Fernando N. Ruiz, Sr. entered into eternal rest January 20, 2002.
He is survived by his wife Amparo; sons: Fernando Ruiz Jr. and Rudy (Irene) Ruiz; daughter: Mary (Oscar) Galindo; grandchildren: Alyssa Ruiz, Vanessa, Oscar Jr., and Jessica Galindo; brothers: Jose, Ignasio, Alfonso and Jenaro and numerous nieces and nephews.
All memorial services will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Somerton, where he was a longtime member and servant. A wake will be held tonight, 5-9pm with a rosary at 7pm.
The funeral Mass will be at 10am Friday, January 25, 2002. Internment will follow in Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Arrangements by Johnson Mortuary.
Lula B. Ashenfelter
Lula B. Ashenfelter passed away on Sunday, January 20, 2002 in her home. She was born August 7, 1908 in Danville, IL.
Lula and husband Walter (deceased) moved to Yuma in 1944. They both worked in the packing sheds and she was a store manager. She loved all kinds of craftmaking in that era in Yuma, along with raising her three boys. She was there for the first Craftscenter for Seniors and many students visited her displays during Christmas each year.
Lula is survived by her three sons: Walter (Kathy), Charles (Elaine) and Ronald; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday, January 25, 2002 at 3pm at Kamman Mortuary.
All donations may go to the wonderful people at Hospice of Yuma.
Thomas F. Allt
The Honorable Thomas F. Allt, 88, passed away January 24, 2002 in Yuma. He was born September 5, 1913 in Watertown, Mass. Mr. Allt was the Yumasales rep for Cudahy Meat Company.He was Mayor of Yuma from 1962 to 1973, President of the League of Arizona Cities & Towns, and was Executive Director for the Arizona Catholic Conference. He was active with the Knights of Columbus, Rotary International, as well as several other civic groups.
Mr. Allt is Survived by sons Thomas E. Allt of Soledad, CA; Michael D. Allt of Yuma; Reverend John F. Allt of Tucson; Robert Moyer of Fremont, Ohio; and Msgr. Richard Moyer of Carefree, AZ.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2002, 3-5pm at Immaculate Conception Church. The Funeral Mass will be at 5:30 pm, with a reception following in the Parish Hall.Arrangements are being handled by Johnson Mortuary. A private burial will be held at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
Margaret V. (Meg) Paul
Margaret Jones was born 1-31-25 to Alsworth & Martha Jones in Bain, MN. She passed on January 25, 2002 in ThuderBird, Samaritan Hospital in Glendale, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her parentsand brothers Alvin and Howard Jone and one great grandson.
Surviving are her husband George of the home in Yuma, Son William Priest of Salem, OR, Juanita Priest of Phoenix, AZ. Stepsons Michael Paul of Burlington, IA and Patrick Paul of Oskaloosa, IA and sister Eleanore Thompson of Yuma. 12 Grandchildren and 4 great grand children. Also numerous nieces and nephews.
Margaret was raised and attended schools in Minot, ND. She was a homemaker and piano teacher in her own “Meg’s Music Box.”
Best funeral home of Peoria, AZ is in charge of the private cremation. There will be no services.
Margaret Iverson
Mrs. Margaret Iverson, 75, passed away on January 20, 2002 at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. She was born in Yuma, AZ on February 4, 1926 to Ed and Stella Brazeal. She moved to Trinity County in 1990.She was an audit supervisor for the Irvine Co. in Southern California, a member of the Douglas City Fire Belles and was the financial officer of the Douglas City Community Services District.
Survivors include husband, Bill; sons,Mark Newman, of Centralia, WA and Michael and Matthew Newman, both of Parker, AZ; stepson, Allen; Aunt and Uncle, Jay and Mildred Brazeal, of Yuma; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Douglas City Community Services District for the benefit of the Volunteer Fire Department, P.O.Box 10, Douglas, City, CA 96024.
Leon Wilds
Leon Wilds, 80, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2002 at YRMC. He was born on February 1, 1921.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Wilds; four daughters, Georgia(Ron) Zurawski, Toni (David) Gonzales, JoDean (John) Wilson, all of Yuma and LaNece (William) Sipes, of Beckville, TX; one brother, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
The memorialservice will be held at Mt. Zion Church, Wednesday, January 30, 2002 at 11:00 AM.
