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Mary Lou Duzett, 87, of Casa Grande, Arizona passed away on December 7, 2023 at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona.  Mary Lou was born on August 9, 1936 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Robert and Nellie Young.  Mary Lou was raised, and spent her youth in Castle Dale, Utah. She married her High School Sweetheart, Calvin Duzett, on September 28, 1955 in the LDS Temple at Manti, Utah. After a few years in Utah, and six years in El Paso, Texas, they lived most of their life together in Farmington, New Mexico, and the last 5 years in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Mary Lou was a woman of faith and spent a life of service to her family, community, and church.  She served as the President of the Junior Women’s Club of Farmington and taught piano to young students over many years.  She served in many leadership roles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Stake and Ward Relief Society President, Young Women President, and Primary President. Mary Lou was a talented musician and often served as music chairman, organist, or choir director for both the Ward and Stake.

Mary Lou loved to sew and was a talented seamstress.  She often made clothes for her children.  Reading was a favorite pastime.  She was also a talented cook and shared the fruits of her talent with others.

Mary Lou was a joyful individual who never met a stranger.  She made friends wherever she went and always had a smile and brought laughter to those around her. She went out of her way to make others feel welcome and important.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Robert Bunnell Young and Clyde Young.  She is survived by her beloved spouse, her son Robert Calvin Duzett (Ann), her daughter Marsha Ashcroft, and daughter Michele Duzett; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the LDS meetinghouse at 165 W. 800 N. in Castle Dale, Utah at 1:00 pm Monday the 18th of December. After these services, a brief grave dedication service will precede Mary Lou’s burial at the Castle Dale cemetery. Funeral arrangements were made through Walker Funeral Home in Payson, Utah.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Service time changed January 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM at LDS Stake Center, 1550 North Val Vista, Mesa, AZ

Jackie Andrus Jesperson, 87, died November 30, 2023 in Gilbert, AZ.  Born in Oakley, Idaho August 6^th, 1936 who was the only child of Willis and Rada Whittle.  Jackie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home and Family Living in 1958 at Utah State and taught Home Economics in several Mesa Public Schools.  Jackie was married to Von Del Andrus on August 1, 1958 (who passed in 1976) and then to Arlyn Leroy Jesperson on June 19, 1981.  Arlyn and Jackie served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2002/2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Survivors include Kelli Sue Berube, Kaye Lynn Huish-Lisle, Lori Lane Choules, Del W Andrus and Jared Ray Andrus including 22 grand children and 17 great grandchildren.  Family was everything to Jackie and loved to be involved in all aspects of their lives.  We would often hear from those who interacted with Jackie that she was always up beat and kept a big smile on her face.  Jackie loved music and was a choir director starting in college up until this last year when she joyfully put on the Christmas program where she lived.  Since Jackie loved people and parties, her Celebration of Life will be held January 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM located at LDS Stake Center, 1550 North Val Vista, Mesa, AZ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Jack Arthur Burris of Gilbert, Arizona, formerly of Naperville, Illinois and Des Moines, Iowa died December 6, 2023. Jack was the eldest of five children of Ransom L. Burris and Julia Sedella Moore. After graduating high-school, Jack began attending Iowa State College, but put his plans on hold to return home and help his family out when his father fell ill. Jack did not give up his dream, however and graduated in 1985 from the renamed Iowa State University. In the fall of 2023, Jack returned to school to pursue a masters degree in history. He is survived by his daughter Heather Aileen Burris and son Jerome Andrew Burris. Jack is also survived by one brother, Frederick Anthony Burris and two sisters, Patricia Ann Tibbetts and Ginger Aileen Ahrens (Steve), as well as several nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by parents, brother David Allen Burris, and his wife of 55 years, Lucy Ellen Burris (nee Blake). Interment will be in the Burris family plot in Iowa.

