Frank M. Claridge
Nov. 1, 1912 - Oct. 29, 1999
Frank M. Claridge, 86, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Friday, Oct. 29, 1999. He had been a resident of Sierra Vista, for four years.
Claridge was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Nov. 1, 1912. He was the oldest of six children born to Frank and Florence (Wilson) Claridge. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Missouri. During the Great Depression, he went in search of work and ended up in Los Angeles.
He worked for the city of Los Angeles for 40 years. The first 20 he was a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. This was followed by 10 year stints with both the Building and Safety Department and the Department of Airports.
For 10 years with the LAPD, he was a motorcycle patrolman, and motorcycles were to be one of his passions for the rest of his life. He had seemingly ridden through every crossroad in America at least once. He was a frequent participant in cross-country motorcycle races, including one that went from Mexico to Canada, and another that went to the four corners of the continental United States. He was always the oldest participant in these races.
When he attended his high school class 65th reunion recently in Butler, Mo., he surprised his classmates by riding his motorcycle to it. He positively shocked them, however, when he informed them that he was going on to New York after the reunion, then down to Florida to see one of his sons, then back to Los Angeles.
He is survived by his wife, Laura of Sierra Vista; two sons, Joe of Somis, Calif., and Frank, Jr. of Clearwater, Fla. He also leaves two stepsons, John Kearney of Lynwood, Wash., and Francisco Kearney of Tucson, Ariz.; and a stepdaughter, Patricia Kearney of Glendale, Calif. In addition, he leaves seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, of whom he tirelessly doted.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen; daughter, Judy; three sisters and a brother.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 1425 Yaqui, with Father Bob Bryerton officiating.
Arrangements by Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista.
Donald D. Skip Erskine
Dec. 24, 1936 - Nov. 1, 1999
Donald D. Skip Erskine, 62, passed away Nov. 1, 1999, at Life Care Center of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Skip was born in Lima, Ohio, on Dec. 24, 1936, to James and Betty Erskine. He joined the Army at an early age, serving more than 29 years and traveling all over the world. He received the Meritorious Service Medal twice, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal nine times, Vietnam Campaign Medal, as well as the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and many other citations.
Skip was a loving father and he will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Skip is survived by his wife, Emma L. Erskine of Sierra Vista; and a son, Jason E. Erskine of Fort Meade, Md.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, at the Post Cemetery on Fort Huachuca with military honors.
Arrangements by Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista.
Shadden Thomas Amarillas-King
Oct. 30, 1999
Shadden Thomas Amarillas-King, stillborn infant son of Gina Amarillas and Thomas King, was born on Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999, in Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Survivors include his parents, Gina Amarillas and Thomas King, both of Tombstone, Ariz.; grandparents, Anita and Jay Amarillas of Tombstone and Wayne and Mary King of Tombstone; great-grandmother Helen Perotti of Tombstone; an uncle Ronald King (Kelly) of Tucson, Ariz.; six aunts Melissa Davis (Ed) Tombstone, Lori Anglin (Scott) of Georgia, Elizabeth Elliott (Travis) of Colorado, Teresa Crowell (Daniel) of Texas, JoAnn Lytle (Shannon) of Tombstone and Jaylea Meyer (David) of Sierra Vista; and numerous cousins and great-great aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Mass will be said at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tombstone. Burial will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Dugan Funeral Chapel.
Joan Garner
Nov. 1, 1999
Joan Garner, a 23-year resident of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed on to be with her Lord on Nov. 1, 1999. She passed away at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center following a long and valiant battle with lung cancer. Joan was born to Angelo and Winifred Musto in Asbury Park, N.J. She graduated from high school there and worked with her father as a fellow officer in the Asbury Park Police Department.
Joan marriage Army Capt. Jesse Garner at Fort Monmouth, N.J. They were an Army family serving at various locations before settling at Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista in 1977 and recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary.
