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Mason McAllister Cottam
1916/12/24 - 2013/04/07

Mason McAllister Cottam, 96, long-time Mesa resident, died at Sunday, April 7, 2013, at Hospice of the Valley. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members. He was born Dec. 24, 1916, in St. George, UT, where his father was the sheriff. He graduated from Dixie College in St. George in 1937 and from Brigham Young University in 1940 and began teaching high school in Kanab, Utah. He earned his pilot’s license, and as World War II began, he went to California to work for Douglas Aircraft as an inspector. He married Laurel Brinkerhoff in 1942 in Las Vegas, and they later were sealed in the St. George Temple. After the war they moved to Fredonia, AZ, on the edge of the Kaibab Reservation, where Laurel worked as a secretary for Kaibab Lumber and Mason taught school and piloted private planes for Kaibab. The company often contracted their plane out to movie studios and Mason piloted their stars back and forth from Las Vegas to southern Utah where many Westerns were filmed in the ‘50s. During that time he studied and earned his master’s degree in education in 1954 – his thesis was on the issue of bilingual-bicultural education, long before the subject was fashionable. On the side, he and Laurel formed a dance band – Laurel on piano, Mason on bass – and played for events throughout southern Utah and northern Arizona. They moved to Mesa in 1957. Mason was a school guidance counselor in the winter, and each summer he worked as a crop-duster over Arizona’s cotton fields. He was dedicated to his church and most recently served as ward librarian for more than 25 years in the Mesa 30th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by a sister, Grace Dalton of Salt Lake City; his six children, 15 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His sons and their spouses: John and Danna Cottam and Thomas and Carolyn Cottam of Mesa; James Christopher and Kristina Cottam of Maricopa; and Howard and Julie Cottam of Escondido, Calif. His daughters and their spouses: Mary and Tom Speropulos of Mesa and Linda and Clark Hoyt of Great Falls, Va. In addition to his wife, who died in 2006, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Debra Cottam. Visitation: Friday, April 12, 2013 from 6-8 p.m., Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services are Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 10 a.m., Mesa East Stake Center, 2228 E. Brown Rd., with visitation one hour prior. Burial at Green Acres Cemetery, Scottsdale. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley.

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Gladys Adeline Tschetter
1925/06/29 - 2013/03/22

Gladys Adeline Tschetter went home on March 22, 2013 at Gilbert, AZ. She was born June 29, 1925 in Freeman, South Dakota to John JC and Barbara Gross . When she was a young child, her parents moved the family to the Huron area. She attended Huron Schools . When she was old enough, she worked at J.J. Newberrys store, where she met her husband, Theodore L. Tschetter. They were married November 5, 1946 at Smith Center, Kansas.

In 1979, they moved to Colorado Springs where she worked for 12 years at a medical center, where she made many friends and was loved and respected. In 1998, after the death of her son, they moved to Arizona to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Gladys loved her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her pets were an important part of her life and she doted on them.

Gladys enjoyed planting and growing beautiful flowers with her husband and filling up many photograph albums with pictures she took. She enjoyed making chocolate covered cherries and other fancy candies at Christmas time. She was an incredibly good cook and loved sewing .

Being thankful for sharing her life are her daughter, Claudia Cope, brother, Walter (Linda) seven grandchildren: Susanne (Nathan) McCabe, Shelli (Kenneth) Brinkley, Shari (Dustin) Snow, Sawnya (Christopher) Sherwood, Thomas (Meredith) Cope, James (Celace) Cope, Jonathan (Candith) Cope and 25 great grandchildren and a very special cousin, Edna Mae Hofer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her son Anthony (Tony), her parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters and her son-in-law and friend, Terry Cope.

Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, with visitation at 10:00. Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ

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Paul Allen Williams
1937/09/12 - 2013/03/28

Paul Allen Williams, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully, Thursday, March 28, 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona after suffering from Aplastic Anemia at the age of 75. Through years of struggle with Rheumatoid Arthritis, he is finally free from his earthly pain. He was born in Garfield, Utah on September 12, 1937, but grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah. He is preceded in death by his parents, Allen Berry and Delila Gardner Williams and sister, Helen Ann Pawlowski.

