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The live stream of the service can be viewed by clicking here and following the links to the Menlo Park Ward: Patsy Engstrom Live Stream

Patsy Ann Engstrom, 63, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona after struggling with the effects of Breast Cancer. She was born in Oelwein, Iowa on June 15, 1958. Patsy’s mother, Betty, moved to Tempe, Arizona soon after Patsy was born where she was lovingly raised by her parents John and Betty Wilson along with her sisters Sally, Roberta and Nancy. Patsy had fond memories of her childhood years growing up in Tempe.

Patsy’s parents divorced and her mother moved Patsy and her younger sisters to Denver, Colorado just prior to her senior year of high school. Patsy met Ralph Curtis Engstrom in 1977 in Colorado and married on June 8, 1977 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Ralph and Patsy had 4 wonderful children: Jacob Benjamin (Sarah Corona), Lucas David (Carla Snyder), Bret Jordan (Elisabeth Heinecke), and Brooke Emmeline. Patsy loved and enjoyed her 11 grandchildren: Tyler, Hunter, Lililth, Auralee, Taryn, Connor, Luna, Dwayne, Brynn, Adele, and Penelope.

Genealogy was her greatest talent. She researched and documented volumes of her family history. Patsy not only identified her ancestors, she acquainted herself with their biographies. She had such a knack for family history and that led many people to seek her assistance in doing their own research. Her ability to perform family history research allowed her to connect a few adopted people with their biological parents.

Patsy loved to travel and visit the many wonders of the Lord’s creations. Her immediate family were able to take many vacation trips camping in the many National Parks and Forests in the western states. She loved to make a periodic trip to visit aunts, uncles, and cousins in Iowa. She was able to plan out some trips to California to enjoy Disneyland, the beach and other amusement parks. She was an excellent travel planner and knew how to find the best price to do her travel. Her husband, her sister Nancy, her daughter Brooke, and many other friends joined her on many of her different excursions to many parts of the world, including Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Antarctica, South America, Europe, Africa and many of the islands in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Patsy is survived by her husband, her four children, ten grandchildren, her sisters, her father John Robert Wilson, and her two brothers Richard Holley (Jeanene) and Peter Holley (Amanda).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 13th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 14 at 10:30 am, preceded by a visitation at 9:30 am, at the Lindsay building, 2618 North Lindsay Road in Mesa. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona.

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Exactly 8 months after the passing of our mother, LeRoy Franklin Peel joined his beloved sweetheart on the other side of the veil. He slipped away peacefully on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 8th at 10:00 A.M. at the Boulder Creek Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3025 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa, Arizona. A viewing will be held for family and friends at 9:00 A.M., prior to the services. A full obituary may be viewed online, at www.bunkerfuneral.com.

LeRoy was born and raised on a small dairy farm in the valley, graduating from Mesa High School in 1949. After graduation he was called to the Massachusetts New England Mission where he served for 2 years. He later attended Brigham Young University, where he received his MS degree in microbiology. After working for 10 years for the Public Health Service at a research laboratory in Hamilton, MT, he decided to attend the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving his D.O. degree in 1974. Returning to his hometown of Mesa, AZ, he practiced family medicine for the next couple of decades. Before retiring, he became a physician for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, located in Sheridan, OR, where he practiced for approximately 6 years.

LeRoy met LaRae Werner and they were married in the Mesa Arizona temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sealed as husband and wife for all eternity. After raising 5 children and serving in various callings in their church, LeRoy and LaRae became missionary companions, serving in Kathmandu, Nepal and Manila, Phillipines, where he was the chief medical officer for missionaries serving in all 13 missions in that area. The Peels then returned to Mesa, where they have resided for the past 18 years.

He is survived by his sister, Elona Peel Cooley, a brother- and sister-in-law, Dean & Sue Werner, his children: Laurie (Mark) Dooley, Stephen LeRoy, Marilyn Elaine (Mike) Fish, Michael Benjamin, and Barbra Ann (Joel) Galindo, 23 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Harley Glenn Gilpin Jr. was born the only child of Harley and Mary Gilpin on October 15, 1933 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Family moved to Yuma, Arizona in 1943 where his grandparents lived.

He went to Crane Elementary School then went on to Yuma Union High School where he graduated in 1951. In high school he majored in photography, art, and auto mechanics.

Then on to college at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He was an Air Force ROTC student cadet, graduating with a B.S in Aeronautics in 1955.

