Lt. Col. Robert Edward Blake Palmer
January 31, 2008
Lt. Col. Robert Edward Blake Palmer, 82, USMC retired, of Phoenix, passed on peacefully to our Heavenly Father on January 19, 2008. He is preceded in passing by his parents and brother Richard. Inspired and loved by many, his passing is celebrated by family and friends on a life filled with fond memories and lifelong experiences. Blake, as he was known to most, was born on December 3, 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee to William and Lydalu Palmer. He moved to Greenbelt, Maryland in 1937, where he attended school. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 26, 1944, where he proudly served in three wars World War II, Korean War and Viet Nam, most proudly landing on Iwo Jima as a Scout Observer with the 4th Marine Division in 1945. He honorably participated in the Korean War with the 1st Tank Battalion of 1st Marine Division from May 1952-April 1953. He closed out his war campaign as a Major in operations in Viet Nam from March 1966 to September 1966, receiving the Bronze Star with the Combat V. After 26 proud years, and having never been wounded in combat, he retired to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972, where he worked for the City of Phoenix for 18 years before retiring a 2nd time in 1990. Blake is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Cordelia, sons Robert Jr. and John, daughter Joanne Ryan O’Keefe, grandchildren Cody and Logan. He is also survived by his sister Fay Davis and brothers James, William Jr., and Edward Palmer, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins, and his faithful dog Cami. Viewing will be at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix on Sunday, January 27th, from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. with Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Services will be held at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312E. Campbell Ave. in Phoenix on Monday, January 28th at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Hospice of the Valley, The Sherman Home, @ www.hospiceofthevalley.org or the Marine Moms and Dads @ www.marineparents.com. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. SEMPER FI !!!
Kaitlyn Marie Sudberry
January 28, 2008
Kaitlyn Marie Sudberry, age 17, of Phoenix, AZ and Rindge, NH, was taken from us suddenly on Monday, January 28th on her way home from school. She was born in Tucson, AZ on July 5, 1990 to the loving parents of Richard Sudberry of Phoenix and Ellen Cantrill from Rindge, NH. She was loved by many as evidenced by the memorial her friends have made outside her home. A candle light service is planned on Monday evening at the High School to be held at dusk from 7-8 PM in front of the auditorium. Kaity had exceptional artistic abilities and loved to draw. She had an affinity for anything equestrian. She loved her pet dogs and
bunny. She loved to dance and plant seeds, flowers and herbs. She was a graduating senior at Moon Valley High School and was accepted and looking forward to attending Northern Arizona University this fall with much enthusiasm. Her family members who love her and cherish her include Bobbi, her Arizona mother and Wayne Cantrill, her NH step dad, her brothers, Daniel of Phoenix and RJ, Senior Airman, stationed in Florida, her sisters, Virginia of Phoenix and Yvonne Villarreal of El Mirage, her grandparents, Ralph and Edith Hale residing in Marlborough, Massachusetts and Liz Hughes from Victorville, California and Clifton Sudberry from Michigan and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, on Monday, February 4th, at 2:00 P.M. with Visitation starting at 1:00 P.M.
Ruth Sweeten Johnson
January 28, 2008
Ruth Sweeten Johnson, 59, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2008. Ruth was born November 13, 1948 in Camden, New Jersey. She is survived by her husband Malcolm Johnson, two sisters, three nieces and one nephew, two step children, 3 grandchildren. Private interment National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association of Arizona, 1028 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Theresa Francis Hastings
January 27, 2008
Theresa Francis Kalich Hastings, the daughter of Austrian/Slovenian parents Frank and Mary Kalich, was born in 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas. She grew up in a busy house with four brothers and three sisters. Times were hard in the depression, and Theresa traveled West as a Harvey girl in the mid 30′s, but soon met the love of her life, George Hastings Col. USAF. George was a native Arizonan who ran Civilian Conservation Corp camps at the Grand Canyon. They were married in 1935, and had two sons George Hastings Jr. and Larry Hastings Sr.. Theresa holds the record for women traveling by mule train to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, visiting her husband’s CCC camp at the Phantom Ranch. After three wars, relocations to Germany, Japan and seven states, and extensive travel, Theresa and George return to Arizona in 1957. Theresa enjoyed horseback riding, camping, fishing, and trips to Hawaii. She liked to garden, play bridge, cook, travel and socialize with friends. Her fondest times in later years were spending time with three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Theresa was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and the Christ Child Society of Phoenix. She was, along with her husband George, a long time member of The Arizona Horsemen’s Association. She was preceded in death by her husband George and three sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her sons George of Phoenix and Larry Diana of San Diego; three grandchildren Larry Hastings Sarah of Phoenix, Angela Geiser Tim of San Jose, CA and Holly Gines Jason of San Diego, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Bill Kalich of Kansas City, Kansas, and Stanley Kalich of Wenatchee, Washington, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 6th, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 7th. Burial will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Theresa Scholarship Fund.
