Davy Hazel Cooper
Davy Hazel Cooper, 82, of Yuma, died Jan. 18, 2003, at Yuma Regional Medical Center.
A former retail employee, she was born March 29, 1920, in White Star, Ky.
Francisco "Frank" R. Garcia
Francisco "Frank" R. Garcia, 64, of Yuma, died Jan. 18, 2003, in Phoenix.
Born Jan. 25, 1938, in Yuma, he had been a supervisor for American Linen Company.
Vernon Ren Weaver
Vernon Ren Weaver, 72, of Yuma, died Jan. 18, 2003, in Phoenix.
A former engineer for the U.S. Government, he was born Jan. 14, 1931, in Pryor, Okla.
A viewing will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Yuma Mortuary Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Yuma Mortuary with burial in Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
Jane Foley
Jane Foley, 43, of Yuma, died Jan. 20, 2003, at La Mesa Care & Rehabilitation Center.
A memorial and funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.
Lois Alene Caldwell
Lois Alene Caldwell, 62, of Yuma, died Jan. 21, 2003, at her home.
A former bus driver, she was born May 25, 1940, in Breckenridge, Colo.
Naomi Esther Benedict Kelly
Naomi Esther Benedict Kelly, 75, entered eternal life on January 18, 2003 in her home on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. She was born August 14, 1927 on the Reservation, the daughter of Love and Joseph Benedict Sr.
Naomi and Steve Kelly were happily married for 45 years. Together, they were well known for singing Bird.
She was very well respected as the Head Leader of Woman’s Peon Game. Naomi played at many different reservations and various peon tournaments.
Naomi was an avid player of Bingo and Slot machines. She made many friends with her warm smile at Cocopah and Quechan casinos.
A viewing will be held at Kamman Mortuary on January 24, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Fort Yuma United Indian Methodist Mission on Friday, January 24 at 5:00 p.m.Traditional ceremonies will follow at the Big House. Cremation is at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday January 26.
Survivors include her grandson Marshall Benedict Jr., and granddaughter Carrie Benedict, both of Minnesota, granddaughter Marchelle Nelson of Billings, Montana; four great grandchildren, Taylor, Alexa, Easton, and Christian; nieces and nephews, Sandra Tecumseh, Phyllis Valenzuela, Alton and Anthony Montague; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Naomi was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benedict Sr., brother Arthur Pedro, sisters Nellie Miguel and Lena Montague, granddaughter Yvonne Benedict, husband Steve Kelly, brother Joseph Benedict Jr., son Marshall Benedict Sr., nephews Boveen Benedict, Henry Montague Jr., and nieces Frances Lopez and Cornelia Montague.
Pallbearers are Bruce Montague, Lionel Montague, Richard Montague, Isreal Tecumseh, Joseph Rodriguez, Rudy Moreno, Xavier Osborne, Vernal Vest, Marlo Jose III, Morales Escalante, Pat Brown Jr., Mark Kelly, John Joaquin, Amick Chaipos, Vincent Havier, David Huck, Leroy Elliot, and John Christman. Honorary pallbearers are Marshall Benedict Jr., Alton Montague, Anthony Montague, Adrian Miguel, Alonzon Escalante, Mike Miguel, Ty Tecumseh, Ramsey Tecumseh, and Aureilo Valenzuela.
Ramiro Rod Garcia
Ramiro Garcia, born June 16, 1932, in Yuma, Arizona, the third son of Raymond V. and Maria Louisa Garcia passed away at 7:00 a.m. January 19, at the home of his daughter, Elizabeth Watzek of Ramona, California. Ramiro was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Margie Normile.He is survived by his daughter and her husband, Elizabeth and Ron Watzek of Ramona, California, son William Bill Normile of Portland, Oregon, three grandchildren Alicia, Tracy, and Billy and one great grandson, Nicholas.
Ramiro also is survived by two sisters, Irma Gloria West of Tempe, Arizona and Blanche Ellen Stanton (Edward) of Fountain Valley, California. In addition to his sisters, Rod also leaves seven brothers and their spouses; Raymond S. and Faye Garcia of Riverside, California, Robert S. and Sybil Garcia of Kingman, Arizona, Henry A. Garcia of Yuma, Arizona, Richard L. and Peggy Garcia of Yuma, Gilbert R. Garcia of Yuma, Mitchell S. and Julene Garcia of Yuma and Victor A. and Aubrey Garcia also of Yuma, Arizona.
Rod was a 1952 graduate of Yuma Union High School. Upon graduation he attended Arizona State College at Flagstaff after which, he went on to spend four years in the U.S. Navy. While stationed in San Diego he met and married Margaret Normile. He and Margie made their home in National City, California for the entire 46 years of their marriage. Ramiro had been retired from the U.S. Postal Service for the past ten years.
Services are scheduled for Friday, January 24, 2003 at Bonham and Stewart Mortuary Ramona, California; internment with Margie to follow at Bonita Hills Cemetery.