To pay his way through college he worked each summer between school. That gave him thew $1200.00 per year it took for all his college expenses in those days. Gasoline was only 25¢ per gallon. Then, the summer job was at Pacific Fruit Express in Yuma.

Then in his senior year at college he met his wife to be Barbara Jo Jacobs. They fast became an item. It was love at first sight for both.

Right away after graduation the Air Force called him into service for Pilot Training.

Since he was going to be away for 2 years, he decided to propose to Barbara and made her his fiancée.

At Mondo, Texas flying turned out not to be his cup of tea, so the Air Force sent him to Aircraft Maintenance School at Chanute AFB, Illinois. There he graduated as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. They sent him to Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii.

His 2-year contract with the Air Force was up in 1957, so they placed him back into Reserve Status.

He was then able to marry Barbara in Phoenix at her Phoenix home. Their minister was her Uncle Dan Jordan a Navy Chaplin.

The marriage really took as it lasted 49 years. No children were produced.

They lived in Phoenix at first in a rented apartment at 24^th St. and Wiletta. Next, they lived on University Dr.- Also a rented apartment in Mesa.

His working career consisted of primarily sales with 3 years at Graybar Electric, 9 years at Mesa Wholesale Electric, 15 years at Redmond Electric Supply, 7 years at Lenhart’s ACE Hardware.

Reserve LT. Gilpin got a surprise promotion to Captain and was being called up again for “The Bay of Pigs” war in Cuba in 1962 but it unwound before he had to go.

With his reserve commitment finally up, they had a house built in Mesa at 427 S. Ridge for $12,400.00 in 1965. They lived together there 41 years before her untimely death.

She died on November 30, 2006 of Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She never smoked a day in her life. He had Stage 2 Colon Cancer the same year but survived with surgery.

 

“Highlights of Harley’s Memory”

Became a singing square dance caller in college and was invited to call at all the dance clubs of Phoenix.

Meeting Elizabeth Taylor in 1946 at MGM Studio in Culver City, California while filming “National Velvet”.

Honeymooning in Las Vegas in 1957 and saw Nat King Cole Show for $2.00 each. Also, saw Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiians for free.

Meeting Elvis Presley in 1968 at Apache Land while filming the movie “Charro”.

Being married to a perfect wife.

Meeting” Maverick”- James Garner in Phoenix in 1961.

P.S. Lasting marriages are “Made in Heaven”

 

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

 

 

 

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, soon to be Great Grandfather, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Great Uncle; Preceded in death by his parents, Carrie & Alphonso Harles, Brother and Sister-in-Law; Stan and Cynthia Harles and brother, Harland (Elsie) Harles. Survived by his loving wife and family, Patricia Harles, AZ; Daughter, Dawn Colleen (Chris) Clogston, WA; Son, Shane Allen Harles, WA; Two Granddaughters, Reilly Holmes, WA; And Heather (Christian) Lukenbach-Cornell, WA. Survived by two brothers, Norman (Lenore) Harles, NV; Roger (Lucy) Harles, AZ; and by two sisters, Karen (Wayne) Stine, WA; and Mavis (Kevin) Kalbrener, WA; Sister-in-Law, Elsie (Harland) Harles; as well as by many Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces and Nephews. Rich passed away peacefully while in the ICU at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, AZ.

Celebration of Life will take place at Victory Lutheran Church, 5946 E. University Dr, Mesa, Arizona, on Thursday, January 27^th, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Appreciated memorials to American Lung Association.

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

David Chandler Thomas, 67, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a long illness on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on July 27, 1954, in Phoenix, Arizona and was a lifelong and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David graduated from Arcadia High School in 1972 and served in the Australia Brisbane Mission from 1973 to 1975.

David married Gayle Bradshaw on May 14, 1976 in the Mesa Arizona Temple, the foundation of 45 years of blissful marriage. While a student, he founded an accounting software company, the first in a 25-year entrepreneurial career took the family to Los Gatos, California in 1998. David began a second career by completing his education with a BA and MA from San Jose State University and a Ph.D. from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He taught and researched as an economist and associate professor at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana for over six years.

