Obituaries

Our mother, Vivian N. Bejar, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2022 at the age of 85, surrounded by her loving family. A Phoenix native, she was born to parents Frank and Belen Navarro and was the middle of seven children. In 1957, she married Jaime L. Bejar and had four devoted children of her own.If you knew Vivian, you...

Doris Anne Gort, 98 of Phoenix, AZ, peacefully passed away on April 4, 2022. She was born on March 12, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to her parents George and Anne Caron (Westrick).  Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Christian F. Gort. She is survived by her 7 children; Susan, John, Mary, Jim,...

It’s with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Lopez Jr. He was a strong, loving, good-hearted father, son, brother, and friend who will be missed tremendously. On March 17, 2022, Ralph left this world at the age of 25. Ralph’s life was taken too soon but his love will live in our hearts forever.The simplest pleasures brought...

Geraldine Alice DeJohn, originally of Muskegon Heights, Michigan peacefully transitioned to her eternal home on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Geri, as she was affectionately known, was born in the family home on Highland Avenue to Eleanor (Humphreys) and George Bringedahl. Geri loved the Lord and was a lifetime member at the Lutheran Church. Geri will be remembered...

1938-2022Mary L. Verdugo, our mother and grandmother, passed away on March 30, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Verdugo, to whom she was married for 63 years. Mary, aka Nana Mary, worked in the early years but became a homemaker and then Nana to her grandchildren/great grandchildren. She proudly told stories about raising her grandchildren...

1954-2022Myron P. Mykyta, born March 10, 1954 in Lorain, Ohio, to Dmytro and Olga (Petrushynska) Mykyta. After the family moved to Phoenix, Myron played basketball at North High and graduated in 1972. He attended Oberlin College where he studied political science, played basketball, and served as sports editor and later editor-in-chief of the Oberlin Review. While at Oberlin, Myron met...

It’s with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Juan D. Bautista. He was a strong, loving, good- hearted son, brother and Tio who will be missed tremendously. On March 26, 2022, Juan’s life was taken too soon but his love will live in our hearts forever.The simplest pleasures brought great joy to Juan. He loved listening to music,...

Robert Hughel Larmore, MD, 76, of Anderson IN, Indianapolis, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, and Phoenix, AZ, went home to be with the Lord on March 24, 2022, 3 days before his 77th birthday on March 27th. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Hiestand Larmore, MD, and Joseph Loman Larmore, MD, of Anderson, IN, and two brothers Philip...

February 05, 1969 – March 27, 2022It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Amir Vetry on March 27, 2022 at the age of 53 years. Amir lived a peaceful life but unfortunately his life ended tragically. He will be lovingly remembered by his partner and soul mate of 30 years, Jackie; children: Amir...

Bernard Henry Pitzel, the Golden Gloves champ, World War II Navy veteran from Hibbing, Minnesota rejoined Anita, his loving wife of 62 years, in Heaven on March 23, 2022. Their passionate romance that began at Hibbing High School now continues through eternity, “Bernie” was an inventor, electrical engineer, constant tinkerer and an avid golfer who was still playing at 92....

Marty Hayse, 64, passed away on March 25, 2022 surrounded by his loved ones at his Phoenix home. He was born on May 18, 1957 to Maxine Carleton and Raymond Hayse. Marty graduated from Centennial High School and received his bachelor’s degree at Eureka College in Illinois. He retired in January 2022 after a long career in the home entertainment...

It is with great sadness that our family announces our beloved husband, father, and popi, Kraig J. Marton, 72, passed away on March 14, 2022. He was surrounded by his girls in his much-loved home as he gently departed our presence to explore new horizons.Kraig was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Larry and Fanchon Marton. He had three siblings, Keith,...

Wickham Shephard “Skip” Culbert a Certified Public Accountant and long-term resident of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on March 6, 2022, in the comfort of his own home at the age of 82.Skip is survived by his wife Avis Read; sons and their wives Wickham and Lisa, Read and Kari, Trevor and Candice; grandchildren Kassidy, Rylie, Caden, Sidney, Clinton and Paige;...

Abraham Salazar a true Man of God passed away on March 11, 2022. Abraham is survived by his lifetime best friend and wife of 60 years Sally Verdugo Salazar.Abraham was born in Bernalillo New Mexico and grew up in Phoenix. He served in the U.S Army from 1956 to 1962. Abraham was an Educator of God’s word teaching Catechism at...

William E. Bender Jr. (Bill B.)Bill was born January 13, 1931, in Lakewood, OH and passed away on March 15, 2022, in Scottsdale, AZ at the age of 91. He graduated from grade school in Lakewood, OH; later moving to Boardman, OH. He graduated from Boardman High in 1948 where he was a member of all the sporting teams and...

Phoenix – Margaret Kathleen “Kathy” French, 65, joined her parents, William and Peggy French, and her sister Mary French Rylander in eternal life on February 5, 2022. Born on March 28, 1956, in Carbondale, Illinois, Kathy moved to Phoenix in 1965.Throughout her life she was a devoted and thoughtful daughter, sister and friend and a treasure to all who knew...

Diana Devorce, 68 of Boise, Idaho, died on February 14, 2022. She left this world in an untimely death.Diana was born February 25, 1953, in Memphis Texas. She was the daughter of Nellie Tenner and Ellis Devorce. Diana was a loving mother to her son Basil Etefia and his wife Felicia Etefia, as well as a loving grandmother to her...

October 6, 1959 – March 1, 2022Jose Isaac Salazar, Jr. passed away peacefully in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 1, 2022 after a valiant eight-year battle with cancer.  Isaac, as he was called by the many people who loved him, was known for his unmatched brand of humor, his kindness, and his knack for knowing just the right thing to say...

Hortensia Gomez Ortiz, born on July 27, 1925, to Rafael Ruiz Gomez and Dolores Rodriguez, and passed away February 23, 2022, at 96 years of age. She was born in Tucson, Arizona and completed her education in Phoenix. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in secretarial school at Phoenix College where she graduated with honors in 1947.She married Leo...

Floyd Robert Collins, better known as Bob, Bobby, Pop, Gramps, and Uncle Cob, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 84 on March 3, 2022.Bobby was born in Phoenix on July 26, 1937 to parents Floyd and Millie. He attended St. Francis Elementary School and St. Mary’s High School before marrying...