Obituaries

Leonard Bianco “Leo” was born in the Bronx, New York on June 22, 1927 to Anna and Leonardo Bianco Sr. Surrounded by a large and loving Italian family, Leo enjoyed playing stickball in the streets, family dinners, and surviving long hot summer days with water sprayed from open hydrants was his way of life. The true talent of drawing and...

February 18, 1939 – October 23, 2021James Robert Ziska, 82, passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021. He was born in Chicago, IL. to Henry James and Adeline Margaret (Holmeier) Ziska on February 18, 1939. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix, AZ.Jim graduated from Crystal Lake High...

Barbara L. Wagner passed peacefully on October 27, 2021 to join her husband and daughter in Our Lord’s presence. Born May 15, 1936 in Patterson, British Columbia, Canada to Charles and Winifred Letoria. She was the middle child between her brothers Charles and Robert. Raised on a ranch in a rural valley on the US-Canadian border, where she survived a...

Here rests a handsome and amazing soul. Mr. William B. Shelby, 65 was born in Dayton Ohio on September 30, 1956 and transitioned in Phoenix, AZ on October 26, 2021. He was the son of the late Lucille Oliver Shelby and Thomas William “T.W.” Shelby. He leaves a brother, Thomas Oliver Shelby, 3 daughters, Lashelle Leonard, Starr Shelby, and Kyra...

Rey David Javalera, 32, of Monte Vista Colorado, passed away on October 22, 2021, in Scottsdale, Arizona while at work.Rey David was born on May 5, 1989, to Cosme and Olga Javalera. In the last couple of months Rey was a teacher to many. His passion for life guided him on a journey to help others become a better person....

On Friday, October 22, 2021, Jeannette “Jean” Walker-Chambers, loving Mother of five children and four stepchildren, passed away at the age of 90. Preceded in death by husband Kenneth Chambers. She was an adoring proud Grandmother of twenty-two Grandchildren, a Great Grandmother of thirty-one and Great great Grandmother of two. Jeannette was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March...

Sandra Elaine Barr (Barney), 86, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2021, to join her relatives and precious grandson, Andre LeBlanc. She is survived by Reginald E. Barr, her husband of 65 years, Debbie LeBlanc, her daughter, Drannan Hamby, her cousin, and many nieces and nephews.Sandra was born August 23, 1935, to William and Elaine Barney in Phoenix, AZ. She...

Kristie Marie Flynn beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, and fiancé passed on October 24, 2021, after enduring a long & courageous battle with breast cancer at the age of 36. Kristie was born in Massena, New York on November 15, 1984.Most of her high school years were spent at Windsor High School, in Windsor New York. In June 2000, her...

Jessica Lee Edgar, age 49, passed away peacefully October 25, 2021 after a months long battle, ultimately due to pneumonia and a subsequent case of sepsis. She was born on April 11, 1972, in Hyannis, Massachusetts to Jeffrey and Pamela. She was married and had two children, Samuel and Christian Mendoza.Jessica had a comical side and always made people laugh....

Sandra Pizzarello (b. 1933) was a brilliant scientist, wife, mother and grandmother. Her groundbreaking work with meteorites redefined the key to the origins of life before it began on earth (Science 1997). Dr. Pizzarello was well known as the co-discoverer, with Dr. John Cronin, of enantiomeric excesses in amino acids extracted from meteorites, and for studies of the origins of...

James Patrick Kuehner known as “PK” died on Saturday, October 16th, 2021 at home with his family by his side. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle brother and friend. A celebration of life will be held at the Arizona Country Club on Thursday, November 4th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The family request, in lieu of flowers, donations be...

Harold F. Bode was born to Lillian and Fred Bode in Hannibal, Mo. on August 15, 1921. He graduated Hannibal High School and Hannibal LaGrange Jr. College before entering the Navy in 1942. While serving in the Navy he attended seven different colleges and was discharged in December, 1945. One week later he was introduced to his future wife and...

April 24,1980 – October 19, 2021Songgi lost his courageous battle with brain cancer on Tuesday, October 19th at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. With him at the time of his passing was his wife Amy, his parents Chang-Hee and Hai-Sun, and Amy’s mother, Terri. Songgi grew up in Globe, AZ. After graduating from Globe High School, he relocated...

Shirley Hahn of Phoenix, AZ passed away October 20, 2021. She was 62.Her husband Larry Hahn preceded her in death February of 2010. Her parents have also passed.She is survived by 2 brothers as well as other close relatives and friends.No service will be held. A wake will be held at her home at a near future date.Condolences may be...

Nancy (Anne) Rita Donaghy nee Broderick was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 10, 1929. She died on October 19, 2021. She was, as Phil Silvers so aptly wrote in a lyric, “Nancy (With the Laughing Face).”She is survived by her daughter Kathleen M., her son Michael T., her sister-in-law Betty Broderick, 18 nieces and nephews, 51 great nieces and...

Gloria Elias was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 28, 1933. She was one of seven children born to Alex and Agnes Ackel. She grew up in the Valley attending St. Mary’s Elementary and High Schools.Gloria married Tom Elias in 1953, and they celebrated sixty wonderful years of marriage before his passing in 2013. She spent 26 years as the...

Robert Richard Brown, 87, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on October 11, 2021 after a very short illness from West Nile Virus.Robert was born in Findlay, Ohio to George H. and Cecile L. Brown, both deceased. He graduated from Findlay High School. He met the love of his life and has been happily married to Betty Brown (Mullins) for 52...

Barbara Jane Herlihy Palmer, born in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 1922. She met the love of her life, James Louis Palmer and were married for over 74 years. They had a beautiful family of 7 children: Mary Louise Wagner (deceased), James L. Palmer, Jr., Sally Lewis, Peggy DeWald, Betsy Hodge, Diane Palmer and Tina Heffernan (deceased); 19 grandchildren,...

Manuel Y. Vila passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2021 in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 84. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges, with a vivacious grin. Despite the pain, Manuel came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.Manuel was born in...

John F. Rusinek, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2021 at the age of 87 after a long battle with dementia. He was born on August 14, 1934 and grew up in Washington, Pennsylvania as 1 of 9 children born to Anthony and Barbara Rusinek. John attended Washington High school in his home town or as he...