Paul married Kathy Clarke on June 24, 1966, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and moved to Mesa, Arizona where they raised their large family of one daughter and seven sons.

Paul is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Kathy) Clarke Williams and their children, John (Liz) Williams, Brent Williams, Richard (Natalie) Williams, David Williams, Jennifer Peterson (Forrest), Scott (Natalia) Williams, Rob (Heather)Williams, Steven and by their 16 grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, LaVon (Richard) Finlinson, Edith (Keith) Barber and Marilyn (Cory) Grua.

Paul was dedicated to his family. He was faithful to his heritage and strove to live a life worthy of the blessings he had received from those who had come before. Paul was a strong influence for good in the lives of his children, grandchildren and was a doting grandfather. He was an active and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. In the last few days of his life, he admonished each family member to keep the commandments. His righteous example and strong testimony will be a heritage to all who knew him.

A viewing will be held April 3, 2013 at Bunker Family Funerals located on 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa Arizona, on April 3, between 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the LDS Chapel, 2152 E. Adobe Street in Mesa, Arizona.

Interment and a second funeral service is yet to be determined in the Spanish Fork City Utah.

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Frank Elliot Wilbur
1935/11/14 - 2013/03/28

Frank Elliot Wilbur, 77, passed away peacefully March 28, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. Frank was a happy, kind, and gentle man. He was multi-talented in music and the arts. His passion was playing the piano and organ, but he also found pleasure in painting, sculpting and making jewelry. His accomplishments were many, but his greatest joy came from serving his wife, family and community. Members of his family include his sweetheart of 54 years, Corinne, his children Jamie, Frank, Jr., Elizabeth, Thom, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Wed., April 3, 2013 from 6:30–8:30 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Friday, April 4, 2013 at 2 PM preceded by a visitation at 1 PM at the LDS Downtown Chapel, St. John’s, AZ.

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Ethelyn Johnson Madsen
1917/11/10 - 2013/03/23

Ethelyn Johnson Madsen passed away Saturday, March 23, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. She was born November 10, 1917 in El Paso, TX, the oldest of thirteen children born to William Percy and Ethelyn Haws Johnson. She was raised in Phoenix, AZ, graduating from Phoenix Union High School. Ethelyn married Spencer Duane Madsen Nov. 1, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spencer and Ethelyn had five children. They made their home in Mesa, AZ after Spencer’s retirement as an LDS chaplain in the US Army. Ethelyn was active in the Mesa Museum Guild and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She earned a “Healthy Aging Award

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Pauline May Stump
1925/05/23 - 2013/03/24

Pauline Stump, 87, of Chandler, Arizona, died on March 24 in Chandler, Arizona. Pauline was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on May 23, 1925 and was married to Frank Stump, now deceased. She has one son, Michael. She grew up in Danville Illinois and lived in Arizona since 1960. Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201, phone 480 964 8686 is handling arrangements. Services are being held at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Blvd. Chandler Arizona, at 10 am on April 3rd.

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Sharon Lou Graham
1940/05/25 - 2013/03/25

Sharon Lou Graham, 72 of Mesa passed away on March 25, 2013 after a long battle with scleroderma. Born in Minneapolis, she moved to Arizona in 1971, worked for US West here and in 1987 to Colorado, retiring in 1990. She lived in Colorado until 1997 and returned to Mesa for health reasons. She enjoyed craft work and gardening, and was active in Telephone Pioneers, Telephone Retiree Assn., and Grace UM Church. A son Jerry and daughter Nancy preceded her in death. She is survived by husband Phil, sisters Pat Franzen, Ft. Meyers, FL; Cynthia Ehlert, Estero, FL; Jean Iverson, Remer, MN; also stepdaughter Kristi Graham, Scottsdale and stepson Steven Graham (Iva), Loveland, CO. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 1 PM at Grace United Church, 2024 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flower, a donation to Grace United Church in her honor is suggested. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

