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Schnorr, Margaret passed away Aug. 5, 2012, in Mesa, AZ, after being sick for a short time. She was born March 22, 1924 to Lula and Pink Swaim in Oklahoma; she moved to Phoenix when she was fourteen years old. Margaret was part Choctaw Indian and was very proud of this fact. She met Albert Schnorr at a USO dance and started dating him after World War II, when he asked if he could walk her home from the dance. Albert served in the Navy in the Philippines during the war. They married in 1947 and had three children, Russell, Timothy and Christine. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Albert and her son Timothy. She is survived by her son Russell (Geri) Schnorr and her daughter Christine (Jim) Bucalo, six grandchildren, Anthony, Nina and Tom, Russell’s children, Zebulan, Jacey and Jenna, Timothy’s children and five great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, Aug 9th at 11:00a.m., at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ

John Thomas Koontz, 56, passed away on Monday, July 30, 2012.

John was born on August 30, 1956 in Evansville, IN. Early in his life, John and his family moved to Mesa, which he always considered his hometown. John graduated from Mesa High and ASU. His passion was his family and friends. Everyone who knew him was touched by his generous spirit and devotion to those he loved. John was preceded in death by his parents, Dora Kirkham and Harry Koontz. He is survived by the love of his life, Kimberly, and three children Justin, Kayley and Tanner; his sisters Diana Teachout, Bobby Smith, Peggy VanSant, Sharon Fort, and his brother Steve, as well as many nephews and nieces for whom John will always be the favorite uncle. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 8, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201. Funeral service is Thursday, August 9, 2012, at 10 AM at the LDS Queen Creek Chandler Heights Stake Center, 7361 S. Constellation Way, Gilbert, AZ 85298. Those wishing to honor John’s memory and support his children’s education may do so by contributing to the John Koontz Memorial Fund, c/o Todd Johnson, 2900 E. Broadway Blvd Suite 113, Tucson, AZ 85748.

Patsy Ann Espinoza, 81, departed this earthly life on July 29, 2012 in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born on March 17, 1931 (St. Patrick’s Day) to George Lynn Johnson and Alta Mabel Vance Johnson at her grandmother’s home in Mesa, Arizona. She was a granddaughter of Mesa pioneer settlers.

Patsy is survived by her sister, Dorothy (Earl) Zarbin, and stepdaughters, Nancy Anderson and Jan Espinoza as well as many other family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, George Lynn and Alta Johnson, sister Virginia, brother Vance Dean, and stepson, Danny Espinoza.

Much of her adult life was spent working in a variety of jobs. She held multiple bank positions, and worked for several CPA firms, performing a variety of responsibilities. She was a secretary and receptionist. She had years of seasonal experience preparing income tax returns. She worked for Fry’s Food as a bookkeeper and retired from Sprint where she also worked as a bookkeeper. She made friends easily wherever she worked.

Patsy always loved dogs and had one in her home. She enjoyed reading and spending time with friends. She was fun-loving, humble, and positive. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She had a great love for her Heavenly Father and family. She loved to give of herself to others. She will truly be missed.

Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the Bunker Family Funeral Home, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Az. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, Az.

Ross Woodburn Haws, age 82, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and loved ones, on Friday July 27, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona.

Ross was born on September 23, 1929 in Mesa, Arizona to Walter and Maude Haws. Ross and Beth were married for time and all eternity in 1950. He taught school in Mesa for many years before moving to Southern California, where he spent the next 35 years raising his family. After retiring as a School Administrator, he returned to Mesa where he enjoyed playing the organ for the LDS church and Temple, gardening in his backyard, and working in his wood shop. He loved spending time with family at his mountain retreat, Hawsienda, in Greer, AZ.

Ross is survived by his wife Beth Payne Haws, his children Robert (Lorraine) Haws, Kathleen (Mark) Moffitt, Paul (Patti) Haws, Nancy Mann, Sheryl (Kent) Stewart, Jerry (Coleen) Haws, Dennis Haws, Marshall Haws, 35 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.

The viewing will be held Friday August 3, from 6-8 pm at the LDS church building at 3345 E McLellan Rd, Mesa AZ 85213. Services will be held at the LDS church 1550 N Val Vista, Mesa, AZ 85213 on Saturday August 4, 2012 at 10 am, with a viewing before the service at 9 am. Place of burial will be at the Mesa City Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, 85201.

