DECKER, Tiffany Cora Marie, passed away August 3, 1996. Born February 20, 1990. Our little angel is now reunited with her mother, Rose Ann Decker, who passed away on the day of her birth. Also preceded in death by her grandfather, Gene W. Decker. Survived by father, Kurt Decker; stepmother, Krista Moss Decker; brothers, John, Jason, Joseph and Tam; sisters, Tamalyn (Chris) Gable and Janny Moss; nephews, Thomas and Christian Gable; grandmother, Beverly T. Decker; and step-grandparents, Dan and Berta Moss; also survived by numerous aunts; uncles; and cousins. Graveside Memorial Service was held in Glen Elder, KS, August 6, 1996. A Memorial Service will be held here in Tucson at Grace Chapel, 6180 E. Pima, Saturday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Grace Chapel.
JOHNSTON, Ruth, 81, formerly of Tucson, died July 24, 1996, Encinitas, CA, after several years of declining health following a September 1992 car accident. Born August 23, 1914, in Montclair, NJ, to Harry Barker and Marion Ina Booth. B.A. 1935, Skidmore College, where she taught jewelry and design 1935-1939. M.A. in Art Education, 1941, Teachers College, Columbia University. Mrs. Johnston was a talented metalsmith and her creations were exhibited in numerous juried shows. Mrs. Johnston came to Tucson in 1968 from Ann Arbor, MI, with her husband Bruce Johnston (Professor Emeritus of Structural Engineering, University of Michigan, who joined the U of A engineering faculty). The Johnstons were avid golfers (members TCC). In May of 1995, Mrs. Johnston and her caregiver moved from Tucson to Encinitas, CA. Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bruce (1989); son, David (1992) and son, Sterling (1995). Survived by daughter Carol Snow of Del Mar, CA; grandsons, Keith Johnston of Austin, TX and Andy Johnston of New Orleans, LA; brother, Sam Barker of Birmingham, AL; and ‘like-family’ live-in caregiver Nancy Forsberg. Private services were held.
ASH, Robert U., 85, a 40 year resident of Tucson, passed away August 4, 1996 in Glendale, AZ. Born April 2, 1911 in St.Vincent, MN. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy; son, David (Barbara) Ash; daughter, Marilyn (John) Tarrant; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 9, 1996 at SOUTH LAWN MORTUARY CHAPEL, 5401 S. Park Ave., Reverend Ed Persill officiating. Burial willfollow at South Lawn Cemetery.
DUNGAN, Virginia Margaret Ward, 87, of Phoenix, died Tuesday, August 6, 1996 at Life Care Center of Paradise Valley. She was born June 4, 1909 in Belleville, KS. She came to Arizona 10 years ago from Idaho. She was a member of Mt. View Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, AZ. Graduated from Belleville High School in KS and College of Emporia in Emporia, KS majoring in Music and Minor in English and Education. She and her late husband owned Dungan’s Music in Boise, ID. She was affiliated with First Congregational Church in Boise, ID for over 30 years. She was a member of several music professional associations. She is survived by one daughter, Linda M. Dungan of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Judith Kueker of Belleville, KS and Lucille Van Gundy of Athens, WV; one grandson, Bryan P. Smith of Scottsdale, AZ; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Nicole Smith. Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 1996 at 4:00 p.m. at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8050 E. Mountain View Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. Memorial contributions can be made to Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8050 E. Mountain View Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Arrangements by Messinger Mortuary and Chapel, 7601 E. Indian School Rd.
MONDA, Rose C., a widely decorated Senior Olympian, Junior High Mathematics teacher, a founder of Tucson’s Massachusetts Club and an accomplished musician, died Monday, August 5, 1996 in her sleep at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Tucson. She was 91. Rose, a native of Fall River, MA, who represented Arizona during the last five national Senior Olympics as one of the oldest participants winning more than 20 gold medals in track and field events, suffered from lymphoma. Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8 at SS Peter & Paul’s, N. Campbell Ave. & Lee St. A Memorial procession to Rose Canyon follows the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the John Hanten Memorial Group, 1946 E. Lee St., Tucson 85719-4396. Rose is survived by her son, Richard of CA; her daughter, Gloria of The Netherlands, their children, Luci, Michael and Kamala, and Luci’s children, Chelsea Sky and Harley Wolfgang.