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Elma Milano
1920/01/10 - 2013/03/22

Elma Allen Milano, 93, passed away Friday, March 22, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. Elma was born in Gilbert, AZ on January 10, 1920 to Charles Ashael and Ida Lillywhite Allen. She was raised in Los Angeles where she met and married her husband, Henri Milano. After their marriage in 1938, they operated a chain of accordion studios in southern California. Following World War II, they moved to Mesa where they founded Milano Music Center. After Hank and Elma were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, they were blessed with six children. Elma was proud that all of her children and many of her grandchildren were able to work by her side in the music business. All six of her children became proficient accordionists under her tutelage. She enjoyed the family performing as a group for many civic and church functions. She was devoted to acts of service dedicated to community, church, and family. Elma had a lifelong commitment to “lift the lives of others.

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Almo J Tolman
1915/06/13 - 2013/03/17

Almo J Tolman, 97, passed away March 17, 2013. He was born June 13, 1915 in Burley, ID. He is survived by Ruth M Edmondson Tolman, who has been his life-long companion of 76 years. They were sealed in the St. George LDS Temple. At a young age he moved to Bell, CA, a suburb of Los Angeles with his family. He was married in 1937 and started working for General Motors Corporation in the late 30’s. In 1956 he was transferred to GM’s Central Office in Detroit, MI, where he was responsible for overseeing quality control problems in the assembly plants throughout the United States. After 40 years with General Motors he retired and moved back to California, residing in Hemet. He and Ruth moved to Mesa in 1984 to be closer to family. Besides his wife he is survived by a son Rodney W. Tolman (Kathryn), Mesa, AZ, and a daughter, Christine M. Heap-Tano of Tremonton, UT. There are 19 grandchildren of which a grandson, Jason A. Tolman passed away 4 years ago at age 27. In addition there are 63 great-grandchildren. He was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in various Priesthood leadership positions. Visitation is Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 5-7 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa 85201. Services are Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS Kimball Stake Center, 1266 S. 32nd Street, Mesa 85204. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery.

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Esther “Boots” Sapienza
1921/07/20 - 2013/03/18

Esther (Boots) Hahs-Sapienza passed away in Mesa, AZ, March 18th, 2013 at the age of 91. Boots was born in Cape Girardeau, MO and moved to Arizona in 1961 where she worked at Motorola for 25 years. She was preceded in death by first husband Roy Hahs and survived by daughter Brenda Grommon (Richard); 3 grandchildren: Rick (Becky), Travis (Ashley) and Brianne and 1 great grandson: Gage. Boots was also preceded in death by second husband Thomas Sapienza and survived by step-daughters: Alice Adams and Carol Flood (Tom); 6 step-grandchildren and 9 step-great grandchildren. She is also survived by dear friend John Boger. Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2013 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85213. Memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM. Donations may be made to Banner Hospice and AZ Beagle Rescue.

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Patricia Althea Shontell
1999/03/19 - 2013/03/16

Patricia Althea (Allie) Shontell, daughter of Thelma Shontell, was born on March 19, 1959 and passed over on March 16, 2013. Althea is survived by loving family members and treasured friends. She is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the grandeur of tall trees in a forest; and the simplicity of a single leaf. She saw beauty in the petal of a flower and God’s creations everywhere. She always stopped to smell the roses. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, and artist in the venues of sculpting and painting. She also found beauty in JoAnn’s, Michael’s and Walmart! A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 PM, Friday, March 22, 2013 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Val Vista Ward, 745 N. Val Vista Dr., Mesa, AZ. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley or Bishop Neilson of Val Vista Ward.

