Obituaries

Joseph F. Seivert, 91, of Phoenix, passed away peacefully at home on January 20, 2019. He was born to Frank and Agnes Seivert in Colorado Springs, CO, on February 26, 1927, and moved to Phoenix at the age of 3. He attended St. Mary’s High School and served in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, where he fought...

With great sadness our family says goodbye to a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in law, uncle, and friend. Leo Frank Ferra, Jr., age 79, went home to be with his Lord and Savior. He passed away unexpectedly while being prepared for surgery to correct a heart problem. Family were at his side. Leo was born to Leopoldo Francisco...

Thomas Albert Halter (Tom) was reunited in heaven with his parents and sister on Monday, January 14th, 2019.Tom was born on September 25th, 1937 to Georgia Frances and Edwin George Halter in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children including Nancy (Halter) Dacek and David E. Halter. Tom graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1955. He went...

Robert Earl Haberer, 90, passed away on January 20, 2019. Bob was born in Buffalo, New York, on May 30, 1928, to Mildred and Earl Haberer. He met and married the love of his life, Phyllis Stafford, while attending college in Buffalo. He served in the United States Army and was a Staff Sergeant in the Korean War. A gifted...

Mary Elaine Keating, age 94, passed away surrounded by her loving family on January 17, 2019 in Coronado, California. A visitation will be held from 5 – 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at...

Matilda “Tillie” V Cabrera, 89, of Tempe, passed away on January 13, 2019. She was born to Arnulfo and Refugio Villaverde in Miami, Arizona on November 19, 1929. She was married to Manuel Salcido for 13 years and Joe Cabrera for 40 years. She owned a dry cleaners and a boutique. Tillie enjoyed working on crafts, decorating for the holidays,...

Charles Byerly, 77, born February 3, 1941 Nogales, Arizona, died January 11 from Parkinson’s complications. Survived by son and daughter: Brent, (wife Teresa), Karina Byerly; 5 grandchildren: Bryan, Kaylee, Ben Byerly and Cameron, Cord Cooper. Preceded in death by his parents, brother and a sister: Leroy and Dorothy Byerly, Colin Byerly Sr., Jane Madison. Grew up in Senora, Mexico, lived...

Julia Aslanian Karam, 89, passed away on Friday, January 11th, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Julia was born on November 25, 1929, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a close-knit Armenian community among relatives and friends. She attended Armenian School once a week to learn the language, and also sang in the church choir. After moving to Phoenix in...

Margaret Martinez Cobos, age 94, passed away on January 8, 2019 in Scottsdale, AZ. She was an Arizona native born in Phoenix on May 8, 1924 to Amado and Juvencia Martinez. She attended Washington Elementary School and was one of four daughters including Julia, Carmen, and Irene. Margaret married Armando Cobos on July 27, 1945 and together they had two...

Edith “Edye”AnneShepard passed away quietly in her sleep on January 7, 2019.  She was 84 years old.Bornon February 11th, 1934 (along with her twin brother Edward)inMassillon, Ohio to Raymond and Helen Shepard.  Shemoved with her family of 2 sisters and 4 brothers to Phoenix, Arizona in 1943.She attended St. Matthews Grammar School and St. Mary’s Girls Catholic High School.  She...

Faye Smith Watkins passed away December 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.Born Lucy Faye Martin November 21, 1925 in Andrews, North Carolina to Dink Cruise Martin and Weldon Martin. Raised in Andrews and graduated from Andrews High School in April of 1942. Faye provided service during WWII as a Radio Mechanic Signal Section starting in September 1943. Faye married Ivan Edward...

Karla Michelle Williams, 41, of Phoenix passed away on December 27, 2018. Born September 5, 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio to Carl and Kathy Williams (Barker).At an early age, Karla was an active student and model. She graced the cover of magazines and modeled for Arizona’s top photographers and news channels. Her work for the Leighton Agency propelled her to receive...

James A. Sellick, 77, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 29, 2018, at his home in Phoenix, AZ. Born October 12, 1941, in Portland, Maine, he was the son of James W. and Minnie (Acorn) Sellick.Jim grew up in South Portland, Maine and was a 1960 graduate of South Portland High School and went on to attend Gray’s Portland Business College....

Phoenix – Julia Margaret Purcell Burke (July 28, 1940 – January 1, 2019) was born into a loving Irish Catholic family in Reading, PA, to John and Katherine (Garrigan) Purcell.Her family belonged to St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Reading. Julie graduated from Central Catholic in 1958.Early in her career as an accountant, she worked in Valley Forge for the GE...

Doloris Orabuena was born in Louisiana on November 7, 1930 to Andrew and Winnie Meyers.  Both preceded in death in Mesa, AZ. Doloris is the second oldest of four children.  On December 29, 2018, Doloris took her journey to celebrate a new life with her late husband, Eugene Orabuena, her sons Aldolpho, Robert, Mark, Jerry, and her two daughters Becky...

Gomez, Robert Savedra, 89, of Phoenix, passed away on December 28, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Inez Aguero Gomez, one daughter Irene Mendivil Gomez and four sons Robert A. Gomez, Jr., David A. Gomez Daniel A. Gomez, Charles A. Gomez, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildrenA visitation will be held one hour prior...

Carol Ann Lange, Nee Strub, born on January 11, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Florence and Joseph Strub.She was married to James Martin Lange, in LaGrange, IL for 50 years. Carol was born to eternal life on December 28, 2018.She is survived by daughter Joan (Thomas) Mahn, Karen Lange, James F Lange, Grandchildren Catherine (Ryan) Boon, Rebecca (Tyler) Mahn...

Fincel, Kenneth Richard, age 53, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2018 in Phoenix, AZ.Ken was born January 7, 1965 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the son of John and Barbara Fincel.Ken, aka “Moose,” helped many people throughout his life and was a great friend to everyone he met. He loved to make people laugh with his raw sense of humor,...

Phoenix – Philip C. Ruoff left this world holding hands with the love of his life on Friday December 21st, 2018 at the age of 82. His life was filled with 59 years of marriage to an amazing woman, a wonderful family and a zest for life. “Phip” was born in Peoria, IL on September 4, 1936. When he was...

Nieves (Nevie) Suarez Johnson, 91, passed away Dec.21st 2018 in Tucson, AZ. Born June 3rd, 1927 in Miami, AZ to Spanish immigrant parents Jose and Maria Suarez, Nevie was the youngest and last surviving member of an extraordinary and close family of 3 brothers, Mali, Mitch and Len, and 2 sisters, Tina and Juanita. Inspired by her brother Molly, Nieves...