Obituaries

Robert Glen Spellman, 94, passed away on January 24, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ. Glen was born May 6, 1922, in Columbus, KS. Glen was a WW II Veteran, serving in the US Army from 1942 until 1945 in the South Pacific. Glen was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Catherine Spellman, his parents James and Clara Spellman, and brothers...

Passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Saturday evening, January 21, 2017.Rey was born on January 31, 1932 and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona; he was one of 12 siblings.In 1951, Rey graduated from Cottonwood High School where he lettered in basketball and football. He was offered four college football scholarships, but instead joined the Air Force upon high...

On January 19, 2017, our beloved Charles left this world to be with our heavenly father. Charles was born in Phoenix, AZ on December 25, 1945 to Charles A. Sandoval and Vera Mesquita Sandoval. Charles graduated from Phoenix, Union High School in 1965 and joined the US Marine Corps, where he served until 1969. He served 15 months in Vietnam...

Kristine, 49, went home to her loving Father on January 22, 2017 after a bravely fought battle with Leukemia. It would be hard to find a person with more friends than Kristine, as she was generous and kind to everyone she met. Born in Phoenix on September 1, 1967, Kristine attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and Xavier High School...

Frances Castellano of Phoenix passed away on January 15, 2017 at the age of 87. Frances was born in Scranton, PA and moved to Arizona in 1962. She was a homemaker with many talents. An amazing cook and baker, she always had a cake baked for her children when they got home from school. She was also well known for...

Passed away unexpectedly at his home in Phoenix, Arizona on January 19, 2017. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. William retired from the practice of medicine in 2016. Attending physician at La Grange and MacNeal Hospitals in IL. Spent 40 years practicing medicine in Lyons, IL alongside his wife, Mary. William was a lifelong learner who had a vast array...

Cecilia Garcia Rocha, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. She was born in Tijuana, Mexico on June 8, 1947.  She was the youngest child of Ignacio and Angela Garcia in a family of eleven children.  She was raised in the Colonia Libertad neighborhood of Tijuana where she grew up surrounded by loving parents and a large extended family....

John Frank Tarajcak 89, passed away peacefully Friday December 30, 2016 in Payson, Arizona.Beloved husband of Virginia (Tanno) Tarajcak of nearly 70 years. Devoted father of Kathy Sutherland, Steve, Dan, Ricky, and Vicki and her husband Gio Giordani. Loving Grandfather to David, Michelle, Danielle, Angela, Gianni, and Giulio. Great Grandfather to Megan and Davey. Brother of Richard Tarajcak and his...

A resident of Peoria, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2017. Phyllis was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Arizona in 1968. Her husband, William passed away in 1986. Survivors include stepson, William, Jr., 2 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. “I was thankful to the good Lord for all His blessings during my life...

Robert Alan Rye passed away at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on January 13th, 2017. He was 88 years old. There will be a family memorial service, but no public funeral. Bob was born to Forrest and Alice Rye in Weymouth, Massachusetts on August 27th, 1928. The oldest of three children, he was preceded in death by his brother...

78, passed away following a long illness due to Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease on January 4, 2017 at Hospice of the Valley Gardiner Home. Grant was born on May 11, 1938 in Port Huron, Michigan to Clinton and Rachael Yeo. He joined the Air Force October 4, 1957 and was released from active duty on May 15, 1962....

Norma Jean (Sipe) LoPiccolo entered eternal life Saturday, January 14, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, including Donald V. LoPiccolo, her husband of 64 years. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a Funeral Mass at 1pm Wednesday, January 18, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. Private interment will be at a later...

Richard passed away Saturday January 7th, 2017 at the age of 93.On November 25, 1923 he was born in Galt, Missouri, to Bearl and Fay Reeder. He served in the Army Air Force during WW2 flying missions over Germany in a B-17. In 1942 he married Dixie Searcy. They were married 59 years till her passing in 2001. They moved...

Timothy Scott Whitmarsh, 59 of Queen Creek died January 7, 2017. He was born on September 15, 1957 to Charles and Barbra Whitmarsh in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Papago Elementary and East High School. He is survived by his wife Theresa, daughter Andrea, son Alexander, siblings; Lisa Mark, Marla Hein, Dale, Robert, Chuck and loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will...

Benjamin Donlon Ward, Sr. born September 27, 1929 and called to his Heavenly home Sunday, January 8, 2017. Benny, as his mother called him, was a loving husband, father, devout Catholic, Navy Veteran, pilot, hot air balloonist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur. He loved life and he lived it to the fullest. If he had a motto, it would have been ‘Work...

Ronald John Dunlap was born May 1, 1930 in Kankakee, Illinois. Ron passed away on Wednesday January 11, 2017. He spent the night before, surrounded by family and friends enjoying a night of remembrance and laughter. Ron was an accomplished accountant that worked in the railroad and airline industries, which led to his love of travel. He took numerous trips...

Michael John Obrodovich, born March 14, 1941, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on January 9, 2017. He was born in Hurley, Wisconsin to Mike and Rose Obrodovich. He graduated from Eagle River Union High School in 1959. Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Wisconsin, River falls and his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin,...

Jean Anne Tipfer, 81, of Phoenix, passed away on January 9, 2017. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Phoenix in 1961 from Pennsylvania. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as an assistant supervisor for environmental services for 19 years. Jean served as a Lector at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She was a good mother to a loving...

Margaret P. Blanco 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 3, 2017. Margaret was an Arizona native who married the love of her life, Ismael Blanco and had three beautiful children. She dedicated her life to taking care of her family and was the caregiver for three generations of kids. She loved her family more than life...

Bill Desmarais, 52, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away January 5, 2017. He was born in Dover, Delaware on October 2, 1964 to Lawrence and Margaret Desmarais. He was raised in Phoenix and attended grade school at Campo Bello Elementary and graduated from Paradise Valley High School. Bill began his professional life in the printing business and eventually joined American Express...