In Loving Memory of Bobby

Robert Howard Madsen, 69, was called home to God Dec. 1, 2023, at 4:54 a.m. after a multi-year battle with cancer. A brilliant performer, composer and a loving son, brother and uncle, Robert was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and was faithful unto the end. Bobby was beloved by all who knew him, especially his family.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Robson (and brother-in-law, Jim), his older brother, Jared Madsen (and sister-in-law, Kathy), and his younger brother Richard Madsen, as well as dozens of adoring nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. His love, warmth, compassion and sense of humor made him a trusted confidant, first choice for a concert date, and best friend to each of us.

Robert was born Nov. 4, 1954, in Mesa, Arizona, the second son and third child of Russell and Marjorie Madsen. From a young age, Robert was blessed with great musical talent and phenomenal charisma. He attended Westwood High School and graduated in the Gold Medal Class of ’72, where he was a member of Elizabeth White’s Honor Choir and was “Buck” in the comedy singing group the Light Crust Dough Boys. He also started his own band, the 4 Alarm Fire, with Kevin Horne, Delwyn Ray and Wayne Salstrom. Later, he joined his brother-in-law’s band, the Family Waye, which included his sister, Mary Ellen Robson, Jim’s sisters, Loretta, Denna, and Roseanne, and several other members throughout the years.

Robert had perfect pitch. He sang and played the guitar, piano, and a little trumpet. He was a natural performer, which served him well as he traveled the country as part of the Family Waye band. After graduating high school and having a year of playing music on the road, Robert embarked on one of the great adventures of his life, a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a missionary to the Lima Peru Mission. On his mission he served and taught others about Jesus Christ, and he also learned Spanish, a language that he would speak and perform in throughout his life.

Robert spent a couple of semesters as a student at Brigham Young University. Then he embarked on a solo career of writing, recording and producing music in English, Spanish, and even Portuguese. Robert was a gifted songwriter who worked in many genres, including the rap song “I got Rich,” which features some of the greatest lyrics of all time: Money, money can’t buy happiness/But I think she wants to share my misery. His stage name, Bobby Sol, could not have been more fitting – Sol is the Spanish word for sun – because he brought sunshine to the lives of all who knew him. Robert wrote most of the music for the Gilbert Temple Celebration, and contributed to the writing of its script with Roseanne Tidwell, Jason Barney, and his brother Richard Madsen.

He sacrificed much for his parents and for the whole family. Robert was a dutiful and loving son who cared for his aged parents (Russ and Marge) for well over 20 years, helping them live to be 101 and 102 respectively. Robert was extremely close to his parents and his siblings. Robert’s devotion and kindness to family and others was like having daily sermons on the meaning of true, Christlike love. Robert showed us how to handle even life’s hardest challenges with grace and humor. Robert was really funny and clever. He often had others laughing until tears would appear. He performed for a few of his high school reunions and had the crowd howling with laughter.

Robert’s sense of style was ahead of its time, and he introduced many of his nieces and nephews to the glory of track pants and Adidas tennis shoes. Although a few nephews tried, no one could make a white sequined Elvis jumpsuit look as good as he did. While we will all honor his legacy in matters of style, we strive to follow him in matters of substance and in longsuffering. Robert contracted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) at age 25, which caused him much physical and mental suffering until he died of cancer at age 69. He was an example of a pure heart. He patiently endured his sufferings while still keeping his faith and kindness. He was a shining product of the Refiner’s Fire.

A viewing to honor and remember Robert will be Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at 925 N. Harris Dr., Mesa, Arizona.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Doris Arlene Helms, 93, peacefully passed away November 17, 2023, at Grace Manor of Arizona in Chandler.

Doris was born to John and Emma Baergen in Cordell, OK.  She attended school in Oklahoma and in 1947 married Alfred Schmidt.  They farmed the same farm that she was raised on and 3 children were born there.  In 1956 they decided to move off of the farm and out of Oklahoma eventually settling in Loveland, CO.

While living in Loveland, CO, Doris worked as a cook, cleaned unglazed pottery for Rocky Mountain Pottery Factory, and for 17 ½ years assembled instruments for Hewlett Packard.

