Obituaries

Allan Jaynes Stanton, a 2nd-generation AZ native and lifelong resident, prolific father and longtime lobbyist, died in the early morning of Monday, March 9, 2020 with loving family by his side. Born to Filmore Stanton and Dorothy Jaynes in the eastern AZ mining town of Morenci on April 26, 1931 and raised in nearby Clifton, Allan excelled academically and athletically...

Leroy Bess, 53, of Tempe passed away on March 12, 2020.He is survived by his son Justin, sister Lena and partner Matt, of 31 years.A private Memorial Service to celebrate Leroy’s life will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road in Phoenix. For those who wish...

Marcos A. Ruiz, 96, of Phoenix, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2020. He was raised by his mother Ines Chacon in Arizona.He served in the United States Army for 21 years as a medical specialist. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant serving in WWII and two tours during Viet Nam.He is survived by his five children, his brother...

Robert Joseph Klem, 65, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 9, in Phoenix, following a long battle with Multiple Myeloma.Born in Rochester, N.Y., on March 18, 1954, the son of Gerard and Alice Klem, Robert moved to Phoenix in 1979, where he was employed by the Phoenix Public Library and CopperPoint Insurance Companies.Bob was a walking encyclopedia on...

September 8, 1942 the world was blessed with the presence of Greta Alelia Backus. Greta lived her life to help others through her career, her art, and her love. She was a social worker for almost 40 years and helped to start essential government programs such as WIC in her hometown of Warren, Ohio. She is preceded in death by...

Amor Cosio Villareal, 83, died peacefully at her home in Paradise Valley, Arizona on Monday, March 9, 2020, with her loving husband and family at her side. She was born on August 15, 1936 in Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines, to Deogracias and Consuelo (Marzan) Cosio. Amor received her undergraduate and medical degrees from The University of the Philippines, graduating summa...

John William Moore, Sr., 84, passed away at home in Paradise Valley on March 7, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sarabeth, his children, Anne Moore (Vinny Allen) of Bethesda, MD, Amy Mandala, of Tucson, and John William Moore, Jr. (DeeDee) of Phoenix; his sister, Barbara Rider; his grandchildren, Jack and Michael Mandala, Emma Moore, and...

Peter O. Gill, a resident of Mesa, AZ, lost his long struggle with Alzheimer’s on February 28, 2020, at the age of 78.  He is survived by his wife, JoAnne, their children, Laurie, Greg, Rebecca and Kristen; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; two sisters from Muskegon, Janet Gill and Connie Dalgren.  Peter was born in Muskegon, MI on August...

PHOENIX – Erminio “Shorty” Perea, 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2020 in his Phoenix home following a short but hard-fought battle with metastatic mesothelioma.Erminio was born May 28, 1938 in Alpine, Texas. The Perea family moved to Ray-Sonora, Arizona in 1948 where he later met his future wife and love of his life, Angie (Perez). He enlisted...

Alda Moravec, 95, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on March 1, 2020 after succumbing to a serious illness. Alda was a gentle soul that made the world become a more beautiful place on November 26, 1924 as Alda was born in Massachusetts and then moved to Connecticut where she was raised under her Mother’s strong Portuguese heritage.Alda later moved to...

Marion Elizabeth Winne Birmingham, 84, passed on February 23rd, 2018 surrounded by her family in Scottsdale, Arizona. She battled non-smoking stage four lung cancer for nearly two years.Marion was born on June 25th, 1933 to Harris Bell Winne Jr. and Marie Louise Johanna Mollenkopf Winne in Moon Township, PA. She graduated from Moon High School (1951) and became a Registered...

Al Birmingham, age 87, (2-28-1933 to 2-20-20) was the guy you wanted in your corner: endlessly supportive and positive, quick to offer advice or a favor — magnanimous to a fault.Allen “Al” George Birmingham was born in Coraopolis, PA as one of the 8 children born to George and Helen Birmingham. Al started his lifelong love of golf as a...

Sharon Kay Gardner, Dallas, Texas, 77, passed away March 2, 2020 surrounded by her Husband and Loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents Jeff and Sybil Hunter, brother Jerry Hunter and her youngest son Lanny Lee Gardner. She will be forever missed by the love of her life, her “Sweetie Pie” Roddy Arnold Gardner, her children Mitchell...

PHOENIX – Antoinette DiGiovanni Smith, 95, surrounded by her family entered heaven on March 1, 2020 at the Hospice of Valley home in Scottsdale, Arizona.Antoinette, known by many as Annette, was born in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, New York on June 5, 1924. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silvio and Julia Ramoino, twin brother Adolph,...

Robert Church, 54, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, passed away on February 20, 2020. He was a wonderful son, husband and father, and he leaves behind many family members and friendswho loved him very much. He is survived by his father, Lawrence Robert Church, his father’s wife Michelle Church, and his brother Jeffrey Church. He also leaves behind his wife of...

Cynthia “Cindy” Lynn Howard passed on February 25, 2020 at the young age of 51 in her home in Phoenix, Arizona. She entered into her eternal life peacefully, surrounded by her mother and loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer. Cindy was born on July 17, 1968 in Greely, Colorado. She was the youngest daughter of Ira (“Pat”) and...

11/30/1931 – 2/20/2020Fern Marie (Burns) Schwartz passed away on February 20, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born November 30, 1931, in Vinita, Oklahoma. She graduated from Vinita High School and attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma.Fern had the most perfect beautiful handwriting. Her Chalk and Blackboard teacher had Fern write alphabets and create learning blackboards. Penmanship...

Phoenix – Lawrence Joseph Seeger passed into eternal life peacefully on February 23, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. During his final months, he was wonderfully cared for by the extraordinary staff at Vista and cheered by his loyal friends. In turn, Larry left many a smile in his wake, with his constant positive attitude – every day the greatest...

PHOENIX – Dr. Richard K. MacMillan, 92, passed away on February 18th, 2020. Richard (Dick) is survived by his wife of 65 years Millie MacMillan (Senseman) and their three children, Rick (spouse Pam), Karen (spouse Michael Perry) and Bob (spouse Hazel), and seven grandchildren: Caroline, Michael, Ian, Scottie, Katy, Millie, Bobby and one great-grandchild Jack. Dick was born on May...

Angelica Labellarte- McKinnon, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. Born in the United States to Italian immigrants, she was the middle of three daughters and is survived by her elder sister, Anna Santoro. After graduating from Garden City High School in 1953, Angie married and began raising a family in Detroit.She was the first...