Rosemary Haer Fergus
Nov. 30, 1910 - Dec. 19, 1999
Rosemary Haer Fergus, a 36-year Bisbee, Ariz., resident and nurse at the Phelps Dodge Hospital, died on Dec. 19, 1999, in Phoenix where she lived with her younger daughter, Marty Hutson. Rosemary was well-known in Bisbee as the devoted wife of Robert Fergus, a local dentist and mother of two daughters, Gayle and Marty. She was active in Girl Scouts, PEO and the Bisbee Arts and Humanities Council.
Rosemary was born Nov. 30, 1910, on a farm near Marion Center, Pa. She was the seventh of 10 children. After graduating from high school in Marion Center, she enrolled in nurses training at West Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. In 1932, upon graduation as a registered nurse, Rosemary went to work in Pittsburgh. One of her responsibilities was to accompany newborns and their families home from the hospital and to help mothers in caring for their children. She made many lifelong friends this way. After five years in this position, she moved to Lakeland, Fla., where she worked as a nurse in a clinic.
In 1940, Rosemary joined the Army and was the first nurse assigned to Camp Blanding in Florida. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was sent to Denver, Colo. to recuperate. It was there in Fitzsimmons Hospital that she was introduced to her future husband, Bob, who was in the Dental Corps at Lowery Field. Bob and Rosemary announced their engagement on a fateful date, Dec. 7, 1941. They were marriage on Feb. 14, 1942. Daughter, Gayle, was born on Feb. 14, 1943.
After leaving the service in 1945, the family moved to Bisbee. Daughter, Marty, was born there on Oct. 30, 1945. In 1967, after taking refresher courses, Rosemary went to work at the Phelps Dodge Hospital in Bisbee. She retired in 1975. Her husband passed away in 1979, and she moved to Phoenix in 1981.
In addition to Gayle (Mrs. Terrell Davis) of Lordsburg, N.M., and Marty, Rosemary is survived by a grandson, John Davis of Farmington, N.M., and his two sons, Gabriel and Brent; and a brother, Arthur Haer of Lakeland, Fla.
Services for Rosemary were held in Phoenix at the All Saints Episcopal Church on Dec. 29.
John Marusich
Nov. 9, 1923 - Aug. 20, 1999
John Marusich, 75, passed away in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Friday, Aug. 20, 1999. Mr. Marusich was born in Bisbee, Ariz., on Nov. 9, 1923, to Rad Marusich and Petra Milovich Marusich. He was raised in Bisbee and graduated from Bisbee Public Schools. He was a veteran of the U.S Navy during World War II. Mr. Marusich was the Regional Manager for the Finance One Company for many years until his retirement and he was also a former deputy sheriff of Cochise County.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Manuel Marusich on March 10, 1992; and his brother, Mike Marusich on March 13, 1998.
Survivors include his loving wife of 41 years Yolanda Rochin Marusich of Bisbee; a daughter-in-law, Sylvia Marusich of Naco, Ariz.; two granddaughters, Deborah Marusich and Elisa Marusich both of Tucson; one grandson, Dan Marusich of Redwood City, Calif.; a brother, Alex (Natalie) Marusich of Scottsdale; a sister, Milena Marusich of Scottsdale; also many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dugan Funeral Chapel, Bisbee, Services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephens Nemanja Church in Bakersville, Ariz. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Bisbee. Contributions may be made to St. Stephens Nemanja Church or to the Diabetes Foundation.
John will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.
All arrangements are being handled by Dugan Funeral Chapel.
Robert E. Doepker
June 15, 1919 - Aug. 22, 1999
Robert E. Doepker, 80, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away peacefully in his sleep, Sunday Aug. 22, 1999, at the Hacienda Rehabilitation and Care Center. He had been an area resident for 34 years.
Robert was born June 15, 1919, in Townsend, Mont., to Mark and Mary (Sheridan) Doepker. Bob served in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. He served as the Deputy Judge Advocate General Officer on Fort Huachuca for 15 years until his retirement in 1982.
He was a life member of the VFW Post No. 9972, B.P.O.E. Lodge No. 2065 and the American Legion Post No. 52. He enjoyed camping, fishing and cruises to the Caribbean. He will be missed greatly by his family and many friends.
Bob is survived by his wife, Kay Doepker of Sierra Vista; children, Sherry (Brian) Main, Derry, Joel, Mark, Robert, Jr. (Theola) Doepker all of Washington; step-children, Rita (Tom) Miller of New York, Elaine Parenteau of Tucson, Ariz., and Jeff Parenteau and Pete Hahn both of Sierra Vista; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special friends Tom and Marylou Thomas; and sister-in-law Diana Mouzakitotis of Chicago.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 800 N. Taylor Drive, in Sierra Vista with Father Coleman Nolan officiating. Interment will be private.