Robert P. Richmond
January 26, 2008
Robert P. Richmond Bob, 85, of Phoenix, passed away January 26, 2008. Bob was born in Washington, D.C. on December 25, 1922, to Dr. Paul Richmond, Jr. and Helen Moore Richmond. As the son of a Navy medical officer, Bob lived in many places growing up, including Haiti; the Philippine Islands; Washington, D.C.; Bremerton, Washington; and San Diego, California. He graduated from M.I.T. in 1943 and served in the Seabees branch of the Navy during World War II. After returning from the war, he earned a J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore Law School while working full-time for Esso as a chemical engineer. He had a career that spanned 45 years with what is now Exxon Mobil, working for the company in Baltimore, Maryland; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mumbai, India; and Singapore, spending the last ten years of his retirement enjoying the sunshine and good weather in Phoenix. Bob had a lifelong love for the game of golf and continued playing up until his final illness in December of 2007. He also took pride in his long-time membership and involvement in the Sons of the American Revolution. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marian; his two daughters: Barbara Berman Mike of Phoenix, Arizona and Nancy Ward John of Katy, Texas; grandchildren: Paul Berman, Steve Berman, Laura Berman, Dan Ward, and Emily Ward; nieces and nephews: Christine Laning, Luci Laning Block, Robin Terry, John Paul Terry, and Richard Terry; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews: Jerry Block, Katie Block, Shane Burke, Flynn Burke, and Ren Burke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
George A. Steinhilber, Jr.
January 26, 2008
George A. Steinhilber, born July 16, 1930 to George A. Steinhilber, Sr. and Lucille Barthels Steinhilber at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Died at home on January 26, 2008 surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his beautiful wife Sandy; five children– Sara Cabirac Gary, Tim Steinhilber Diane, Lisa Andrews John, Ted Steinhilber, Greg Steinhilber Susan; stepdaughters Allison Lynch, Katie Lynch; ten grandchildren– Holden and Brenton Steinhilber, Lisa and Michelle Cabirac, J.R. and Emily Andrews, Alec, Eden, Chloe and Sara Steinhilber; and sister Jean DiOrio. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Lucille Steinhilber, stepmother Mollie Hergert Steinhilber and sister Kathryn Sickler.
George joined the U.S. Army in May of 1948 and served four years overseas. Upon his return he attended Oshkosh State Teachers College now the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh before transferring to the University of Arizona in Tucson. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1957 with a BS in Business Administration and Real Estate.
George was a co-founder of Continental Bank of Arizona, holding the positions of Senior Real Estate Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board. Continental Bank was acquired by Chase Manhattan Bank in 1987 and he stayed on as Vice Chairman of Chase Bank of Arizona until his departure in 1989. George started his career with Citizens Bank of Riverside as a staff real estate appraiser and then joined A.B. Robbs Trust Company in Phoenix as a Mortgage Loan Officer. He continued his career in the commercial mortgage banking industry up until his death, serving as Senior Vice President of CBRE Melody & Company. Throughout his career he was very active in the Arizona business community. He was past President of the Arizona Commercial Mortgage Bankers Association and Director of several institutions including Continental Bank, Chase Bank of Arizona and La Jolla Savings Bank. He was also a Board Member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America for 14 years. George was a member and past President of Phoenix Country Club.
George was an avid outdoorsman and will be dearly missed by his hunting and golfing buddies. He and Sandy treasured getaways to their summer cabin in Oak Creek Canyon and their beloved farm near George’s hometown of Oshkosh. Family and friends will cherish the memories of sharing his passion for the beautiful Wisconsin landscape at his home on Rush Lake.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 31st at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at 10001 N. 92nd Street, Suite 121, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 and Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” The words of Apostle Paul
Ramona F. Valenzuela
January 25, 2008
Ramona Flores Valenzuela’s earthly journey ended peacefully with family at her side on Friday, January 25, 2008. She was 96. Ramona was a lively woman, whose celebrated spirit and generous heart graced many Arizona generations. She was a two-time cancer survivor, having fought off uterine cancer in 1960 and stomach cancer in 1988.
Ramona was born in Tempe, Arizona, five months before it became the 48th State in the Union. She was the sole child of Ramon and Francisca Flores. She grew up with five siblings including a twin brother and sister, to whom she regularly attended, eventually in favor of her own formal education. With her late husband, Merejildo, who passed away in 1984, Ramona raised fourteen children in the Phoenix area. She and her late husband built an adobe house on 32nd Street and Jackson where she lived for nearly 60 years until her old ways of life gave way to modernity, in 2004. Her modest home on Jackson had always served as a beacon for distant or wayward family members, as each rediscovered their rooted kinship during their visits. Ramona greeted a friend or stranger always as family, reaching out to others with food, warm prayer and homestead. Steeped in her beloved Catholic faith, all of God’s creatures found comfort at Ramona’s house.
Ramona’s love for the movies, music, and dancing were obvious in her fashionable appearance about town, yet they never measured up to her fondness for Chihuahuas, sewing for family on her trusty Singer, cooking for all, or healing those who were ill. Taking the first tortilla in “Nana’s” house was not allowed. With her long gray hair often tucked in a neat bun, the Valenzuela Matriarch watched proudly as members of her prodigious family grew into accomplished homemakers, world travelers, athletes, nurses, public servants, artists, lawyers, professionals, and soldiers.
Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.
Ramona is preceded in death by her parents, Ramon and Francisca; her siblings, Jose, Maria, Carmen, Raymond, and Ruth; husband, Merejildo; sons, Edward and Frank Sr.; grandchildren, Arthur Jr., Johnny Boy, Frank Jr., and Melissa; and son-in-law John. She is survived by her sons and daughters: Fina, Dora, Andrea, Lupe, Peggy Jesse, Johnny, Mary Lou Felix, Hilda Ernest, Martin Ophelia, Raymundo Sr., Gilbert Mary, and Josie Robert; 62 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and many great-great grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Marks Catholic Church, 400 North 30th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, Thursday, January 31st. Visitation 9:00 – 10:00 am; Rosary 10:00 – 10:30 am; Mass 10:30 am; and Burial following Mass at St Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 West Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041 or St. Mary’s Food Bank, 2831 North 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009.
Mary O’Connor Boulet
January 23, 2008
Mary Evangeline O’Connor Boulet, born July 22, 1919, died peacefully in her sleep on January 23, 2008, having lived a full life blessed with family and friends. Mary was born and raised in Chicago and Crystal Lake, Illinois, received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in fine arts at the University of Illinois, and began her career teaching modern dance at Northwestern University before meeting and marrying the love of her life, John. The two lived in Milwaukee, where John, Jr. and Peggy were born, and then briefly in Minnesota and Colorado Springs before settling in Phoenix in 1954, the year Jennie was born. Mary began teaching at Phoenix College in 1955, enriching the lives of her modern dance students, pom-pom squads, and colleagues with her sense of humor and joyful spirit for more than twenty-five years. She loved to sing, as well as dance, was a committed member of The McConnell Singers for many years, serving as its president for a term and always as a willing volunteer, and also sang with the choir at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Preceded in death by her husband John, who died too young in 1975, and all of us who knew of their deep love for each other celebrate, with her, their reunion. Predeceased also by her brother, Bobby, and sister, Rita, she will be greatly missed by sisters Elaine Holquist, Jeanne Biel, and brother, Jim, her children, John Gail, Peggy Welch, Jennie Jim Webb; grandchildren Michelle, John, Steffan, Ryan, and Connor; honorary grandchildren Lisa and Barron; seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many, many friends who took good care of her, just as she took good care of all of us. Her heart was full of love. Visitation on Friday, January 25, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., with Rosary at 7:00 P.M., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 7655 E. Main St., Scottsdale, on Saturday, January 26 at 10:00 A.M. followed by interment at St. Francis Cemetery.
Virginia Elizabeth Bycroft
January 22, 2008
Virginia Elizabeth “Betty” Bycroft, 89, died on January 22, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded by her children. She was born to Margaret Hart Johnson and Frank Johnson in Battle Creek, Michigan on April 8, 1918. Betty grew up in Evanston, Illinois and graduated from Evanston High School. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1947 where she met Harry Bycroft and they fell in love. Betty and Harry were married at St. Francis Xavier Church in Phoenix on November 20, 1948 and settled in Phoenix, where they raised 8 wonderful children. They were married for 37 years until Harry died in March of 1980. At age 55, Betty returned to school to study art and became an accomplished water color artist. Following her retirement from Spellman Hardwoods, Betty focused on her art interests, opening an art studio and offering community art classes. Betty loved literature and music of all kinds and enjoyed these throughout her life. Betty had a passion for travel and was delighted to have taken two dream trips to Ireland and the British Isles. In 1994, Betty moved to Portland, Oregon for several years and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren there. She returned to Phoenix in 2002 and lived for several years at the Thunderbird Retirement Resort where she had many dear friends. Betty was an active member of St. Matthew’s, St. Gregory’s and St. Raphael’s parishes. Betty is survived by her children Paul Melody, John Janice, Mary, James Cheryl, Mark Nan, Margaret Ryan Bond, Joseph Joni, and Patricia Bill Yehling as well as 14 grand children and 6 great grand children. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Johnson of Flagstaff and several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her father, Frank, in 1951, husband, Harry, and mother, Margaret, both in 1980, and her brother, Benjamin Johnson, in 2004. Services will be held on Monday, January 28, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, 3424 N. 18th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85015, with interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85008. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul or St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Katherine H. White
January 22, 2008
Katherine Anna Harriet Schroeder White died on January 22, 2008 at the Beatitudes Care Center from heart failure. She was the youngest of seven children born in Cashston, WI on October 6, 1918, to Katherine Hundt Schroeder and Henry E. Schroeder. Katherine moved to Phoenix in the mid-50′s to become the elementary school art teacher at Longview School where she taught for thirty years. Her love of the arts continued in retirement when she became a master docent at the Phoenix Art Museum. Katherine’s husband, George E. White, passed away January 20, 1977. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Katherine, three brothers, Harold, Wilbert and Cleo Schroeder, and three sisters, Marie Hughey, Melinda Veglahn, and Crystal Harloff. Katherine’s sister-in-law, Agnes Schroeder lives in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Surviving Katherine are seven nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass will be Tuesday, January 29th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.