Gina L. Rodriquez, 55, died August 23, 2001, in University Medical Center in Tucson. She was born in Ajo on June 14, 1946, to Mary (Childs) & Eduardo Leon. She was a 1965 graduate of Ajo High School. Mrs. Rodriquez was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband Jack Rodriquez of Ajo and by her daughters and many other family members. Visitation was held Tuesday, August 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Home. The funeral will be conducted by Pastor Joe Kennedy of Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, August 29, in the Ajo First Assembly of God Church. Burial will be at the Childs Ranch Cemetery.
Ollie Houston Hayes Launer, 85, died on Tuesday, August 28, 2001, in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was born September 14, 1915, in Pecan Gap, Texas. A seamstress, she was retired from Levi Strauss & Co. She lived in Ajo for several years before moving back to Texas in July 1998. She is survived by her sons and other family members. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Owens & Brumley Funeral Homes of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Belen Valdez, 84, died August 23, 2001, in Park Villa Nursing Home in Tucson. She was born November 9, 1916, in Hayden to Ruperto & Maria (Corella) Rodriquez. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Valdez was preceded in death by her husband, Jose G. Valdez, who died November 3, 2000. She is survived by her sons and daughters and many other family members. Rosary was recited Wednesday evening, August 29, in Douglass Funeral Home. Mass was celebrated by Father Richard Rego in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Thursday morning, August 30. She was buried next to her husband in Ajo Cemetery.
Lorine Workman, 77, died August 28, 2001, in Tucson. She was born February 14, 1924, in Lepanto, Arkansas, to Walter & Bertha (Yates) Hale. She came to Ajo from Buckeye in 1956 and made this her home the rest of her life. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Workman was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Workman. She is survived by her sons and daughters and by many other family members. Graveside services were held Saturday, September 1, in the Ajo Cemetery with the Rev. Mitch Vader officiating.
Hortensia Dorame Porraz, 46, died on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, in Phoenix. She was born in Ajo on December 16, 1954, to Geneveva (Ortiz) & Jose Dorame. She grew up here and was graduated from Ajo High School in 1972. She was employed as a secretary/clerk by Good Samaritan Hospital. She is survived by her parents, Joe & Geneveva Dorame of Ajo, by her husband, Luis Porraz of Phoenix, and by her son and daughter and many other family members. Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Pertpetual Help in Glendale on Friday, September 7.
Verlin William Taylor, 75, died on Thursday, September 6, 2001, in Tucson. Mr. Taylor was born April 6, 1926, in Washington, Kansas, to Florence (Pierce) & Leo Taylor. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was self-employed, working in heavy construction. He is survived by his wife, Sharlene Taylor of Yarnell, by his children & step-children, and many other family members. Services were held Monday, September 10, in Full Gospel Fellowship Church with the Rev. Gary Stacy officiating. Burial will be in the Ajo Cemetery.
Lewis A. O'Neal, 84, died September 12, 2001, in Goodyear. He was born April 10, 1917, in Belhaven, North Carolina, to Blanche and Walter O'Neal. He came to Ajo in 1953 and worked as a welder for Phelps Dodge until retiring in 1978. He is survived by his sons and daughters and many other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on September 14; burial was next to his wife Margaret in the Ajo Cemetery.
Lydia Northrup, 62, died Friday, October 5, 2001, in Tucson. She was born February 1, 1939, to Marcela (Miranda) and Felisardo Montijo. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Allen Northrup of Ajo, her son and daughters, and many other family members. Services will be held in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church on October 10; burial will be in the Ajo Cemetery.
Richard Manuel, 66, of Sells, died October 8, 2001, in Casa Grande. He was born in Ajo on July 10, 1935, to Margaret (Daniels) and Victor Manuel. He worked for Phelps Dodge before entering law enforcement for 26 years, last working as a US Customs officer. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Manuel of Sells, by his son and daughters, and many other family members. Services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Gu Vo Village.
Armando Luis Giron, 78, died October 15, 2001, in Tucson. He was born in Ajo on January 1, 1923, to Alicia Valencia and Jose Maria Giron. He worked for Phelps Dodge for 35 years. He is survived by his wife, Catalina M. Giron, by his daughters, and many other family members. Services were held October 20 in Ajo's Kingdom Hall of Jehovhah's Witnesses. He was buried near his parents in Ajo Cemetery.
Mary Ann Ortiz, 59, died October 5, 2001, in Tucson. She was born in Ajo on April 17, 1942, to Angel and Maria Ortiz. She worked as a cook and a waitress. She is survived by her sisters and many other family members. A memorial service was held in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on October 9. Burial was in Ajo Cemetery.
Lois Miller, 76, died October 21, 2001, in Glendale. she was born in Hill, New Hampshire, on May 22, 1925, to Philip and Pearl (Quimby) Marchand. She came to Ajo in 1953. A housewife, she was preceded in death by her husband, Perry Miller, who died in 1980. She is survived by her son and daughter and many other family members. Services were held October 25 in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church; burial was in Ajo Cemetery.
Dorotha Mae Schulenburg, 90, died October 16, 2001, at her home in Greentown, Indiana. she was born November 29, 1910, in Tipton County, Indiana, to William A. & emma (Meyer) Wimer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin P. Schulenburg. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Schumacher of Ajo, by her sons, and by other family members. Services were held October 19 in Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton, Indiana.
Jose Torrez Espinoza, 64, died October 20, 2001, in ajo. he was born April 15, 1937. in Clemenceau to Jesus and Juanita (Torrez) Espinoza. A long-time resident of Ajo, he worked for a a laborer and a bartender. He loved sports and was an umpire for youth sports. He is survived by his daughters and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on October 27; burial was in Ajo Cemetery.