Their children are Stan, Angelo, and Richard Garner of Sierra Vista; Mrs. Lisa (Jim) Huff and Mrs. Missy (Thomas) Stewart, both of Sierra Vista; and Chris Garner of Tucson, Ariz. Grandchildren include Ryan and DJ Emswiler, Jessica Stine, Nathan Stewart and Katie Garner.
Joan was a member of the International Sisterhood of Beta Sigma Phi, Preceptor Beta Iota Chapter in Sierra Vista. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loving sister and a wonderful grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt Claire Musto, a brother Sonny and sisters, Mary and Claire. She is survived by her husband, her children, grandchildren and a sister, Louise Jansson of Brooksville, Fla., and a brother, Tony Musto of Brick, N.J.
Father Greg Adolf will celebrate a memorial mass at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 800 W. Taylor Drive, in Sierra Vista. Interment will be at the Mother Teresa Columbarium at Our Lady of the Mountains. Contributions may be made in Joan's name to St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary LLC.
William Edward Dickamore
Jan. 15, 1917 - Nov. 1, 1999
William Edward Dickamore, 82, passed away Nov. 1, 1999.
He was born Jan. 15, 1917, in Blackpine, Idaho, to William Dickamore and Edna Hancock Dickamore. He marriage Viola Lee on Feb. 17, 1943, in Salt Lake City.
He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad for 20 years. Then he became a building contractor and taught his sons the trade. He enjoyed building houses together with them, watching sports, the mountains and pets.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years; his children Allen, Blain, Elona, Jeanne, Jerry, Eddie, Max, Dale and Vern; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also is survived by four brothers and two sisters.
He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.
Lois A. Anderson
June 29, 1934 - Nov. 3, 1999
Lois A. Anderson, 65, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999, after a long battle with cancer. She had been an area resident for 14 years.
Lois was born June 29, 1934, in Shrewsbury, Mass., to Ruel and Beatrice Dudley. She graduated in 1953 from Shrewsburys Major Beal High School. For many years she was a dispatcher for the Worcester area cab companies. She was an avid reader and traveler. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband, Cecil V. Anderson of Sierra Vista; daughters Sheryll A. Masterson of Whitinsville, Mass., Tracy C. Anderson of South Daytona, Fla., and Lynda L. Colasono of Columbus, Ga.; a son, John W. Anderson of Sierra Vista; a sister, Beatrice L. Blunt of Shrewsbury, Mass.; and three granddaughters, two grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jean Louise in 1960, and also a sister, Susan C. Walsh, and a brother, Ruel W. Dudley Jr.
Visitation will be at Hatfield Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, with Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church with Father Bob Bryerton officiating. Interment will be private.
Arrangements are by Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista.
Adele Jane Massa
Oct. 6, 1922 - Nov. 2, 1999
Adele Jane Massa, 77, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1999, at the Life Care Center. She had been an area resident for three years.
Adele was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to William and Harriet Stuart. She was the wife of Peter Massa Jr., and they were marriage from 1951 until his death in 1995. She was a devoted wife and mother she will be greatly missed by all.
She is survived by two sons, Michael (Marvelyn) Massa of Sierra Vista and Peter (Maryann) Massa of Princeton, N.J.; a brother, William Stuart; grandchildren, Kristanne B. Korsch, Brian Massa and Christopher Massa; and a great-grandchild, Calvin Korsch.
A time of visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Hatfield Funeral Home. Interment will be private at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hatfield Funeral Home Inc.
Grady H. Banister Jr.
Jan. 23, 1927 - Nov. 1, 1999
Grady H. Banister Jr., 72, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., passed away Monday, Nov. 1, 1999, at the Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of living in Arizona when he moved to the Sierra Vista area more than 20 years ago.
Grady was born on Jan. 23, 1927, in Anniston, Ala., to Grady and Mary Banister, and he graduated from West Point in 1950. He also graduated from Stanford University earning a masters degree in electrical engineering and industrial engineering. He served in the 97th Signal Battalion and later served as a statutory agent for the 97th.
