VAN DER MERWE, Maestro Johan of Toledo, Ohio, passed away quietly on Tuesday, September 3, 1996 at St. Mary’s Carondelet Hospice in Tucson. He was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on October 17, 1935. Parents Willem Roux and Mary (Loxton) van der Merwe; brothers, Leon and Willie; nieces and nephews, Karien, Wimpie, and Ingrid. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rondelli; and daughter, Brenda Rochelle. He graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1957 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano and conducting, afterwards accepting an Associated Boards Scholarship of the Royal Schools of Music to London’s Royal Academy of Music, with studies in piano, and orchestral and opera conducting, winning the Ernest Read Prize for Conducting in 1960. Upon completion of his studies in London he was offered a position with the South African Broadcasting Corporation in Johannesburg as Assistant Conductor and Choir Master. Among other accomplishments, he founded the 100-voice radio chorus (still in existence today), immediately performing such works as Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, with the composer himself conducting. Awarding a German Academic Exchange Scholarship, Johan attended the Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik in Hamburg, Germany, expressly for opera coaching and conducting. In 1963 he married Barbara Rondelli, and the couple has one daughter Brenda Rochelle, a graduate student in Violin Performance at the University of Arizona. Activities in Europe included: Assistant Coach at the Hamburg State Opera, Coach and Conductor of Opera Forum in Enschede, Holland – opera performances throughout Holland; Coach and Conductor in the opera houses in Saarbrucken and Wuppertal in Germany. He was First Prize Winner in the 1966 Liverpool International Conductors’ Competition, with subsequent concerts in England and South Africa. Johan spoke four languages, Afrikaans, English, German, and Dutch. In 1972 he was appointed Professor of Music and Assistant Chairman of the Music Department at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In 1974 Johan and his wife Barbara moved to the United States, where he earned a Masters of Music (Musicology and Opera) at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, where their daughter Brenda was born. Moving to Toledo, Ohio, Johan was Orchestra Director at Fremont Ross High School, as well as Choir Director at St.Andrew United Methodist Church. He was then appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1979-1984, teaching Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestral Conducting and Lieder Classes. He was also Music Director and Conductor of the Plymouth Symphony during this time. In 1983 he was appointed Conductor and Choir Director of the Toledo Opera, and in 1985 he was named General Director. From 1986 to 1992 Johan was Resident Music Director of Arizona Opera in Tucson and Phoenix, coaching and conducting the chorus and many opera productions in both cities. His years with the Arizona, Opera he counted among his finest, most productive and enjoyable, always speaking very highly and with great fondness of his colleagues and friends in the Tucson and Phoenix area. Upon his return to Toledo in 1992, he conducted Opera Workshop performances at the University of Toledo, and was Music Director and Conductor of the Toledo Repertorie Theater’s Premier Performance of David Jex’s The Purple Gang. His involvement with the Toledo Public Schools as Orchestra Conductor continued until his illness in September of 1995. Working and coaching with singers, choirs, and instrumentalists remained a passionate calling for Johan throughout his lifetime. Johan and his wife Barbara concertized throughout the world in performances of opera, song recitals, and radio and television broadcasts. Johan was his wife’s personal vocal coach. Loving husband and father he will be greatly missed. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Phillip’s in the Hills, 4440 North Campbell Avenue at River Road, at 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 9, with burial afterwards at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday evening at the ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd. (at Speedway), from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Arizona Opera, 3501 N. Mountain, Tucson, AZ 85719 for the Johan van der Merwe Memorial Scholarship for Young Singers.
DEVEE, Dale, H., 91, went home to the Lord on September 5, 1996. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Thelma “Pat”; daughter, Josephine; son, Duane; two grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and survived by daughter, Nancy D. (John) Walsh; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Dale was born in Milan, MI on March 9, 1905, and moved to Tucson in 1952. He was a sheet metal engineer with A and J Sheet Metal until he retired. He was a member of Optimists International Club of Northside Tucson, where he served as Secretary, the Sheet Metal Workers, International Local #359. and Moose Lodge #747. Memorial Services will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m., EVERGREEN MORTUARY, N. Oracle and W. Miracle Mile, with great-grandson, Jim Walsh officiating. Private interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
FEDERICO, Petra, 81, of Tucson, passed away September 5, 1996. Survived by son, Frank (Sylvia) Federico; sister, Clara Salomon; brother, Eugene Trejo; grandchildren, Frank J. (Judy), Edward (Christy) Federico. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 1996 from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. at TUCSON MORTUARY, (North Chapel), 204 S. Stone Ave., with Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be offered Monday, September 9, 1996 at 9:30 a.m. at Santa Cruz Church. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
GIERING, John W., 80, died September 4, 1996. Survived by daughter, Janet Culver; brothers, Thomas and Edward Giering; grandchildren, John, Scott Culver and Alicia Carmen. John was a member of PBOE #385, a volunteer at TMC and Pasado de Sol. A resident of Tucson for the past 45 years. Friends may call 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 1996 at EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday at SOUTH LAWN MORTUARY, 5401 S. Park Ave. Burial to follow at South Lawn Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Tucson Medical Center Hospice in memory of John Giering.
