammy Swing; brother, Carl; and 2 sisters, Joan and Toni.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Brenda.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

 

 

 

 

Sharon Anne Solon

Sharon Anne (Anderson) Solon, 68, longtime resident of Cave Creek, passed away August 5, 2011.
Sharon was born June 12, 1943 in Seattle, Washington and resided most of her adult life in Arizona. She worked as a medical transcriptionist in Phoenix for many years before retiring in 2008 to the Oro Valley area near Tucson.
She was a lover of nature who particularly enjoyed hiking and photographing the southwest desert. Solon will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, smile, courage, tenacity, adventurous spirit and a heart as big as Montana.
She was preceded in death by her father, Frederick Anderson. Sharon is survived by her mother, Bonnie Anderson of Granite Falls, Washington, one brother, Tim Anderson, of Tucson; 3 sisters, Daphne Godejohn (Rod Miles) of Everett, Washington, Debbie Moy of Prosser, Washington, and Kelly Gilbert (David) of Granite Falls, Washington. She is also survived by her daughter, Shannon Smith Huggins, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, two sons, Brett Solon (Marcie) of Peoria and Shawn Solon (Angie) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, seven grandchildren, and her former husband, Don Solon, of Anthem.
A remembrance celebration will take place on Sunday. Please contact a family member for additional information. Memorial donations may be made in Sharon’s name to the Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077.

 

 

Rolf  Balchen Waage

Rolf  Balchen Waage died September 10, 2011 at the age of 80 in the Prescott VA Hospital.
Waage was born July 11, 1931 in New York. He moved to Arizona in 1964, living in New River for more than 25 years with his loving companion Gloria Palmer.
He is survived by 1 daughter, Carol and her husband Scott O’Neal; 1 son, Rolf and his wife Jenny; and 4 grand children, Katie, Cody, Jaelyn and Thomas.

 

 

John Ward

John (JJ) Ward, 87, long-time New River resident, died Aug. 16 during a routine medical procedure.
Ward was born Nov. 4, 1923 in Chapmanville, West Virginia and grew up swimming and fishing along the Guyandotte River, and hiking the hills and hollers around the little village. At the outset of World War II he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine where he served as a radio officer. He remained in the service through three wars (WWII, Korean, and Vietnam). Ships he sailed on were mostly tankers, hauling oil and aviation fuel to U.S. air bases. He spent the first few months of WWII in convoys to Murmansk, Russia, dodging the Nazi wolf packs. Later in the war he transitioned to the South Pacific, providing aviation fuel to several island bases. In-between the wars, he was a navigator, flying DC-3s for Pan-American Grace (PANAGRA) Airways in South America, and TWA Airlines in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He was a Flight Service Specialist for the FAA, providing weather information and filing flight plans for general aviation pilots. He was a free-lance writer, penning articles for several magazines, including "Arizona Senior World", "Arizona" Sunday Supplement, "Wonderful West Virginia", "Goldenseal", "Much Ado About Mensa", "Desert Advocate", "Playboy", and many others. He was editor of Grand Canyon College newspaper, "Canyon Echoes", and the Gallops Island Radio Association newsletter, "Spark Gap". He moved to Arizona in 1963, and to New River in 1979. He was an avid gardener, growing lush gardens eventually launching the annual Sweet Onion Festival, a popular event in Rock Springs. He is survived by his wife, Carol Zimmerman; two sons, James Ward and David Ward; one daughter, Barbara Ward; one granddaughter Ashley Ward; two grandsons, Michael Ward and Nicholas Ward; two brothers, Fred Ward and Gene Ward; and one sister, Freda Spencer. A memorial is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sept. 6 at the Veterans National Memorial Cemetery on Cave Creek Road. Friends will gather for a pot-luck at 1 p.m. at the New River Senior Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara J. Gaskins