Grady had a large impact on the community through his many acts of community service. He gave endlessly of his time and talents at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Parish, Huachuca Museum Society, Friends of the San Pedro River, Fry Fire Department, Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy Preserve and Pueblo del Sol Homeowners Association. He had a special talent for helping seniors with income tax preparation.
Grady served 16 years as a technical director for the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground and also was one of the original developers of COBOL. He retired from civil service as an SES in February of 1994. Grady was a loving, attentive husband for 50 wonderful years, caring and supportive father, and a great friend to everyone. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Grady is survived by his wife, Bess F. Banister; seven children, Grady H. (Diane) Banister III, Michael J. Banister, Mark P. (Christine) Banister, Deb Banister, Cathy Banister, John L. Banister, Mary T. Hosmer; 12 grandchildren, Carrie, Grady IV and Jamie Banister, Susan, Steve, Samantha and Naomi Banister, Danny, Tess and Luke Mackin and Matthew A. Carter and Kelsey Hosmer; and three brothers, Chris (Vivian) Banister, William (Jane) Banister and Simon Banister.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church with Father Bob Bryerton officiating. Interment will follow at Mother Theresa Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grady H. Banister Jr. Memorial Fund, c/o Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 125 Yaqui St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85650.
Arrangements are by Hatfield Funeral Home Inc. in Sierra Vista.
Henery T. Josz
April 5, 1919 - Oct. 10, 1999
Henery T. Josz, 80, passed away Oct. 10, 1999, in Greer, Ariz., where he has been a resident for the past 25 years. He was born April 5, 1919, in Detroit, Mich. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II who served as a weather forecaster in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, including the Burma Campaign.
He received various decorations and citations including the Bronze Star. He also worked in meteorology at the Army Electronic Proving Ground at Fort Huachuca. He was a former Ford dealer in Capac, Mich. and Van Wert, Ohio.
Josz is survived by his wife, Mary Davette (Foster) Josz, a native of Bisbee; one brother, Zygmund Josz and nephew, Robert Josz; as well as numerous nieces and nephews on his wife's side. No services will be held. Contributions may be made to RTA Hospice, Rt. 4, Box 1740, Lakeside, AZ.
Venice F. Lewis
Sept. 13, 1916 - Oct. 29, 1999
Venice F. Lewis, 83, passed away Friday, Oct. 29, 1999, at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Ore. Venice was born Sept. 13, 1916, in Little Point, Ind., to Frank and Dora Curtis Lewis. He was a member of Walnut Chapel Friends Church in Belle Union, Ind.
Venice started his chosen career in communications as a very young child. His family operated and maintained the Belle Union telephone switch and transmission lines from their home for the Indiana Telephone Association. During his teen-age years, he moved to Indianapolis where he attended and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School. Following high school, he continued his career in communications and electronics with Indiana Bell Telephone, where he worked for more than 45 years in Indianapolis before retiring in 1979.
Venice marriage the former Lelia Mae Smith on Oct. 19, 1940. During World War II, he served with the 843rd Signal Service Battalion, U.S. Army Signal Corps as a communications wire chief, T-3. He was stationed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with duty along the Alaskan Highway. He was an activity member of his World War II reunion group that still meets annually in Canada and the States.
Venice and his wife moved to Sierra Vista, Ariz., from Cherokee Village, Ark., in 1982. They have a summer residence in Eugene. He enjoyed antique cars, construction and electronics. He was a member of the American Legion, Communication Workers of America, Veterans Motor Car Club, Hummingbird Chapter and Sierra Vista Car Club. He attended the San Pedro Evangelical Free Church.
Venice is survived by his wife, Lelia Mae Lewis; two sons, Gordon H. Lewis of Huachuca City, Ariz., and Norman F. Lewis of Eugene; a brother, Shirl Lewis of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and two grandsons, Briggs R.D. Lewis of Bellevue, Wash., and Brian F.M. Lewis of Eugene.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, at the Unity of the Valley Church, Eugene. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
