From Yavapai County, Arizona:
Betty Riggle
Betty Jean Riggle, 72, died Friday, Aug. 6, 1999, at her home in Prescott.
She was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Phoenix to Floyd and Gladys (Damron) Sasser.
Mrs. Riggle graduated from Glendale High School in 1944. She and her husband farmed in the Glendale area following his discharge from the U.S. Navy during World War II.
The Riggles also ranched in Kirkland, Mayer and Camp Verde.
She was active at the First Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir.
Mrs. Riggle was an accomplished equestrian, and enjoyed music, flowers and cooking.
She is survived by sons, Craig of Tempe, and Bret of Roseburg, Ore.; brother, Keith Sasser of Scottsdale; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Barden, on Jan. 21 of this year.
A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church at the corner of Goodwin and Marina streets in Prescott.
Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 226, Prescott, AZ 86302, or Yavapai Regional Medical Center Hospice, P.O. Box 26565, Prescott Valley, AZ 86312.
Hampton Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
Joyce Stevens
Joyce L. Stevens, 51, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
She was born May 25, 1948, in Middleton, N.Y., to Victor and Margaret (King) Stevens.
Miss Stevens moved to Prescott in 1980 from Nevada for health reasons. She had been a licensed practical nurse and registered respiratory therapist.
She was an artist, painter and photographer, and loved animals.
Survivors include her sister, Carol Flood of Fairfax, Va.; and her adoptive parents, Mona and Dave Wright of Prescott.
A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home at Cortez and Carleton streets, with the Rev. Ron Hartung officiating.
Private cremation is at Bradshaw Crematory.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Yavapai Humane Society, 1625 Sundog Road, Prescott, AZ 86301.
Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
William Henen
William J. "Willie" Henen, 68, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at Prescott Samaritan Village.
He was born Oct. 30, 1930, in Rockford, Ill., to Raymond and Ellen (Kinsella) Henen.
Mr. Henen moved to Mesa from Rockford in 1969 and to Prescott in 1973. He was a lineman for Arizona Public Service for 38 years.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prescott and loved all sports.
Survivors include his sons, Richard of Prescott, and William, Brian and Brent of California; daughters, Laura Dunlap and Patrice Jane of California; sisters, Betty Lupont of Rockford, and Mary Sivadon of Oregon.
A celebration of life Mass will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury Ave., in Prescott, with the Rev. Fred LeClaire officiating.
A visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, with a rosary service at 7 p.m. at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home at the corner of Cortez and Carleton streets in Prescott.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Prescott Samaritan Village, hospice unit, 1030 Scott Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301.
Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
Glenda Baldinger
Glenda "Jeannie" Baldinger, 51, died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at her residence in Wilhoit.
She was born Nov. 7, 1947, in Anaheim, Calif., to Glen and Bertha (Shipman) Baldinger.
Ms. Baldinger moved to Wilhoit from Meadow Valley, Calif., in June 1996. She was a self-employed dog groomer for eight years and dearly loved animals.
Friends and neighbors said she was a free spirit who cared a great deal for others.
Ms. Baldinger loved riding motorcycles and being around horses. She was proud of her family and their accomplishments in life.
Ms. Baldinger was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Bertha Baldinger.
Survivors include her daughters, Kim LaMon of Morgan Hill, Calif., Jami LaMon of Glenwood Springs, Colo., Brenda LaMon of La Jolla, Calif., and Seree LaMon of Palmdale, Calif.; sons, Eddie Baldinger of Kansas City, Mo., Glen Webster of Reno, Nev., and Ruben LaMon of San Jose, Calif.; sisters, Nancy Baldinger of Wilhoit and Barbara Irwin of Gerard, Mo.; and 12 grandchildren.
The family held a private cremation at Bradshaw Crematory in Prescott Valley.
Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
Vern Hanson
Vern C. Hanson, 79, a Chino Valley resident, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, in Prescott.
He was born March 30, 1920, in Minneapolis to Charles and Frederica (Meyer) Hanson.
Mr. Hanson was a decorated World War II Army veteran who landed on Omaha Beach, fought across France and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was medically discharged in 1945.
