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Stuart Allen Kadel, 49, passed away October 20, 2012 in Chandler, Arizona. Memorial services are Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 3 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa.

Joseph P. Rais (Papa Joe), 81, passed away Oct. 26, 2012 in Mesa, AZ. He was born in Globe AZ, Jan. 17, 1931. He served in the AF during the Korean War. He is survived by wife, Ruth (Allred) Rais, children, Sandra (Bill Brower), W. Sevey (Maggie) Sherman, Patricia (Mark) Williams, 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was in retail for many years, but was best known as the owner of Country Crossing Restaurant in Gilbert, AZ. He was an ASU graduate, a big fan of ASU sports and loved to golf. Funeral services are Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Valley or the Gilbert Fire Department.

Willis Lane Wilcken Sr. (67) Born in Rexburg, Idaho Apr 26, 1945 passed away peacefully Oct 27, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and eldest son, Willis Jr. Survived by his loving wife of 44 years Mildred Rivera, children: Lane, Cathy, John, Joseph, Lydia, Clarissa, Jared and 41 grandchildren. Willis was a lifelong car, airplane enthusiast and entrepreneur. He was a great husband, father and friend to many. Services will be held at the LDS chapel on Adobe & Val Vista in Mesa at 10am concluding with interment in Fillmore, Utah.

Robert B Albrecht, 93, passed away October 25, 2012 in Tempe, Arizona. Memorial services are Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 2 PM at the Friendship Village Skirm Auditorium, 2645 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85282. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Evelyn Marie Henderson 95, born in Baggs, Wyoming on January 8, 1917, was called home Wednesday, October 24, 2012 in Mesa, AZ. She raised her family in Craig, CO. Following the death of her husband in 1962, she moved to Mesa, AZ, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, David, sons Wayne & Ralph, 5 siblings, and grandson, Matthew. She is survived by sons Kenneth (Linda), Gerald (Joyce), daughter-in-law, Marlene, 27 grandchildren & 84 great-grandchildren. Evelyn was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed. Funeral Services are Saturday, October 27, at the LDS Church, 1911 N. 24th St, Mesa. Viewing at 3:00 p.m. followed by services at 4:00 p.m. Interment in Craig, CO. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Brown, Mildred Louise (Millie), 89, of Mesa passed peacefully on October 21, 2012. Millie was born April 28, 1923 in Corydon, Indiana. She moved to Arizona in 1954, making her home in Mesa. She retired from Motorola, and was very involved with the Mesa Senior Center. Millie was preceded in death by husbands Cecil Conrad and Wayne Brown; daughter Cecilia Conrad; parents Elmer and Helen Getz, brother William Getz and sister Betty Lang. Millie will be missed and lovingly remembered by her large extended family; children Virginia Stodghill (Frank), Glenda Patrick (Jerry), Pamela Williams, William Conrad (Jayne) and Cecil Conrad Jr; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. Services will be Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa, 85213. A viewing will be held at 10am followed by chapel services at 11am. Interment will be at Mesa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley (Dobson Home), 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, to whom they are infinitely grateful for the assistance and compassion in the care of their mother and grandmother.

Lena Lovena Cooper, 89, of Mesa, Arizona passed away October 11, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, 85201. Funeral services are Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 11 AM, preceded by a visitation at 10 AM also at Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ernest F. Johnson Jr, born Sept 2, 1934 in Prescott was called home on Sunday, Oct 21, 2012 in Mesa. There to meet him were his son, Kevin, granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann, his parents and two sisters. Left to carry on his traditions are his wife, Ann, daughter Denise, son Dennis and daughter in law, Dee. His legacy will be continued through his 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. After working for the government on various construction projects for 31 years, he retired to spend time with his wife and tour the world. Known as Mr. Fix-it to family and friends everywhere he lived and for his support of family members on LDS missions. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral services are Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM, at the LDS chapel located at 1249 S 48th St in Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations to East Valley Hospice, 1351 N Alma School Rd Suite 250, Chandler, AZ 85224, or LDS general missionary fund are suggested. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Dreama Dawn Balke Howell, loving wife to Darrell and mother to Dustin, passed away October 18, 2012. She will join her father Herman Balke, mother Hyacinthe Balke and brother James Balke in eternal peace. Her legacy will be carried on by brothers Dennis, Mike and Harmon Balke and sister Virginia Holt. She is an inspiration to many, a nurturer to all and will be missed tremendously. Memorial services will be Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 11 AM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.

