Theodore “Teddy” Andrews, 42, passed away on January, 17, 2002 at Komatke Village, Gila River Indian Community. He was born on January 25,1959 in Phoenix,AZ. He was a landscaper for Vee Quiva Casino. Heattended St. Johns Indian School from K-12 where he was a traditional Fancy Dancer and also participated in the Drum and Bugle Corp. He received his photography training in Sacaton and Phoenix, AZ. He enjoyed his photography work, which included photos of Mission Work in Oklahoma,Arizona Scenery, people and family. He participated in the first Billy Jack Movie. Teddy had an excellent ability in Indian Arts and Crafts. He has received several awards for his artwork.
Survivors include his son, Dustin Andrews, ofKomatke Village, Gila River Indian Community; mother, Myra H. Andrews, of Fort Yuma, CA; father, Rios H. Andrews, of Tohono O’Odham, Little Tucson Village; sister, RosanaNez, of Ajo, AZ; brothers, Daniel Andrews, of Tuba City, AZ, Gerard Andrews, of Phoenix, AZ and Rev. Michael Andrews, of Peoria, AZ; uncle, Darrell Hills, Sr., of Phoenix, AZ;aunts, Dolly Juan, Charlotte Hills, Linda Valenzuela and Viola Antone, all of Fort Yuma, CA and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Andrews and grandparents, Frederick and Mina Hills and aunt and uncle Melvin Hills and Marina Hills Moreno.
Pallbearers will be Dustin Andrews, Frederick Andrews,Jason Andrews, Charles Nez, Kervin Andrews, Bradley Andrews, Darrell Hills Jr, and Greg Heath.
Honorary Bearers will be DarrellHills Sr., Daniel Andrews, Gerard Andrews, Rev. Michael Andrews, Brian Nez, Raymond Valenzuela Sr., Max Levy, Vernon Smith, Frankie Escalanti, Eldon Escalanti, Jerome Antone, Ricardo Juan, Daley Andrews, Orin Two Two, Gary Two Two, Gilbert Two Two,Raymond Valenzuela Jr and Ralph Yuma.
Teddy enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh. People were drawn to him.He loved gatherings and everyone was always welcome at his home. He was one to help someone in need.He was a Spiritual Father to his family and friends. He was an active member of his community and will truly be missed by all.
Mass will be held at St. Thomas Indian Mission, Fort Yuma, on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 9:00AM. Traditional Tribal Services will follow at the Quechan Big House. Cremation will be Sunday, January 27, at 5:00 AM.
Glen Arthur Spencer
Long term Yuma resident Glen Arthur Spencer, passed on to hear the words “Well donemy good and faithful servant”.He was born August 6th, 1916.He passed on January 23,2002, at the age of 85.
Glen graduated fromAnderson Indiana College. Mr. Spencer founded La Mesa Community Church of God at 2475 S. Maple Ave.
Mr. Spencer spent many hours volunteering to speak at down town missions and was best known for his chalk talks at the mission and then later with Sunday school children. He married Ada Francis Kendall October 8th, 1941. He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter Phyllis June Hunter,and parents Charles & Rhoda Spencer. He is survived by his daughters Elva Jean Long, Juanita Diane Oliver and Frances Lynn Kane; sons Stanley Arthur Spencer and Benjamin (Benny) Everett Spencer; sisters Iva, Retha, and Ruth; and brother Charles. Glen leaves behind a legacy of Bible reading, praying, teaching God’s word, and being a child of God.
Memorial will be Monday, January 28, 2002 at 10 a.m. at the La Mesa Church of God. Memorial donations can be made to La Mesa Church of God, 2475 S. Maple Ave. Yuma, AZ 85364.
Vera Sossaman
Vera Sossaman was born in Chicago. IL on August 19, 1918. She left this world for a better place on January 24, 2002 at Y.R.M.C.
Vera came to Stanfield, AZ in 1954 with her first husband. There they owned the Homestead Tavern for several years. After his death, she met and married Joe Sossaman. They moved to the Wellton area in 1962 where they were engaged in the farming industry.