Rod will be dearly missed by all of his family.
Frank J. LoMonaco
Frank J. LoMonaco, 76, of Yuma, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Frank’s Funeral Mass was at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Kansas City, Missouri, with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, Missouri, on January 10, 2003.
Memorial Service for Frank’s Yuma friends will be held at The Foothills County Club on Foothills Blvd. & 38th Street, at 4:30 January 23. Donna and Andy have asked for a very informal service.
Frank was born March 25, 1926 in Kansas City, Misourri. He retired from Teamsters Local 955 in 1978. He moved to Yuma in 1981 and went back to work, doing what he loved most, driving a truck, for H & S Developers. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. Frank was a wonderful husband and father, and had a heart of gold. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Donna LoMonaco, of the home; and one son Andrew (Andy) J. LoMonaco, sister Marie Moorhead of Fredonia, Kansas, and brother Micheal J. LoMonaco of Clarksdale, Ariz.
Mr. Ignacio James “Jim” Renteria
Mr. Ignacio James Renteria, 77, passed away January 20, 2003 in Somerton, Arizona. He was born February 5, 1925 in Del Rio, Texas.
Mr. Renteria was employed by Sunkist and Pennwalt Corporation. He was a Veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. Hereceived a Purple Heart and Victory Medals. He graduated from San Felipe High in Del Rio, Texas and attended the University of California for 1 year. Mr. Renteria coached little league in Somerton from 1977to 1979.
Survivors include; son, Richard M. Renteria of West Covina, California, daughter, Valerie Konces of Whittier, California, son, Jimmy Renteria of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughters, Anita Renteria Salisbury and Guadalupe Ullery both of Yuma, wife, Lucia V. Renteria of Somerton, brother, JessieRenteria of San Jose, California, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at The Immaculate Heart of Mary in Somerton on Wednesday January 22, 2003 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will immediately follow from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mr. Renteria will be cremated.
Pallbearers include Jimmy & Richard Renteria, Guadalupe Corral, Oswaldo Corral, Travis Gregory and John A. Ullery.
Frank Casares Martinez
Frank Casares Martinez, 80, passed away January 19, 2003 at his home.Frank was born August 16, 1922 in Yuma and worked as a bellhop at San Carlos, and as a custodian for School District One for more than 23 years.He was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish. Frank was related to Issac “Ike” Polhamus, River Captain here in Yuma, Arizona.He loved to spend time with his family at home and loved the great outdoors.Frank attended Yuma High School and earlier, 2nd Avenue Grammar School.
Frank is survived by his wife, Mary Martinez, of the home in Yuma; son, Phillip F. Martinez, also of the home in Yuma; sisters Theresa Ramirez and Nellie Johnson, both of Yuma; brother Fernando Martinez of Yuma; two grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Maria Martinez.
Funeral services and rosary will be at Immaculate Conception on Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Pat Crino of St Francis Parish officiating.Frank’s final resting place will be Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Frank’s nephews and honorary bearers will include his nieces.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish, or the Hospice of Yuma.
Frank J. LoMonaco
Frank J. LoMonaco, 76, of Yuma, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2003, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Frank’s Funeral Mass was at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Kansas City, Misourri with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Raytown Misourri on January 10, 2003.
Memorial Service for Frank’s Yuma friends will be held at The Foothills County Club on Foothills Blvd. & 38th Street, at 4:30 January 23. Donna and Andy have asked for a very informal service.
Frank was born March 25, 1926 in Kansas City, Misourri. He retired from Teamsters Local 955 in 1978. He moved to Yuma in 1981 and went back to work, doing what he loved most, driving a truck, for H & S Developers. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. Frank was a wonderful husband and father, and had a heart of gold. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Donna LoMonaco, of the home; and one son Andrew (Andy) J. LoMonaco, sister Marie Moorhead of Fredonia, Kansas, and brother, Micheal J. LoMonaco of Clarksdale Az.
Virgil J. Grissom
Virgil J. Grissom, 79, passed away January 17, 2003 in Yuma.Virgil was born October 29, 1923 in Arkansas and was a retired farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Gean Grissom of Yuma; daughters, Linda (Gordon) Bauch of Yuma,, Gail (Joe) Cain, of Brookston, Indiana; Shirley Millager of Las Vegas; and Connie Cabrera of Yuma; son, Martin (Shelly) Grissom, of Glendale, Arizona; brothers Verlon Grissom of Mesa, Arizona and Elmore Grissom of Montana; sister, Velma Sanders of Arkansas; brother, Dual Grissom of Arkansas; 14 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday, January 20, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., with Doyle Williams officiating.Virgil’s final resting place is Yuma.
Frank Casares Martinez
Frank Casares Martinez, 81, of Yuma, died Jan. 19, 2003, at his home.
A retired custodian for Yuma School District 1, he was born Aug. 16, 1922, in Yuma.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with intermenty following in Desert Lawn Memorial Park.
