Obituaries

Sharon Elaine Kostyun, a Phoenix native, was born to John and Dorothy (Dixon) Maurin, Phoenix pioneer natives, on 11-13-1945 and passed away on December 15th, 2017 after a courageous and long battle with cancer. Sharon fought bravely with great strength, patience, and fearlessness, never losing her wonderful sense of humor. She married Frank Kostyun on April 4th of 1972 and...

Villalva, Martin 49 of Phoenix, passed away on Friday December 8, 2017. He was born in Bakersfield, California but was raised in and was a life long resident of Phoenix. He was preceded in death this past year by his loving wife Ernestine. He is survived by his parents; Ruben and Elsa Villalva; five sons; Ray, Daniel, Gabriel, Ernest and...

Jeannie O’Connor, 81, of Phoenix died peacefully December 11, 2017 after a long illness. I am writing this obituary while I am still alive and kicking! I was born to Fuzzy (John Elmer) and Elenora Ballein on October 19, 1936. I grew up on a farm in Danville, Illinois and went to University of Illinois where I met James (Doc)...

Anthony Jovan, 32 years old, passed away on December 3, 2017 at his home in Peoria, Arizona. He was proceeded in death by his Grandfather; Lawrence Greenberg. He is survived by his Mother; Rosalie Bellows, Sister; Crystle (Kevin) Willis, Nephew; Logan Anthony Willis, Nana; Maria Garcia, Uncle; David Greenberg, Aunt; Stephanie Roberts, Cousins; David Martinez, Harley Ann Greenberg, Cheyenne Merryman,...

Cheslene (Northrop) Bledsoe, July 10th, 1938 to December 06, 2017. Cheslene passed peacefully, surrounded by her family and holding her mama’s hand. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and kind heart, her love of singing and havin’ a party for any reason or no reason at all. Cheslene is survived by her son Buddy Tignor, daughter Shawnee Ross...

Alberto (Beto) C. Romero, 82, from Phoenix, raised in Barrio Los Cuatro Milpas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents; Antonio and Dolores Romero, brother; Antonio, three sisters; Beatrice, Frances and Nellie and grandson; Antonio. He was survived by sister Jenny and his children; Albert (Clara), Antonio (Rita), Marie, John (Jessica),...

Carey passed away peacefully on November 8, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is survived by her husband; Dick, daughters; Samantha and Jennifer, brother; Scott, his wife; Katie, her nephews and nieces; Caiden, Reese, Makensie and Jack. She was predeceased by her parents; Michael McCoy and Nancy Killian. Carey was the oldest of 21 grandchildren, many loving aunts, uncles and family....

Chiros, MaryAnn passed away on November 30, 2017 at the age of 90. She was born in Muskegon Michigan and moved to Arizona in 1970 from Illinois. MaryAnn is preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 52 years Jimmy Chiros. They loved to travel together and especially enjoyed their many trips to Hawaii. MaryAnn worked...

Herbert (“Herb”) D. Barham of Phoenix, AZ, died peacefully at his home on November 30, 2017. Herb was born on December 25, 1932 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Osma Porter and Elizabeth Gildea Barham. He was the youngest of eight siblings. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1960. He became a resident of Phoenix when he married his beloved...

Christian Jones, passed away on November 28, 2017. She was very proud of being a native Phoenician. She loved shopping, friends, family, painting, traveling to new places and enjoying new experiences. Chris brought joy to all she encountered, with her vivacious laugh, beautiful smile and effervescent personality! She was very sincere, kind and caring to all. Her greatest loves were...

Born Sunday, August 6th 1933 in Phoenix, AZ to Manuel and Maria Lopez, passed away Wednesday, Nov 29th 2017. preceded in death by Wife Margaret and Brothers Richard, Ernest and Frank Lopez. Survived by Brother Edward (Belen) and six children; George (Victoria), Anna Marie (David Villa), Gregory, Gabriel, Gilbert (Lorraine) & Gary Lopez, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Married to...

Shirley June Gabel, 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Monday, November 27, 2017. Born in Los Angeles, California on August 22, 1927, Shirley attended UCLA where she met Warner A. Gabel Jr. They were married in 1950 and moved to Phoenix to franchise Blakely gas stations. Shirley and Warner raised four children, Warner III, Holly, Shelley, and...

Olga passed away peacefully early Friday morning on November, 24, 2017 at the age of 82. Olga was born in Sonora, Mexico as the oldest of seven children to Jose Lauro and Angelita Morales and spent her early years in Mexico before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, where she lived her adult life. Olga retired from Honeywell. She was preceded in...

Nancy Nada Ivanovic, 89, beloved mother, aunty, baka, gramma, and great gramma passed away November 27th, 2017 in Gilbert, AZ. She fought a valiant battle against breast cancer and won only to be beaten down with Lewy Body Dementia, which she could fight no more. Her tremendous bravery, kindness and gentleness will be missed by her family and many, many...

Ghassan “Gus” Sayegh, 86 of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on November 23, 2017. Gus is survived by his loving wife May, sons; Abraham, Emile and Elias Sayegh, daughters; Briggette Derienzo and Camilia Saigh, sister Jean Sayegh and numerous grand and great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Diana. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017 from 6:00...

Classical music in the Phoenix Valley suffered a tremendous loss earlier this month with the passing of Larry (“Lawrence”) Clapp on Nov. 16th, 2017. As a pianist and composer, he was a man of enormous talent. Larry was born on February 5th, 1955 to Gayle and Louise Clapp in Salem, Indiana. Larry’s interest in music began at the age of...

Sandra Gail Richie 69, died November 19, 2017 after a courageous fight and lengthy illness. She was born March 3, 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sandra was an extraordinary woman. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gil Nead and Adele Rogge. She is survived by her beloved husband of 37 years, Fred Richie and her children, Jason Richie of...

Manuella K. Mills passed away on November 11, 2017. She was born in Phoenix, AZ on August 26, 1925 to Burleigh Rideau and Amelia Ray. She attended Saint Mary’s High School and graduated from Arizona State University in 1948. Manuella taught elementary school for over 25 years. Manuella was married to Billie Mills for 58 years, who preceded her in...

Vicente Alfonso M. Bracamonte, was born September 5, 1953, (64 years old) in Phoenix, Arizona. He left this world on November 16, 2017 to be with our Heavenly Father. He is survived by two brothers and four sisters; Mary (husband Bob), Norma, Frank Jr., (wife Esther), Martha (husband Robert), Delia (Dee), (husband Paul), Gilbert, Tia Maggie and many nieces and...

September 30, 1931 ~ November 16, 2017. Lorraine Edna Held, devoted follower of Jesus Christ, wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on November 16, 2017, her 86th birthday. Lorraine was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1931 and married the love of her life Roger in 1950. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1966, with their sons Tim and Mark...