HOLGUIN, Petra V., 72, died September 4, 1996. Wife of Hector Holguin. Arrangements by BRING’S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 236 S. Scott.
KOENIG, Roberta “Bobbie”, passed into eternal life on September 4, 1996, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Roberta had just recently celebrated her 60th birthday. Survived by her husband of 40 years, Art; beloved mother of Catherine (John) of Tucson, and Art Jr. (Susan) of Chicago; grandchildren, Kristen, Danny, and Alyssa; and a host of dear friends. Roberta was an avid member of the Irish Setter Club of America for many years. Bobbie is formerly from Chicago, IL. and has been a Tucson resident for 17 years. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten. Her day of passing was a beautiful and spiritual day for all who surrounded her with peace and love. Mass will be celebrated at noon on Saturday, September 7, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 8650 N.Shannon Rd. Burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Tucson Chapter. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave. Magee.
LUDWIG, Carolyn Sutton, 82, died September 6, 1996. Mother of Nathaniel (Debra) Ludwig of Tucson, Christopher(Judith) Ludwig of CO and Neila (David) Mezynski of CA; grandmother of Nancy, Errol, Sacha and Cindy; great-grandmother of Matthew. Memorial Service 3:00 p.m. Monday, September 9 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 750 W. Chapala Dr., with Rev. Barbara Anderson officiating. Mrs.Ludwig was a member of Presbyterian Women, St. Andrews Church. Family suggests memorial contributions to Integra Hospice, 4330 N. Campbell, Suite 256, Tucson, 85718. Arrangements by BRING’S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 236 S. Scott.
ROMERO, Maria S., 55, of Tucson, passed away September 4, 1996. She is survived by her husband, Manuel D. Romero; daughters, Melba (Mike) Ortega, Christina (Albert) Urbina, Irene (Rene) Valdivia; sons, Pete (Eliobrai) Muniz, Richard (Cathy) Muniz, Randy (Bertha) Muniz; sisters, Dora Moreno, Frances Soza, Belen Corrales; brothers, Robert, Alberto and Federico; and 25 grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 1996 from t 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. at TUCSON MORTUARY, (Center Chapel), 240 S. Stone Ave., with Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be offered Monday at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Church. Interment Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
SAENZ, Erasmo “Raz”, Jr., 47, of Tucson, passed away in Tucson September 5, 1996. He is survived by wife, Gloria of Tucson; father, Jerry Saenz of Tucson; mother, Amelia Saenz of Benson; one son, Richard of Benson; two daughters, Jennifer of Benson and Suzanna of Tucson; three brothers, Mario of Sonoita, Michael of Huachuca City and Richard of Benson; one grandson, Richard Adam of Benson. Visitation Sunday, September 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Richardson’s Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Mass Monday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Benson. A Second Mass Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tucson. Under the direction of RICHARDSON’S MORTUARY, Benson.
ST. PIERRE, Guy, born on August 19, 1913 in Van Buren, Maine to Robert and Mary Ann St. Pierre. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Beatrice; sisters, Aline Kopf and Claire Martin of St. Augustine, FL; sisters-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Voorhees of Tucson and Marguerite Slayman of Hagerstown, MD. Guy served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945. He was a life member of VFW Post #549 and Elks Lodge #2532. He will be missed by his family and many good friends. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 1996 at St. Francis de Sales Church, 1375 S. Camino Seco. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the V.A. Hospice. Arrangements by EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY.
STEVENSON, Carl M., 75, died September 4, 1996. Survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Mike (Vickie) and Gary (Lynn) Stevenson; daughters, Debbie Gick and Brenda (Ken) Saul; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son, Ronald. Friends may call 2:00 p.m. until Service time at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 8, 1996 at EAST LAWN PALMS CHAPEL, 5801 E. Grant Rd.
STUBAVI, Wilda Virginia, 75, of Tucson, passed away September 5, 1996. Survived by longtime companion, Bill Oxley; daughters, Linda Jean (Jim) Miller of VA, Connie L. (Kenneth) King of ID; son, Fred D. (Marie) Grimes of AL; and 13 grandchildren. Virginia was a member of the Women of the Moose Chapter 572. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 9, 1996 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at TUCSON MORTUARY, (Center Chapel), 240 S. Stone Ave. Interment will take place in Forrest Hill Cemetery, Canton, Ohio. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
TRENT, Iva Lee “Jonesy”, received her most often voiced wish September 3, 1996 when she was called to join her “precious” Trent (Ralph) who preceded her in death 16 years ago. Jonesy was born in Birmingham, AL January 27, 1903 and was the last surviving member of 12 children born to Riley and Esther Jones. She is survived by nephew, Carl Jones who cared for her in her last years; as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. Jonesy was an avid walker until the day she died. She will be missed on the dike in Oro Valley each day at dawn. At her request there will be no service.
BASSETT, Robert L., of Santa Clara, Utah, 65, passed away August 27, 1996. Services will be held in Utah.
