Joan L. Thomas
Joan L. Thomas, 57, of Apache Junction, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2001. Miss Thomas, a University Administrator born in Long Beach, California, is survived by her special friend Ann Blodgett, Aunt Cassie Besel and father Arville Thomas. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 852014-5669. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Mary Margaret Thompson
Mary Margaret Thompson, 53, of Mesa, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2001. Ms. Thompson, a counselor born if Chicago, Illinois, is survived by her friend Charlene MacPhail, daughters Lisa Thompson and Theresa Thompson, son Jason Thompson, sisters Robin Connolly and Pat Kowalski, brothers Tom and Martin Connolly and 3 grandchildren. Bunker's Desert View handled all arrangements.
Richmond 'Rick' Gardner
After a courageous battle with cancer, community volunteer Rick Garder succumbed to the disease early last Saturday afternoon, March 10, 2001, at age 67.
Richmond Gardner was born in Seattle, Washington. After retiring from his job as an engineer with U.S. West, Rick and his wife, Barbara, moved to Apache Junction six years ago.
Rick was an active member of the St. George Catholic Community and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as a member of the City of Apache Junction Planning & Zoning Commission and volunteered at the library, Focus Future and the school district's "Children First" program.
Rick Gardner is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, Marcy McNeal of Mesa, Geoffery Gardner, a student in Seattle, and Stephanie Gardner, a student in Santa Maria, California. Gardner also had two grandchildren, Carrie and Ian McNeal of Mesa.
In lue of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the St. George's Building Fund or the Apache Junction Friends of the Library Endowment Fund.
Funeral services were not finalized at press time, but those wishing information on the services may call the Apache Junction Mortuary at 982-7721
Geraldine May Dunphy
Geraldine May Dunphy, 84, of Apache Junction, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2001. Mrs. Dunphy, a homemaker born in Buctrus, Ohio, is survived by her sister Thelma Mackenzie. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Rose M. Smith
Rose M. Smith, 60, of Apache Junction, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2001. Mrs. Smith, a property spe#####t born in Cass Lake, Minnesota, is survived by her husband Harold, Daughters Tammy Bongo, Tracy Basina and Tina Smith, Son Timothy Smith, Sisters Jan Salezar and Karen Mellott, Brother Tony Bongo and 9 grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
George Henry Blair, Jr.
George Henry Blair, Jr., 83, of Mesa, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2001. Mr. Blair, Jr., a commercial carpenter born in Poughkeepsie, NY, is survived by his daughters Georgette Blair, Joan Allen, Mary E. Blair-Gonzales, Peggy and Heather Blair, sons James, Michael and Joseph Blair and 3 grandchildren. Bunker's Desert View handled all arrangements.
Stanley A. Ciesielski
Stanley A. Ciesielski, 87, of Apache Junction, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2001. Mr. Ciesielski, an aerospace technician born in Chicago, Illinois, is survived by his sons Joseph and Richard, sister Stephanie Patzin, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Richmond C. "Rick" Gardner
Richmond C. "Rick" Gardner, 67, of Apache Junction, passed away Saturday, March 10, 2001. Mr. Gardner, a retired USWest engineer born in Seattle, Washington, is survived by his wife Barbara, children Marcy McNeal, Geoffrey Gardner and Stephanie and 2 grandchildren, Carrie and Ian McNeal. Donations in Rick's name may be made to either St. George's Catholic Community Building Fund or Friends of the Apache Junction Library Endowment Fund.
Dorothy O. Theobauld
Dorothy O. Theobauld, 91, of Apache Junction, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2001. Mrs. Theobauld, a homemaker born in Longmont, Colorado, is survived by her daughters Doris Hopping, Donna Johnson, Shirley Baker, Marilyn Wiggers and Jerry Joyce Goodman, son David, sister Zada Barney, brother Donald Henderson, 18 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Leo Bernard Voga
Leo Bernard Voga, 85, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2001. Mr. Voga, an accountant and an Army WWII Veteran, born in Ellsworth, Iowa, is survived by his wife Liz. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
James W. Baunach
James E. Baunach, 57, of Apache Junction, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2001. Mr. Baunach, a Vietnam Veteran of the Army, born in Louisville, Kentucky, is survived by his friend Raymond Thomas, daughters Carolyn Velasquez and Cynthia Fowler, mother Carolyn Thomas, sisters Doris Mudd, Betty Nalley, Brenda Schneider and Joyce Walker, brother William and 3 grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Darlene Doris Faulkner
Darlene Doris Faulkner, 65, of Apache Junction, passed away Monday, March 19, 2001. Mrs. Faulkner, a homemaker born in Melford, Iowa, is survived by her husband John, daughters Judy Echelberger, Carolyn, Amy Moore and Lisa Zapata, son Marty, mother Pearl Christopherson, sister Ella Quaintance, brother Delbert Christopherson, 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
John H. Focht
John H. Focht, 70, of Apache Junction, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2001. Mr. Focht was a saw mill worker born in Ballsten, Oregon. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
N. Wayne Geisenhaver
N. Wayne Geisenhaver, 73, of Apache Junction, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2001. Mr. Geisenhaver, a retired design engineer for TRW and an Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, born in Flint, is survived by his wife Jaye, daughters Denise Ansell, Marie Watson and Laura Bell, son Tom, 5 grandchildren and brothers and sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to RTA Hospice, 1102 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Stanley (Stan) A. Higgins
Stanley (Stan) A. Higgins, 71, of Everett, Wa and Apache Junction, passed away Friday, March 9, 2001. Mr. Higgins, a radiator repairman, born in Waterloo, Iowa, is survived by his wife Bernell, daughters Linda Czarnetzke, Valentine McLeod and Janet Ashby, sons Myron and Larry Crosby, mother Vera Higgins, sisters Barbara Rodriquez, Pat Weeks and Janie Mulford, 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
Verna Palmer
Verna Palmer, 52, of Apache Junction, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2001. Mrs.Palmer, a homemaker born in Martin County, Kentucky, is survived by her brother Herman Stepp, sisters Kitty Weidie and Erma Helton and mother Arizona Stepp. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
(Bill) Lewis T. Shorter
(Bill) Lewis T. Shorter, 46, of Apache Junction, passed away Friday, March 9, 2001 after a short battle with cancer. Bill owned TAZ Mobile Home Services. He was an Army Veteran of six years serving as a Nuclear Weapons Spe#####t for NATO. Bill is survived by his wife Judy and son Troy Barber of Apache Junction, two sons in Virginia, two daughters Rachel Barber of Mesa and Jamie Dennee of Apache Junction, five sisters and one brother in West Virginia and 7 grandchildren. Desert Valley handled all arrangements. The family of Bill Shorter, wish to express their thanks to the loving care and services of RTA Hospice.
Rena Yolanda Stingi
Rena Yolanda Stingi, of Mesa, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2001. Ms. Stingi, a homemaker, born in Ferrara, Italy is survived by her daughter Miriam Silvani and 2 grandchildren. Chapel of Prayer handled all arrangements.
Thelma A. Gartland
Mrs. Thelma A. Gartland, 96, of Apache Junction, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2001. Mrs. Thelma A. Gartland, a departments store manager, was born in Wausson, Ohio. Mountain View Memorial handled all arrangements.
Duane E. Traver
Duane E. Traver, 74, of Apache Junction, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2001. Mr. Traver, a farmer born in Peoria County, Illinois, is survived by his wife Dorothy, sons Michael, David and Tim, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Apache Junction Mortuary handled all arrangements.