Arrangements are by the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grin;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
John R. Cowan, Jr.
May 11, 1928 - Aug. 23, 1999
John R. Cowan Jr. 71, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Monday, Aug. 23, 1999, at St. Josephs Hospital, Tucson, Ariz.
John was born May 11, 1928, in Lewistown, Mont., to John and Eva Cowan Sr. John spent most of his life in northern California and was well-known in the music community as a fine performing pianist as well as a piano instructor. He also had been a real estate broker before retiring in the mid-1990s. Due to his illness from leukemia, John moved to Sierra Vista early in 1998 to be near his family. His happy, fun-loving character will be sorely missed by all those who loved him.
Grateful for having shared his life are his sister, Catherine Arenas and his niece, Eva Arenas, both of Sierra Vista, and cousin, Joyce Jenkins of Seattle.
Graveside funeral services will be on Friday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at Cochise Memory Gardens Cemetery, 5590 Charleston Road, in Sierra Vista with the Rev. Ben Somerville officiating.
Arrangements are with the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc.
Leon Frank Collins
Oct. 28, 1929 - Aug. 22, 1999
Leon Frank Collins, 69, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999, at the Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. Leon had been an area resident for the past 27 years.
Frank was born Oct. 28, 1929, in Metter, Ga., to Raiford and Ulma Collins. He graduated from Guyton High School, Guyton, Ga., later receiving his associates degree in communications. Frank marriage Irene Lottie Collyer in December 1954, and as he was in the U.S. Army, the couple lived in various cities before settling in Sierra Vista in 1972. Frank served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Army as a crypto technician, including a tour in Vietnam. He received numerous awards and commendations including the Legion of Merit, before retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1977. Frank continued to work with the Department of the Army as a civilian on Fort Huachuca, retiring again in October 1991. Lottie preceded him in death in September 1990.
Frank was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Retired Officers Association and St. Stephens Episcopal Church. In his spare time, he loved to travel.
Grateful for having shared his life are his two sons, Capt. Richard F. Collins, U.S. Public Health Service, and his wife, Ginger Collins, Ph.D., of Atlanta, and Victor C. Collins of Los Angeles; three brothers, Jack (Evelyn) Collins of Gray, Ga., Jerry (Joyce) Collins of Dalton, Ga., and Burney (Rae) Collins of Resacca, Ga.; his sister, Margie Tuten of Guyton, Ga.; and other extended family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hatfield Funeral Home, 830 S. Highway 92, in Sierra Vista. Funeral services will follow on Friday at 9 a.m. at Kino Chapel, Fort Huachuca, with Chaplain (Capt.) Ira C. Houck III officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at the Post Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Franks name to the American Cancer Society, C/O Charlotte McGhee, 793 Charles Drive, Sierra Vista AZ 85635.
Arrangements are with the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc.
Paul Harold Prickett
Feb. 26, 1914 - Aug. 24, 1999
Paul Prickett died Aug. 24, 1999, in the Life Care Center in Sierra Vista, Ariz. He had been a resident of the area since 1987.
He was born in La Grange, Ill., to Nettie (Bowersox) Prickett and Wright H. Prickett. He attended public schools in La Grange, graduating from Lyons Township High school in 1931. From 1933 to 1936 Paul attended the Goodman Theater School in Chicago. Jobs for actors during the depression were hard to find, but he played in summer stock and local repertory theater in the Chicago area.
Paul served in World War II in the 4th division, landing on Utah Beach on D-Day plus two as overstrength. After serving six months of combat as a machine gun platoon leader, he was transferred to Special Services where as a theatrical officer he produced shows that played throughout the European Theater.
Upon his return to the states in 1946 he joined Actors Company in Chicago as a teacher. He had a brief stint on Broadway in The Plays The Thing starring Louis Calhern.
In 1952, he marriage Phyllis Sandusky in La Grange, Ill. The couple moved to Hinsdale, Ill. During the 50s, Paul was a professional actor in the Chicago area performing in stock, commercials and industrial films.
In 1963, Paul joined the staff of Actors Equity Association, the stage actors union in the Chicago office. He headed the office from 1966 until 1973, seeing it expand from three employees to 11 and establishing a reputation as the most actor-friendly office in the country.