David’s curiosity led to broad and varied interests. He created computer games, wrote music, and cooked with flair, creating dozens of recipes. He valued his family’s heritage, tracing their path from Wales to Alberta to Arizona, and eventually gained British citizenship. He was a diligent academic, working on several economics papers at a time. He enjoyed basketball, playing the guitar and singing with his children and grandchildren, painting, woodworking, studying the gospel of Jesus Christ and the scriptures, and learning of all kinds. His greatest joy was his family, delighting in his wife, his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife Gayle, their children Gordon, Laura (Brock) Lyle, Karren (Bruce) Christensen, Stuart (Barb), and Allison, and ten grandchildren; also brother John (Madge) Thomas and sisters Mary (Russ) Nielson, Carol (David) Herring, Helen (Artie) Hancock, Margaret (Larry) Manning, and Martha (Doug) Moyer. He was predeceased by his parents, Harold Karren “Jack” Thomas and Ada Dorene Parkinson Thomas, and brothers Charles “Chuck”, Stephen, and Richard.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, from 5 to 7 pm at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa, Arizona. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 6 at 11 am, preceded by a visitation at 10 am, at the Lindsay & Pueblo building, 920 South Lindsay Road in Mesa. Burial will be in the Mesa Cemetery.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Norman L Hancock died of natural causes in Mesa, Arizona on December 27, 2021. He was 91 years old.

Norman was born to Lawrence and Lela Hancock in Bryce, Arizona, on January 19, 1930. Norman grew up on a cotton farm and cattle ranch. He had two brothers, Ray and Von and three sisters, Lavora (Foster), Alice (Ford) and Linda (Boren). His parents raised cattle, hogs, and chickens. Like many children born during the Great Depression, Norman’s family worked hard and lived frugally. He would turn ten years old before his childhood home had running water and sixteen years old before it had electricity. Every Saturday, his mother would cook a pot of pinto beans and homemade bread, a tradition that Norman’s wife Muriel would continue throughout their marriage.

Norman was the valedictorian of his 8^th grade class at Bryce (out of a class of ten, he would sometimes admit). He attended Pima High School, where he played center on the football team. Norman was a natural born entrepreneur. During high school, Norman peddled chicken eggs to the mining towns of Clifton, Morenci, and Superior and was able to save up enough money to buy a brand new 1947 red Ford pickup.

Norman was the first in the Hancock family line to graduate from college. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business in 1952 from Brigham Young University, in Provo Utah. In the early 60’s he earned his Masters Degree from ASU.  While Norman was taking classes at BYU, he met his lifelong sweetheart Muriel Miller, a beautiful, talented, kind, Idaho girl. Norman and his friends met up with some girls and  “borrowed” apples from an apple orchard.  They went back to the girl’s apartment to bake apple pie, where Norman saw Muriel, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.  After a short courtship Norman and Muriel were married on December 21, 1951 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Norman always said marrying her was the best decision of his life. He was broken hearted when Muriel passed away on June 25, 2010. They were married 58 years.

Norman held a deep love of agriculture as a result of his family bonds he developed working on the cotton farm in Lizard Bump, Arizona. When he was 28 years old, Norman decided to expand his farming experience by purchasing a farm in Yuma, Arizona, where he farmed lettuce for two years. He subsequently earned a teaching certificate and moved to Mesa, Arizona to find better prospects for his family.

Norman taught for more than 25 years as a public school teacher at Jefferson, Edison, Whittier, and Longfellow Elementary Schools in Mesa, Arizona. He touched many lives and was a wonderful beloved teacher.  Norman later retired from teaching. He had a brilliant business mind, with his sons he started an arcade game business, he also ran a successful real estate and investment business in Arizona.

Norman was involved in agriculture throughout his life. After moving to mesa, Norman and his brother Von together ran the family farm in Lizard Bump. Norman spent his summer vacations from school working on the farm. Together, they expanded the farm by purchasing additional land near Fort Thomas, Arizona. Always ambitious, Norman, Von and a few other partners developed the largest Pima cotton farm in the world at Salome, Arizona.  Norman later acquired other farms in North Dakota and South Dakota.

In 1965, Norman took a teaching sabbatical, going to the outback in Kununurra, Australia with his Uncle Max Lamoreaux. They lived under a tree for six months. They took advantage of the Ord River Project, a homesteading type arrangement for qualified farmers. Norman’s cotton farming experience was important – they were required to clear the land and put in a crop. While Norman was away, Muriel held down the fort, gave birth to their youngest son John and cared for home and family. The family would eagerly check the mail each day waiting for his letters. Norman ultimately decided there was no place he would rather live than Mesa, Arizona, so he and Muriel decided to stay in Mesa and rent out his share of the farm. He retained a lifelong love of Australia and visited many times and provided opportunities for many of his posterity to visit as well. He cultivated a love for Australia and all things Australian in his family.  Tales of Norman’s Australian adventures were legendary with his students and grandchildren. Norman never sold the Australian farm.