In 1974 at the age of 43 she became a widow when Alfred passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident.  In 1977 she married Henry Helms, a widowed farmer originally from Nebraska.  With Henry came his 3 daughters and 4 sons which extended her family to a total of 10 kids.  Henry’s youngest son was 10 years old and the only one to live at home with them.  When they retired and the youngest son moved out to be on his own, they traveled many miles visiting family in their RV.  They became “snow birds” for a few winters before buying a house in Mesa, AZ and settling there permanently.  Henry passed away in 2013, at the age of 89.  They had been married almost 36 years.  A highlight for Doris was when our families were together for reunions and holiday dinners.  Her pecan pie and cherry cheese cake became favorites.

Doris enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, quilting, embroidery, making jewelry, and coloring books for grown-ups.  She was an active member of the Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church and enjoyed the friends she met there.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Edward and Alfred, sister Lorena Jantz, step-mother Agnes Baergen, step-sister Betty Plett, and step-sister Florence Moore.  She is survived by sister Carolyn (John) Penner, brother Gary Baergen, and children Mary Etta Belisle, Clayton Schmidt, Warren Schmidt, Linda (Richard) Twidwell, Jeanette Mares, Dale (Deb) Helms, Rhonda (Don) Ems, Kim (Joe) Helms, Ron (Priscilla) Helms, Brent (Denise) Helms, 22 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will take place at the Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church, Gilbert, AZ, January 20, 2024 at 10:00am.  Her ashes will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Fort Collins, CO at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in memory of Doris Helms to Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church, 425 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ  85234.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

John is survived by his parents – John and Connie Bunyard, his 6 siblings – Cassandra, Jacob, Joshua, Emilia, Josiah, and Elizabeth, and his grandparents – Frank Kovacs, Rose Griebel, Len Bunyard, and Shirley Mayer.

John lived a fulfilling life wherein he found joy in love, music, and the culinary arts. He shared his passion for music through being a DJ and hosting raves. He was also a master chef who loved expressing himself in the kitchen through the creative and delicious dishes he prepared.

John was a genuine soul who navigated life with authenticity while being unapologetic, curious, and fun-loving. His desire for peace, unity, and love were all reflected in his compassionate and caring nature. John left a positive impact on those around him and his love for his girlfriend, Ashtyn, was evident through his everyday choices. John and Ashtyn had many amazing experiences together and lived life to the fullest.

In this time of loss, it’s important to remember and celebrate John’s life by honoring him and the unique qualities that made him special to his family and friends. The legacy of John’s genuine and authentic approach to life will undoubtedly live on in our hearts and the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.

December 9, 2023 at 2pm for Johns celebration of life. Contact family if someone is interested in going. Thanks!

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Billiemae Lee, 91, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2023 in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born to Joseph Page Leavitt and Louise Nellie Nauta on October 29, 1932 in Los Angeles, California. Billiemae led a happy and productive life filled with family, friends, and many activities, such as painting, singing, and writing poetry. She married Glen Arthur Lee in 1949 and they were lucky enough to spend over 60 years together enjoying each other’s company as they camped, fished, sailed, and created a beautiful home, all while raising seven children. Billiemae is survived by her children, Michael Thomas Lee of Orlando, FL; Judith Ann Olin of Gilbert, AZ; Linda Carol Carrillo of Knoxville, TN; Deanna Mae Willey of Fairfield, CA; Patricia Louise Hurley of Littleton, CO; Robert Page Lee of Scappoose, OR; and Bethany Alice Egerton of Fond du Lac, WI. Billiemae was compassionate and always service minded. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Graveside services are Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, AZ.

Dr. Lot Delano Smith, age 89, passed away December 2, 2023, at his residence in Gilbert, Arizona. 

Lot was born June 1, 1934 in the home of his parents, James and Winnie Smith of Central, Arizona.   

Lot is a graduate of Thatcher High School, Eastern Arizona College, and he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree at Colorado State University. 