Nearing retirement , in 1973 he joined the staff of Actors Equity in Los Angeles as a business agent. Upon retirement, he was active in the First Unitarian Church, where his wife was employed as administrator. He also served on the Unitarian Universalist Southwest District Board and on the Los Angeles Hunger Coalition. When Phyllis retired in 1987 the couple moved to Hereford, Ariz., a move encouraged by their son John who has been a resident since the early 70s. The couple moved to Sierra Vista in 1994.
Pauls activities here included the presidency of the Greater Huachuca Area Democratic Club, helping in the establishment of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Southeast Arizona, and serving as a director and board member of the Illegitimate Theater Company. He directed nine plays for the group.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Wright H. Prickett and a son Steven Prickett. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, son John and grandson Stephen.
Memorial Services will be held Thursday, Sept. 2, at 4 p.m. at the Hatfield Funeral Home. Instead of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Childrens Research Foundation, P.O. Box 37, Western Springs IL 60558, to the U U Church of Southeast Arizona, P.O. Box 3123, Sierra Vista AZ 85636 or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista
Louis Virie Blanche Sr.
June 6, 1927 - Aug. 26, 1999
Louis Virie Blanche Sr. was born June 6, 1927, to Dorine B. and Rowan Blanche of Summit, Miss. He was marriage to Lucy J. Walker for 50 years, who preceded his demise.
Louis is survived by his son, Louis V. Blanche, Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., and four grandchildren: Louis V. Blanche III, Cameron-Roian Blanche, Gabriell Alexander Blanche and Vivienne Joi Blanche. He also is survived by a host of friends who dearly loved and respected him for his neighborly character.
Mr. Blanche entered the U.S. Army at 16 years of age and retired as a master sergeant after completing 33 years of active duty. He proudly served as an Airborne Trooper with the 555th (Triple Nickel) Parachute Infantry Detachment in Georgia and fought in campaigns across North Africa, Italy, France, Germany, Korea and Vietnam before retiring at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
Following this retirement, Louis committed himself to work as a volunteer with numerous social and political organizations in the Greater Huachuca Area. He was a long-standing member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Association of Buffalo Soldiers. Louis volunteered with the American Red Cross and the Disabled American Veterans. He had been a member of the Sierra Vista Lions Club for approximately five years. During this time he served as sight and hearing chairman for two years. During his tenure, he was able to assist many residents of the community. He was a dedicated worker. He also served with the Philippines American Club International of Sierra Vista. He was also a long-standing member and supporter of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Veterans. Louis was highly committed to social service and made helping others the essence of his existent. He will be sadly missed by all whose lives he touched.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m. at Fort Huachuca Main Post Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans, Fry Chapter No. 14, P.O. Box 1014, Sierra Vista AZ 85636.
Arrangements are with Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. with the coordination of the DAV.
Louis V. Blanche Sr.
June 6, 1927 - Aug. 26, 1999
Services for Mr. Louis Blanche scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Huachuca, have been rescheduled for one week later on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel.
The funeral has been moved back to accommodate a grandsons arrival from Connecticut.
Arrangements are with the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc.
John F. Nagy
Dec. 4, 1919 - Aug. 29, 1999
John F. Nagy, 79, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Sunday, Aug. 29, 1999, at his Sierra Vista residence. He had been an area resident for the past nine years.
John was born Dec. 4, 1919, in South Bend, Ind., to Joseph and Rose (Sazbo) Nagy. John received his education in South Bend, and on Jan. 17, 1942, he marriage Lorraine J. Kopetski. Shortly after their marriage, John entered the U.S. Army, serving in the South Pacific in World War II. The Nagys made their residence in Mishawaka, Ind., for a number of years where John was employed as a maintenance engineer for the city at the Erskin Golf Course. John and Lorraine moved to Sierra Vista in 1990.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 57 years, Lorraine of Sierra Vista; his three children, Judith (Chris) Batalis of Fort Myers, Fla., John (Joyce) Nagy of Mishawaka, Ind., and Janet (Nick) Kollar of Hereford, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Kimberly, Kevin Sr., Stephanie, Sean, June, Jenifer, Nick and Jake and eight great-grandchildren, Zackery, Samantha, Kevin Jr., David, Tyler, Jena, Austin and Christopher.
Services and interment will be held at a later date at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Ind.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that those who wish, may make a contribution in Johns name to Casa de la Paz Hospice, 300 El Camino Real, Sierra Vista AZ 85635.
Arrangements are with the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc., Sierra Vista.
God's Garden
God looked around his garden, And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you, And lifted you to rest.
Gods garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never, Get well on this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids, And whispered Peace be thine.
It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone
For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. - Author unknown
