From Yavapai County, Arizona:
Watts Collier
Watts Collier, 79, a well-known rancher, died Wednesday, June 11, 1997, at Prescott Samaritan Village.
He was born Aug. 2, 1917, in Blooming Grove, Texas, to Lena (Fredrick) and Arthur Collier.
Mr. Collier moved to Ft. Thomas, Ariz., on Jan. 27, 1938, and to Yavapai County in 1943. He was a cattle rancher for 34 years. He enjoyed all aspects of real estate, including buying, improving, promoting and selling property. He was part owner of Park Plaza with his longtime friend, Clay Smith.
He enjoyed tilling the soil and harvesting the fruits of his efforts and grew beautiful flowers for the home. He enjoyed fishing, especially at Lake Mead. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Collier was a member of Skull Valley Bible Church, a 50-year member of Prescott Elks Lodge No. 330, a 35-year member of the Prescott Kiwanis Club, was past president of the Yavapai Cattle Growers, a member of Arizona State Cattle Growers, served on the Prescott Volunteer Fire Department, was past president of the Prescott Real Estate Board, served on the Prescott City Council, and received the Kiwanis Club award of "Outstanding Rancher of Yavapai County" in 1982.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lucile; daughters, Priscilla Klenmedson and Linda Collier, both of Prescott, and Deborah Benker of Phoenix; brother, G.W. Collier of Camp Verde; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Wesley.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez St.
Private graveside services will be at the Skull Valley Cemetery.
Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Denise Fiola-Wylan
Denise Marie Fiola-Wylan, 37, died Saturday, June 7, 1997, at her home in Yarnell.
She was born Aug. 6, 1959, in Bellflower, Calif., to Victor Fiola and Marie (Frichtel) Wylan.
Ms. Fiola-Wylan was an artist; her paintings were on display at Windsong Gallery in Prescott Valley. She moved here four months ago with plans to permanently settle in the area.
Survivors include her mother, Marie Wylan, and family of San Francisco, Calif.
Interment will be in San Francisco, Calif.
Memory Chapel Mortuary assisted with arrangements.
Franklin Kendall
Franklin Kendall, 77, died Saturday, June 7, 1997, in Sun City.
He was born Dec. 25, 1919, in Dodsonville, Texas, to Molly (O'Brien) and George Kendall.
Mr. Kendall moved to Prescott Valley in 1993 from Lodi, Calif. He was a tile setter with Jack Walker Tile Company in California, retiring in 1976. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the 86th Airborne Battalion No. 504. He parachuted in on Normandy on D-Day.
Survivors include his wife, Anna; and daughter, Connie Galasso of Lodi, Calif.
Burial will be at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, Calif.
Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Philip Ruocco
Philip J. Ruocco, 75, died Thursday, June 12, 1997, at his home in Prescott.
He was born Nov. 13, 1921, in Corning, N.Y., to Maria (Merola) and Mark Ruocco.
Mr. Ruocco worked for Country Pride Chicken for many years, retiring in 1984. He married his wife, Christine in 1944 in Corning, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a founding member of St. Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix, the St. Gregory Men's Club and a member of St. Vincent De Paul Society in Phoenix. He loved to play golf and was a member of Encanto Men's Golf Club.
Survivors include his son, Philip G. Ruocco of Prescott; daughters, Rosemary Bainbridge of Minneapolis, Minn., and Frances Voorhees of Chicago, N.M.; brother, Mark Ruocco of Corning, N.Y.; four grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine.
Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, at Holy Cross Cemetery at 99 Ave., and Thomas Road in Tolleson.
Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Ruocco's name to St. Vincent De Paul Society, 420 W. Watkins St. Phoenix, AZ.
Sunrise Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Viola De Verse
Viola S. De Verse, 78, a former Prescott resident died Friday, June 13, 1997, at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in California.
She was born Nov. 4, 1918, in West Plains,, Mo., to William and Madeline (Gentry) Gatewood.
Survivors include her husband, Ben De Verse of Indio, Calif.; children; Vern Twyman, Michael De Verse, Bennie Seals, and Sylvan Weber; brother, W. Z. Gatewood; and sisters, LeVetra Cox and Alvina Williams; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mountain View Cemetery, 1051 Willow Creek Road in Prescott.
FitzHenry Funeral Homes in Indio, Calif., assisted with arrangements.
Donna Jack
Donna L. Jack, 68, died Saturday, June 14, 1997, at her home at the Prescott Country Club.
She was born July 24, 1928, in Tripoli, Iowa, to Lee and Nora Peacock.
Donna retired to Dewey in 1988 from Davenport, Iowa. She enjoyed golf, camping, bowling, the outdoors, playing cards, and was a duplicate bridge player at the Prescott Valley Elks Club and the Adult Center in Prescott. She served as treasurer on the board of directors at the Adult Center. She attended Grinnell College and was a graduate of the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. She worked as a bookkeeper and office manager in Iowa and Illinois.
Survivors include her son, Terry Steinbach of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter, Ginger Foshe of Phoenix; sisters, Eunice Seltenrich of Chula Vista, Calif., and Dorris Escott of New Providence, N.J.; and companion, Charles "Bob" Price of Dewey.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. today at Sunrise Funeral Home, 8167 E. Highway 69, Prescott Valley.
Memorial donations may be made in Donna's name to the charity of your choice.
Sunrise Funeral home assisted with arrangements.
