Obituaries

William A. Hankerson passed away peacefully on June 3, 2020, after being in failing health for a few years. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 21, 1943, and moved to Phoenix with his family in 1946, where he lived the rest of his life.He received two Bachelors degrees from Arizona State University, one in Engineering and one in...

Minnie Mae Warren passed away peacefully in her home on June 4, 2020 in Mesa, AZ.  She was born December 1, 1925 in Wyatt, Missouri to Sanford and Rosa Lee. She had six brothers and one sister. She was the youngest daughter of an Irish sharecropper. The family was poor but raised with love and strong family values. When WWII...

Willis Peterson, 1923 – 2020Willis Peterson, Arizona nature and wildlife photographer and author, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2020 surrounded by family after a long struggle with illness.Willis ‘Pete’ Peterson was born 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, a child of Swedish immigrant parents. He was raised by his single mother and aunt.In 1930 they moved to Colorado Springs in search...

Patricia Marie Fedock PhD, a retired college professor from Arizona State University West, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 after suffering a stroke in early May. She now rests peacefully and joins her father Major Texas B. Barnes to enjoy eternity with no pain.Patti was born on December 9, 1948 in Phoenix, AZ. She was proud to be a...

Ignacio H. Campos passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease. He was known as “Nacho,” “Nachito” and “Nick” by his family and friends. He was a wonderful loving father with a great heart and a wonderful sense of humor.He is survived by his immediate family; Alicia Campos his wife of 51 years,...

Dan August Panessa gained his Angel Wings on Monday, May 25, 2020. He was born in Brigham City, Utah on November 6, 1936 to Leonard and Emma Virginia Panessa. He grew up in NYC, NY and graduated from Machine and Metal High School.He was a warm hearted and compassionate man who cared deeply for others. He gathered many friends along...

Margaret “Peggy” Young, 90, a Native Phoenician, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2020.She was born on July 17, 1929 to Charles and Mary Spaulding. She was the last surviving sibling of the Spaulding children: Mary, Patrice, Charlie, Sally, Kathleen.Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Howard Young. Her son Keith Desplanques and her 2 grandsons Shawn Bern and...

Shirley Mae Hunter, of Paradise Valley, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2020. Shirley was born to Casimir and Estelle Zarzycki in Chicago, Illinois. It was there, that she grew up and eventually met the love of her life Fredrick Hunter. In 1969 Shirley and her family moved west to Phoenix to start the next exciting chapter of their lives....

Walter was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 8, 1938, to G. Walter Whalen and Julia Frances (Nelson). He is survived by his wife, Jeannie (Lewis), of Phoenix, AZ, to whom he was married for twenty-four years and his sister, Kathleen Kenney (Boston), widow of Robert. He was blessed with three children, all of whom reside in Massachusetts. Cindy Hernan...

Dr. Patricia D. Moore passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.Patricia is survived by her daughters Jacqueline Picone and Kristina Dunne (John), and her grandchildren Joe, Katie and Steve Russell, Matthew and Julia Picone, and Emma and Keira Dunne.Her daughters Jacque Picone and Kristina Dunne will be making arrangements for a small private family funeral now,...

Ralph G. Bonillas, 57, passed away on May 16, 2020. He was born on April 24, 1963 to Evangelina and Arnold in Phoenix, Arizona. He is survived by his daughter Shandrea Rodriguez and family and friends. He will be dearly missed.  A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian...

James Nelson Daudet, 72, born on February 24, 1948 in Aruba.Devoted husband, father and servant of the Lord lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, May 21, 2020.He strived to make the best of every situation regardless of theobstacles. James dedicated his life to his family and lived every day with joy and happiness. His hobbies included playing his Hammond...

Bill was born and raised in Michigan. His love of basketball took him to Central Michigan University for college. In 1966, his junior year, Central Michigan went all the way to the NAIA Championships in Kansas City, Mo. At 6-foot-4, Bill was the tallest player on a team that won 17 straight games before losing to the eventual champions. Bill...

Raul Reyes, 93 of Phoenix Arizona died on Sunday May 17, 2020 from a cardiac arrest. Raul was born on April 18, 1927 in Houston Texas.Raul came from a military family serving in the United States Army as a paratrooper in WWII. He graduated from East Los Angeles College with an Associate Arts degree.He worked for Western Electric for thirty...

Carmen L. Saiz, age 91 of Phoenix, Arizona passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020 peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family and loved ones in her home. Carmen was born December 18, 1928 in Phoenix, Arizona to Jesus and Antonia Loredo. Carmen was a native, worked as riveter for the B-17 during WWII, Administration for Maricopa County, and retiring as...

Walter Henry Kubis, 91, beloved husband to Sylvia, loving father to Jean (Kenneth) Podborny, Walter Patrick Kubis, Barbara (Charles) Kitay, grandfather to Jessica (David) Hughes, Cory, Michael and Kyle Kitay, great-grandfather to Jacob and Michael Hughes and brother to Johanna Decker, went peacefully to his heavenly reward with his bride of 69 years by his side. He was preceded in...

Our beloved Emilia Avila passed away on May 13, 2020 at the age of 89.She was born on October 21, 1930 in Phoenix, Arizona to Emilio and Rosa Gonzales.She was preceded in death by her husband; Andrew Alday Avila, brother; Steve Gonzales, sister; Armida Traslayvina and grandson; Robert Garcia.She is survived by her children; Andrew Avila, Roseann Pond, her sisters;...

Kottmer, Anna Marie “Annabelle”, 87, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020, in the company of her grandchildren in Tucson, Arizona. She was born September 2, 1932 to James and Brigida Chavez in St. Johns, Arizona.Anna was a devoted wife who loved to cook and decorate. She was a dedicated mother first and foremost, she treasured her children, grandchildren, and...

Laura Benedict Eller (fondly known as Weetie) died peacefully in her sleep at Hospice of the Valley’s Ryan House on May 13, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. She battled leukemia and subsequently a lung transplant for 6 years. She was 61.Laura was born on January 7, 1959 in Dayton, OH to her parents, Louis and Kay Benedict. She graduated from Arizona...

Petra H. Varela (Pat H. Varela), entered the gates of Heaven April 27, 2020 at the age of 79 years old. She was born May 29, 1940 in Isleta, Texas to Felipa Y. Hernandez and Brigido D. Hernandez. As a young girl her family moved to Phoenix where she was raised. Petra married Jose Varela her loving sweetheart. Petra left...