The joy of Norman’s life was his wife Muriel, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Norman and Muriel have six children – Lynn Hancock and his wife Dee, Jan (Hancock) McBride and her husband Bruce, LeNell (Hancock) Heywood and her husband Bruce, Annette (Hancock) Thompson and her husband Pete, JoAn (Hancock) Finter and her husband Alex, and John Hancock – twenty-six grandchildren, and forty-seven great-grandchildren. Norman was a charismatic, witty, and loving grandpa. Norman made each grandkid feel as if they were Norman’s favorite, and “grandma and grandpa’s house” was everyone’s favorite gathering spot. Each of Norman’s grandchildren has their own special memory of Grandpa – Sets and Runs card games, cousin sleepovers, Denny’s breakfasts, surprise allowances, summer reunions, phone calls and texts, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve parties, funny stories, and unquestionable support.

Services are pending.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Gary Finley Fire was born on the 6^th of December in 1941 on The Crow Creek Indian Reservation in Fort Thompson, SD to Spencer Louis Fire and Ethel Marion Hislaw (Edwards). Gary lived 80 years of a most adventurous and joyful life especially in his childhood where he would ride horses bareback across the plains with his only beloved brother, catch cats by their tails or snatch a chicken for his precious mother for dinner. As Gary grew older, he enlisted in the United States Army where he would serve proudly with his brother. From there he would start a family and eventually be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and serve diligently for nearly 47 years in several callings that would help nurture him into a faithful servant of the Lord and become the man we knew and respected. He esteemed His Lord and Savior and the work he knew would be required of him. Gary was very accomplished in anything he did and would dedicate his time and energy to working hard while serving others along the way. He would remarry and humbly provide for his growing family anyway he could and continue to work diligently over the course of his life. He had a love for woodworking, taught and played pool with his grandchildren and golfed when he had the chance. His greatest accomplishment in life was having a family and to have friends whom he loved more than his heart could hold. Gary was full of magnetic charm and made every day a “happy day” to ensure everyone felt loved that he ever came into contact with and left them leaving with a laugh and a smile. He was loyal to a fault and was a respecter of his family history and the stories he would tell about his ancestors would somehow touch your heart as if you knew them.

Gary lovingly and peacefully passed on to the other side of the veil on the 28^th of December, 2021 to greet his loved ones whom we are sure welcomed him with buoyant open arms. He was cared for through laughter, love, scripture and song by his loving wife, children and grandchildren whom were by his side until the moment he passed. Gary is cherished by his wife Sunni Fire of 35 years, their 10 children, Holly Fire Meade, Lisa Wormell Tate, Vicki Wormell MacLay, Teresa Wormell Wagenhals, Spencer Fire, John Wormell, John Fire, Nancy Fire Tu’ivai, David Wormell, Michael Wormell and their spouses. Absolutely adored his 30 grandchildren, had 9.5 Great Grandchildren as well as the many beloved and loyal friends whom he adored. His loyal dog Tito will miss him tremendously.

For those who would like to attend Gary’s funeral services or send love and pay respects to the family, the services will be as follows: Saturday the 8^th of January, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2715 E. Ocotillo Road, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140, the funeral services will begin at 10am with an open visitation to all who knew Gary, followed with the commemorative celebration of Gary’s life at 11am. The funeral procession will directly follow and the graveside service will begin at 1pm at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms 22425 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142.

A tremendous thank you to those who have sent their sympathies, condolences and prayers to Gary and his family, they have all been felt and truly treasured. We are blessed with the in home care nurses and www.bunkerfuneral.com for the assurance and care for our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, relative, friend and acquaintance.

The Gary Fire Family

 

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

In the early morning hours of December 29, 2021, the world lost the luster of an honorable man. Richard (Dick) Eugene Lee quietly passed away holding hands with his sweetheart of sixty-six years. Through the Christmas holiday and on the evening of his passing, he had the blessing of visiting with his children and many of his grandchildren.

Dick was born the youngest of four children on June 2, 1936, in Long Pine Nebraska to Willis Earl Lee and Grace Briggs Lee. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. At thirteen, because of his father’s health, the family established their home in Mesa, Arizona. Dick graduated from Mesa High School and began his studies at Arizona State University, graduating in June, 1961.  He completed several graduate courses in geography as well as architectural design.