BRADLEY, Margaret ‘Peggy’, born February 9, 1922, died July 31, 1996. Survived by seven children, Roberta Cannon of Mesquite, TX, Phillip Hornbrook of Tucson, Judith Barbee of Roatan, Honduras, Central America, Suzanne Konigsfeld of Tucson, Kathleen Smith of Ladson, SC, Elizabeth Wood of Gilbert, AZ and Michelle Fernane of Tucson, AZ; 22 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 8 at Vista Del Norte Clubhouse, 1111 E. Limberlost.
BROWN, Lillian A. ‘Skippy’, 64, a long time resident of Tucson, AZ, died on August 3, 1996 at University Medical Center. Mrs. Brown grew up in the Marana//Tucson area. Raised a family and worked for many years at the public defenders office as a legal secretary until her retirement in 1994. She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell G. Brown and is survived by many. Survivors include her mother, Lillian Doyle of Tucson; her three sisters, Patricia Wayne of Tucson, Terry Cote of Tucson and Judy McKeever of Boyd, TX; she is also survived by her five children, Francis Brown and family, (wife, Catherine, daughter, Sarah, Charlotte and Emily), of Milan, Italy, Blaze Brown and family, (wife, Maryann, sons, Jake, Adam and Shane) of Anaheim, CA, Shawn Brown of Phoenix, AZ, Mary Brown of Tucson and Basil Brown with (wife, Eiko) of Yuma, AZ; Mrs. Brown is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at TUCSON MORTUARY, (North Chapel), 204 S. Stone Ave., with Rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. Mass will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Church, 1946 E. Lee St. Followed by interment at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
CERVANTES, Bernadeen (Shumake), 74, died August 3, 1996. Bernie was born November 20, 1921 in Lamesa, TX. In 1930 Bernie moved with her parents from TX to NM and on to Patagonia, AZ in 1936. She graduated from Patagonia High School and attended both Arizona State Teachers Colleges in Flagstaff and Tempe. For 22 years she worked for Sandia Corp. in Albuquerque before transferring to Fort Huachuca where she retired in 1990. She is survived by four sons, Mike of Patagonia, Steve (Mary) of Tucson, Jim of Lancaster, CA and Philip of Tucson; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; sister, Juanel S. Hill. Funeral Services will be held at the Patagonia Community Church on Wednesday, August 7, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. with Visitation at 9:00 a.m. Remembrances may be madeto St. Joseph’s Carondelet Hospice Program, Tucson, AZ. Arrangements by Green Valley Mortuary and Memorial Gardens, (520) 625-7400.
DEVORE, Ralph H., 80, of Tucson, died August 4, 1996. Survived by brother, Theodore of Tucson; brother-in-law, Dan Smith; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Ethel; sisters, Daisy Bavor, Bernice Peterson and Elizabeth Smith. Ralph served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was a member of VFW Post 10015 and the American Legion. Funeral Service 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6 at SOUTH LAWN MORTUARY CHAPEL, 5401 S. Park Ave. Interment South Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service.
