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JOHN C. BELLOWS, 63, of Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Banner Baywood. As the hub of his family he will dwell in our hearts and memories forever. John was born October 7, 1947 in Dearborn, MI. In the 1950’s the Bellows family moved to Mesa, AZ where John graduated Westwood High School in 1966. He then served with the US Marine Corps, including time spent in Vietnam, resulting in numerous service medals. After his honorable service with the Marines, he began his career as an electrical lineman. It was during his first line job, in 1971, he met and married his true love Charlotte Waterman. John was a 40-year member of Local 769 IBEW in Phoenix. He graduated from the Southwestern Line Constructors JATC as a B.A.T. Certified Journeyman Lineman in 1978, and has spent his career as an apprentice lineman, lineman, foreman, and general foreman. From 1984 to 1999 he was an instructor for Southwestern Line Constructors JATC. Most recently, John served as the Technical Reviewer for “The Guidebook for Linemen & Cablemen — Second Edition

Merillat Jeanne Wellman, age 85, born June 7, 1925 in New York City, NY, died March 3, 2011 in Scottsdale, AZ. She is survived by her husband Emory; sons Christopher of Rockville, MD, Steven of Montgomery, TX, James (Jenny) of Gig Harbor, WA; sister Jacqueline Ellis of Belmont, AZ, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and marvelous nieces, nephews and cousins. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound she worked for Hill, Richards, an investment firm in Los Angeles until her marriage to Emory Wellman on December 3, 1949. She then became a homemaker devoted to raising her sons and supporting her husband’s business interests while also participating in Women’s Rotary, the Spring Branch Texas School District, the Episcopal Church and volunteer work in area hospitals. She also loved hiking in the Colorado Mountains, fly fishing and golf. A celebration of her life will be held April 3, 2011 from 2-4 PM at the Scottsdale Ranch Community Center, 10585 N. 100th Street in Scottsdale, AZ.

Close, Sandra Aileen (Hatch), 64, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2011 after a very courageous four year battle with cancer. She was born on March 9, 1947 in Moab, Utah. Sandy is preceded in death by her parents James and Eva Hatch. She is survived by her husband of 43 years William S. Close II; son and daughter-in-law Billy and Kim; daughter and son-in-law Jayme and Alex Harris and grandson Jensen. She graduated from Borah HS in Boise, Idaho. Sandy was a treasured team member at ASU Gammage for 15 years. She was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and dedicated many years of service at various callings. Her life will be celebrated on Monday, March 21 with visitation at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Lehi Crossing LDS Chapel, 2701 East Lehi Road, Mesa. She will be laid to rest on Tuesday, March 22 at 11 a.m. in Taylor, Arizona. Sandy will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Donna Elaine Coker (Deason) passed away March 15, 2011 in Mesa, AZ. She was born May 9, 1953 in Henderson, TX. She is married to the love of her life Michael Coker. She leaves behind her husband; children James and Jessica Brady; mother Jeanette Howard; siblings James Deason, Lori Deason, Glenda Fortenberry; step-children Toby Coker, Kim Hammons, Jeremy Coker, 8 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son James Neal, father Hershel and brother Butch. She belonged to the Gold Canyon Soroptomists. Visitation is Friday, March 18 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday, March 19 at 2 pm at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 S. Ellsworth Road. “She was the brightest light of our lives.

Charles E. Schlink, 97, passed away March 12, 2011 in Mesa, AZ. He was born May 22, 1913 in Dawson, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Belva Webb Schlink, 2 daughters, Sharon Clouse and Leah Koelle. Those remaining are his loving wife of 9 years, Jane Johnson Schlink, children Milo Schlink, Cheryl Hawn, Janelle Cook, Adaline Park, Charles (Chuck) Schlink, 46 grandchildren, 162 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great grandchildren. He worked for 30 years at the Magma Copper Co. in Superior, AZ. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and tinkering in the garage. Visitation will be Friday, Mar. 18 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Services are Saturday, Mar. 19, 11 AM, with a visitation at 10 AM at the LDS Chapel at 235 W. 10th Ave. He will be buried at the Mesa Cemetery.

Kelsey Alexis Preston, 16, passed away March 8, 2011. Visitation is Saturday, March 2011 at 12 noon, followed by funeral services at 1:30 PM the LDS Boulder Creek Ward, 3025 South Hawes Road in Mesa.

Kenia Yaren Verdeja Gonzalez, 3 months, passed away March 6, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive in Mesa and 1 hour before the services. Funeral services are Friday, March 11, 2011 at 10 AM and the LDS Glenview Ward, 920 S. Lindsay Road, also in Mesa.