HOFFMAN, STEPHEN EDWARD (STEVE), 71 of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away October 20, 2012 peacefully at his home. Steve was born August 21, 1941 in Manitowoc Wisconsin to Dr. George and Ruth Hoffman. Steve was preceded in death by his Mom and Dad. He is survived by his wife Sandie, and their 2 children. His son Mike Hoffman and his wife Maggie of Scottsdale Arizona, his daughter Trish Hoffman Drysdale and her husband Michael of Albuquerque New Mexico and one granddaughter Natalie Hoffman of Scottsdale Arizona.
Steve attended St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, continued his education at the University of Wisconsin receiving his Bachelor of Science degree and then attended the University of Utah earning his Master degree in Physics.
Steve began his professional career as a teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he taught for several years in Port Washington, Wisconsin. In 1970 he transitioned his career into the insurance industry. In 1979 Steve moved his family to Arizona and started Arizona Benefit Plans, Inc. Soon after California, Nevada, and New Mexico Benefit Plans followed and flourished into 42 years of success in the insurance business.
Steve was a proud member of Arizona Country Club where he and Sandie enjoyed many golfing experiences. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners of Wisconsin. He was a member of the Corvette Club and enjoyed taking out one of his 3 collector cars on any given weekend. Steve was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan and was an avid fly fisherman.
The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy at 1101 Genesee Street, Delafield, Wisconsin 53018 www.sjnma.org
Final arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, services are private.

Taysom, Elvin David, 95, of Tempe Arizona passed away October 6, 2012 in Chandler, Arizona. Elvin was born August 5, 1917 in Rockland, ID to William Taysom and Ruth Hutchinson. He was the fifth of nine children. He married Myrtle Hall on September 5, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple. During his younger years, he spent time going to school and working on the family farm. Upon graduating from high school in Rockland, Elvin pursued his graduate studies at the University of Idaho where he completed his BS degree in Animal Husbandry in 1940. At the same time, he finished his ROTC studies and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. With WW II in full swing, he was first stationed at Ft. Robinson Nebraska, with the Calvary division of Company B, specifically assigned to prepare 6000 head of horses for war time duty. Within the year, the Calvary division was abandoned and he continued his service duty in the Quartermaster division. He was discharged from active duty in the Army in 1946 but remained active in the Army reserve and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonial in 1982. He completed his Master Degree from Utah State College in 1950 and a Doctorate Degree in Animal Science from Washington State College in 1953. He then took his first teaching position on the faculty of Arizona State College. During his teaching years, he was associated with Dr. M. E. Ensminger’s International Stockman’s School under the sponsorship of Agriservices Foundation and taught animal production in many schools in the United States, Russia, and Yemen. He retired from teaching in 1982 after 29 years of service to the students of Arizona State University. After retirement Elvin and Myrtle served as missionaries in San Diego, CA. They enjoyed their service to the people in the El Cajon Spanish Branch. Elvin spent many years of service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served nine years as Bishop of a young single adult ward at ASU and 18 years as an ordinance worker in the Mesa Arizona Temple. He is preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, Alice Hendrickson, Ina White, Orrin Taysom, Delsa Wardle and great-grandson Tanner Allen. He leaves behind his eternal companion of 73 years, Myrtle and 3 sons, David (Beverly) of Gilbert AZ, Jay (Elly) of Littleton CO and Rex (Megan) of Tempe AZ, 14 grand-children, 24 great-grand-children, and four siblings Robert Taysom of Mesa AZ, Lucy Stucki of Boise ID, Gayle Kress of Rockland ID, and Wayne Taysom of Tempe AZ. The family would like to thank Helen’s Assisted Living Center and Hospice of the Valley for their loving care. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 6-8 PM in the Tempe LDS Stake Center, 2707 S College Ave., Tempe with funeral services on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10 AM, proceeded by a visitation from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, also at the Tempe LDS Stake Center. Elvin will be laid to rest in the Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers the family request donations are made to the missionary fund of the LDS church. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Mary Diane Blackham Shumway, passed away on October 15, 2012 at the age of 82. She was born in Ogden, Utah on October 29, 1929 to the late Samuel and Grace Blackham. Diane attended Manhasset High School in New York for two years before moving to Provo, Utah and graduating from BY High School. She then attended BYU and was a member of the BYU Cougarette Team and the O.S. Travata Social Unit. On August 11, 1950 she married her eternal companion, Widtsoe Shumway, in the Salt Lake Temple. She was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities alongside her husband, Widtsoe, where they presided over the Utah North/Ogden Mission and the Arizona Temple. Diane tended to the sick, the weary, the lonely, and the aged. She left a legacy of service, compassion and good works to her descendants. Diane is survived by her 4 children, Mary Lynn (Jerry) Garns, David (Loreen), Jon, Sterling (Valerie), 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 2 sisters Gloria Smith and Louise Mondragon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Crystal Shores LDS Ward at 1005 N. Voyager Dr. Gilbert AZ, with visitation from 3:00-4:00 pm and services beginning at 4:oo pm. Entombment will take place on Monday, October 22, 2012 at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Bunkers Garden Chapel, 480-696-6883.