Originally from Minneapolis, Mr. Hanson spent 25 years in Escondido, Calif., and the last 11 years in Chino Valley.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Cecelia; daughters, Patricia Korba of Lakeville, Minn., and Paula Dyke of Manorville, N.Y.; sons, Tom of Escondido, J.R. of Chino Valley and Rich of Fallbrook, Calif.; brothers, Ken of Los Osos, Calif. and Merlin of Clear Lake, Calif., sister, Darlene Nilan of Fair Oaks, Calif.; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today, with the Rev. Father Gerald Caffrey officiating at the Prescott Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 500 N. Highway 89.
Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Hospice Center at the Prescott Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 500 N. Highway 89, Prescott, AZ 86313.
Memory Chapel helped the family with arrangements.
Ardith Noel
Ardith Jo (Ardy) Noel, 53, of Prescott, died Monday, Aug. 9, 1999, at the home of her sister in Prescott.
She was born Dec. 5, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kan., to Dr. John H. and Ardith Lathrop.
She graduated from high school in Concordia, Kan., attended Kansas State University, and spent most of her life in Kansas.
Mrs. Noel and her family moved to Prescott from Hutchinson, Kan., in 1994. She was employed by Rummel Eye Care and received their first Employee of the Month Award in 1999.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Noel was actively involved in events and programs that involved her children or helping other people. She held leadership positions at the local and state levels with Girl Scouts, and was deeply involved in her church.
Mrs. Noel enjoyed hiking, camping, and cooking and entertaining .
Survivors include her husband Jean and daughter Lindsey of the home; son, Christopher of Prescott; daughter Dia Montgomery of Ottawa, Kan.; sisters, Connie Lathrop of San Rafael, Calif., Rosemary Hori of Mesa, and Phyllis Parkhurst of Prescott; mother and stepfather, Ardith and Richard Waugh of Prescott; and two grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Prescott.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ardy Noel Nurse's Scholarship, at Stockmen's Bank, 221 N. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ 86301.
Arizona Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
David Thomas
David K. Thomas, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center in Prescott.
He was born Mar. 11, 1919, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Dr. Frank and Helen (Kemp) Thomas.
Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for 40 years as a manager for the State Farm Insurance Co., in Orange County, Calif. He moved to Prescott 11 years ago.
Mr. Thomas was active with the Prescott Lions Club, American Legion Post 6 of Prescott, and the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #330 in Prescott Valley.
Survivors include his daughter, Helen Hood of Albuquerque, N.M.; and son, Dr. Charles Thomas of Los Angeles.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine, in 1998.
The family plans no local services. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif.
Memorial may go to the Shriner's Transportation Fund, 1028 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott, AZ 86301, or to the charity of one's choice.
Hampton Funeral Home helped the family with arrangements.
Fred Richter
Fred. R. Richter, 72, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1999, at his home in Chino Valley.
He was born Oct. 31, 1926, in Sierra Madre, Calif., to Fred William and Lisette Gertrude (Annas) Richter.
Mr. Richter not only made his livelihood from the construction arts of masonry, carpentry, welding, and concrete work, but they also were his passion.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Chino Valley; daughter, Deborah Sutherland of Queen Creek; son, Fred of Alta Loma, Calif.; brothers, Walter and Arnie, both of Sierra Madre, Calif., Alfred of Glendora, Calif., Ernie of Encinitas, Calif., and Bob of Santa Rosa, Calif.; sisters, Esther Cook, Helen Cass and Clara Groff, all of Sierra Madre, Edith Campbell of Encinitas, Margaret Galbraith of Newport Beach, Calif., and Lydia Owens of San Gabriel, Calif.; and six grandchildren.
A celebration of Mr. Richter's life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Southern Baptist Church, 1524 N. Hwy. 89, Chino Valley, with the Rev. Mark Reeder and the Rev. Ernie Richter officiating.
Memorial contributions may go to the Yavapai Regional Medical Center Hospice, Restricted Fund, P.O. Box 26565, Prescott Valley, AZ 86312.
Memory Chapel helped the family with arrangements.
