Maria de los Angeles Serventi, 84, died February 28, 2003, in Tucson. She was born October 8, 1918, in Mexico, to Juan and Martina Aros. she married Roberto F. Serventi in Quitovaca, Sonora, Mexico, on May 15, 1935. She came to Ajo in 1936. She is survived by her sons and daughters and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Sonoyta with burial there following the service.
Jack J. Terry, 61, of Buckeye, died March 19, 2003 in Phoenix. He was born in Buckeye on January 31, 1942, to Jack and Lupe Terry. He was raised in Gila Bend at later moved to Ajo where he worked for Phelps Dodge. He then moved to Buckeye where he worked for APS. He is survived by his daughters, son and other family members. Graveside services were held in the Ajo Cemetery.
Alejandra Starleen Molina, 23, died at her home in Ajo on March 23, 2003. She was born in Ajo on June 25, 1979, to Victorina Pacheco and Eldon R. Molina Jr. She grew up here and attended Ajo schools. She is survived by her young sons, her mother and stepfather, her father, her brother, and three grandparents. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Gloria Olea, 62, died March 24, 2003, in Phoenix. She was born June 24, 1940, in St. Johns to Dorothy (Lewis) & Fidel Gonzales. She came to Ajo in 1948, moving to Phoenix in 1984. She worked as a nurse's aid at New Cornelia Hospital for over a decade and later worked at Phoenix General Hospital as a counselor. At the time of her death she was a clerk at a shop at the Phoenix Airport. She is survived by her sons, her brothers and sisters, and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; burial was in Ajo Cemetery.
Kathryn Cleveland, 72, died March 28, 2003, in Clyde, Ohio. She was born June 10, 1930, in Dearing Kansas. Before retiring she was an Avon representative and and employee of Fostoria Autolite in Ohio. She lived in Ajo and in Ohio during her retirement. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Cleveland, and by her sons, daughters, and other family members. Services were held in Clyde, Ohio.
Opha Jo Price, 92, died March 20, 2003, in Peoria. She was born in Sinclair, Texas, on April 27, 1910. She married Joe Price in 1929 and came to Ajo in 1940, moving to Bisbee in 1950. After he retirement as cafeteria manager at Fort Huachucha, she returned to Ajo in 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her daughter and other family members. Services were held in a family home in Elfrida.
Margaret E. Ross, 79, died April 2, 2003, at her home in Ajo. she was born in Lochiel on May 9, 1923, to Leonor (de Garza) and John F. Eberling. She married Charles Ross on December 24, 1938, in Ajo. she had a variety of careers here, including postmistress of Rowood, rancher, bookkeeper, produce manage, bar owner, and farmer. She was preceded in death by her husband; she is survived by her daughters and other family members. Services were held in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church; burial was next to her husband and son in Ajo Cemetery.
Marina R. Mazon, 82, died March 30, 2003, in Peoria. She was born in Ajo on January 9, 1921, to Gertrudez (Mendez) and Antonio Ramirez. A homemaker, she also worked as a nurse's aide at the New Cornelia Hospital. She moved to Glendale in 1990. She was preceded in death by her husband, Heriberto Mazon, who died in 1988. She is survived by her son, daughter and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; she was buried next to her husband in Ajo Cemetery.
Lorena Turner, 60, died March 20, 2003, at her home in Pearl River, Louisiana. She was born in ajo to Billy and Loree Cole. A longtime resident of Pearl River, she was a receptionist at the LaQuinta Inn. She is survived by her children. Services were held in Louisiana.
Fred Shoulders Jr., 80, died at his home in Ajo on April 15, 2003. He was born November 18, 1922, in Princeton, Indiana, to Julie Frances (Sancomb) & Fred Shoulders Sr. He first came to Ajo in 1943 and has lived here off and on since 1956. He married Marlene Joyce Richardson on March 1, 1951, in St. Clair, Missouri. While he was in Ajo, he worked for Phelps Dodge, ending his last term of service in 1971. He was a union boilermaker. He is survived by his wife, his sons and daughter, and other family members. Burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Roberta R. "Soapie" Halel, 87, died April 21, 2003, at the RTA Hospice in Casa Grande. She was born October 24, 1915, in douglas to Montie R. (Gardner) & Robert E. Kelley. She was a homemaker and avid golfer. She is survived by her daughter, her brothes and sisters, and other family members. Memorial services were held at the Ajo County Club.
Diana Bush died April 14, 2003, in Mesa. She was born May 13, 1938, in Iowa to John & Bonnie Mulleneaux. She moved to Ajo as a child in 1945, met and married Bill Bush in 1966, and moved to Scottsdale soon after. She was preceded in death by her husband. she is survived by her daughter and son, her sisters and brothers, and other family members.
Nancy R. Orr, 82, died March 15, 2003, in San Mateo, California. She was born March 1, 1921, in Sheeps Head Bay, New York. She married David H. Orr, Jr., and the two lived in many southern Arizona communities, including Ajo from 1965 to 1978. While here, her husband was mine manager for Phelps Dodge. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her sons and other family members. Graveside services were held in San Mateo.