Barbara J. Gaskins, of Cave Creek, died in her sleep on July 9 on a cruise in the Inland Passage of the Pacific Northwest at the age of 63.
Born in McCook, Neb., Gaskins earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Nebraska in 1970.
Gaskins decided to attend law school at the urging of her husband Ken. She would eventually become the first woman administrator in Creighton University’s School of Law.
Gaskins went on to graduate first in her class from Creighton in 1976 and clerked for Judges Donald P. Lay and Donald R. Ross at the Eighth Circuit.
In 1978 she was appointed assistant dean by then Dean Rodney Shkolnick, and was the first woman to hold an administrative position in the law school. She was named associate dean in 1990.
Gaskins received the Mary Lucretia Award from the Creighton University Committee on the Status of Women in 2000 for her work as a role model of accomplishment for women. She was recognized for her 25 years of service to the University in 2004.
Known for her quick wit, charm and sincerity, Gaskins took her role seriously as the assistant dean, the one who had to enforce the rules among the students.
She served on the board of directors of Nebraska’s Continuing Legal Education program for 18 years.
Gaskins retired from the School of Law in 2007 and moved with her husband to Cave Creek. Gaskin is survived by her husband, Ken and their son John, who lives in Lincoln, Neb.
A memorial service for Gaskins will at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Creighton School of Law . A service was held on Friday at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary in Scottsdale.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek.

 

 

 

 

Jason Henry Williamson

Jason Henry Williamson, 85, a nationally prominent watercolorist, died June 14, 2011 in Scottsdale.
Born March 20, 1926, in Bristol, Virginia, he volunteered for the US Army Air Corps during World War II. After graduating from Emory and Henry College, Williamson moved to Memphis, TN, where he was the owner of a commercial art agency, Art Director at the Memphis College of Art, and owner of The Golden Fleece Art Gallery in Memphis and later locally in Carefree.
He was selected as a signature member of the prestigious American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society and was a founding member of the Southern Watercolor Society and the “22 by 30” Painters of Arizona. Williamson discovered the color concept of “Black Azure” and was the Featured Artist in The World’s Fair in 1984. He is survived by his son Major General (Ret) Robert Jason Williamson (Darlene) and daughter Jan Williamson Brucker (Ed) both of Memphis, daughter Mary Guthrie Solon (Don) of Anthem, AZ, and was preceeded in death by his son, Mark Fielding Williamson (Rebecca). He is also survived by his sister, Colein Keyt of Scottsdale, two nephews, Richard Keyt (Carol) and Norm Keyt (Kathy) of Phoenix, and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., June 25 at the Historic Church at the Cave Creek Museum in Cave Creek. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, or Cave Creek Museum at P.O. Box 1, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.

 

 

 

 

Annabelle Brain

Annabelle Brain, 91, of Cave Creek died on May 13, 2011.
Born Jan. 3, 1920 in Washingtonville, Ohio, Brain spent the last 20 plus years of her life in Cave Creek.
She is survived by her 4 children, Nancy Scullion of Phoenix, Arlene Brown of Dallas, Sonny Hively of Cave Creek and Susie Peterson of Cave Creek; 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.
Celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Peterson residence in Cave Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of Arizona at americanhospice.com/arizona/donations.

 

 

 

 

William Richard McIlroy

William Richard McIlroy, 81, of New River, died on May 1, 2011.
Bill was born June 20, 1929 in Dunkirk, NY. He spent his youth in Washington, Pa. before joining the United States Army Air Corps at the end of WWII. Most of his time in the air corps was spent with the 10th Rescue Squadron in Nome, Ala.
Upon returning from the service he married Margaret French and raised three children. Most of his working years were spent as a carpenter and construction superintendent. Later he built specialty cabinets.
In 1978 he moved to Phoenix where he continued to work in construction. In 1985 he married Carol Greve Rezek. The couple lived in New River for 26 years together.
Bill was preceeded in death by his oldest son William Charles and is survived by his wife, Carol; three children, Colleen McIlroy of Ponotoc, Miss., James French McIlroy of Raleigh, NC, step-daughter Rhonda Entsler of Glendale; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
At Bill’s request, in lieu of flowers the family is suggesting donations to a scholarship fund for grandson Cameron Rezek.
Services will be at 11 a.m., Friday at National Memorial Cemetery, located at Cave Creek Road and Pinnacle Peak. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Sunday at Palmcroft Baptist Church, located at 15825 N. 35th Ave. in Phoenix. For details on services or regarding donations contact the church at 602-863-0945 or Best Funeral Home at 623-486-1955.