He married Portia Karen O’Quinn, September 9, 1960 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. 

Lot was a successful Veterinarian working on both small and large animals. Lot loved serving in his community. He was President of Thatcher-Central Parent Teachers Association, Alumni President of EAC, President of the EAC Foundation, and Board Member at Thatcher Unified School District. 

Lot was a man of faith and served in several callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a 2 ½ year mission in Uruguay.  He served as Bishop of the Central Ward, First Counselor in the Thatcher Stake Presidency, and as a ward chorister with his wife Portia at the Organ.   

Lot is survived by his wife of 63 years, Portia Karen O’Quinn and his 5 children, Robb (Lisa) Smith, Heidi (Steve) Allred, Heather  (Mark) Howard, Ladd (Audra) Smith,  Nikki (Kevin)  McEuen and 18 beautiful Grandchildren and 22 Great-Grandchildren. 

Lot is the 9th of 10 children and was preceded in death by his parents James and Winnie Smith, siblings; Omer, Keith, Eldon, Kent, Max, Arvid, Dale, Fawn and Roger.   

Funeral services for Lot Delano Smith will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel on Friday, December 8, at 9 a.m. Address: 777 E. Elliot Rd. Gilbert, AZ. 85234 

Lot will return to his birthplace for his burial and resting place. A Dedicating the Grave will take place at the Central Arizona Cemetery, Friday, December 8, at 2 p.m.  

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Alicia Pease Peterson, 87, of Maricopa, Arizona passed away on Monday November 27 th , 2023. Alicia was born on February 15 th , 1936, in Thatcher, AZ to William Theodore Pease and Phoebe Allred Pease.

Alicia was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. She worked for Wells Fargo for 10 + years as a silver bullet and retired in 2004. Alicia loved to write poems and was an artist who could paint beautiful pictures. She loved to draw horses, she liked to crochet, embroider, make beaded jewelry and scrapbook. She absolutely loved genealogy and trying to figure out how she was related to somebody. Alicia was very patriotic and loved her country. She loved to study maps and liked to visit pretty places in the United States. One of her favorite sites was the beautiful trees and fresh air of the Pacific Northwest, where she settled and raised her family.

She was the most amazing, loving, and truly caring mother to not only her children, but their friends and even their pets throughout the years. She is survived by her daughters, Kelly (Dale) and Lynda (Todd). Sons, Glenn and Matthew (Kalia), 20 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers and three sisters whom she adored, her loving son Richard Palmer and his beautiful wife, Angela, her first husband, Gene Palmer, second husband Robert Kreger, and her third husband Joseph Van Peterson, whom she was sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple in 2004 and will be laid to rest next to on Friday December 8 th , 2023. She enjoyed a full, long life and left this world peacefully.

A graveside service will take place at 12:00 noon at the Lakeside Cemetery 1265 Larson Rd, Lakeside, AZ 85929

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Merle was born April 28, 1939 in Washington, Pennsylvania to Harold and Thelma Ballentyne.

The family moved to Arizona in 1947 where Merle lived the rest of his days, passing away on November 26th 2023 in Mesa. His youth was spent living at Stewart Mountain Dam community (Saguaro Lake). He graduated from Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona.

Merle was business owners with his wife Dolores. After her passing he married Marion Lewis.  Merle lived a life full of traveling and volunteering.

Merle is survived by his wife Marion, his son James, two grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

He is preceded by death his parents, wife Dolores, brother Delmas and sister Helen.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Steven R. Norton, our beloved brother and friend to all, suddenly passed away on November 25, 2023. Steven was born in 1957 in Alliance, Ohio. Two years later his parents came to the Mesa, Az. area where they placed their two youngest children up for adoption, Steven being one of them. Lawrence and Daisy Norton were grateful and happy to adopt Steven and raise him in their happy home in Eagar, Az.

Steven was forever grateful to call Eagar home. In the days when girls did the “inside” chores and boys did the “outside” chores, Steven preferred to be inside the house listening to music or cooking his famous chili beans—He really didn’t like yard work! But he did love the outdoors when it came to Sunday drives, fishing or picking elderberries.