Maurice Chapman Ellsworth (94) of Carey, Idaho, passed away October 14, 2012, in Scottsdale at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Tina Ellsworth. Maurice was born July 16, 1918 at Mesa, the first child of Louis B. Ellsworth and Lillian C. Ellsworth. He grew up in Mesa and as youth enjoyed teasing, running from and riding ostriches raised by his father and grandfather. He was an excellent student-athlete and the captain of the Mesa High School track team who starred in dashes and field events. He was also captain of Mesa High School’s football team that won the State and Southwest championships and was selected as an All-State halfback. He attended and played football at the University of Arizona then transferred to Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe and focused his athletic talents on track, winning the Border Conference championship in the 220 yard dash in 1941. He graduated with a degree in chemistry, and did chemistry graduate work before joining the Army during WWII. He was sent to officer candidate school and ultimately assigned to the 467th AAA AW Battalion SP. He was wounded after landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1941. After several surgeries in England, he returned and ultimately became commanding officer of his anti-aircraft battery receiving battlefield promotions to the rank of Captain. He received a Purple Heart, European-African-Middle-Eastern Theater Ribbon with Five Bronze Stars and the Bronze Service Arrowhead for his service in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. After the War he opened a grocery store and was a partner in development of Skyline Drive Subdivision in Globe, Arizona. In 1947 he married Norma Owens of Show Low. They had their first three children, Maurice, Spence and Patti while in Globe. They moved to Midway, west of Casa Grande, in 1951. They opened a larger store, selling groceries and other merchandise, particularly sporting goods. They had two more children, Tim and Pam, in Casa Grande. Maurice and Norma and their children were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple in 1957. Maurice was a great father and loved to take his children and then his grandchildren hunting and fishing, which were favorite activities his entire life. He particularly enjoyed fishing trips in Mexico, and bird and big game hunting throughout Arizona and later in Idaho. In 1962, desiring to spend more time in the outdoors, Maurice, Norma and family moved to Hailey, Idaho, after purchasing the Silver Creek Ranch at Gannett and Craters of the Moon Ranch in Laidlaw Park. They raised cattle and grain and Maurice enjoyed hunting and fishing on and near his ranches. They had their final child, Greg, while living in Hailey. In the 1970’s they bought the Hot Springs Ranch near Carey, and built a home at Carey Lake using the hot spring for heat and culinary water. Maurice built ponds that he stocked with bass for fishing. He liked to walk out his front door to hunt ducks and geese and out his back door to fish for bass. He loved life on the Hot Springs Ranch. In 1986 Norma, the love of his life, passed away. For the rest of his life he continued to farm but his focus was more and more on his family. He was proud of and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He delighted in their accomplishments in Church, academics and athletics. He also began bottling and selling Craters of the Moon Geospring Water. He told all listeners about the trace minerals that made his water unique and related stories of customers from all over the United States who swore by its healing properties. He attributed his long life to drinking and bathing in the water. When he could no longer live alone, he moved back to his Arizona roots, living with Patti for a time then with Greg, Tina and their family. The last two and a half years he lived in the Arizona State Veterans Home. As his physical condition deteriorated, Maurice maintained a positive, kind and appreciative attitude. He thanked everyone who helped care for him. He was a great and honorable man, and a true gentleman his entire life. He is survived by his children, Maurice (Julie) of Boise, Idaho; Spence (Laurie) of Carey, Idaho and Scottsdale, Arizona; Patti Burke of Show Low, Arizona; Tim of Boise, Idaho; Pam of Carey, Idaho; and Greg (Tina) of Scottsdale, Arizona, along with 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings Louis and Elaine. Maurice’s family extends special thanks to Greg and Tina and to Jerry and Pam Jones for their patience and kindness, to the staff of the Arizona State Veterans Home and the Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers Maurice’s family suggests contributions to the Romney for President Campaign, the Missionary Fund of the LDS Church or the Arizona State Veterans Home. Visitation is Friday, October 19, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at 11 AM at the LDS Mesa South Stake, 2334 E. Pueblo, also in Mesa.

