Obituaries

John Frank Tarajcak 89, passed away peacefully Friday December 30, 2016 in Payson, Arizona.Beloved husband of Virginia (Tanno) Tarajcak of nearly 70 years. Devoted father of Kathy Sutherland, Steve, Dan, Ricky, and Vicki and her husband Gio Giordani. Loving Grandfather to David, Michelle, Danielle, Angela, Gianni, and Giulio. Great Grandfather to Megan and Davey. Brother of Richard Tarajcak and his...

Cecilia Garcia Rocha, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. She was born in Tijuana, Mexico on June 8, 1947.  She was the youngest child of Ignacio and Angela Garcia in a family of eleven children.  She was raised in the Colonia Libertad neighborhood of Tijuana where she grew up surrounded by loving parents and a large extended family....

A resident of Peoria, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2017. Phyllis was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Arizona in 1968. Her husband, William passed away in 1986. Survivors include stepson, William, Jr., 2 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. “I was thankful to the good Lord for all His blessings during my life...

Robert Alan Rye passed away at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on January 13th, 2017. He was 88 years old. There will be a family memorial service, but no public funeral. Bob was born to Forrest and Alice Rye in Weymouth, Massachusetts on August 27th, 1928. The oldest of three children, he was preceded in death by his brother...

Norma Jean (Sipe) LoPiccolo entered eternal life Saturday, January 14, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, including Donald V. LoPiccolo, her husband of 64 years. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at a Funeral Mass at 1pm Wednesday, January 18, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. Private interment will be at a later...

Richard passed away Saturday January 7th, 2017 at the age of 93.On November 25, 1923 he was born in Galt, Missouri, to Bearl and Fay Reeder. He served in the Army Air Force during WW2 flying missions over Germany in a B-17. In 1942 he married Dixie Searcy. They were married 59 years till her passing in 2001. They moved...

78, passed away following a long illness due to Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease on January 4, 2017 at Hospice of the Valley Gardiner Home. Grant was born on May 11, 1938 in Port Huron, Michigan to Clinton and Rachael Yeo. He joined the Air Force October 4, 1957 and was released from active duty on May 15, 1962....

Timothy Scott Whitmarsh, 59 of Queen Creek died January 7, 2017. He was born on September 15, 1957 to Charles and Barbra Whitmarsh in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Papago Elementary and East High School. He is survived by his wife Theresa, daughter Andrea, son Alexander, siblings; Lisa Mark, Marla Hein, Dale, Robert, Chuck and loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will...

Ronald John Dunlap was born May 1, 1930 in Kankakee, Illinois. Ron passed away on Wednesday January 11, 2017. He spent the night before, surrounded by family and friends enjoying a night of remembrance and laughter. Ron was an accomplished accountant that worked in the railroad and airline industries, which led to his love of travel. He took numerous trips...

Benjamin Donlon Ward, Sr. born September 27, 1929 and called to his Heavenly home Sunday, January 8, 2017. Benny, as his mother called him, was a loving husband, father, devout Catholic, Navy Veteran, pilot, hot air balloonist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur. He loved life and he lived it to the fullest. If he had a motto, it would have been ‘Work...

Michael John Obrodovich, born March 14, 1941, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on January 9, 2017. He was born in Hurley, Wisconsin to Mike and Rose Obrodovich. He graduated from Eagle River Union High School in 1959. Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Wisconsin, River falls and his Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin,...

Jean Anne Tipfer, 81, of Phoenix, passed away on January 9, 2017. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Phoenix in 1961 from Pennsylvania. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as an assistant supervisor for environmental services for 19 years. Jean served as a Lector at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She was a good mother to a loving...

Margaret P. Blanco 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 3, 2017. Margaret was an Arizona native who married the love of her life, Ismael Blanco and had three beautiful children. She dedicated her life to taking care of her family and was the caregiver for three generations of kids. She loved her family more than life...

Bill Desmarais, 52, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away January 5, 2017. He was born in Dover, Delaware on October 2, 1964 to Lawrence and Margaret Desmarais. He was raised in Phoenix and attended grade school at Campo Bello Elementary and graduated from Paradise Valley High School. Bill began his professional life in the printing business and eventually joined American Express...

Norma Leonard died on Dec. 30, 2016 at age 82. Norma was born in Santa Fe, N.M., and died in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was a gentle and patient mother. She earned a nursing degree from Phoenix College and found inspiration with Catholic women in Theresians of America. She is survived by her husband Bill, seven children and their spouses (Susan...

John Paul Ovens, a retired orthodontist, died on December 31, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 89.  John was born in Bisbee, Arizona on July 26, 1927, the fourth child of James Mason Ovens and Marguerite A. Ovens.  Being raised in Phoenix, he attended St Mary’s Grammar School and St Mary’s Boys’ High School.  John received a Bachelor’s...

81 of Phoenix, passed away on December 29, 2016. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and came to Arizona in 1956 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. John was stationed at Williams Air Force Base. John had a private pilot’s license and enjoyed taking his kids flying when they were young. He was a machinist by trade until retirement....

Hilario (Larry) M Casillas, age 85 of Superior AZ passed away December 28, 2016 at his home with his wife of 65 years, Consuelo (Connie) at his side. Born January 13, 1931 to Carmen and Guadalupe Casillas in Superior, and raised with his 3 brothers Adolfo, Eddie and Louis. He is survived by his wife Connie, daughter Susan, son Larry...

Albert “Al” Basila, 87, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, 2016. Al was born November 20, 1929 in Alamogordo, New Mexico to Fred and Edna Basila. He graduated from North High School and attended the University of Arizona prior to being drafted into the United States Army in 1951 where he served our country...

Alfred Philip (Chuck) Savage, 94, died peacefully in Phoenix, Arizona on January 1, 2017. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut on February 16, 1922, the son of Anne and Jacob Savage. Following graduation from the Norwich Free Academy, Chuck joined the U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Chuck was the founder of A.P. Savage Supply Co., a...