Eula M. Smith, wife of the late John C. Smith Jr. (Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives during the 50’s), passed on February 4, 2002 in Denver, CO. Eula, born in Hugo, Oklahoma was a life-time resident of Yuma County. Eula owned the Travel Lodge Motel in Brawley, CA as well as the El Rancho Motel in Yuma prior to her marriage with John. She was active in numerous community functions in Yuma. She was a member of the Cotton Wives, County Fair Committees, Yuma Historical Society, Yuma Garden Club and Yuma Assistance League. Eula was a memberof the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and was instrumental in the obtaining the stained-glass at the church. Eula was active inlocal, state and national Republican Party activities. She was also on the board of directors of the RegionalBehavioral Health Association. She also enjoyed 20 years with AVON and was voted sales person of the year numeroustimes.
Eula was the devoted mother of Michelle Smith (whopreceded her in death), Lisa S. Paige, of Littleton, CO and Mark Smith, of Fulton, MO. Eula is also survived by four grandchildren, Camille, Austin, Serene and Carly.
Funeral arrangements will be by Kammann Funeral Home. The service is at St. Paul’s at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 11, 2002. Burial will follow. Desert Lawn Memorial Park will be her final resting place.
In lieu of flowers and cards, the family requests that donations are made to the Johnson Adult Day Program, HealthOne Alliance, 600 S. Cherry St., #217, Denver, CO 80246.
Bonnie Johnson-Nunnery passed away early Sunday, February 3, 2002 in her home in Yuma, AZ. Born in Safford, AZ to Juanita and Frank Slay.
Survivors include parents: Don and Juanita Stringham; two sons: Robert Johnson and family, and Richard and wife Phyllis; three grandchildren: Tyler, Joshua and Shenia; two brothers: Ronald Slay and Jerry Slay; sister: Juanita Rhode; and many relatives and friends.
Services will be at noon Today, February 7, 2002 at Kammans on 28th St.
James M. Jackson
James M. Jackson, 74, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2002.
Born October 28, 1927, he is survived by wife: Edna L. Jackson; sons: Jimmy (Barbara) and Charles (Debbie); daughter: Mary “Cricket” (Bob); grandsons: Bill Jackson, Bill Lischak, Dustin Lischak, Ben Jackson, Andrew Jackson and Zack Aber; granddaughters: Angela (Bryan), Rhyesa Jackson, Erika Thompson; great-grandson: Colin; great-granddaughters: Sierra and Bernadette; sister: Frances (Lee) Baker. He was preceded in death by father: Melford; mother: Mary; brother: Charles A.; sister: Eileen.
Jim retired from Goodyear Tire 7 Rubber Co. in 1989, with 37 years service.
Friends of Yuma are having a memorial service Saturday, February 9, 2002 at 1pm.
Ellwood David (Butch) Gordon
Retired USMC Lt. Col. Ellwood David (Butch) Gordon, born on February 17, 1937 in Matamoros, PA, to the now deceased Elwood and Louisa Heater Gordon. Butch passed away February 5, 2002 in Yuma, AZ.
Butch served our country with the up most pride as a United States Marine for 34 years. He joined the Marine Corp. 28, June 1955, retired 1, October 1989. He served in the Vietnam War where he received several honors. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #476, American Legion Post #19 and the Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by wife: Phyllis Gordon; sisters: Edna Pulos, of Matamoros, PA and Margaret Schumacher, of Slate Hill, NY; brothers: William Gordon, of Middletown, NY and Kenneth Gordon, of Binghamton, NY; daughters: Mary Worthen, her husband Garth Worthen, and daughter: Joyce Gordon; stepchildren: Jennifer Mesa, Christopher Libkie and James Libkie.
Butch was a wonderful husband and a loving father who will be dearly missed. He may now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Hospice of Yuma or The Vietnam Vets Chapter 835 VVA, P.O. Box 6281, Yuma, AZ 85366-6281
George D. Bisenius
George D. Bisenius, 71, passed away February 5, 2002 in Yuma, AZ. He was born May 3, 1930 in Clay Center, KS. Mr. Bisenius, a salesman, wasa City Councilman for Clay Center, KS, Yuma Modeler’s Club, Elks- past commander, and member ofThe Episcopal Church.