Reginald L. "Chapo" Aroz, 76, died April 28, 2003, in a Tucson hospice. He was born in Ajo on June 1, 1926, to Maria Luisa (Leon) and Rafael Aroz. A lifelong resident, he worked as self-employed laborer. He is survived by his bothers and sisters and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Thurman Thomas Sanders, 86, died April 21, 2003, in Tucson. He was born April 20, 1917, in Hastings, Oklahoma, to Plummer and Lena Sanders. He married Ruby Carlisle in Oklahoma in 1935 and they moved to Ajo about 1945. He worked for Phelps Dodge in the mechanical department until he retired 26 years ago. He and his wife moved to Redington a few years ago to be near family. A private memorial service was planned by the family.
Steven H. Ramon, 75, died April 29, 2003, in Santa Rosa Village. He was born December 10, 1927. He was a longtime resident of Ajo who worked for Phelp Dodge from 1956 until his retiredment in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Jane (Noceo) Ramon and by his children and other family members. Mass was celebrated with burial following in Cababi Village Cemetery.
Eva Mattia died Sunday, May 4, 2003, in a motor vehicle accident on the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Marvin Z. Silva, 56, died June 20, 2003, in an accident on Highway 85 between Gila Bend and Buckeye. He was born June 27, 1946, in Wailuku Heights, Hawaii, to Thomas A. & Sophie V. Silva. He received a degree in pharmacy from the University of Arizona in 9170 and a degree in secondary education in 1973. He married Barbara Engle of Ajo on June 14, 1969, in Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. The couple moved to Ajo from Tucson in 1972. Mr. Silva taught in the Ajo public school for many years, retiring on May 30, 2003. He is survived by his wife, his parents, his sons, and other family members. A memorial service was held in Dicus Auditorium on July 12.
Genoveva Ortiz Dorame, 83, died June 7, 2003, in Glendale. She was born November 13, 1919, in Christmas to Maria (Quidera) and Juan Ortiz. She moved to Ajo with her family in 1934 and married Jose G. Dorame on November 19, 1939. In recent years she has made in home in the Phoenix area. She is survived by her husband, daughters and sons, and other family members. Services were held in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Richard D. Harpool, 64, died April 5, 2002, at his home in De Soto, Illinois. She was born December 16, 1937, in Illinois to Frieda (Funk) and Delbert Harpool. After his parents' death, he was raised in Ajo by his grandparents, Lillie & Fred Harpool. He worked for McDonnell-Douglas in Missouri, Olin Corp. in Illinois, and a project manager for several other companies. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Allen Harpool, by his children, stepchildren, and other families members. He is buried in Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort, Illinois.
Paul Joseph Carolan Sr., 86, died June 8, 2003, in Mesa. He was born July 6, 1916, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He moved to Tucson and then to Ajo in the 1940s and worked in personnel for Phelps Dodge for over 35 years. After his retirement, he and his wife Audrey moved to Green Valley. He was preceded in death by his wife and one son. He is survived by his sons and other family members. Services were held in Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley on June 12.
Margie M. Russell, 86, died June 14, 2003, in Phoenix. She was born April 19, 1917, in Shamrock, Texas. She moved to Ajo where she met George R. Russell whom she later married. She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons. She is survived by her daughter and other family members. Services were held In Church of Christ Northwest in Phoenix on June 18; burial was in Desert View Cemetery in Phoenix.
Jesus Galvan Santiago, 84, died in Tucson on June 16, 2003. He was born in Ajo on May 21, 1919, and lived here the first 24 years of his life. He moved to California and made a career in the US Postal Service. After the death of his wife Gilberte in 1977, he moved back to Ajo. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on June 20; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Ramiro V. Gonzalez, 8, died in Tucson on June 17, 2003. He was born in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico, on August 22, 1921. He came to Ajo in 1921 and lived here the rest of his life. He worked as a truck driver for Phelps Dodge before retiring. He was preceded in death by his wife Bertha. He is survived by his sos, daughter, and other family members. Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on June 21; burial was in the Ajo Cemetery.
Judith Sather Johnston died June 10, 2003, in Phoenix. She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, on March 3, 1941. She taught school and worked with her husband, the Rev. Rob Johnston, in his ministry. Until she became ill, she spent weekends in Ajo where he husband was pastor of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, her daughters and son, and other family members.
Robert James Chiono, 79, died June 12, 2003, in Sun City, California. He was born in Morenci on April 10, 1924, to Jim & Louise (Cislaghi) Chiono. He moved to Ajo as a youth and was graduated from Ajo High School. He worked in the machine shop for Phelps Dodge. In 1955 he and his wife moved to Buena Park, California. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Chiono, his sons and daughter, and other family members. Services were held in California.
Gerald P. Bullock, 78, died July 8, 2003, in Peoria. He was born January 16, 1925, to Cliff and Mary (McMahon) Bullock, in Helena, Montana. He worked for Anaconda Copper Wire & Cable Company in Great Falls, Montana, for thirty years. He spent much of his retirement in Ajo. His brothers and other family members survive him.
Eleanor Patricia Keith, 78, died in Scottsdale on July 15, 2003. She was born on her grandfather’s ranch in Rowood, near Ajo, on April 17, 1925, to Susie Alice (Childs) & Wilbur Deming. Her son and daughter and other family members survive her.
