Find An Obituary

Jason Jasper Kaye, 64, passed away September 23, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funeral services are Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Adobe Villa Ward, 5350 East McLellan Road in Mesa. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Ewart, Marla Mangum

85, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on September 21, 2012. She was born in Pima Arizona in 1926 and spent her childhood there. She left for college at 17, attended Brigham Young University and graduated from Arizona State Teacher’s College (ASU), beginning her teaching career at Balsz Elementary School in Phoenix.

She met Henry Smith, a native of Snowflake Arizona, married in 1952, and began her family life with his three boys, Richard, Karl and Raymond Smith, the first two of whom had been children of his first wife’s previous marriage. To that already blended family she added three more boys, Kim, Scott (who died as a baby) and Frederick Smith. Shortly after the loss of Scott, her husband Henry died as well, leaving her with 5 boys and a nascent commercial real estate business.

Alone, and with 5 boys to care for, she took over her husband’s business and provided for her family. As might be expected with a family of 5 boys, she kept the local pediatrician, Dr. Fred Ewart, in good business. Eventually, with a promise from Dr. Ewart to actively help in raising her family in the Mormon Church, which was such a large part of and support to her life, in 1959 she married him and subsequently added one child to the family, Gregg Ewart.

In 1963, she and her husband moved into the home they had designed together in Mesa, in which she spent the rest of her life serving in her church as Young Women’s President and Relief Society President and engaged in what was clearly her most important work, raising her family and forming, of these boys of so many different parents, a band of brothers.

In 1994, she and Dr. Ewart were called to serve an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the San Diego Family History Center.

She is survived by her sons Richard (Heidi) Smith, Karl (Wendy) Smith, Raymond (Vickie) Smith, Kim (Julie) Smith, Frederick (Catherine) Smith and Gregg (Justin Horlyk) Ewart, 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Viewings will be held at Bunker Family Funeral Home, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa on Tuesday September 25th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday September 26th at the Mesa Central Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, 925 N. Harris. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m.

Felicita “Licha

Allie Bean Reheis passed away on Tuesday, Sept 18, 2012 in Mesa AZ. She was 99. She was born in Mud Lick, Clay Co. TN on Feb 4, 1913, a twin in a family of 14. Allie was raised on a farm and learned to work hard. She married John Raymond Reheis on 2 Feb 1931. John passed away on 4 July 1987. Both were members of the LDS church. Allie and John have 5 children, Paul Reheis (Anita), Mary Alice Dukate (Don), Patsy Martin (Cecil), Jerry Reheis (Lonnie) and Steve Reheis (Donna), 19 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren and 46 great great grandchildren with a total of 187 descendants. She is survived by two living sisters, Ruth Grace of Lafayette, TN and Marie Rhoton (Cornell) of Tompkinsville, KY. Allie was known for her southern style cooking and family and friends loved to enjoy her food. Allie and John lived in Owensboro, KY. for 31 years and moved to Mesa in 1964 to be with family. Allie worked at Mollies in downtown Mesa for 11 years. She was well known for her knowledge of ladies ready to wear clothing and had a good following. The Extended Family Assisted Living Home gave loving care and kindness to her in the last years of her life along with Hospice of Arizona. A viewing will be held on Sat Sept 22 at 9 AM with a service at 10 AM, both at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University in Mesa. Burial will be at the Mountain View Cemetery.

LaRee Maloy Allen, a resident of Pinetop, AZ since 1986 passed away September l2, 2012 in Mesa, AZ. She was born September 16, 1936 in Safford, AZ to Lawrence Lorenzo Maloy and Orlena Nancy Frazier. She was one of five children. LaRee married Philip Kerry Allen in Safford on July 16, 1954. Their marriage was solemnized in the LDS Salt Lake Temple 10 months later. She is survived by their four children Kerri Sue Allen Kleiner (John), Wyatt Maloy Allen (Stacy), Michael Philip Allen, Sr. (Paula), and Brittan Hugh Allen (Leah), 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 brothers, Elwood Maloy (Colleen), Larry Maloy and 2 sisters, Dracia Lee and Lynneah Maloy Francom (Paul). She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Claire John. LaRee served faithfully in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Relief Society President, Young Women’s President and many positions of responsibility over her life time. She served with her husband on two full-time missions for the Church. LaRee was active and well-loved wherever they lived and became proficient in cake decorating for weddings and floral design. She was adored by her husband, Kerry. LaRee brought sunshine into the lives of all she met. The viewing will be Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 10 AM and the service will be at 11AM at the Pinetop Lakes Ward, 4075 Buck Springs Road, Pinetop, AZ 85935. Interment will be at the Mesa City Cemetery, l2l2 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ at 5 PM the same day. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