Dick married Sandra Lyn Hall on September 26, 1955. He is survived by his eternal companion and four children: Jaci Lyn (Dave Nielson), Joni Kay (Dennis Neuenschwander), Timothy Shane, and Jeffrey Troy, as well as five grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Following his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dick and Sandra were sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple on June 9, 1961. Throughout his life, Dick was a devoted disciple, fulfilling numerous callings in the Church, including service in bishoprics and stake presidencies. He and Sandra also fulfilled an extended senior missionary assignment in the Gunnison Utah prison.

A proud United States Air Force veteran, Dick flew military transports. During his six years of service (1961-1967), he received the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He completed his service with the rank of captain. Following his discharge, he flew for United Air Lines until his retirement in 1985.

Dick thirsted for knowledge. He was an avid researcher and reader, always learning. If he didn’t know how to do something, he simply bought a book and figured it out. He used this gift to renovate a dilapidated hundred- and ten-year-old house in Salina, Utah. He was an avid genealogist, compiling many generations of his family. Following retirement, he and Sandra toured the country in their fifth wheel to complete his research.

Above all, Dick was a family man. He was deeply devoted to his wife and family. He was immensely proud of his children and their accomplishments. His righteous influence will be felt through succeeding generations of his posterity. His life was an example of commitment and steadfastness to his faith and to the eternal principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grave side services with military honors will be held at two p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, in the Mesa City Cemetery.

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Flo Fayleen Smith, 93 passed away peacefully on December 12, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona. Her final resting place is Heritage Memorial Park Cemetery in Dewey, Arizona.

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Donna Mae Harper, born Jan. 15, 1955, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Dec. 22, 2021. She was born to Orvil and Luella Jolley and raised in Holbrook, AZ. She lived her life serving her family, friends and the youth and women of her LDS church group. She always had an excuse to go shopping or go to lunch with friends or family, and she never let a cruise ship leave the dock without her. She loved to give to others and was a wonderful seamstress. The quilts she made her children and grandchildren will be cherished. They were made with such love and detail. Her and her loving husband, Derwin, spent the last few years of her life traveling together on the road and abroad spending special time together with family and friends. Donna loved to laugh and left a lasting impression on countless people who will cherish their memories with her. Left to carry on her traditions, are her husband Derwin Harper, her children Lisa (Paul) Miller, Ryan (Melissa) Harper, Jami (Mark) Baker, Kara (Ryan) Gardner, and Cody (Rachel) Harper. Her legacy will be continued through her 23 grandchildren, her greatest treasures. Donna Mae will be truly missed.

Funeral services are Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 9:00 a.m., at the LDS church building on 2220 N. Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ. 85203. For more information go to www.bunkerfuneral.com.

George Cyrus Knowlton, II, age 79.5 of Mesa, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly on December 15, 2021. He is survived by his children, Tracie Steller, Anna Baum and George Knowlton III; grandchildren, Justin LaPolla (Sophie) and Cassandra Housmyer (Elijah), Renee Steller and Taylor Knowlton; great grandchildren, Ellison (8), Braelynn (6), Evelyn (4), Zoey (3) and Luke (11 months); sisters, Alita Arnold and Pamela Schultz; nieces and nephews, Tammie Ventura (Ken), Carrie Ragsdale (Daryl), Sally Schultz, Robert Schultz (Amber); Linda Nejati (Olmsted), lifelong friend and mother of his children. Preceding him in death was his father, Cyrus Knowlton and mother, Lorraine Koehly; paternal grandparents, George and Eva Knowlton from Massachusetts and maternal grandparents, John and Rosa Koehly, from Switzerland.

George was born on May 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California to Cyrus and Lorraine (Koehly) Knowlton. Growing up on the Koehly Homestead in Lucerne Valley, George, being the only son in the family, at just three years old, was charged with caring for his mom and sisters and solving all problems big and small (as much as a three-year-old could) while his dad Cy was serving in the Navy as a radio operator on a ship during World War II. When Cy returned home, he worked for Hughes Aircraft in Culver City, California, leaving “Georgie Porgie” in charge at the ranch. Ranch life taught him how to be industrious, passionate, hardworking, loving and understanding of life’s curve balls, not to mention the many uses of bailing wire (Who knew you could actually “sew” two buildings together with it to make a bigger house). He even learned how to drive on the ranch at seven years old. He carried his responsibility for being the “man of the house” into his adult years, always acutely aware of the challenges of those around him whether it was his children, sisters, mother of his children, friends and even the mailmen and employees of the establishments he frequented. Throughout his life, he worked for Standard Oil Company, the United States Post Office, owned two Chevron gas stations, became a real estate broker, managed a variety of retail establishments, until finally settling into his last and most rewarding job as a roadside assistant for