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Edward John
1934/06/01 - 2013/03/16

Edward (Ed) Charles John, of San Tan Valley, AZ, passed peacefully from this life to the next, on Saturday, March 16, 2013, due to complications of Alzheimer’s at the age of 78. Members of his loving family surrounded him in his final hours. He was born on June 1, 1934 in Aztec, NM, to Roy B. John and Viola F. Mulnix, and lived most of his youth in Nucla, CO. He married his eternal sweetheart, Eleanor Mary Barlow in the Salt Lake Temple on June 11, 1957. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor (Elly), and their eight children: Lorin (Julie), Keith (Gloria), Diana Oaks (Adam), Coleen Long (Steven), David, Glenn Oliver (Laura), Patrick (Kristine), and Perry (Jamie), as well as 28 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, his sister, Betty Fern Davis, brother Kyle (Cheryl), and brother Danny (Orvella). Preceded in death by his parents, brother David John, sister Dorothy Galyean; and grandson, Brian John. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Geology from Brigham Young University in 1964. He worked as a Geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Albuquerque, NM; Kennecott Copper Corp. at the Bingham Mine west of Salt Lake City, UT; and ASARCO at the Ray Mine North of Kearny, AZ. He was listed in Who’s Who of the West for his successes in that field. He was a faithful member of the in the LDS Church and worked in the scouting program in Utah and Arizona, earning the Silver Beaver award for his many years of leadership in the Boy Scouts. He served as Bishop of the Kearny AZ ward and as a missionary in the California Mission from ’55 – ’57, following with a second mission along with Eleanor in the California Fresno Mission. He was a true advocate for the young men of the church and community, and volunteered his time to coach youth baseball teams for many years. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 AM at the Cottonwood Heights Stake Center LDS Chapel, 6854 Whitmore Way. The viewing will begin at 9:00 AM the morning of the funeral. Donations in his memory may be made in lieu of flowers, to the Boy Scouts of America or the LDS Church Humanitarian fund.

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Frank Kaminski
1979/10/05 - 2013/03/15

Frank Kaminski III, 33, passed away on March 15, 2013. Born on October 5, 1979 to Mary Carol Kaminski and the late Frank Kaminski II in Rochester, NY, Frank was married to Candee Kaminski in Mesa, AZ in 2008. Frank was an exceptional man, driven by intellectual curiosity and great kindness. He attended Churchville-Chili Senior High in Churchville, NY and graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 where he studied Economics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, and Religious Studies. Through the course of his life, he was an inventor, a philosopher, a calculus and physics tutor, a used car salesman, a liquor store liaison, a big rig truck driver, and a brilliant supply chain analyst. But the title he was most proud of was father. He is survived by his three children Lorenzo Chavez, Iris Eldorn Kaminski and Juniper Ann Kaminski; as well as his wife Candee; his mother Mary Carol; and his sister Marya. He was preceded in death by his father and his brother Adam. Frank’s family was at the center of his life. Donations to benefit Frank’s children can be made to the Kaminski Kids Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo or on Paypal to kaminskikidsfund@gmail.com. Funeral services will be held at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa on Thursday March 21st from 6-8pm.

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John Lee Anderson
1943/08/24 - 2013/03/14

John Lee Anderson, 69, died March 14, 2003 at his home in Mesa, AZ. He was born August 24, 1943 in Oak City, UT to Mark B and Vada Allen Anderson. He grew up in Lakeshore, UT and attended Spanish Fork High School, graduating in 1961. John served in the Utah National Guard from 1961 to 1967, graduated from BYU with a degree in Business Management and served an LDS mission in the Northwestern States. He also served as a Bishop in the LDS Church, a 3 year mission at the Florence, AZ Prison and worked in the youth programs for many years. John worked for John Deere and Co. for 24 years and as a regional manager for Long Term Care Insurance for 16 years. He enjoyed his grandchildren, golfing, walking his dogs, teaching, gardening, and going to Pine, AZ. He is survived by his wife Sarah A. Stewart of Payson, UT, 3 children, Mark Wm. (Velia) Anderson, Mariann (Brad) Goodfellow of Mesa, AZ, Paul John (Debbie) Anderson, St. George, UT, and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services are Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 12 noon, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS Estate Groves Ward, 3920 E. Brown Rd., Mesa, 85205 and Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10 AM at Walker Mortuary, Spanish Fork, UT. Burial will follow at the Spanish Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the LDS Missionary Program, c/o Bishop Jim Morris, HC1, Box 1441, Pine, AZ 85544.