William C. “Bill

Simpson, Bobby Gene “Bob

Zena Louise Beadle Hunt, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully in her home in Snowflake, Arizona on Friday September 14, 2012 at age 84. Zena was born December 1, 1927 in Ocean Beach, California to William Beadle and Winona Lisonbee. She was the oldest of five children and spent her childhood in Vernal, Utah and Holbrook, Arizona. Zena married Bruce C. Hunt of Joseph City, Arizona in 1947. They spent their married life in Wickenburg, Flagstaff, Snowflake, and Mesa, Arizona. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters Mona Dee and La Berle, and her granddaughter Casey Nimmer. Zena is survived by her children Lois Waterman (Dennis), Deborah Esquibel Hunt (Antonio), Jennifer Menegas (Nick), Colleen Crane (Curtis), Sandra Harenberg (Randy), Jefferson Hunt (Trish), and Douglas Hunt (Melinda), her brother Douglas Beadle (Patricia), and her sister Sherry Beadle Connor. Zena and Bruce were proud of their posterity: 36 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. Zena loved LIFE and the gospel! She and her husband Bruce served an LDS stake mission to the Cameron Branch on the Navajo reservation and full time missions to Ireland and South Africa. Her first calling was as a mother and grandmother, and she enjoyed “making things pretty,

Robert Carl Verhaaren, 42, passed away September 8, 2012 as a result of a cycling accident while riding the LOTOJA race. Rob is survived by his wife, Bridget (Banfield), and children, Ava (preceded in death), Ansel, Helena and Karl, parents Richard and Laurel Verhaaren of Alpine, Utah, siblings Leslie (Erznoznik), Brenda, Mark, Jeff (preceded in death), and Mike. Visitation will be Friday, September 14th from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, September 15th 9 a.m. Funeral services are Saturday, September 15th at 10 a.m. Both visitations and the funeral will be held at the LDS Hermosa Vista Stake Center 2701 E. Lehi Road Mesa, AZ 85213. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through any Wells Fargo Bank to the Rob Verhaaren Memorial Account.

Irene Cardon Christensen, age 95, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in her home on Sept. 11, 2012. Irene was one of nine children, born to Mae Whiting and Junius W. Cardon in Vernon, AZ on July 6, 1917. She married her high school sweetheart, Vaughn L. Christensen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. She was treasure to family, friends, and community and a woman without guile. She was preceded in death by her husband Vaughn, son Kenneth Christensen and daughter Janice Loar, two grandsons, a granddaughter, and a great-great granddaughter. She is survived by her daughters, Carole (Irvin) Mathews, Lynette (Craig) Carver, Maureen (Dru) Wyeth, and her sons, Steve (Candace) Christensen, Marvin (Alice) Christensen, David (Deena) Christensen, and Mark Christensen and son-in-law, Marvin Loar, 57 grandchildren, 143 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by countless nieces and nephews who dearly love their sweet “Aunt Irene

Alberto Hernandez, 48, of Mesa, Arizona passed away September 6, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visitation will be Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Friday, September 14, 2012 at 11 AM, also at Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Cleah “Peggy” Brown Mortensen, 94, passed away in Jerome, Idaho on September 7, 2012. Cleah was the daughter of Major Lee Brown and Annie Louisa Lillywhite. She was born in Bisbee, Arizona on June 13, 1918.

Cleah’s parents moved to Virden shortly after she was born and lived there until 1924. She attended grade school and high school in Miami, Arizona, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Mesa, Arizona. After she graduated from high school she went to beautician school and in 1936 started work as a beautician in Duncan, Arizona. Cleah met and married Marion K Mortensen on December 7, 1939, in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple. Cleah and Marion were longtime residents of Virden, New Mexico. They farmed and ranched there until 1974, when they retired. Cleah loved being active with her family, supporting all their activities. She loved to camp and fish and spent many years going to girl’s church camp while serving in the LDS Stake Young Women’s presidency. She was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, served a mission with Marion in the Eastern States Mission and held many church callings.