Steven enjoyed watching Johnny Quest, Star Trek and Bandstand. His musical ability expanded when he took piano lessons from Rosie Hall, played drums in the school band, and participated in musical theatre in high school and in choir—both church and school. He was a very talented pianist and singer. His love of movies and music continued through adulthood as he added many VHS, DVDs and CDs to his collection.

He attended school in Eagar, Arizona and graduated from Round Valley High School in 1975. When he was sixteen, he spent the summer in Hawaii picking pineapples with his cousin. To this day he could not eat a pineapple!

In 1976 to 1978 Steven served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida. Returning home to Mesa, he began working for Quest/Century Link and retired last year after 45 years.

Steven was shy and kind-hearted, a true friend to all. He never said a mean word about anyone and rarely got mad. Throughout his life he loved to travel with his three older sisters, Theresa, Mary and Yvonne, especially to Eagar for the 4^th of July activities.

Steven is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters. Surviving are brothers, Rush (Nancy) and Jamie (Sheri)Norton, and sisters Mary Jepson and Joye (Larry Velasquez) Norton. Also, his longtime friends Mike and Millie Sheridan plus the many friends and family who kept in contact with him.

Steven will be honored at a memorial service at a later date in Eagar, Arizona.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Don Weldon Hobbs returned home to the loving arms of his Savior on November 28, 2023.  Don was born on February 17, 1942 in Preston, Idaho. He was the second of 5 sons born to Eldon and Thelma Hobbs.  He loved his childhood in Idaho working and playing on the family farm alongside his brothers:  Dee, Delwynn (deceased), Ed (deceased) & Ross. He learned how to work hard on the farm milking the cows, bailing hay and growing sugar beets. He loved to ride their horses and he especially loved breaking and training them.

He lettered in every sport in High School and graduated from Westside High.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southern California mission.  After his mission he attended Utah State University where he met a cute girl named Nansi Lea Gordon in his economics class. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Utah Temple on Friday, August 13, 1965, the luckiest day of his life. He graduated with his bachelors degree from USU in economics in 1966 and was employed by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan.  He and Nansi then moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1969 so that he could get his MBA from Arizona State University.  They have called Mesa their home for the last 54 years. He and Nansi were blessed with 6 children: Doug (Kristin) Hobbs, Kristin (Bryan) Caffrey, David (Kelli) Hobbs, Tricia (David) Folsom, Tiffany (Greg) Arnett, Ronald (Lindsay) Hobbs. He loved each of his 26 grandchildren and especially loved taking them for drives in his truck to see the farm animals in Lehi and to get an ice cream cone. He enjoyed hunting with his children and his friends and camping at Big Lake with his family every summer.

He never turned down a calling and served in many positions including as a bishop, and as a counselor in the Maricopa Stake Presidency for 14 years serving with President Dea Montague and President David Udall. He loved working with the youth and in the scouting program and earned the Silver Beaver Award. He also served faithfully in the Mesa Temple as an ordinance worker and the temple recorder.  He also served as the Mesa Easter Pageant President for several years.

He worked for First National Bank which later became First Interstate Bank and was valued for his wisdom and integrity.  After retirement, he and Nansi were privileged to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in both Zimbabwe and Myanmar. These humanitarian missions blessed the lives of so many as they helped provide clean drinking water, distributed wheelchairs and prosthetics to those in need, gave out school and medical supplies, and taught English. He always said he had the greatest companion in Nansi. He loved being by her side. He was a man of integrity and honor.  He stood up for what was right.  He loved His Savior, Jesus Christ, and will be missed by his many family members and friends.

The family wishes to express their love and gratitude to the many friends and family who served our sweet dad & husband.  A viewing will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bunker Mortuary located at 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa.  The funeral service will be Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Maricopa Stake Center located at 613 N. Stewart in Mesa at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing prior from 9:00-9:45 a.m. The concluding graveside service will immediately follow, at the City of Mesa Cemetery, located at 1212 N Center St., in Mesa. For those unable to attend in person a live broadcast will be available.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bunker Family Funeral Home.