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Marion Jones Harris
1925/02/12 - 2013/03/14

Marion Jones Harris, 88, passed away peacefully March 14, 2013 in Mesa, AZ. She was born on February 12, 1925 in Provo, Utah. She was active in her church, loved to crochet afghans, make Christmas ornaments, and collect thimbles and spoons. She is preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, and a great-granddaughter. She is survived by her children, Ron, Gail Merritt, Pat Talley, and Hilton, 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Viewing will be Friday, March 22, 2013 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Chapel, 1852 N. Stapley Dr., Mesa.

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Adrian Brown
1934/10/26 - 2013/03/08

Adrian Durham Brown, 78 years old, of Mesa, AZ; passed away peacefully on March 8, 2013 at Banner Hospice House after a long illness. Adrian was born on October 26, 1934 in Conroe, TX to Jesse Brown and Docia Virginia Taylor Brown. Preceding Adrian in death were his father: Jesse Brown; Mother: Docia Virginia Taylor Brown; and sister-in-law: Bessie Brown. Surviving Adrian is his loving wife: Helen of 18 years, who dedicated her life to caring for him and loving him. Also surviving him was his sister: Virginia Hale (Johnny) of Buna, TX; brother: James Brown of Buna, TX; son: Lee Brickey (Lisa) of FL; daughter: Elizabeth Massey of FL; stepson: Tim Kristy (Lisa) of Wasilla, AK; grandchildren: Savannah Brickey, Alex Brickey, Shaun Massey, Aaron Massey & Anna Massey. Adrian was a graduate of Spartan School of Aeronautics. He spent his airline career with Trans Texas Airways and retired from Continental Airlines in 1990. During his airline career, he traveled to Australia, Amsterdam & Switzerland. Adrian spent most of his life in the Houston, TX area moving to Mesa, AZ in 1990. Adrian was a 32nd Degree Mason originally out of Lodge 1095 Buna, TX. While living in Mesa, AZ he participated with the Oriental Masonic Lodge when health permitted. He also served in the US Army and the US Naval Reserve. Masonic rights will be given by Oriental Masonic Lodge. Military rights will also be done by Veteran Foreign War Post 0100 of Mesa, AZ for the service Adrian gave to the country he loved. We would like to express our thanks to the Banner Hospitals & Banner Garden Hospice House for the great care and love they gave to Adrian and the love and compassion shown to his wife during those stressful days. Many thanks to all Doctors involved, especially surgeons Dr. Ali Ghazanfari , Dr. Seyed Sharifi & Dr. Lina Anthony. A special thank you to Dr. George Ting for the wonderful care; also to all the staff, nurses and all others who contributed to his great care. Also the staff in the Cath. Lab and Admitting Office where Adrian volunteered, for their kind words, visits and love they showed. Much love goes to Michael and Christine Hitchcock, Michael and Ruth Ann Petramalo, Jay and Marsha Smith, Ron West, and Ethlyn Ray and the many LDS friends who showed immeasurable love and compassion. Thanks to our friend, Russell Jorgensen for his help over the years. Arrangements are being handled by Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ. Memorial services will be held on March 18, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Adrian’s ashes will be spread over Canyon Lake, per his request, at a later date. Any gifts or contributions may be made in his honor to Banner Hospice House.

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Arizona Obituaries And Obituary Archive

At Bunker Family Funerals & Cremation, we cherish each unique life, considering it special and sacred. Our obituary archive allows you to explore the obituaries of those we’ve had the privilege to care for, and gives you the chance to share thoughts, messages, or stories with their families.

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