Cleah is survived by one brother, Gerald Brown, and one sister, Gwen Waite. She is also survived by her 7 children, M. Kay Mortensen (Beverly) of Sandy, Utah, Richard L. Mortensen (Gloria) of Chandler Arizona, Sherrill Meisner of Phoenix, Arizona, Deborah Thompson (Gary) of Rupert, Idaho, Dorothy Reidhead (Rick) of Pinedale, Arizona, Karin Frodin of Jerome, Idaho, Sharin Nye Wells (Lawrence) of Phoenix, Arizona and their families. Cleah is survived by 30 grandchildren and 75 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion K Mortensen, her parents, 7 siblings, 2 grandsons and 1 son-in-law. Cleah lived with her daughter Karin in Jerome, Idaho and was cared for by Karin and Zoila Beltran.

A visitation will be held at the Bunker Mortuary, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201. Phone: 480-696-6883) Friday, September 14, 2012, where family and friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday September 15, 2012 at the Duncan LDS Chapel, 105 Fairgrounds Rd., Duncan, Arizona, with a visitation beginning at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in the Virden Cemetery, Virden, New Mexico.

Florence Lambert Mecham, 87, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2012 of causes incident to age. The second of three children, she was born May 5, 1925, in Hanna, Duchesne County, Utah to Clyde and Martha May Rhoades Lambert. She graduated as valedictorian of Altamont High School in 1943 and also graduated from LDS Business College later that year. She married Evan Mecham in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 11, 1945. They settled in southern Arizona, where they were blessed with seven children. With Evan’s many church, business and political responsibilities, Florence dedicated herself to providing a loving and supportive home for the family. Although a private person by nature, Florence willingly supported her husband in his many endeavors, faithfully labored in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and provided an exemplary role model for all who knew her. After Evan’s election as governor, she served as Arizona’s first lady with dignity and grace. In her later years, she found great joy serving with Evan in the Mesa LDS Temple. She was preceded in death by her husband and her sister, Lucy Lambert Back. She is survived by her brother, Ray Lambert, of Salt Lake City, her children, Suzanne (Scott) Haycock of Glendale, Dennis (Linda) of Mesa, Christine (Tom) Marsh of Peoria, Eric (Bessie) of New Hampshire, Teresa (Greg) Allen of Mesa, Kyle (Lori Ann) of Mesa, Lance (Tawnya) of Phoenix, 29 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 15th at 11AM in the Gilbert LDS meetinghouse at 4629 E. Guadalupe Road. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 9 AM Monday. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Bunker’s Garden Chapel of Mesa.

Marshall Corliss Vaughn, 93, passed away September 4, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services are Monday, September 10, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at the LDS Menlo Park Ward, 2618 North Lindsay Road, Mesa 85213. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Patricia Kathleen Eyring peacefully left this mortal world with her family at her bedside 4 Sept. 2012. She was born 17 March 1947 in Mesa, AZ, the 5th child of Verda and Wendell Eyring. She grew up in Chandler, graduating from Chandler High in 1965. When she was young her family called her Pat. She began working for Motorola in 1966. While there she acquired the nickname “Pinky” and has been known as Pinky for nearly 40 years. She retired from Motorola after 32 years. Pinky has 4 brothers and 5 sisters, 45 nieces/nephews, over 117 grand-nieces/nephews, more than a dozen great-grand nieces/nephews – all of whom thought they were her favorite. Swimming at Pinky’s pool was the thing to do every summer. She remembered to send each a birthday card every year. Pinky had a beautiful singing voice. She sang in choirs and also sang many solos. She shared her faith in Jesus Christ through her music. In May 2012 Pinky learned she had cancer. It was hoped chemo would work and she could remain with her family for years. This was not to be. When she learned that her time was short she was at peace with it. Pinky is preceded in death by her parents, sister Shirly, brother Mike. Siblings who remain: Wendell, Jr., Sandra, Murr, Dixie, Nick, April, and Twila. Visitation will be Fri. 7 Sept. 2012 at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday 8 Sept. 2012 at 1 PM, preceded by a visitation 12 noon at the LDS Chapel at 1871 E. Del Rio Dr. in Tempe. Interment to follow at the Valley of the Sun cemetery in Chandler.