CHANCE, William P., 50, of Tucson, passed away September 1, 1996. Survived by wife, Genene; mother, Margaret Chance; daughter, Genene (Anthony) Gutierrez, all of Tucson; son, William (Kelly) Chance III of San Diego, CA; sisters, Mildred Hopkins and Maureen Laramore of Gillette, WY; four grandchildren, Ashley and Anthony Gutierrez, Brandi and Kelseigh Chance. Member of Local 428, Heavy Equipment Operators. Services Friday, 11:00 a.m.EVERGREEN MORTUARY with Pastor John Fife of Southside Presbyterian Church officiating. Friends may call Thursday, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. EVERGREEN MORTUARY. Interment to follow Evergreen Cemetery, N. Oracle and W. Miracle Mile.
DAVIDSON, Dalwyn Robert, 78, died on Saturday, August 31, 1996 after a long illness. He was a kind, generous and loving man who will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Better known to his family and friends as Davy, Mr.Davidson and his beloved wife, Georganna Sharp Davidson, retired to Tucson from Cleveland, Ohio in 1989. Mr. Davidson had been a 42-year employee of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI) Company, Ohio’s largest private electric utility, retiring as Senior Vice President in 1983. He continued to serve as a consultant to the firm for several more years. He commenced his career with CEI in 1941 shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from what is today known as Case Western Reserve University. He had spent the first two years of his college career at Kent State University. Shortly after joining CEI, Mr. Davidson took a leave of absence to serve in the defense of his country during World War II. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1945, at the rank of captain. Mr. Davidson was born on August 10, 1918 to John Francis and Erma Hayes Davidson in Camden Township of Lorain County, Ohio. Mr. Davidson was elected a Fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 1985. While living in Tucson, he was a member of the North Tucson Exchange Club, American Legion Post 36, and the Tucson Jazz Society. He was an avid fan of Dixieland and Big Band music. He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Georganna Sharp Davidson; a daughter, Karen Davidson Leech (Alan) of Bozeman, Montana; two sons, Dale Wynn Davidson (Martha) of Tucson, Arizona, and Glenn Kirk Davidson (Carol) of Arlington, Virginia; and five grandchildren, Jay, Michael and Dallas Davidson, and Robin and Brian Leech. He is also survived by his brothers, Ronald Davidson of Hudson, Ohio and Delton Davidson of Elyria, Ohio, as well as a sister, Eloise Hensel of Oberlin, Ohio. A public Memorial Service will be held at EAST LAWN PALMS CHAPEL on Friday, September 6, at 3:00 p.m. Graveside Services will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Literacy Volunteers of Pima County, Inc., 125 W. Yavapai Road, Building 800, Tucson, Arizona 85705. Davy, Dad, we love you and miss you.
FELIX, Rafael Frank, 53, a lifetime resident of Tucson, passed away September 1, 1996. Mr. Felix worked at Cypress (formerly Duval) Mines. Beloved husband of Helen B. Felix; father of Jeanie Tarango and Leonard Felix; also surviving are six grandchildren; beloved son to Rafael L. Felix; brother of Eleanor (Elli), Erlinda (Lee), Rey (Pat), Raymond (Monie) and Richard Felix; 11 nieces and nephews; 11 grandnieces and nephews; 11 aunts and uncles; 42 cousins. Preceded in death by his mother, Eulalia Figueroa Felix and his father, Rafael L. Felix. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, September 5, 1996 at SOUTH LAWN MORTUARY CHAPEL, 5401 S. Park Ave., Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated 9:00 a.m. Friday, at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery.
LAWSON, James P., 72, of Tucson, died September 1, 1996. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Mildred Lawson; four daughters, Jane Lawson of United Kingdom, Terry Carter and Jamie Renzi, both of North Carolina; Nancy Coursodon of Tucson; son, Colin Lawson of Thailand; and 13 grandchildren. Mr. Lawson served his country during World War II as a Merchant Marine. Cremation Services were held and Mr. Lawson’s family plan to scatter his cremated remains off the coast of San Francisco. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY and CEMETERY, N. Oracle and W. Miracle Mile.
MAGEE, Robert F., 62, began his higher walk on September 1, 1996 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Predeceased by his parents, Jack and Catherine Magee. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne; sons, Michael (Judy) and Bob (Janean); daughters, Lisa Magee and Maggie (Patrick) Greene; six grandchildren; brother, Jack (Kay); sisters, Sally (Chuck) Moffett and Betty Euler; mother-in-law, Atha Bryson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of dear friends. Bob retired to his native Tucson after 20 years in US Navy Submarine Service and found great satisfaction as a Dispatch Supervisor for Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Before his illness forced early retirement, Bob earned his private pilot license and enjoyed camping and hunting as well as communicating with a wide network of Ham Radio Operators (WB7TXQ). A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 1996 at BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bob’s name for the Tree of Life, Carondelet Hospice Foundation, 350 N. Wilmot Rd., Tucson, AZ 85711.