Zoom Link:  https://zoom.us/j/95499625630

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Patricia Rose Perkins lived a life of joy, spreading kindness, seeing goodness, and finding beauty in people and in the world around her. 

Patricia was born in Mesa, Arizona on March 18, 1933, at the height of the Great Depression. She was the first daughter, and fourth of seven children born to Maurice and Rosabel Brittenham Taylor. Their family lived wherever Maurice could find employment.  Her early years were spent going back and forth from the desert to the mountains, but Heber was home for most of her youth. There, she climbed and roamed the hills and gained a love for the mountains. Her parents worked very hard to provide for her and her siblings Bob, John, Dick, Bill, Marie and David.

Her Mom and Dad were avid readers, and their children loved reading as well. Dinnertimes would find a book propped behind each plate. Reading introduced her to a wider world she longed to explore. In her small town she discovered fantastic old books, her favorite being The Prose and Poetry of Rudyard Kipling, which accompanied her wherever she went throughout her life. Her children will always remember her sitting with a good book or reading aloud to the grandchildren.

Longing to explore the world she had only read about, she boarded a train immediately  after graduating from Snowflake High School and traveled east to Iowa. Later ventures took her west, to southern California, where she fell in love with the ocean. She worked a variety of jobs, including for a brokerage firm, rising early for NYStock Exchange hours, climbing up and down ladders all day to move the numbers on the stock market board. It was one of the last brokerages to employ girls to mark the board. She loved this job; it was hard, but fun, to learn the many stock symbols, and best of all she had many hours every afternoon to spend at the beach, listening to the soft roar of tumbling waves, feeling the gentle ocean breezes and watching breathtaking sunsets. 

She worked and saved until she could attend college at Brigham Young University, where she worked in the English department. One day while sitting on the temple grounds in Salt Lake City, she had a chance meeting with a handsome young man who also had Arizona roots—Max. A springtime romance blossomed and on the Fourth of July, under the fireworks, he proposed. They were married August 7, 1954 in the Arizona temple.

Max built her a sturdy block home in Mesa, while still a student at ASU, a home they cherished for their sixty years of marriage. They created an oasis in their backyard of sweet-smelling citrus, mature pecan trees, heavenly pomegranates, fruitful vegetable gardens and beautiful flowers. They hosted many gatherings through the years and all were welcomed here; dear neighbors, their kind church community and treasured family. 

They were blessed with six children: Scott (Luda), Reed (Rose), Mark (Michelle), Sue (James Menlove), Ann (Steve Towne), and Brad. She was so proud of her grandchildren; Maxim, Kristi, Blake, Aubrey, Zach, Luke, Julie, Christine, Rob, and Mike and her many great-grandchildren. She loved each of them, and their spouses, dearly. “Grandma Pat” could often be found snuggling or caring for the little ones. 

Together she and Max built their mountain home, which was a favorite spot to spend summers, and for her to grow beautiful flowers to enjoy and share with others.

She found beauty in nature, and loved traveling, including her road trip from Alaska, and more recently visiting the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other national parks.

Patricia lived a wonderful life of service and devotion to others. She served faithfully in various callings, often as a teacher, and particularly loved her time writing the ward newsletter for her church community, for about a decade. Her exquisite writing and editing skills helped create the numerous family history books that she and Max composed, and she helped Max in his many work ventures. They were a great team.

Her ninety years were filled with spreading kindness, seeing goodness, finding beauty, listening compassionately, and displaying faith and optimism for the future to all of her friends and family. 

Expressing her love and faith to her family, a few years ago, Pat wrote:

“It’s been quite the adventure, more ups than downs, more joy than sorrow, plenty of fun and laughs.”

“God has been very good to me. He has been with me every day of my life. He has given me blessings beyond counting and my family is the precious gift I thank Him for every day.”