Azucena Marie Lopez “Suzie”
Azucena Marie Lopez, 74, passed away on January 30, 2002 in Yuma, AZ. She was born March 24, 1927.
Azucena was a longtime Somerton resident. She married her husband, Jose in 1953.She was a housewife and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Somerton, AZ. And, was also a teachers aide for the Head Start Program.
Survivors include her husband: Jose R. Lopez, of Somerton, AZ; sons: Frank (Dolores) Lopez, of Ontario, CA, David Lopez, of Somerton, AZ, and Edward (Dana) Lopez, of Yuma, AZ; sisters: Dahlia Capelle, of Yuma, AZ, Rose Cooper, of Indio, CA and Margaret Flint, of Glendale, AZ; 7 grandchildren; 2 grandnieces and 2 nieces and 3 nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother: Jesse Vasquez.
Visitation will be at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Somerton, AZ, on February 3, 2002 from 5-10pm. The wake and rosary will also be at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on February 3, 2002 at 7pm. Funeral services will be at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Somerton, AZ on February 4, 2002 at 10am.
Azucena’s final resting place will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1415 S. First Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364
Stephen Lee Cleaver
Visitation for Stephen Lee Cleaver, 43, of Mesa, AZ will be from 6 to 8:00 PM on Friday, February 1, 2002 at Meldrum Mortuary Chapel, 52 N. MacDonald, Mesa, AZ. A scripture service will be recited at 7:00 PM. Serviceswill be held at 10:00 AM onSaturday, February 2, 2002 at Meldrum Mortuary Chapel, as well. Mr Cleaver was born in Easton, PA.
He was preceded in death by hisfather, Hunce Cleaver and nephew, Jimmy Cleaver.
His surviving family includes his wife, Michele; children, Steve Jr., Craig, Jason, Rich, Nicole and Robert; five brothers, four grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please contact Meldrum Mortuary for information regarding a scholarship for the Cleaver Children.
Kismet M. Sanchez-Gonzales
Kismet Merriman Sanchez-Gonzales, 35, passed away on January 30, 2002 at the Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, AZ. She was born on April 29, 1966 in Los Angeles, CA.
Kismet graduated from Ramona High School, Ramona, CA, in 1984. She then worked for the Quechan Indian Tribe as a Nutrition Aide and a former Program Secretary for QCHS. Kismet attended the Calvary Assembly of God in Winterhaven, CA. She was also a floral designer and homemaker.
Survivors include her husband: Ivan J. Gonzales; sons: Andrew E. Battiest and Talon R. Gonzales; mother and father: Marlene D. Osborne and Charles M. Sanchez; brothers: Xavier G. Osborne, Jose R. Miguel, all residing at Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation, Charles M. Sanchez Jr., of Connecticut, Christopher M. Sanchez, of Texas, and Dennis Sanchez, of California; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Kismet is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson D. Miguel Jr. (Nellie Sexsmith); paternal grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Brown (Florence Montaldo); and great-grandmother: Rosita Carr.
Visitation will be at Kamman Mortuary Chapel Today, February 2, 2002 from 1-2pm. Funeral services will also be Today at 2pm at Kamman Mortuary Chapel. Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Tribal ceremonial rite to begin following the funeral service at the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Reservation Big House. Cremation to be at 5am on Sunday, February 3, 2002. Pastor Elaine Crawford will officiate and Terri Miguel will be the eulogist.
Pallbearers will be Manuel Battiest, Christopher Gonzales, Joseph Jose, Milson Jose, Alonzo Lopez, Deshane Taylor and Chris Menta (alternate). Honorary Bearers will be Alonso Escalante, Adrian Miguel, Mike Miguel, Joseph Montaldo, Xavier Osborne, Charles Sanchez, John Sanchez andMandel Sanchez.
Memorial donations in c/o I. J. Gonzales Families, P.O. Box 1346, Winterhaven, CA 92283.