 

 

 

Constance Winters Bennett

Constance Winters Bennett 83, passed away on April 19, 2011 in Surprise.
Connie was born on June 17, 1927. She attended Stephens College and Indiana University (Class of 1948) and was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority.
Connie’s lifelong interests were gardening, birding and the arts. She resided in Green Valley, until moving to the Phoenix area in 2004. She was a parishioner of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Anthem.
She is survived by son Robert M. Bennett Jr. (fiancée Frances Fontanazza) of Milwaukee, Wis.; daughter Anne Louise Smith (Karl) and beloved grandsons Bennett and Aydan Smith of Scottsdale.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday in Phoenix. For specific details, call 602-363-4376.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund at the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) has been established. Contributions may be called in to 480-481-8147 or sent to the Desert Botanical Garden, Constance Bennett Memorial Fund, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

 

 

 

 

 

Joan Richardson

Joan Richardson, of Grand Junction, Colo. died on March 22, 2011.
Richardson was a former resident of Cave Creek and a teacher in the Cave Creek School district.
She is survived by her husband, Carl; her two sons, Paul and Scott; one daughter, Pam and seven grandchildren.
Condolences can be sent to the family at 531 23 Road, Grand Junction, Colo., 81503.

 

 

 

 

William F. "Bill" Williams

William F. "Bill" Williams, 77, of Cave Creek died on Oct. 29, 2010.
Williams graduated from Elyria, Ohio School in 1945.
He joined the Army at the age of 17, serving during World War II and was honorably discharged. Bill attended Ohio State University, where he graduated as an Industrial Engineer in 1956. During his time at Ohio State Williams married Mary K. Waldron.
Williams’ career included time with companies such as Kinear Rolling Door, North American Aviation, Dupont Chemical and the U.S. Pentagon, before joining General Electric Co. in Phoenix in 1959.

After spending 10 years living in Fairfield, CT., Williams founded his own consulting company, Wide World Systems, and relocated back to Arizona, settling in Cave Creek in 1979. Along with travelling internationally for work he enjoyed hiking the desert, landscaping, painting and writing. He authored two books, Automated Information Retrieval, published in 1965 as well as the novel Cross Purpose, published in 2001.
Williams was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda B. Williams; his son, Larry Williams; and his grandson Colin Campbell.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary K. Williams; 2 daughters, Monica Smith, and Kathy Williams and 3 grandchildren, Michael Smith, Rachel Smith and Lawrence Williams.

Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and the funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, located at 36811 N. Pima Road. A reception will be at the church.

Interment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 23015 N. Cave Creek Road. Visit www.hansenmortuary.com to send online condolences.

 

 

 

 

John J. Kahn

John J. Kahn, 91, of Black Canyon City, passed away Sept. 28, 2010.
He served honorably in the United States Army National Guard.
Services will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Rose Catholic Church at 2825 W. Rose Canyon Circle in Anthem. Arrangements entrusted to A. L. Moore Grimshaw.

 

 

 

Bruce A. Burns

Bruce A. Burns, 68, of Anthem, died on September, 11, 2010
onboard a commercial airliner enroute to Seoul, Korea.
He was born on April 25, 1942, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in the Maplewood New Jersey community.
He graduated from high school and later served in the Army National Guard of New Jersey. He graduated from the National Aviation Academy, St. Petersburg, FL in 1967. He began his aviation career in the 1960s as a flight instructor and became a corporate pilot for Jet America, Jet Atlanta and Fuqua Industries. He flew for Air Cal in California and then flew for American Airlines until his retirement in 2002. He continued his love of aviation by flying part-time for Global Aircraft Services.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 38 years, Darlene. He was preceded in death by his parent, William and Marion Burns; and 1 brother, Gordon.
His hobbies included flying, playing guitar, riding motorcycles, his pets, racing, laughing and being with friends and family.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial reception from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Ironwood Clubhouse, Anthem Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, Darlene asks that all donations be sent to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, Az 85014 or www.hov.org.