FIMBRES, Rosa R., 75, of Tucson, passed away August 3, 1996. Survived by daughters, Maria Theresa Fimbres, Rose Marie Rodriguez, Henrietta Fimbres, Marie Antoinetta; son, Manuel Moses Fimbres; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
HARMON, Leamon ‘Jiggs’, 77, of Tucson, died Saturday, August 3, 1996. He is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Leamon Harmon, Carolyn Robles, Marilyn (Larry) Matthews; sisters, Bonnie Nail, Naomi (Warren) Fuller; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Mr. Harmon farmed cotton in Marana from 1952 until he retired in 1972. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7, 1996 at EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY CHAPEL, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Entombment will follow at the Mausoleum of Peace, East Lawn Palms Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mortuary, Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
HERNANDEZ, Alberto M., 61, of Tucson, passed away August 3, 1996. Survived by son, Alberto (Chris) Hernandez, Paul (Juanita) Hernandez, Benjamin (Tina) Hernandez, Ernest Hernandez, Edward Hernandez; brothers, Joe Hernandez, Jesus Hernandez, Manuel Hernandez. Also survived by nine grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 1996 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at TUCSON MORTUARY, (South Chapel), 240 S. Stone Ave. with Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. Mass will be offered on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
HILEMN, Hal, Jr., 68, Chairman of the Board of Hilemn Laboratories, Greensboro, NC passed on July 27, 1996 while traveling with his wife in CA. He has been a resident of Tucson, AZ since 1986. Mr. Hilemn began Hilemn Laboratories in 1957 with his father and brother, both now deceased. Under his leadership Hilemn Laboratories expanded into a worldwide corporation. At the time of his passing, Hal was still active in the business. In Greensboro, NC Hal was active in Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellow and First Church of Christ Scientist. In Tucson, he was on the board of Desert Shepherd, a retirement center for Christian Scientists, Meal on Wheels, The Girabaldi Mandolin Strings Orchestra, Rotary and Third Church of Christ, Scientist. He is survived by his wife, Ann Drennan Hilemn; five children all of NC; and five brothers and sisters. A Memorial Service will be held in Greensboro, NC on August 8, 1996 at Forbis and Dick. Donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Tucson Educational Services, 4621 N. 1st Avenue, Suite #1, Tucson, AZ 85718. Arrangements by Forbis and Dick Funeral Service, Inc., (910) 275-8408.
HOFF, Sterling J., 76, of Tucson, passed away August 3, 1996 in Show Low, AZ. Survived by wife Virginia of Tucson; sons, James of Brainard, MN and Richard of Bemidji, MN; daughters, Jill Prall of Anoka, MN and Judy Engstrand of Tucson; sisters, Betty Wagenhals of NM and Patricia Koester of MN; eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Sterling was owner of Twin City Lino Service in St. Louis Park, MN for 30 years. Member of Tucson Junior Chamber of Commerce and Pusch Ridge Chapel. Friends may call Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY, N. Oracle & W. Miracle Mile. Services and interment Glen Haven Cemetery, New Hope, MN.
KONKEL, Wilma Olive Solomon, 77, was born January 25, 1919 in Smithfield, West Virginia, and died August 3, 1996 in Tucson, Arizona. She moved to Tucson in 1948 with her first husband, Tom, where they owned and operated Dohler’s Oracle Road Market. Later Olive retired from the University of Arizona. She leaves behind her sons, Tom, Jim and Richard Solomon; daughters-in-law, Sharon and Tina Solomon; grandchildren, Joy, Curtis, Elaine and Trevor Solomon; brothers, Allen, Harold and Willard Cozart; and many more beloved family and friends. Olive was preceded in death by her husbands, Phillip Thomas Solomon (1971) and Bruno John Konkel (1995); parents, George and Samantha Cozart; brothers, Lawrence, Herman, Forrest and George Cozart; sisters, Bernice Syphers and Evelyn Friend Kaufman; and grandson, James Allen Solomon. One of the most important parts of Olive’s life was her love for Jesus Christ whom she faithfully served to the end. Viewing will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7 at ARIZONA MORTUARY, 7 E. University Blvd. Rev. Carl Vereen will be officiating at the Memorial Service held 3:30 p.m. Thursday, August 8, 1996 at Del Norte Baptist Church, 1440 W. Prince Rd., and the Graveside Service at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S. Park Ave. Afterwards, family and friends will gather in the Fellowship Hall of Del Norte Baptist Church. A Memorial Fund has been established in Olive’s name at Del Norte Baptist Church.