Dylan Dee Brown, 22 months old, San Tan Valley, passed away July 29, 2012 in a tragic accident. He was born September 12, 2010 to Stephanie M. and Charles Lee (CJ) Brown III. This eternal family includes an older brother Charlie and a younger sister Hannah. A large extended family of great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends have been left truly brokenhearted. Dylan gave us all a lifetime of love and laughter in his short time here on earth. His life was taken away too soon. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 11 AM at the LDS Chapel located at 33794 N. Gary Rd., Queen Creek. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:45 AM. ALL are welcome to attend! Burial at the City of Mesa Cemetery. An account has been set up at Desert Schools Federal Credit Union.

Beth LaVerl Giles, 86, of Mesa, Arizona, died on July 30, 2012 in Mesa. She was born December 30, 1925, in Ogden, Utah. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter James Giles, and she is survived by her daughter, Jan Giles Cardon, her sons James Giles, Cory Giles, Neil Giles, and their spouses. She will also be missed by 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. LaVerl loved the youth, and they loved her. She had a long career as a teacher and counselor and worked many years as a church youth leader. She spent her life as an active member of the LDS church and she and her husband James served a church mission in Los Angeles. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 4, at 2 pm at the LDS chapel at 2835 E Des Moines, Mesa, Arizona. The funeral service will follow at 3 pm. She will be interred, following a graveside service, on Tuesday, August 7, at 10 am at Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd., South Ogden, Utah. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, Arizona, 85213; 480-830-4105

Eldrena Farr Lee, 77, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2012 in Mesa, Arizona.

She was born to Earnest Eldren Farr and Ila Palmer Farr, Sep. 14, 1934, in Taylor, Arizona. She graduated from Winslow High in 1952. She married Ralph “Buzz

Burial will be in Utah.

Lila Kaye Legler, 76, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on July 20, 2012. She was born in Prescott, AZ and lived the majority of her life in Arizona. She is survived by her loving husband, Lamar, a sister Sherril Burge, children Ivan, Ken, Nathan, Julie, & Paul. As well, she had 19 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Visitation is Wednesday, July 25 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Services are Thursday, July 26, at 10 AM at the LDS Pueblo Stake Center, 2334 E. Pueblo Rd, Mesa, with visitation one hour prior to services.

Melvin (Mel) E. Tietjen, 84, passed away in his Mesa, AZ home on July 10, 2012. He was born in Monroe, UT November 15, 1927, the son of the “greatest parents in the world

Pearl Maxine Daily Pietz

Pearl Maxine Daily Pietz of Dewey, AZ, Known to all as Maxine, was called to the eternal kingdom on July 14th, 2012. Born June 2nd 1927 to Omer and Mabel Daily in Galena Missouri. Maxine moved to Chino, California and graduated from Chino High School in 1945. She married John Pietz in 1948 and they had 5 sons. The family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1963. Maxine walked with Christ and taught her children to pray and love God. She was an avid seamstress, taught Sunday School, was a Cub Scout leader, and served as president of the Mesa Lutheran Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of St Peter Lutheran Church in Mesa until she moved to Dewey and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mabel Affentranger, her brother William and sons Jarman and David. She is survived by her husband John Pietz, sons Marty (Stephanie) Pietz, James (Linda) Pietz and Mitchell (Sandie) Pietz, her sister Inez, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Services will be in Prescott Valley at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, July 27th at 10AM and in Mesa at St Peter Lutheran Church, 1844 Dana Ave, on Saturday, July 28th at 11AM.

Lynn Renee (Kohler) Gibson, 49, of Gilbert, Arizona went home to the Lord on July 10, 2012 after a brief illness. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Lynn was born on March 19, 1963 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lynn graduated from the University of Iowa in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. During college Lynn greatly enjoyed her involvement with Alpha Xi Delta, Sigma Chapter sorority. Lynn moved to Arizona after graduation, working for St. Luke’s Hospital and at Salt River Project as a Senior Computer Analyst. Lynn was actively involved with her children’s education, her church and did everything with purpose. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert, children Cameron and Shelby, mother Betty Priske, step-father Larry Priske, sister Kimberly Peach (Chris), step-mother Margaret Kohler, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, James Robert Kohler Jr. One of Lynn’s favorite hobbies was family genealogy research including indexing names on Saturday mornings. Lynn’s time with us was way too short and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation is Friday, July 13, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 10 AM, preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 1150 N. Lindsay Road, Gilbert. The family expresses their gratitude to all who have offered support through fasting, prayers and service during Lynn’s brief illness. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hospice of the Valley for their gracious aid during Lynn’s final week.

Duane Arlen Hansen left this earth for his heavenly home on July 5, 2012. He passed away at home surrounded by family.