 

 

 

Rita C. Nolan

Rita C. Nolan, 67, of Phoenix, died on Aug. 21, 2010
after a year-long battle with cancer.
Nolan was born on April 22, 1943 in Sioux, Iowa where she grew up on a farm with 13 siblings.
Nolan moved to Arizona in 1966 going into business for herself until the 1990s when she sold her Newtone Speaker Business. From there she went on to be a newspaper carrier for The Arizona Republic where she served many friends and customers on her route covering New River, Anthem and
Desert Hills.
Nolan enjoyed mentoring young girls as a Girl Scout leader and as a member of a bowling league.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Nolan. She is survived by 4 daughters, Annette, Melissa, Miranda and Amanda; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Closed services will be held. Donations can be made to the Susan G. Koman Foundation, P.O. Box 650309 Dallas, Tx 75265-0309 or Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, Az 85014.

 

 

 

Carl A. Mellberg

Carl A. Mellberg Sr., 79, of Phoenix died on July 19, 2010.
He was born on Feb. 3, 1931 in Cheboygan, Mi.
Mellberg joined the Marines at the age of 16. The Korean War veteran served 10 years in the military.
Following his military career he worked as the owner and operator of bakeries throughout his life while also working for Universal Services on the Alaskan pipeline.
Mellberg was a member of the NRA, loved the Lord, his family and his country. He enjoyed joking, singing and baseball.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois; 1 son, Carl Mellberg Jr.; 3 daughters, Cheryl Jordan, Linda Mellberg, and Jackie Fucci; 12 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

 

 

 

Beverley L. Stutesman

Beverley L. Stutesman,77, of Phoenix died on April 24, 2010.
Stutesman is survived by 2 daughters, Regina Stutesman-Laws of Phoenix, and Melanie Stutesman of Mesa; and one son, Charles of Wisconsin.
Funeral Services were May 1, 2010 at High Mesa Airpark in Safford. Shadow Mountain Mortuary was entrusted with the Arrangements

 

 

 

Sandra Jo Campbell Pearson

Sandra Jo Campbell Pearson, 63, of Scottsdale died March 10, 2010.
Sandi, was born Oct. 19, 1946 in Coral Gables, Fla.
After growing up in Florida she worked in the investment industry, working for several national brokerage firms living with her daughter Shelley in Florida, California and in Georgia.
Pearson ended her career at Charles Schwab and Associates in San Francisco, where she met her husband Will Pearson.
After marrying the couple moved to Scottsdale where they spent time golfing, playing tennis, travelling and enjoying friends. Sandi also spent her time playing piano, gardening and cooking. She also served as president of Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak, where she raised funds for the education of homeless children.
The couple run Pages bookstore in Cave Creek.
Sandi is survived by her husband Will, four children, Shelley Mulligan, Kelly Hawley, Sean Pearson and GayLynn Beason; one sister, Cheri Morris; two brothers, Bill and Don Campbell; and 10 grandchildren.
Services took place Saturday at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, in Scottsdale. Donations can be made to C.A.R.E. Cancer Awareness Research and Education, P.O. Box 3740, Carefree, AZ, 85377

 

 

D. Dean Webber

D. Dean Webber, of Phoenix, died on March 2, 2010 at the age of 76.
Webber was born near Jefferson, Iowa on Oct. 13, 1933.
Dean was an operating engineer and heavy duty mechanic with Road Machinery Co. in Phoenix for 25 years. He rode bulls in rodeos as a young man and later became an avid team roper and also served with the Paradise Valley Mounted Sheriffs Posse.
Dean is survived by his ex-wife, N. Leslee Webber, sister Ellie Johnson, his son Larry Webber (Jaimi) and daughter Cheryl Stephens (Scott), five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3030 E. Thunderbird Road; followed by a celebration of his life at Stephen’s arena.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Valley Lutheran High School, 5199 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013

 