LEE, Matt V., 95, a 45 year resident of Benson//Dragoon, died Friday, August 2, 1996 in Tucson. Born September 12, 1900 in Safford, AZ. Mr. Lee was a Pioneer, Postmaster, Store Owner//Operator for 33 years and a Miner in Dragoon with 25 years at Mining Claims and Johnson Mine. Member of VFW Barney Figueroa Post 6271 in Benson, American Legion, First Baptist Church, Trustee, Board of Deacons, Sunday school teacher. Mr. Lee was in the US Navy during WWI. He is survived by wife, Marilla Lee of Benson; son, Vernon Lee of Seattle, WA; daughter, Kathaleen ‘Kathy’ Vogt of Sierra Vista, AZ; daughter-in-law, Barbara Lee of Benson; also nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held Thursday, August 8, 1996, 9:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Benson, AZ, with Reverend John T. Weeks officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 7, 1996 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at RICHARDSON’S MORTUARY, Benson. Casketbearers are grandchildren, Douglas A. Lee, Wayne I. Lee, Jr, Debbie Lee Anderson, Tammy Lee McGee, Vernon L. Lee, Dwight E. Lee, Merrill J. Lee and Derek A. Lee (great-grandson). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2258, Benson, AZ 85602.Arrangements by Richardson’s Mortuary, 725 E. 4th St, Benson, AZ. 520-586-2288.
MIDKIFF, Elizabeth A. ‘Betty, 46, died August 3, 1996. Wife of Norman Midkiff of Tucson; mother of Stacy Lynn (Keith) Machen, Tera Lee Sherman, Christy Marie Sherman, all of Tucson, Christina Midkiff of TX and Nicole Midkiff of Greer, AZ; daughter of George and Kay Commenator of Tucson; grandmother of Rachel, Stephanie, Richard and Samantha; sister of George E. (Anne) Commenator of NH, Carl D. (Susan) Commenator of VA, Cathy (Dennis) Manherz, Neil Commenator and Donald R. (Rebecca) Stuart, all of Tucson. Memorial Service 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 8 at BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL with Father MikeMartinez officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Betty’s name to the University of Arizona Cancer Research Center, 1501 N. Campbell, Tucson, AZ 85724. Arrangements by BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway.
OBERMAN, Victor Edward, 78, of Tucson, born April 26, 1918 in Grand Haven Township, MI, died Monday, August 5, 1996. Mr. Oberman was a carpenter. He is survived by wife, Marian; daughters, Marianne Fuerst (Gerhart) of Kalamazoo, MI and Barbara Scott of Grand Haven, MI; grandchildren, Christina, Michael and Heidi and Sarah Fuerst of Kalamazoo, MI, Susan Krupp (Christian) of Grand Rapids, MI and Julia Scott of Grand Haven, MI; step-children, Kathryn Grundhoefer (Brian) Tucson, AZ, Virginia Hanz of Stow, OH, Charles Burdick (Judy) Greensboro, NC, Joanne Van Dyke (Steven) of Sun Prairie, WI, Ellen Burokk of Tucson, AZ; step-grandchildren, Lynette Abbe of Fowlerville, MI, Cynthia Molner (Bert) of Elkhart, IN, Trent Abbe of Fowlerville, MI, Aime Johnson of Muskegon, MI, Shelley Zolman (Kyle) of Canton, MI, Christine and Kevin Hanz of Stow, OH, Lisa Jones (James) of Dunn, NC, Leigh Anne Moore of Greensboro, NC; and eight great grandchildren. Victor was a lifetime member of P.B.O. Elks U.S.A., Grand Haven Lodge #1200. Memorial Services will be at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd. (at Speedway), Wednesday, August 7, 1996 at 6:00 p.m. with Dr. Andrew G. Ross officiating. memorial donations may be made to St. Marys Hospice.