Vera was deeply involved in the Wellton Community Presbyterian Church and the Crossroads Mission Auxiliary.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Joe, her son Kevin and a host of friends who will miss her cheerful smiles and loving presence.
Local arrangements were entrusted to Yuma Mortuary.
Jorge Alberto Yee
Jorge Alberto Yee, 54 of Yuma passed away on January 21, 2002 in Yuma, Arizona.He was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico, on April 8, 1947.
He was employed with 4M Farms-irrigation as a Foreman. He was a part of Immaculate Conception Church.
Jorge is survived by his wife Mercedes Yee, daughters Cynthia Montano, Vanessa Yee,; sons George Yee and Nelson Yee,; Mother Rosalia Yee and Sister Amparo Urbieta,; 5 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother Ignacio Yee.
Cremation arrangements have been made. Visitation, will be at Kammann Mortuary on Thursday, January 24, 2002 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with Rosary at 7:00 pm.
Father Javier Perez will officiate.
Floyd (Mac) McKenney
Floyd McKenney, 79, passed away January 20, 2002 at Yuma Regional Medical Center. He was born November 19, 1922 in Auburn, Nebraska. Mr. McKenney a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, retired from The U.S. Navy.He was a member of U.S. Submarine Vets, D.A.V., American Legion and V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife Lillian of Yuma, son, Terry of Woodland, Washington step-daughters, Bonnie Hoffman of San Diego, Ca., and Jacqulin Bice ofOceanside, Ca., step-son,Douglas Runyon of Missouri, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Mr. McKenney was buried at sea by the U.S. Navy. Memorial donations suggested to the Diabetes Foundation.
Leonard J. Dixon
Leonard J. Dixon, 88 formerly of Brooklyn, NY, passed away January 21, 2002.
Preceded in death by son James L. Dixon. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, daughters, Rita Smith of GA, Jeanne Reale of CT, Marjorie Katta of NY, Anne Marie Dixon of NY, son Joseph L. Dixon of MO, 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
The family will celebrate his life 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at St. John Newman Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the St. John Newman Catholic Church building fund.
Arrangements by Sunset Vista Funeral Home and Cemetery 11357 E. 40th St. Yuma, AZ.
William E. “Bill” Crone
William E. “ Bill” Crone passed away Saturday, January 19, 2002 in Yuma, Arizona. Funeral services will be at Johnson Mortuary Chapel on Wednesday, January 23 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Jon Flint officiating.
Bill was born August 12, 1916 in Tucson, Arizona to Joe and Chloe Crone. After the death of his parents at an early age, Bill was raised by his grandparents, Rupert and Caroline Martin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jacqueline Bruton Crone. Bill grew up in Tucson, Arizona, attended the University of Arizona and was an avid “Wildcat” fan. He is a member of 1st United Methodist Church. He retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad after 40 years. He served 3 years in Europe during World War II and 2 years in Korea.
He is survived by son Ron Crone and wife Jan of Lake Havasu City, AZ. Daughter Nelda Jeanne Hudson of Phoenix, AZ. Granddaughters Natalie Crone Van Rooy and Tania Love. Grandsons Jeffrey Crone, Will Hudson, Kyle Hudson and Kevin Love. Great Granddaughter Angelica Michelle Hudson. Great grandson, William Anthony Van Rooy, and Joseph Takoda Love, Niece Joe Beverly Houston Ellerbee; cousins Tom Calhoun and Caroline Crumpton.
Bill was an avid hunter and tournament fisherman throughout his late seventies.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the: University of Arizona Medical Center, Arizona Cancer Research Center 1515 N. Campbell Ave Tucson, Arizona 85724.
Reba Gillum
Reba Gillum, 80, passed away January 21, 2002 in Yuma, AZ. She was born May 13, 1921, in Rhea, Arkansas.
Mrs. Gillum, a member of The Foothills Southern Baptist Church, resided in the Yuma area for more than 20 years and spent her life in the service of her Lord. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, participated in Women On Missions and many other church related activities.
Survivors include her husband John Gillum of Yuma, AZ., daughter, Margaret Allen of Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter, Kathy Pierson of Ava, Mo., 4 grandchildren, 9 nieces and 4 nephews.