Vance A. Larson

Vance A. Larson, 58, of Cave Creek died on Feb. 14, 2010 after a three-year fight with cancer.
Vance A. Larson, a prolific and world-renowned artist of cave and spirit paintings and abstract expressionism, was found dead in his Cave Creek, Arizona home on February 14th. He had been fighting cancer for over three years.
Larson was born on June, 15 1951 in Lincoln, Nebraska to John Bertrand Larson and Shirley Glynn Lockwood.
During his youth his family lived in the Minneapolis area, and later in Concord, Mass. and Manchester, Conn. He studied at Paier School of Art in New Haven, Conn., and later at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
In his early career Larson was a charcoal and pastel portrait artist in New Orleans and throughout the U.S., earning praise for his black and white portraits. In 1980 he moved to Southern California and began painting dreamlike abstract pastels of soft yet vivid colors.
In 1995, he moved to Cave Creek, Arizona, where he developed a style of unique cave and spirit paintings and ancient hunt scenes.
During the course of his career Larson painted more than 10,000 original works of art and won more than 30 Best of Show awards in major U.S. art shows. His paintings can be viewed in prestigious office buildings and hotels, museums, and fine art galleries throughout the world.
Larson is survived by his two daughters, Athena Samuel of Jackson, Miss. and Dana Flora Ladd of Los Angeles; his mother, Shirley Lockwood Larson and step-father Bud Kraeling of Minneapolis; one brother, Mark Larson of Minneapolis, one sister, Valerie Haynes, of Gilbertsville, N.Y. and grandson, James Jacob Wells, of Jackson, Miss.
A Memorial Show of Larson’s art will be show March 5-7 at the Thunderbird Fine Art and Wine Festival in downtown Carefree.
A Remembrance Gathering will take place at 6 p.m. March 6, at Harold’s Corral, 6895 E Cave Creek Road, in Cave Creek. Friends of Larson, and devotees of his art, are invited to attend.

Gust H. Nordin

Gust H. Nordin, 88, of New River died on January 26, 2010.
He was born in Ashland, Wis. Nordin was a World War II Army veteran who served in Europe with the 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division.
Upon his retirement in 1990 as an auto mechanic Gust spend his winters in Arizona and his summers in Wisconsin and Illinois.
He is survived by four sons, Robert of New River, Jack of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Richard of Tempe, Peter of Poplar Grove, Ill.; four daughters, Linda Gomez of Va., Lois Ham of Middleton, Wis., Laura Stagg, Wonder Lake, Ill. and Tomi Bystrak, of Williamsville, N.Y.; 21 grand children, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, at 23029 N. Cave Creek Road at a yet determined time and date.

 

Raymond Lee “Cannonball” Curtis

Raymond Lee “Cannonball” Curtis, 70, of New River, died on Jan. 15, 2010 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Ray was born April 11, 1939 in Tunkhannock, Pa. Raised in Ontario Center, Ny, Curtis joined the Navy after graduating high school in 1956.
After serving from 1958-1961 he embarked on his life-long passion in the trucking industry, where he was an owner operator for the majority of his life.
In 1967 Curtis moved to Bode, Ia where he lived from 1967-1980. During that time he married his wife Carol. In his free time he raced late model dirt cars, road horses, quads and was interested in his antique truck and tractor clubs.
After spending five years in Loveland, Colo. the couple moved to Phoenix in 1985, soon making their home in New River.
Curtis is survived by his wife, Carolyn; 3 daughters, Jenette Christonson, Julie Curtis, and Shelly Leighton; 2 sons, James Bonde and Daryl Bonde; 2 brothers, Dick Curtis and Robert Curtis; 15 grandchildren, Mitchell, Micah, Mallory, Austin, Jeremy, Katie, Ryan, Danielle, Jerry, Becky, Mikey, Andrea and Alicia; along with 15 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; Bert and Elizibith Curtis.
The Curtis family thanks everyone who attended the benefit in New River last month, as well as Covenant Southwest Hospice of the North Valley and all of their staff especially Darline.
A celebration of Ray’s life will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Curtis home in New River. There will be a pot luck following the service.


Candace Rose

Candace Rose Read of Cave Creek died Jan. 7, 2010 at the age of 62.
Candy, as she was known to friends and family, was born June 13, 1947.
Read, who lost her battle with cancer, was a long-time member and volunteer with the Desert Foothills Community Association.
A mass will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Cave Creek Memorial Arena, located on the northeast corner of 28th St. and Maddock.
Donations may be made to the Wayne Wilson Children’s Charities, P.O. Box 647, Cave Creek, Az 85327.