Survivors include; his wife, Thelma Bisenius of Yuma, AZ., daughter, Terri Parry (Craig) of Morganville, KS., daughter, Tina Weis of Clay Center, KS., step-son, S.C. Mailen, Jr. of Yuma, and 6 grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Johnson Mortuary February 7, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are pending in Clay Center, KS.
Mr. Leland D. Coffman
Leland D. Coffman, 88, passed away February, 6, 2002 at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. He was born November 11, 1913 in Ina, Illinois. Leland retired fromMetropolitan Life.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Freda Coffman; son: Edward Coffman; grandson: Randolph Coffman; great-grandson: Brandon Coffman; great-granddaughters: Kelseyand Lindsey Coffman; daughter-in-laws: Patty Kolodge, Judy Coffman, Tracie Coffman and Robin Zolotoff.
Services will be held at the Capri Mobile Home Clubhouse, 3380 S. 4th Ave, Today, February 8, 2002 at 2pm.
Leland had a wonderful life.
Delmar Lee Jose Jr.
Delmar Lee Jose Jr., 43, passed away July 9, 2001 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, AZ. He was born January 21, 1958. Mr. Jose, a Roman Catholic, worked for United Parcel Service for 9 years and graduated from San Pasqual in 1976. He attended Pepperdine University for 2 years in Malibu, California.
Survivors include his mother Nancy D. Montague Sr., brother, Milson H. Jose, sisters, Leona M. Marquez and Deborah L. Tourtillott brother, Joseph R. Jose, sisters Nancy D. Montague Jr. and Densil M. Montague and brother, Monte M. Montague and many nieces and nephews all of Ft. Yuma Reservation.
Mr. Jose was preceded in death by his father, Delmar Lee Jose Sr. grandmother, Mary O. Milliard and grandfather Joseph Benedict Jr.
Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Indian Mission, July 14, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation will be held July 15, 2001 at 5;00 a.m. at the Quechan Tribal Burial Grounds.
Pallbearers include Milson Jose, Joseph Jose, Monte Montague, Marlowe Jose Jr., John Tourtillott, and Albert Baldarama.
Honorary Bearers include Ramiro Marquez Jr., Mathew Tourtillott, James Montague, Alfred Tatro, Thomas Numkena, Danny Flores, Geraldo Flores, Alex Rossevelt, Rod Johnson, and Ernie Baldarama.
Harry Lynn Tate
Harry Lynn Tate passed away on July 4, 2001 in Yuma, Arizona. He was 70 years old. He was born on December 8, 1931. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He had an avid interest in the environment and native plants.
Harry is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Audine and Charles Powell; niece, Laura Woodman; nephews Charles Powell and Robert Powell.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, R. L. and Hazel Tate.
A private cremation was held.
"So near and yet so far. Find peace Harry."
Ismael "Mike" Zavala
Ismael "Mike" Zavala left this life, surrounded by loved ones, on July 11, 2001, at the age of 83.Mike began his journey here on earth on May 26th, 1918, in Los Angeles, California.
He was raised in Mexico and returned to this country at an early age.Mike was a resident of the Yuma area for over 60 years.He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Lucila Bojorquez Zavala.Mike is survived by four children, Dora (Girton) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Amanda (Morales) of Yuma, Arizona, Adrian Zavala of Tempe, Arizona, and Alicia (Acosta) of Tucson, Arizona, and grandchildren Reanna and Elina Zavala and Teddy Males.
Mike was employed for many years as a glazier and upholsterer.He worked long hours to provide for his family and taught his children, by example, the meaning and dignity of working hard, producing a quality product, and caring for family.He loved to go fishing with his extensive network of friends at various locations on the Gulf of California.