Claudina Ann Burke, 74, passed away March 2, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. Graveside services are Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8 AM at the East Sacaton Cemetery in Sacaton, Arizona.

Cindy Lou Capron Biesemeyer, 53, returned home to be with her loving Heavenly Father on March 3, 2011. She was born on April 21, 1957 in Warren, PA to Ellen Louise Vaow and Gilbert Otto Capron. She died surrounded by loved ones in her Mesa home of 30 years. She was preceded in death by her father, her brother, Gilbert Capron, Jr. and her sister, Cathy Ishman. She is survived by her mother and step-father, Ellen and Larry Wallace of Pittsfield, PA and her siblings: Sue Capron Bennett, Sherry Catalfu, Patty Chase, Bob Capron, Ken Capron, Jeff Wallace, Ken Wallace, Matt Capron, Karen Wallace and Tammy Wallace. She will also be sadly missed by her husband of 37 years, Dan Biesemeyer and their children Shane Biesemeyer, Shannon Powell, Brandon Biesemeyer and Breanne Bergman and 12 grandchildren. Cindy’s greatest legacy will be her love for her family, love of service to others and for her faith and great love for her Father in Heaven. A visitation will be held on Thurs, March 10, 2011 from 6-8 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel 33 N. Centennial Way Mesa. Services will be held on Fri, March 11, 2011 at 10 am at the LDS Church 1455 N. Harris in Mesa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wells Fargo acct 1343926158 to help with medical and funeral expenses.

Marie Frances Nasch, of Tempe, AZ, took the hand of The Lord March 1, 2011, at age 84. Born on February 28, 1927, in St. Paul, Minnesota, she was the tenth of twelve children, born to William and Helen Lancette. Marie married Lt. Ralph L. Nasch, then a World War II bomber pilot, on December 18, 1944. Following 20 years of service in the USAF, the couple moved from Ramstein AFB, Germany, to retire permanently in Tempe, Arizona, where now, Lt. Colonel Nasch, joined the Arizona Department of Transportation, while Marie began her long awaited dream of becoming a teacher. She enrolled as a freshman at Mesa Community College at age 40, graduating with honors, followed by attainment of a B.A. and a Master’s Degree in Education, both with honors, followed by an Administrative Degree in Education, from Nova University. She subsequently taught elementary school, followed by Junior High English and Literature for the Mesa Schools, retiring after 16 years of classroom teaching, and ten years of volunteer service to the school district. Marie, along with the entire family, were always active with Scouting, church, community, Little League, and extracurricular school activities, besides her love of gardening, writing poetry, collecting blue glass artifacts, and traveling with other retirees. Ralph and Marie were joyfully blessed with four children; Craig (Delyte) of Camp Verde; Gary (Terri) of Prescott Valley; Johanna Marie Decker (Curt) of Glendale and Glenn (Patty) of Spokane and their grandchildren, Jacob, Janelle, Brooke, Casey, Lynsey, Brett and Kennedy. Memorial Services will be held at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa Arizona on March 5, 2011 at 3 PM. Interment will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ. Following Marie’s request floral gifts will be distributed to nursing homes and hospital, and monetary gifts will be given to the Child Crisis Centers of Mesa. Come say good-bye. She would love to see your smiles, and no tears.

Kempton, Albert N. “Newt,

LEAH SABIN RAY, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 22, 2011 in Mesa, Arizona. Leah was born in Pomerene, Arizona on May 1, 1916 to David Hyrum Sabin and Ellen Elva Naegle. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. Leah is survived by Margo Wendelboe, Elaine Ashcroft, James Ray Jr,(Linda), Lyal Ray(Dorothy), Glenna Shappell(Lyle), 28 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, one brother Richard Sabin and one sister Helen Lamoreaux. Leah loved to travel with her late husband James and has been all over the world. Everywhere she traveled she collected salt and pepper shakers for her collection of over 200 sets. She always remembered souvenirs for all of her children and grandchildren. Leah served in various LDS Church callings until she passed away. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed greatly. Visitation is Friday March 4, 2011, 6-8 pm at Bunkers Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. Funeral services are Saturday March 5, 2011 at 10:00am, with visitation 1 hour prior, at the Lazona Ward Building, 1500 E. 6th Avenue in Mesa.