Duane was born August 19, 1936 to Chris and Evelyn Hansen in Yankton, South Dakota. In 1953 he met and married the love of his life, Verna Thornton. She survives along with 4 daughters: Karen Kokemoor of Snook, Texas; Cynthia (Brad) Currey of Peoria, Arizona; Roxanne (Cyler) Groseth of Surprise, Arizona; Joy of the Home (Matt) Hansen of Lincoln, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was proud of his daughters and was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives until his death. He is also survived by a sister, Carole (Charles) Miller of Champaign, Illinois; sister-in-law Marie Thornton of Spearfish, South Dakota; seven nieces and seven nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Renae (Charles) Frick of Pickstown, South Dakota.

As a teenager he had an avid love for horses. To the dismay of his parents, he broke and tamed wild horses and rode broncos in rodeos. Duane graduated from the University of South Dakota and worked for 35 years as an Analytical Chemist for the State of South Dakota. After retiring from that position, he served as the Executive Director of the Yankton Senior Center for three years. Duane was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, boating and playing golf. He also had a love of music and played the 4-pedal steel guitar for many years.

After retirement, Duane began spending winters in Arizona, and soon Apache Junction, Arizona, became a permanent location. He met the challenges of illness with the same extraordinary faith, grace, sense of humor, and patience that marked his life as a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He was always capable of finding the humor in any situation and was loved by all who knew him.

A memorial service for Duane will be held Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 1 PM at 400 North plaza Drive, Lost Dutchman Resort, Apache Junction, Arizona.

Patsy Jo Eagar Tucker was born 03 July 1949 in McNary, Arizona to James Pratt Eagar and Vera Mae Sharp Eagar and passed away after a prolonged illness in Mesa. Arizona on 08 July 2012. She is survived by Bruce, her husband of 28 years, son Joshua of Florida, daughter Heather of Mesa; sister Vera Rae Chapman of Kingman and brother Larry of Phoenix.

Patsy enjoyed growing up in rural Eagar, Arizona where she would spend most of each summer barefoot wading in the irrigation ditches, riding horses bareback, and having bonfires and picnics in the mountains. She developed a strong work ethic having to help weed the huge family garden and by participating in the family canning projects each fall. One of Patsy’s favorite things was to help her dad on the ranch, feeding, rounding-up or branding cattle.

In 1968 Patsy graduated from Round Valley High School where she played drums in band, participated in chorus, was Business Editor of the yearbook and President of the FHA. In 1970 she graduated from Eastern Arizona Junior College where she was editor of the college yearbook. She received a bachelor degree in 1973 and did post graduate work in Special Education and Developmentally Handicapped Children at Arizona State University.

Patsy taught Special Education at the RICH school in the Roosevelt School District in South Phoenix 1973 through 1988, working with the trainable mentally handicapped students ages 12 – 16. She participated in the development of a vocational program at RICH, preparing many handicapped students to live on their own, hold jobs and to participate successfully in society. She was Co-Chairman of Special Olympics in Maricopa County for several years and was a City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation leader where she planned and led the city’s summer recreation program for the Trainable Mentally Handicapped students. During the late 1970s and early 1980s Patsy served on the governor’s advisory board for special education. After leaving RICH Patsy taught a combination second and third grade class and first grade for three years at Maxine O Bush elementary school in the Roosevelt School District.

Patsy developed an exceptional talent for tole painting. She enjoyed cutting wood crafts and painting them. She also enjoyed counted cross stitch and embroidery work.

Many benefited from her sharing these talents. Patsy found delight in providing service to others and was always concerned about the underdog. Patsy was a life-long active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Viewings will be held Thursday, July 12 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa, and Friday, July 13, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Burnham Funeral Home in Eagar. Burial will be in the Eagar Cemetery at 11:00 am on Saturday 14 July, 2012.

Treva Langford Hills, 87, died Saturday, July 7, 2012, in Gilbert, AZ. Treva was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Clayton Hills. She is survived by eight children; Barney Hills, LueDean Andersen, Jeanene Vowels, Vernon Hills, Susan Redford, David Hills, Carol Kent, Loren Hills; 42 grandchildren, and 98 great-grandchildren. Treva graduated with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Northern Arizona University and was retired from the Flagstaff Unified School District, Weitzel School, where she taught first grade for almost two decades. Treva was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was highly involved in community organizations including Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and the Coolidge, AZ 4-H, specializing in raising pigs. Treva worked tirelessly alongside her husband Clay in their businesses, Flagstaff Tire Company and The Tire Factory in Coolidge, AZ. In celebration of Treva’s life, a graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 9:30 am at the Valley Memorial Park, Coolidge, AZ. Arrangements are being handled by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way Mesa, AZ. In honor of Treva’s love of education, donations may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Perpetual Education Fund (PEF).