Obituaries

90, of Phoenix passed away July 8, 2015. She is survived by her sister Pauline Rupp, daughters Martha Wood of Denver, CO, Karen Esquivel (Esequiel), 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandchild. Maxine is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband William J. Nye, son William Gale Nye, her 2ndhusband Thomas Chambless, 3 brothers, one sister and...

Adam Edward Dujanovic, 33, of Phoenix, passed away July 6, 2015 in Mesa, AZ. Adam was born February 18, 1982. He grew up in Tempe and graduated class of 2000 from Marcos de Niza High School. He went on to pursue a number of entrepreneurial endeavors which was right in the line with his hopeful, confident spirit. Adam was always...

Jack Frost was born in Waterloo, Iowa on August 23, 1941 and passed away on July 7, 2015. Jack has lived in Phoenix since he was an infant and attended Phoenix Union High School, Phoenix College and Arizona State University. Jack served in the Army National Guard. He was a real estate broker, an avid sports fan and a loyal...

Anna Maie Murphy, passed away July 4th at the age of 88.     She was a lifelong learner and teacher that impacted so many in Arizona.Born in Phoenix to Frank G. and Eula P. Murphy, Anna Maie graduated from St. Mary’s High School and went on to get her teaching degree at the University of Arizona . She spent three years...

Martin C. Pitcher, 87, of Hobe Sound, Florida died peacefully in his sleep on July 4th 2015. “Marty” as he was called by those who knew him, grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of 8 children of Harry D. Pitcher and Minnie (née McCusker) Pitcher. Honorably discharged from the Army in 1956, Marty married his beloved wife, Margie, on October...

Ailsa Mary McKinstry 83, passed away in the early hours of June 26 2015. She was born in New Zealand. Her and her husband, Tullis, of 35 years arrived in Arizona in January 1953. She is survived by her sister Doreen, daughters Malia and Melissa, grandchildren Seneca, Cory, Sean, great grandchildren CJ, Emily, Blake and Avery. She is joining her...

Dr. Paul A. Hayes, age 83, passed peacefully surrounded by his family in his home in Paradise Valley, AZ.  He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, graduated from the University of Minnesota in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1960. It was there that he met his wife, Betty, of 55 years. After marrying, Paul served in the US Army 10thEvacuation...

Gloria Jean (Tobacco) Scarpone, 87, passed away Thursday morning, June 25, 2015, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Gloria was born July 27, 1927, in Warren, Ohio. She was the youngest child of Giovanni and Adelina Oliveri Tobacco.Gloria’s mother died when she was a toddler, leaving her older sister, Lavinia, to raise her and teach her the traditions of...

Jerry Lee Bishop 49, passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2015.  Jerry an Arizona native, was born in Phoenix, AZ on September 28, 1965 to Dan and Judy Bishop.  Jerry is preceded in death by his mother Judy Bishop and brother Chris Bishop.  Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend to all who knew and...

Michael Olexa peacefully passed to the Realm of Ancestors on the morning of July 1, 2015 at the age of 96. Michael was born in the township of Nanty Glo, PA, on October 5, 1918, the third child and third son of Andrew and Anna (Mehalko) Olexa and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1959. He worked for the Balsz School...

Sugar Candice Montenegro, 25, entered eternal life on June 28, 2015.  She was born on January 10, 1990 in Phoenix to Gracie Vasquez and Steve Montenegro.  She graduated from St. Mary’s High School.  She was a cheerleader in high school and enjoyed cheering on her Arizona sports teams.  She was a dedicated mother, fiancé, daughter, sister, tia/nina, and friend. Sugar...

Gertrude F. Anderson, 87, resident of Tempe, AZ passed away on July 1, 2015. Gert was born in Pawtucket, RI on August6, 1927 to Gertrude and Francis Campbell. Gert was a retired Motorola employee and Scottsdale school employee. She loved her family, reading, writing letters, her exercise buddiesand crocheting. She had always loved the ocean; her entire home isfilled with...

Willa Mae Panciera, longtime resident of Phoenix followed her husband, Guy and infant daughter Molly Ann home to be with our Lord and Savior June 30th, 2015. Born in Salado, Texas in 1920, she moved with her husband and four daughters to Phoenix in 1953 where she gave birth to two more daughters. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother,...

Donald A. McCann “Tractor,” 68 years old passed away June 25, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Iszy, sons Abraham (Tamara), John (Heather), daughters Helen, Suzanne (Geoff), brothers JT (Glynnis), Tom (Gloria), sisters Patsy, Suzie (Robin), grandsons Paul, Regeno, Isaac, Eli, granddaughters Tarah, Lemon and his living aunt Sister Anne Marie Holden and numerous nieces, nephews...

Roger D. Smith died peacefully Saturday evening June 27, 2015 with his loving family near him. He was born July 30, 1925 in DePeyster, NY and moved his wife and two children to Phoenix, AZ in 1963. Roger will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a man who enjoyed life and lived it to the...

90, of Phoenix, passed away June 24, 2015. She was born on June 18, 1925 in Northampton, MA to James and Ruth Finn. She graduated Smith College with a degree in pharmacy and served in the United States Air Force. She moved to Phoenix in 1973. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband James Sr., son James Jr. and...

72, of Phoenix, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2015. She was born October 26, 1942 to Keith and Geraldine Orr of Akron, Ohio. She arrived in Arizona in 1956 where she attended St. Gregory Jr. High and Xavier High School. At Xavier she received the Regina Caeli Award and later went on to become a member of the Board...

Bill Hunter, 66, was born January 23, 1949 in Mulberry, Arkansas to Gladys Faye and Ted Hunter, and passed away June 19, 2015 and is now in the loving care and comfort of our Lord. William was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Robert Hunter. William is survived by one brother, Wayne Hunter and his wife...

Dr. Josef Jakob Gerster, loving husband and beloved father, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 21st, 2015. Dr. Gerster was a long-time resident of the Valley, practicing internal medicine and cardiology in Scottsdale while raising a family in the growing Town of Paradise Valley.He was born August 28thof 1923 in Saarbrücken, Germany, the oldest of four...

René A. Rascón, 53, of Mesa, AZ, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015. He was so loved and will be missed dearly! He is survived by his sister Terri, brothers, Mark, Robert and Rudy, brother-in-law Dave, sisters-in-law, Mari and Karen, nieces, Marisa, Rebecca and Jessica, nephews, Andrew and Javier. Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Whitney...