Mary Alice Jarvis, 88, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2011. Mary the daughter of Fred and Miriam Rothlisberger was born December 23, 1922 in St. Johns, Arizona. Mary was living in Mesa, AZ with a granddaughter at the time of her passing. Prior to this time she lived in the following areas: Yuma, AZ for 6 years; Heber, AZ for 25 years; and the Phoenix, AZ area for 35 years. Her sweetheart, Anthony (Tony) Ivins Jarvis, preceded her in death after 63 years of marriage. She is survived by their five children, Ivins (Rhoda) Burk of Tempe, AZ, Rodney (Linda) Jarvis of Phoenix, AZ, Fatha (Gary) Lineweaver, of Hurricane, UT, Michael (Jeanine) Jarvis of Yuma, AZ and Tonya Jarvis of Tempe, AZ, 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 4, at 10:00a.m., with a viewing at 9:00a.m. at the LDS Church at 2152 E. Adobe, Mesa. Burial will be at Desert Lawn Cemetery in Yuma. Arrangements entrusted to Bunker’s University Chapel. 480-830-4105

Iris Eleanor Perkins entered into heavenly rest February 20, 2011. She was born July 29, 1916 in Ten Mile, MS. She was predeceased by her husband Andy C. Perkins, son Ronald C. Perkins, parents Jesse and Elisha Purvis and sister Bernice Hicks. Iris was a very good hunter in her early years, with many of her trophies still hanging in the diesel business that she and her husband Andy co-founded in 1947. She continued to work until she was 90 years old. Perkins Diesel survives to this day and is owned and managed by her son Kenny, his wife Mary and two of their sons Jay and Ron. As a civic leader, Iris held office in the Business and Professional Women’s Club from 1960 unto 1985. Other groups that she served were United Methodist Women and Eastern Star. Iris is survived by her son Kenny (Mary), grandsons Andrew (Mirka), Jay (Laura), Ron (fiancé Faith Allen), great-grandchildren Andrew, Hannah, Ryan, and Trey. Her family is especially grateful to her caregiver Betty Fuchs and the devotion shown by her grandsons and great-grandchildren. We wish you a wonderful journey dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As you travel, may this be your best adventure yet! Funeral services are Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at 11 AM preceded by a visitation at 10 AM at the 1st United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave. Mesa, 85210, officiated by Reverend Jack Troutman. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.

Grace will be remembered as a compassionate, cheerful and optimistic mother, grandparent and friend. She passed away President’s Day, February 21, 2011. The descendant of the Leesburg, Virginia Whaley Family, Grace was born October 8, 1916 to Fitzhugh (better known as Hugh) Bird Whaley and Sally Laura Mills Hardin (she preferred Lura). Tall and slender, Grace could outrun her brothers and loved to play basketball, unusual for a young lady at the time. After high school graduation she studied nursing in Kansas City and then went to work in Brownsville, Texas where she met her future husband Al. Grace devoted herself to her family of four children. Her melodious voice graced the Queen of Peace church choir and her harmonica playing cheered many a family gathering. She found pleasure in raising flowers and cultivating vegetables, and was a proficient seamstress and cook – her specialty was southern style fried chicken. Grace will be deeply missed by her children Don, Ken (Julie), Eileen (Marc), son-in-law Mike, grandchildren, Phil, Dave, Nancy, Cathy, Alex, Tanya, Matthew, and Shannon. Grace met her sole great-granddaughter Kiley, before she joined her husband Al, daughter Delsie, and daughter-in-law Ruth, who preceded her. Funeral Services are Friday, February 25, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation from 9:00 -10:00 a.m., at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona. Burial will be in the City of Mesa Cemetery. Donations to the Serenity Hospice are appreciated. www.serenityhospicefoundation.org

Elna Nelson Echols, 85, died February 19, 2011 at her home in Mesa. She was born in Bisbee, Arizona, the fourth of 12 children of Eleanor Price and Alvin David Nelson. Mrs. Echols is survived by her husband of 66 years Malon Reed Echols, sons Garren (Susan) Echols, Richard (Sandy) Echols, Douglas (Susan) Echols, Lewis (Kathy) Echols, and two daughters, Jennifer (Lloyd) Fenn and Allyson (John) Morris. Elna has 39 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren and a great legacy of faith and love. Elna lived an exemplary life of gentleness, kindness and love. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a deep love for the gospel. She and her husband served a mission for the church in Scotland from 1985-86 and at the Mesa Cannery. Elna was quick to accept and love those around her, and was adored by all who knew her for her smile, her laugh, her hugs, and her cookies. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:30a.m. With a viewing 1 hr. prior at 9:30a.m., in the Lehi Horn Ward Building, 830 East Lehi Road, Mesa, Arizona. A viewing will also be held the night before at Bunker’s University Chapel. 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, 85213. She will be buried in the City of Mesa Cemetery.