Alvin D. "Buzz" Bausman, 80, died November 1, 2001. He was born June 12, 1921, in Stitzer, Wisconsin, to Alvin W. and Grace (Smith) Bausman. He was a graduate of the University of Missouri's School of Mining at Rolla, Missouri. He worked as a mining engineer for Phelps Dodge before his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Bausman of Ajo, by his son and daughters, and many other family members. Services will be held November 10 in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.
Leslie R. Lewis, 42, died October 22, 2001, at his home in Ajo. He was born December 25, 1958. He came to Ajo as a child and was a 1977 graduate of Ajo High School. He worked for Phelps Dodge after graduation. He is survived by his mother, Velma Lewis of Ajo, by his brother and other family members. Services were held at the Baptist Indian Chapel in Casa Grade; burial was in Vah-Ki Cemetery.
Imogene M. Martin, 76, died September 9, 2001, in Santaquin, Utah. She was born in Ajo on July 29, 1925, to Noel R. and Cora Mae (Whitten) Fincher. She was a graduate of Ajo High School and went on to Pasadena College in California. She married Dewey Martin in 1945. Services were held on September 10 at Holladay Hills Funeral Home; burial was in Santaquin City Cemetery in Utah.
Kenny Antone, 43, died November 20, 2001, in Tucson. He was born August 17, 1958, in Phoenix to Etelvina (Ramirez) and Randall Antone. A lifelong resident of Ajo, the worked for Phelps Dodge, Dick's Package Liquor, Safe Ride, and, at the time of his death, was a medical van driver for the Tohono O'odham Nation. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Antone of Ajo, by his mother, sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Mass was celebrated on November 26 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Thomas Joseph Ornelas, 41, of Phoenix, died November 23, 2001. He was born in Phoenix on September 9, 1960, to Edward and Conchita Ornelas. He came to Ajo as a youth and was graduated from Ajo High School. He worked for Hubble Hermetic, Bekins Moving, MCI, UPS Logistics, and Skymall Marketing. He is survived by his father, his children, and many other family members. Memorial services will be held in Phoenix on December 1.
Catalina E. Flores, 84. died November 17, 2001, in Scottsdale. She was born in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico, on April 30, 1917. to Romula (Ballesteros) and Ricardo Encinas. She have to Ajo in 1919 and grew up her, marrying Guadalupe Flores in 1940. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her son and daughters and many other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on November 21; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery next to her late husband.
Gordon T. Alley, 63, died in a Tucson hospice on November 27, 2001. He was born in Ajo to G.T. "Tom" and Frances Alley and was graduated from Ajo High School. He earned his law degree from the Uni-versity of Arizona and practiced in Tucson. In 1990 he was appointed to the Superior Court bench in Pima County and became presiding judge in 1999. He is survived by his son, daughters, and other family members. A memorial service was held on November 30 at St. Phillips in the Hills in Tucson.
James L. Cordy, 68, died in Ajo on November 27, 2001. He was born September 18, 1933, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Daisy (Waite) and Raymond Cordy. He came to Ajo as a youth. A banker, he worked for a federal bank in Oklahoma City before retiring. He returned to Ajo in 1989 where he was an active member of the Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Cordy, his mother, Daisy Ross, and by his children and other family members. Memorial services were held in Ajo Calvary Baptist Church on December 1. Burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Guadalupe L. Murrietta, 106, died December 1, 2001, in Tucson. She was born October 8, 1895, in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico, to Angelita (Garcia) and Martin Leon. She came to Ajo as a young woman in 1916, traveling in a horse-drawn wagon. She married twice, first to Canuto Carveo and later to Abelino Murrietta, both of whom preceded her in death. She became a citizen of the United States when she was 103 years old. She is survived by her daughters and many other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on December 6; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Muriel Harper Webb Phillips, 96, died at a hospice in Chander on November 27, 2001. She was born December 25, 1904, in Belton, Arkansas, to John & Mary (Trour) Harper. She came to Ajo in 1946 with her husband, George Webb. After his death she left to become a nurse and later returned to Ajo to work. At the time of her death she was making her home in Apache Junction. She is survived by her sons and daughters and many other family members.
Armando M. Bon Jr., 48, died December 10, 2001, in Tucson. He was born in Ajo on December 29, 1952, to Cruz (Martinez) and Armando Bon Sr. He was graduated from Ajo High School and attended college in Phoenix. He worked in construction and mining. He is survived by his parents, by his wife Sandra Bon of Bullhead City, and by his children and other family members. Services were held in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church on December 10; burial was in Ajo Cemetery.
Harriet Bowen, 95, died December 10, 2001, in Tucson. She was born December 5, 1906, in Missouri to Mary (Hildrith) & George Keast. She married John Bowen in 1927 and they moved to Ajo from Florida in 1939. She was the owner of Ajo Dry Cleaners until it closed in the 1970s. She moved to Tucson in 1999. She is survived by her daughters and many other family members. Services were held in Ajo Federated Church on December 13, burial was in the Ajo Cemetery next to her husband.
Irene Gillespie, 79, died November 28, 2001 she was born February 15, 1922, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to James & Goldie Lee McKeown Meanear. She married Henry F. Gillespie in 1941 and the young couple made their home in Ajo until moving to Utah to be near their daughter in 1976. She is survived by her husband, daughter, and many other family members. No service information was given.
Norris Miranda Jr., 42, of Sells, died December 11, 2001. He was a former Ajo resident. He is survived by his wife, Carol Miranda, by his daughters, and by other family members. Services were held in Sells Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Darby Wells Cemetery near Ajo.