the Arizona Department of Public safety. Growing up on the Koehly Homestead in Lucerne Valley, he learned all he needed to know about farming, fishing, camping, livestock, cars, construction, girls, life struggles and love. His mom and paternal grandmother were teachers who taught him the benefit of knowing United States history. His father fostered his entrepreneurial spirit and his maternal great-grandmother, an immigrant from Switzerland and the first Post Mistress in Lucerne Valley, taught him to stand firmly for what he believed in, have pride in being an American and to stay politically involved. He never knew a stranger and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix to make people’s lives better.

He loved his family and friends fiercely and deeply, and we take comfort in knowing that our dad is now at peace, surrounded by light.

Family and friends will be able to join us in celebrating his life after the first of the year, in 2022.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

Doris J. Sheldon, 89, passed away on December 21, 2021 at her home in Mesa, Arizona. She was young at heart and cared deeply for her family. Doris retired at the young age of 77 from Desert Oncology and after retirement kept busy volunteering at the Chandler Senior Center.

As a child her family moved to Mesa from Cameron, Oklahoma when she was about two years old. Her parents were James T. Posey and Birtha F. Posey (Wilcox) who preceded her in death along with 4 sisters and 3 brothers.

Sherman R. Sheldon was the love of her life and they were married 56 years until his death in 2006. They adopted two children Kurtis and Laura whom they raised as their own. It was not uncommon to find them visiting relatives during the summer to camp, water ski, or just have quality time together.

She is survived by her daughter Laura Sheldon and four grandchildren Brandon Sheldon; Candace Popa and her husband Marian; Kendra Tucker and her husband David; and Michael Sheldon-Manning. She also has 9 great-grandchildren Treyton, Garrett, Layla, Loralie, Ginevra, Norah, Isaiah, Felicity, and Abigail.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, December 28th at Bunker Chapel from 10:30 to 12:30 followed by a graveside service at the Mesa Cemetery at 1 pm.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

 

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.

 

Live Stream Link To View Service: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/mesaazhvstake

Theo J Heap, 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday, December 12, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Theo was a great historian and completed his own personal history entitled, “The Life and Times of Theo J Heap” in which he wrote of his four loves. His first love was his immediate family consisting of his beautiful wife, Gloria, his four children and grandchildren. His Second love was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Third love was Public Service, and his fourth love was the love he had for the United States of America.

Theo was born in St. Johns, Arizona on October 10, 1926, 2^nd of 6 children born to Leona Wilkins and Parley J Heap. His parents and grandparents were ranchers and farmers, which provided a setting for a young boy to learn hard work and develop characteristics that would prepare him to become a successful husband, father, grandfather, educator, and disciple of Jesus Christ throughout his life.  During WWII, Theo served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Italy.  Following his military service, Theo attended ASU where he played Basketball and met the love of his life, Gloria Davis.

Theo and Gloria were married May 24, 1950. After receiving his degrees in Education from Arizona State College, he taught school in St. Johns AZ, Scottsdale High School and Coronado High School.  His first love was coaching basketball and other sports. After his early teaching experience  he was hired at Mesa Community College to serve as Dean of Students and Athletic Director. He then became the President of Mesa Community College. He loved working one on one with the students and helping them receive their college education.

His leadership and love for athletics provided opportunities for him to serve as President of the National Junior College Athletic Association for twenty years.  That opportunity lead for him to serve on the United States Olympic Committee for 28 years.  He served on the Olympic committee as the Chairman of the education committee and the World University Games committee.

He served in many capacities in his community and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Elders Quorum President, Bishop of the Alma 8^th Ward, High Council, Stake Young Men’s President, Stake Mission President, faithful home teacher along with many other civic positions. A member of the Mesa Baseline Rotary Club and Rotary International, and served on the NCAA Football and Basketball Rules committees and the National High School Federation Rules Committees.

Theo is preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Martinsen and his granddaughters’ Nora Johnson and Holly Heap.

Theo is survived by his eternal companion Gloria; married children; Ralph (Denise), Bob (Deena), (son-in-law Rick Martinsen and wife Amy), Ted (Sheila), 20 grandchildren and 55 great grandchildren. Theo is also survived by his sister LaKay Grant (Joey) and many extended family members.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.