Mrs Gillum was preceded in death by her four brothers and three sisters.
Visitation at Johnson Mortuary January 24, 2002from 5:00p.m. - 7:00p.m. Funeral services will be held January 25, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson Mortuary with Rev. Charles O. Tyson officiating. Final resting place will be Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
Pallbearers include Heinz Ennenga, Al Goff, Larry Knight, Chuck Lusch, Andy Moenk, and Jerry Robertson.
The family requests memorial donations be made to The Arizona Southern Baptist Convention; 4520 N. Central Ave., Ste 560; Phoenix, AZ, 85012 in memory of Reba Gillum designated for New Work within Arizona.
Teresita Casillas Oropeza
Teresita (Terrie) Oropeza, born on October 20, 1951, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2002 in her home in El Centro, California at the age of 50.
She was born in El Paso, Texas and relocated with her family to Bard, CA in 1965. She later married Conrado Oropeza and relocated to El Centro, CA where they owned and operated their own family business for 25 years.
Terrie was an active member in St. Mary’s Parish where she sang in the choir and taught CCD lessons. She loved and composed music and played the piano. She also was an avid participant in the Cancer Foundation Awareness Drives. Her hobbies included photography and writing poetry. Terrie will always be remembered for her love of life and for her love of children of all ages.
She is survived by her ex-husband, Conrado Oropeza, and by her daughter, Claudia Christina Oropeza of El Centro, CA; by her step-son, Frank L. Harrell and by her granddaughter, Callie Harrell of Spokane, WA. She is also survived by her siblings; Dr. Miguel A. Casillas of San Diego, CA; William R. Casillas of El Paso, TX; Beatrice Reynolds of Benicia, CA; Carlos Casillas of Yakima, WA; Gilbert Casillas of Zillah, WA; Rose Mary Jacob of Tucson, AZ; and Frank P. Casillas, Robert Casillas, Consuelo Ramos and Alfredo Casillas of Yuma, AZ.
Terrie was preceded in death by her mother, Mrs. Josefa Lopez Casillas and by her father, Mr. Jose Trinidad Casillas.
Memorial services will be held at Hems Brothers Mortuary, 1975 S. 4th St. in El Centro, CA. on Friday, January 25, 2002 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ( Pacific Standard time) with the recitement of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 153 E. Brighton Ave. in El Centro, CA. at 8:30 a.m. ( Pacific Standard time). Graveside services will follow at Desert Lawn Cemetery, in Yuma, AZ at 12 :00 p.m. (Mountain standard time).
John J. “J.J.” Sullivan
John J. “J.J.” Sullivan, 67, of Mesa, AZ, passed away Monday, January 21, 2002 at Mesa Lutheran Hospital. He had been an Arizona resident for the past 22 years. John Joseph Sullivan was born May 13, 1934 in Chicago, IL, the fourth of five sons born to Hubert and Mary (Corcoran) Sullivan.
He attended Queen of Angels School and De Paul Academy in Chicago. John entered the U.S. Navy in 1952, serving during the Vietnam era and retiring as a Petty Officer First Class in 1975. He married Marjorie Harmes April 6, 1957 in Chicago and to that union were born four children: Terrance, William, Christine and Anthony. After his military career, he went on to work as a weapons engineer and Apache Helicopter Instructor for McDonnell-Douglas for a number of years in Mesa and in Yuma. J.J. retired in 1990 and enjoyed boating the Arizona waterways and traveling across the country spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his children: Terrance J. (Debi) of Yuma, William J. (Anne) of Cleveland, OH, Anthony J. of Tempe,AZ and Christine (Ralph) McConnell of Virginia Beach, VA. Also surviving is a brother, William (Betty) Sullivan of Wonderlake, IL and 8 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and three brothers.
Visitation will be on Friday from 6 - 8pm with a rosary service at 7pm at Bunker University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa. A mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1551 E. Dana Avenue, Mesa, with burial to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 E. Baseline Road.
Memorial contributions may be made in John's name to any East Valley Hospice.
Bunker University Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
