Obituaries

On Friday, December 10, 2021, Richard “Dick” Allen Nelsen, passed away at the age of 87.Dick was a lover of all thing’s sports and an avid Hawkeye fan who was willing to break out in the Hawkeye fight song anytime.  Dick and Kay moved from Scottsdale to Sun Lakes in 1994 where he spent the past 27 years.Dick was an...

Obituary of Michael G. Wilmoth & his wife, Andrena A. Willmoth, “Mike & Andie”Mike went to live his eternal life on November 30, 2021, and Andie on December 17, 2021. Mike is preceded in death by his father Gerald Wilmoth and brother William “Dennis” Wilmoth. Andie is preceded in death by her father Cipriano Agujar, mother Antonia Agujar, and brother,...

The family of Thomas Francis Harrington is saddened to announce his unexpected passing on December 1, 2021, at the age of 84 years. He resided with his wife, Nancy, of 64 years in Sun Lakes, AZ, at the time of his death. Thomas is survived by many generations of loving family members, including his wife, three adult children, eleven grandchildren,...

Ernest (Ernie) Karkulapassed away peacefully Tuesday, December 7that the age of 97.Ernie was born on May 2nd, 1924 in Mercedes Texas during the challenging time of our nation’s Great Depression. He was lucky enough to be part of a large family and had 9 siblings. His family relocated from Texas to Arizona when he was very young, and he spent...

Robert Raymond Vidra, known as “Bob” to all family and friends, passed away on December 12, 2021.  Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 24, 1936, to Alex and Mary Vidra. He joined the US Army in 1956 and married his loving wife, Shirley (nee Molda) on January 28, 1961.  They shared 51 wonderful years of marriage, until Shirley’s...

Shirley Leonard Swaim, 88, of Chandler, AZ, died December 1, 2021. Born on January 15, 1933, Shirley was the eldest of seven children born to Percy and Vera Lynch Leonard of Greensboro, North Carolina. Shirley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music (Double Bass) from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Shirley played bass for various symphony orchestras in North...

After 79 years of taking risks, making a difference to everyone he would meet, and having a deep love for his family, Gerald Paul (Jeep) Andersen reunited with his wife Patricia in heaven as a result of a car accident on December 9, 2021He was born March 12, 1942, in Chandler, Arizona, and graduated from Chandler High School in 1960....

Shirley Priest Ballentinepassed away peacefully at the age of 77 with two of her children by her side on November 26, 2021, in Chandler, Arizona. Shirley was born on June 27, 1944, sharing a birthday with her sister, great-nephew, and granddaughter. She was born and raised in Burton, Michigan, and spent weekends with her family in Tawas, Michigan. She grew...

John Unruh Courtney Jr.passed away on December 3rd at the age of 87.  He was born in Ogden, Utah to John Unruh Courtney and Leona Courtney.  He worked for Thiokol as a Quality Assurance Representative for 30 years on the Space Shuttle and Minuteman Missile Programs, after which retiring to Arizona.  He was rockhound and loved going camping on the...

Winifred JoAnn Stokerbegan her eternal life on November 24, 2021, at the age of 86. She was greeted by her husband George “Bud”, son Lloyd, daughter Trenda Gomez, father Howard, mother Rita, brothers Tom, Bill, Jim, and Robert, and great-niece, Julia Quin.JoAnn was born August 12, 1925, in Muncie, Indiana, and it was there that she fell in love with...

Audrey Patricia Richardson, age 93, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The Lord has called home her precious soul and she is now in Heaven. Audrey was sweet, beautiful, caring, selfless, loving, and compassionate. Being kind, understanding, and supportive was second nature to her. She had so much love to give and she just wanted those around her to...

Tony Joe Bate, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend passed away peacefully at the age of 51 on Friday afternoon November 5th, 2021.Born January 11, 1970, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Craig and Joyce Bate. He attended elementary school in Atlanta Georgia, middle and high school in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Tony loved to go fast, whether...

Kristen Matheson Shumwaywas born in Tucson, Arizona on February 20, 1950 to Ouida May Lofgreen and Mac C. Matheson. She lived in Tucson as a child and attended elementary and junior high school. In 1964, much to her dismay, Kristen’s family moved from Tucson to Mesa, where she attended Mesa High School and graduated in 1968. As an adult, she...

MCSO Lt. Chad Owen Brackman, 47 of Gilbert passed away November 10, 2021, in Scottsdale from injuries sustained after being hit by a vehicle while directing traffic. Chad was born June 21, 1974, in Midland, Texas to Mike Brackman and Gloria Harding. He attended grade school in several Texas communities, later graduating High School in St. George, Utah in 1992....

Jan Figurapassed away on November 7th, 2021. He was born on March 25th, 1950 in Zakopane, Poland. While living in Poland he met his spouse of 46 years, Janina. His first child, Chris Figura was born overseas in 1975. Shortly after, Jan left for the United States to create a better life for his family. Once Jan had a job...

Athena Marie Howard, age 43 of Chandler, AZ passed away November 11, 2021, at the Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, AZ with Covid 19 complications.  She was born in Fresno, CA on September 13, 1978. She graduated from Bullard High School and got her AA Degree from Fresno City College.  She moved to Arizona from California just nine months ago.Athena...

Eleanor Castellanos, 1948-2021 passed away on November 6, 2021, at the age of 73 years of age. She slipped away with all her family surrounding her. She resided in Chandler, AZ. Was born in Tucson, AZ. Was raised in Garden Grove, CA. She received her License Vocational Nursing degree. She was married to Pedro Castellanos, lived in Corona, CA. She...

REQUIESCAT IN PACEGREGORY JONATHAN GIRARDBadge #1151July 24, 1945 – November 7, 2021Visitation/Viewing ———————————- December 1st, 10:00-10:30 AM St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic ChurchCelebration of Life Service/Mass —————- December 1st, 10:30-11:30 AM St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic ChurchInterment/Laid to rest —————————– December 2nd, 10:30-11:00 AM National Memorial Cemetery of ArizonaIn lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Arizona Trooper’s...

Rose Mary Smith, just one month shy of turning 102 years old, passed away peacefully at her home in Chandler, Arizona surrounded by family on Nov 4, 2021.She was born to Joseph and Alice (Houser) Serbousek on Dec 4, 1919, in Fairfax, Iowa. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she grew up, immersed in the Czech heritage of...

Karen Annette McDermott, loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed from this life on November 5, 2021.Karen was born July 9, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey to Vincent and Dorothy Thresten, both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Thomas McDermott, D.D.S., her two sons Thomas McDermott, Esq. and Blaise McDermott, her daughters-in-law...