Obituaries

Martin C. Pitcher, 87, of Hobe Sound, Florida died peacefully in his sleep on July 4th 2015. “Marty” as he was called by those who knew him, grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of 8 children of Harry D. Pitcher and Minnie (née McCusker) Pitcher. Honorably discharged from the Army in 1956, Marty married his beloved wife, Margie, on October...

Dr. Paul A. Hayes, age 83, passed peacefully surrounded by his family in his home in Paradise Valley, AZ.  He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, graduated from the University of Minnesota in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1960. It was there that he met his wife, Betty, of 55 years. After marrying, Paul served in the US Army 10thEvacuation...

Ailsa Mary McKinstry 83, passed away in the early hours of June 26 2015. She was born in New Zealand. Her and her husband, Tullis, of 35 years arrived in Arizona in January 1953. She is survived by her sister Doreen, daughters Malia and Melissa, grandchildren Seneca, Cory, Sean, great grandchildren CJ, Emily, Blake and Avery. She is joining her...

Gloria Jean (Tobacco) Scarpone, 87, passed away Thursday morning, June 25, 2015, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Gloria was born July 27, 1927, in Warren, Ohio. She was the youngest child of Giovanni and Adelina Oliveri Tobacco.Gloria’s mother died when she was a toddler, leaving her older sister, Lavinia, to raise her and teach her the traditions of...

Jerry Lee Bishop 49, passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2015.  Jerry an Arizona native, was born in Phoenix, AZ on September 28, 1965 to Dan and Judy Bishop.  Jerry is preceded in death by his mother Judy Bishop and brother Chris Bishop.  Jerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend to all who knew and...

Michael Olexa peacefully passed to the Realm of Ancestors on the morning of July 1, 2015 at the age of 96. Michael was born in the township of Nanty Glo, PA, on October 5, 1918, the third child and third son of Andrew and Anna (Mehalko) Olexa and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1959. He worked for the Balsz School...

Gertrude F. Anderson, 87, resident of Tempe, AZ passed away on July 1, 2015. Gert was born in Pawtucket, RI on August6, 1927 to Gertrude and Francis Campbell. Gert was a retired Motorola employee and Scottsdale school employee. She loved her family, reading, writing letters, her exercise buddiesand crocheting. She had always loved the ocean; her entire home isfilled with...

Sugar Candice Montenegro, 25, entered eternal life on June 28, 2015.  She was born on January 10, 1990 in Phoenix to Gracie Vasquez and Steve Montenegro.  She graduated from St. Mary’s High School.  She was a cheerleader in high school and enjoyed cheering on her Arizona sports teams.  She was a dedicated mother, fiancé, daughter, sister, tia/nina, and friend. Sugar...

Willa Mae Panciera, longtime resident of Phoenix followed her husband, Guy and infant daughter Molly Ann home to be with our Lord and Savior June 30th, 2015. Born in Salado, Texas in 1920, she moved with her husband and four daughters to Phoenix in 1953 where she gave birth to two more daughters. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother,...

Donald A. McCann “Tractor,” 68 years old passed away June 25, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Iszy, sons Abraham (Tamara), John (Heather), daughters Helen, Suzanne (Geoff), brothers JT (Glynnis), Tom (Gloria), sisters Patsy, Suzie (Robin), grandsons Paul, Regeno, Isaac, Eli, granddaughters Tarah, Lemon and his living aunt Sister Anne Marie Holden and numerous nieces, nephews...

Roger D. Smith died peacefully Saturday evening June 27, 2015 with his loving family near him. He was born July 30, 1925 in DePeyster, NY and moved his wife and two children to Phoenix, AZ in 1963. Roger will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a man who enjoyed life and lived it to the...

90, of Phoenix, passed away June 24, 2015. She was born on June 18, 1925 in Northampton, MA to James and Ruth Finn. She graduated Smith College with a degree in pharmacy and served in the United States Air Force. She moved to Phoenix in 1973. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband James Sr., son James Jr. and...

Bill Hunter, 66, was born January 23, 1949 in Mulberry, Arkansas to Gladys Faye and Ted Hunter, and passed away June 19, 2015 and is now in the loving care and comfort of our Lord. William was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Robert Hunter. William is survived by one brother, Wayne Hunter and his wife...

72, of Phoenix, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2015. She was born October 26, 1942 to Keith and Geraldine Orr of Akron, Ohio. She arrived in Arizona in 1956 where she attended St. Gregory Jr. High and Xavier High School. At Xavier she received the Regina Caeli Award and later went on to become a member of the Board...

Dr. Josef Jakob Gerster, loving husband and beloved father, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 21st, 2015. Dr. Gerster was a long-time resident of the Valley, practicing internal medicine and cardiology in Scottsdale while raising a family in the growing Town of Paradise Valley.He was born August 28thof 1923 in Saarbrücken, Germany, the oldest of four...

René A. Rascón, 53, of Mesa, AZ, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2015. He was so loved and will be missed dearly! He is survived by his sister Terri, brothers, Mark, Robert and Rudy, brother-in-law Dave, sisters-in-law, Mari and Karen, nieces, Marisa, Rebecca and Jessica, nephews, Andrew and Javier. Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Whitney...

80, of Phoenix, AZ passed away peacefully at home on June 16, 2015. He is survived by his wife Norma (Morris-Ward) of 52 years, son Alan (Patricia) Johnson, daughter Debra Amey, 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, brothers Glenn Ward of Rio Grande, OH and Tom Hayes of Avon Lakes, OH. He is preceded in death by his daughter Lisa Brinson....

Dorothy Hong, wife of Joseph Hong (deceased), beloved mother of Frances and Diane, sons in law and five grandchildren, passed away on May 28, 2015 in California after a courageous battle with leukemia. She was born on April 7, 1936 in Kingston, Jamaica, married and lived in Phoenix and most recently in Manhattan Beach.   She will be dearly missed. A...

Maxine Evans, 101, of Phoenix, passed away June 15, 2015. She was born Maxine Hart on April 10, 1914 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a self-taught musician, who played piano and sang with several bands, most notably Hal Kemp’s band, in the 1930’s. She was a long time member of the DAR and is descended from numerous patriots of the...

On June 14, 2015, Elizabeth Jane Lopez (Pelton) passed away; she was surrounded by family and close friends. Elizabeth, who went by Janie, was born in Louisville, KY on June 25, 1956. Janie’s childhood was spent between Louisville, Deming, NM and Phoenix, AZ. Some of her fondest childhood memories were of time spent in Deming and Louisville with her cousins....