“I thank my Heavenly Father for each one of you, for His gospel and for His Son. I thank Him for my sure knowledge that He and my Savior live and that Reed and Brad and Max are with them and that we will meet again, in love and happiness. I appreciate every one of you for what you are, and what you do, and I love every one of you with all my heart and soul.”

The family wishes to express gratitude to the many friends, family and care-givers who have lovingly served our sweet mother, including the caring staff from THEMA Health Services who provided hospice care.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 1, from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m. at the Ellsworth Park Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 977 E. Broadway Rd., in Mesa, Arizona. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 1, 2023, at the same location. The concluding graveside service will immediately follow, at the City of Mesa Cemetery, located at 1212 N. Center St., in Mesa. For those unable to attend in person, a live broadcast will be available. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bunker Family Funerals.

Zoom Link for LIVE service:

Topic: Pat Perkins Funeral Service
Time: Dec 1, 2023 11:00 AM Arizona

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Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Paul Earl House, “P-sign Paul” age 76 of Santa Cruz, California, passed away on November 15, 2023 of natural causes after a long illness.

Paul was born  March 2, 1947 to James and Opal House in Long Beach, California.  

At age 3 he learned to play the accordion and fell in love with music. Paul graduated from Western High School in 1965. His first band was NOT COOL out of Los Angeles, California. He later joined THE DEAD REDWOODS performing in Santa Cruz and other local California venues. Paul taught guitar at More Music, but it wasn’t just music that he loved. He found pleasure in all types of art and woodworking. Paul was skilled making orthopedic shoes, operated an herb shop, created aircraft illustrations for Boeing, and worked as a master carpenter for Shakespeare programs out of UCSC. He is known for his peace sign drawings on Its Beach, Santa Cruz, California.  

As a conservationist and active member in the community, he was involved with many marches, including his Wednesday mornings with the Ladies in Black. Paul taught Tai Chi at the lighthouse near Steamer Lane. He enjoyed and supported his favorite sports teams: San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and San Francisco Giants wearing hats and jerseys on game days. 

Paul is survived by his children Britney Saito and Wyatt House, and grandchildren Taj Saito, Gavin Saito and Shorina Saito of Japan. Paul is also survived by sisters Barbara Ellwood, Mary Muncy and Debbie Spears of Arizona. Paul’s love and partner was Beverly Fleming along with their “boy dog” Jimbeau. Paul is from an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, with cousin Eddie Nelms of San Diego, CA being Paul’s lifelong best friend. 

Private Services were held Nov. 20th. Paul‘s final resting place was Seattle, Washington on Tuesday, November 23, 2023. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Low Power community radio or your favorite community non-syndicated radio station. 

Music when Soft Voices Die  (To–)

BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

Music, when soft voices die,

Vibrates in the memory-

Odours, when sweet violets sicken,

Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,

Are heaped for the beloved’s bed;

And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,

Love itself shall slumber on.

Jared Hilton Watts, 42, of Mesa, AZ passed away on Saturday, Nov 18, 2023 in Tempe surrounded by loved ones and special friends. Jared was born on May 22, 1981 in Fayetteville, AR. He spent his childhood years in Van Buren, AR where he graduated from Van Buren High School.

Jared was employed for much of his career in the Oil & Gas industry in Arkansas and Texas. He moved to Arizona in 2014 and was most recently employed at DISH Network in Gilbert where many of his co-workers became close friends.

Jared loved outdoor activities especially golf, hunting and fishing. He never lost a lifelong fascination with nature and wildlife. Jared also had an artistic side as he was a talented metalworker who handcrafted collectible knives.

Jared is survived by daughters Nataleigh Dority and Skyla Watts; sons Lincoln Watts, Easton Watts and Ashton Watts; mother Elizabeth Hogan, father Chuck Watts and wife Susan, sister Katie Hosier and husband Larry; and numerous extended family members.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life gathering to be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 10;00 a.m. at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ  85297.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.