On Saturday, October 13th Judy Workman Brown Abney (66); our loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend returned to her loving Heavenly Father after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Judy graduated from Mesa High in 1964 and later graduated from ASU Summa Cum Laude with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. Judy loved Spanish food, parties, spring training games, and the Olympics. She found joy in the laughter of her grandchildren, vacations, and her Chinese Pistachio tree. She spent 25 years teaching swimming lessons to countless children. She was a devoted teacher to many children including many with special needs. Judy was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She followed the example of Jesus Christ and loved everyone she met unconditionally. She enjoyed public speaking, inspiring many with her words. She will always be remembered living life to the fullest, making sure no one was ever left out, and insisting another party be planned or the next shopping spree to Target. Judy is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Irene (Gigi) Workman and her son Ryan Brown. Judy is survived by her loving husband Gary Abney, her children Bart and Stephanie Kleinlein, Lynn and Natalie Anderson, Sam and Melissa Abney, Scott and Shelby Fuller, Lee and Courtney Oram, Travis and Brook Tuttle, James and Brittany Skinner, Wyatt and Megan Brown, Scott and Briley Heward, Jason and Leslie Abney, Chris and Anney Malone, Travis and Natalee Macdonald, her siblings Bill, Velma, David, Sybil, Wade, and 50 amazing grandchildren. We love you “Grandma Cool Dude

Diana Lee Craig passed away October 2, 2012. She was 60 years old. She was a graduate of ASU and worked in the medical field most of her adult life. Diana leaves behind her husband Bradley, mother Ruby, three daughters, Jennifer, Lindsey and Jaime, numerous grandchildren, family in Georgia, and family and friends here in Arizona. A memorial service will be held November 18, 2012 at 4 PM at Crossroads Nazarene Church, 2950 West Ray Road, Chandler, AZ 85224. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diana’s behalf to Crossroads. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.
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