He also enjoyed playing the guitar and serenading his loved ones with songs in Spanish.He was always quick with a story and enjoyed making people laugh.Mike spent the last years of his life at the Palmview Rehabilitation Center where he received exceptional treatment from kind, loving, and generous caregivers.
The memorial visitation, wake and rosary will be held at Johnson's Mortuary, 1415 South 1st Avenue, in Yuma on Sunday, July15, 2001, from 5:00 p. m. to 8:00 p.m.The rosary service, which will be presided over by Monsignor O'Keefe,will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 417 S. 15th Avenue on Monday, July 16, 2001, at 9:00 a.m.Pallbearers are as follows:Hector Acosta, Teddy Males, John Morales, Sebastian Ponce, Rene Rios, and Adrian Zavala.Honorary pallbearers are Dave Garcia and John Orta, Sr.
Memorial donations in Mike's name may be made to the United Way of Yuma County, 477 Orange Avenue, Yuma, Arizona, 85364.
Rufina Meraz Corral
Rufina Corral, 64, passed away on July 13, 2001 in Yuma, AZ. She was born January 8, 1937 in Durango, Mexico.
Survivors include her husband, Pedro V. Corral, of Somerton; sons, Arturo Corral, of St. Louis, MO, Rodolfo Corral, of Yuma, AZ and Pete Corral, of Somerton, AZ; daughters, Juanita Rivera, of Yuma, AZ and Guadalupe Esmeralda, of Somerton, AZ and Rosa Johnson, of Yuma, AZ; sisters, Francisca Meraz, of Madera, CA, Calletana Meraz, of Biola, CA, Dolores Meraz, of Fresno, CA, Ermelinda Meraz, of Durango, MX and Nicolasa Meraz, of Indio, CA. and her brothers, Miguel Meraz, Manuel Meraz, Santiago Meraz and Jose Meraz, all of Durango, MX.She is preceded in death by her mother, Dominga Medrano, father, Cristino Meraz and sisters, Paula and Petra Meraz.
Pallbearers will be Pedro V. Corral, Arturo Corral, Rodolfo Corral, Pete Corral, Antonio Esmeralda Jr. and Clyde Johnson.
Services will be at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Somerton, AZ on July 16, 2001. The wake will be at 5:00 pm and the rosary will be at 7:00 pm. Mass will be July 17, 2001 at 8:30 am. Father Javier will officiate. Desert Lawn will be her final resting place.
Diana Marie Flick
Diana Marie Flick was born on January 13, 1960 in Cheverly, MD. She lost her battle with colon cancer on July 7, 2001 in Tucson.
Diana is survived by her son Andrew and her husband Tracy Burris of the home in Tucson; stepson Gavin Burris of Albuquerque, NM,; brother Matt and sister-in-law Kay Flick of Tucson; sister Alice Flick of Tucson and parents Lillian and Fred Flick of Yuma.
Diana graduated from Kofa High in 1978 and attended AWC and U of A. She worked in laboratories, most recently at the American Red Cross, Tucson. Her favorite pastime was camping with family and friends. Diana brought cheer and understanding to all whose lives she touched. She will be remembered and missed always.
A memorial service will be scheduled later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Red Cross, 4601 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85711.
Floyd Chester Howland
Floyd Chester Howland passed away on July 11, 2001 in Yuma, Arizona. He was born on March 21, 1913 in Fullerton, California. Floyd was member of the First Christian Church, the Yuma Masonic Lodge #17 and the Order of the Eastern Star #14. He retired as a Projectionist Engineer. Floyd was also a master craftsman of cabinet making.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Lucille Howland; daughters, Linda Lee (Wm) Richardson of Dragoon, AZ and Carole Lea (Thomas) Kuykendall of Pasco, WA; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and 1 sister.
Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Fern Howland; 1 brother; and 1sister.
A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church, 221 E. 26th Pl., Yuma, AZ on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 10:00 AM. Pastors John Parrish and Phillip Krueger will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent in Floyd’s name to the church building fund.