Donna Moklebust
Donna Moklebust, 67, died on Saturday, January 19, 2002 in Yuma, Arizona.She was born May 6, 1934 to Leslie and Anna (Ekstrom) Presler on a farm near Duncombe, IA.In 1941 the family moved to Thor, IA. Donna graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1952; On June28, 1953 she and Paul Moklebust were married at the Thor Lutheran Church in Thor, IA. They farmed for many years at Truman and Sauk Center, MN in partnership with Donna’s brother Keith. In 1977 they moved to Dalhart, TX where they farmed and had a trucking business. They resided in Yuma, AZ the past several years. Throughout her life Donna was active in church work. Donna and Paul lost their son, Steven in 1999 and after that were both parents and grandparentsto Steven’s boys. Donna is remembered for her caring and loving ways with her family and friends. She always was there with a helping hand and brought comfort to those around her in a cheerful manner.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Moklebust, of Yuma, AZ; daughter, Lisa Danae and her husband Bill Pechac, of Phoenix, AZ; two brothers, Kenneth and his wife Doris Presler, of Thor, IA and Keith and his wife Esther Presler, of Sauk Center, MN; one sister, Kathryn and her husband Ben Ersland, of Phoenix, AZ; five grandsons, Ryan, Jarrett, Christopher and Curtis Moklebust and Skylar Pechac and one granddaughter, Savanna Pechac as well many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.
Services were held on January 22, 2002 at the St. James Episcopal Church with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery, Dalhart, TX under the direction of Hass Funeral Home, Dalhart, Texas. Father Charles Wilson, retired Episcopal Priest of Amarillo, TX.
James Norris
On January 31, 2002, James Norris, 84, passed on to be present with the Lord in Yuma, Az. He was a resident of Yuma for 22 years. He retired from Rheems Manufacturing in Richmond, CA. He served in the Army in WWII as a medic in Germany, France and England and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 40 years Edith Mae, son Donnie Ray Norris and daughter Norma Jean. Survived by stepdaughter Joan Head of Catati, CA; brother Roy Norris of Live Oak, CA; sisters Jolene Keeler of Eureka, CA, Ruby Routon and Lavern Lamb of Farmersville, CA; grandchildren Lisa Richards and Jimmie Norris of Canyonville, OR; sister-in-law Alice Norris of Yuma and a host of friends and neighbors. So deeply loved, so deeply missed, though no longer here, his spirit remains, he’ll always be near.
Services will be held 3:00 pm, Tuesday, February 5th, at Sunset Vista Funeral Home, 11357 E. 40th Street, Yuma, AZ. Services by Pastor Jim Lacy of Abundant Life Church.
Catalina M. Gomez
Catalina M. Gomez, 84, passed away on January 31, 2002 at her home in Mesa, AZ. She was born on April 22, 1917 in San Miguel, Sonora Mexico. She was a homemaker and a member of the Catholic Church.
Survivors include her sons, Guillermo (Rosa) Gomez, of Yuma and Jesus (Norma) Gomez, of Phoenix, AZ; daughters, Evangelina M. Gomez, of Phoenix, AZ and Estela G. Conastillo, of Mesa, AZ; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and; 6 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Juan and Refugio Moreno and her husband, Francisco Gomez.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 from 5-9:00 PM with the rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission.Graveside mass will follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Guillermo Gomez, Jesus Gomez, Guillermo Gomez, Jr.,Arturo Baylon, Hector Jesus Gomez and Jeff Welch.
Mrs. Ingrid H. Thomas
Mrs. Ingrid H. Thomas, 76, passed away on February 3, 2002 at Life Care Center of Yuma. She was born on August 3, 1925 in Germany. She was a homemaker, mother and loving wife.
Survivors include husband, Jack Thomas, of Yuma, AZ; daughter, Kimberly Aponte; son, Scott Thomas; stepdaughter Terry Shumard, of CA; stepson, Jack Thomas, of CA and two grandchildren, Shelbi and Mindi.
Services will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2002 at 10:00 AM at Sunset Vista Funeral Home, 11357 E. 40th Street.
Cremation and arrangements are handled by Sunset Vista Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory.