Raymond George Cox

Raymond George Cox, 83, of Black Canyon City died on Dec. 27, 2009.
Cox was born Nov. 7, 1926 in Hastings, Sussex England. After living much of his life in England Cox became an American citizen in the ’60s spending most of his life in Arizona.
Cox met his wife, Vivian Rose Cox, in Canada. The couple was married 40 years, prior to her death.
Cox served in the Royal Australian Army Service Corps during World War II and was a member of the American Legion for more than 43 years.
Cox also served as a plant engineer for Safeway bakery for many years.
His interests included camping, fishing and gold panning. He built two cabins in Crown King, where he spent much of his time in Arizona’s outdoors with family and friends.
Cox is survived by two daughters, Cindy Overby and Tammy Early; two son-in-laws, Dennis Overby and Keith Early; and four grandchildren, Brandon and Breanna Overby and Neil and Tyler Early.
Services took place Jan. 2 at the Black Canyon City VFW Post #1796.

 

Margaret W Irby

Margaret W Irby, PhD, 82, of Cave Creek died on Dec. 24, 2009 at her Cave Creek home.
Irby was born Dec. 18, 1924 in Burkeville, Va., as the only child of James Samuel Wilkinson and Maggie Lee Ewing Wilkinson.
Irby spent most of the last 20 years building Home Health Resources and The Crossing Hospice Care with her partner Theresa Lungwitz RN. Irby left a private practice as a clinical psychologist, moving to Arizona to serve as the operations’ CFO, directing the contracting and accounting functions for their companies.
When she wasn't working Irby enjoyed playing golf with friends at Rancho Manana.
Before moving to Arizona she was a member of the founding faculty at Kenston Forest School in Blackstone, Va. where she served as a teacher, counseling and directing choruses and plays. She also served as the choir director at Kenbridge United Methodist Church for several years.
Irby is survived by Lungwitz, Ned, the father of her three sons Ed, Sam and Joe; two daughter-in-laws and six grandchildren.
A memorial service is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday in Margaret and Theresa’s home, 41690 Fleming Springs Road, Cave Creek at 11:30, Jan 11th. Donation may be made to The Crossing Hospice Care Foundation, 7500 Dreamy Draw, Phoenix, AZ 85020.

 

Kevin Bergman

Kevin Bergman, of Anthem, died Dec. 13, 2009.
Kevin was a businessman, active in the Anthem community and at Fellowship Church in Anthem where he was a member.
Bergman was born in Pigeon, Michigan to parents Patricia and Gary Bergman.
He is survived by his wife, Beth of Anthem; 3 daughters, Lauren (Jose Lopez) of Surprise, Kara and Mimi of Anthem; one son, Jake; his parents; 2 brothers, Douglas and Jason; 2 grandmothers, Betty Smith of Peoria and Lois Bergman of Youngtown; two grandsons, Jose Jr. and Xavier Lopez; as well as many aunts, uncles and inlaws.
Services took place on Dec. 17 at Fellowship Church in Anthem with Pastor Ted Baird presiding.


Lois Adams

Lois Adams, 82, of Phoenix died Nov. 18, 2009, at Cornerstone Assisted Living Center in Phoenix.
Lois was born March 2, 1927 in Norwich, New York to Cyril and Edith Hall.
Adams career included time as manager and bookkeeper with the Chenango County Dairy Herd Improvement Association, the Chenango County Fire and Windstorm Insurance Company as a bookkeeper. After moving to Arizona she continued her career in the insurance field, working at Lincoln National Insurance as an administrator before retiring in 1998.
Lois had many hobbies, including reading mystery novels, crossword puzzles, cooking and travelling.
She is survived by her husband, Lawrence H. Adams, who she was married to for 54 years; three brothers-in-law Richard E. of Plymouth, N.Y., Douglas A. of Phoenix, and Myrton C. Adams of Phoenix; and three nieces, Ann Curtis, Vicki Curtis and Viki Metz all of New York.

Upon her request no services were held. Cards or contributions in Lois’ name may be made to:
Cornerstone Assisted Living Center
L. Sara Remcheck
2123 W. Maya Way
Phoenix, Az 85085-5893.