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Thomas E. Currie
1936-2000
Thomas Emmett Currie, of Evansdale, Iowa, died on July 1, 2000, at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, Iowa of natural causes. Thomas Emmett Currie was born on October 21, 1936, to Cortis and Elsie (Stewart) Currie in Hayden.
He married Margo DeBerg on December 2, 1969, in Nogales, Arizona. He served in the United States Army. He was employed as a dock foreman at Ringle Express, formerly located in Waterloo, Iowa, for 10 years, retiring in 1980. Thomas was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Evansdale and Evansdale Amvets Post #31.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Cortis and Elsie Currie and one son, Deon Currie.
Thomas is survived by his Wife: Margo of Evansdale; 3 Daughters: Elaine Halbmaier of Evansdale, Terri Hagen of Evansdale, Debbie Barber of La Porte City; 1 Son: Tony of Comanche, TX; 2 Sisters: Billie Hamilton of Willcox, AZ, Jerri Addington of Weatherford, TX; 1 Brother: David of Willcox, AZ; 6 grandchildren; 3 Great grandchildren;
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Garden View Chapel in Waterloo and on Monday, July 3 one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Services will be held on Monday, July 3 at 11:00 A.M. at Garden View Chapel, 3655 Logan Ave., Waterloo, Iowa. Interment will take place on Monday, July 3 at Garden of Memories, 3669 Logan Ave., Waterloo, with military rites performed by Evansdale Amvets Post #31 and Waterloo Amvets Post #19. Memorials may be directed to the family or to Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa.
Sabrina Ruth Runner
1983 - 2000
Sabrina Ruth Runner, of Pomerene, died June 27, 2000, in Happy Valley, at the age of 16. Sabrina was born on August 23, 1983, in Ocala, Fla., to Ronald and Katherine Runner.
Sabrina was a Benson Union High School student.
She is survived by her parents, Ronald and Katherine Runner of Pomerene; paternal grandmother, Delma Ruth Runner of Avon Park, Fla.; maternal grandfather, Ray Charles (Betty) Green of Calhoun City, Miss.; sisters, Shana P (Greg) Anderson and Staci L. (Ray) Atchinson, both of Ocala, Fla.
Services were held on July 1, 2000, at Los State Center in Benson. Rev. William Wells, of Skyline Baptist Church, officiated the services. Burial followed at Cochise Gardens of Rest in Benson. Casketbearers were Rick Stanfield, Andrew Brogan, Mick Lofata, David Estrella, Mica Lee and Shane Walker.
Services under the direction of Richardson's Mortuary in Benson.
Elizabeth L. Clement
1964-2000
Elizabeth L. Clement died on June 4, 2000, at the age of 35. She was born in Willcox on Nov. 5 1964.
Elizabeth was a active member of Living Word Chapel and the George Strait Fan Club.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Clement; two children, Laci Clement and Justin Dirks; her parent, Silvetre and Dolores Ledesma; one brother, Silvetre (Maria) Ledesma; her grandmother, Mary Rodriguez; her father and mother- in-law, Edward Sr. and Peggy Clement; five aunts; six uncles; ex-husband, Ervin Dirks; two nieces, Ashley and Jazzy Ledesma; a close cousin, David Rodnique and several other cousins.
A memorial service was held June 8, 2000 at the Living Word Chapel. Speakers at her memorial service were Ny Le Layton and Elder Walworth from The Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Charles L. Laird
1927-2000
Charles L. Laird, of Champaign, Ill., died on May 29, 2000, at his home, at the age of 79. He was born July 17, 1927, in McKinney, Texas, to Charles L. (Sr.) and Tennie (Toombs) Laird.
Mr. Laird had been a winter resident of Willcox for several years. Mr. Laird attended the University of Illinois. He was a real estate builder, broker and an independent fee appraiser. He sailed with the Merchant Marines during W.W.II and later was a cryptographer for the Air Force. He married Dolores Goetze on Aug. 7, 1953 in Glasford, Ill. Mr. Laird was a member of the BiLo Investment Club and a member and past president of the C-U Home Builders. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, snow skiing and R.V. travel.
Mr. Laird is survived by his wife, Dolores; two sons, Bruce (Kathy) and John Laird, both of Champaign, Ill.; a brother, Robert (Jean) Laird of Willcox; a sister, Peggy (Harold) Brown of Willcox and a granddaughter, Andrea Laird.
Military graveside services were held at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Hollis Township, Peoria County, Ill. Rev. John Simpson officiated at the service. Memorial contributions may be made to pancreatic cancer research, c/o the American Cancer Society.
Fred W. "Ben" Benson
1930-2000
Fred W. "Ben" Benson, of Pearce-Sunsites, died on June 24, 2000, in Willcox, at the age of 70. He was born in Chelsea, Mass., on February 26, 1930, to Joseph and Rose (Cushing) Benson.
Mr. Benson came to Sunsites in 1992 from Elko, Nev. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp for over 28 years and retired with the rank of MgySgt. and served three tours in Vietnam and was a survivor of the Atomic Weapons Testing in Nevada. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and VFW. On January 9, 1952, in San Diego, Calif., he married Mae Frappia.
He is survived by his wife, Mae of Sunsites; daughters, Evelyn Benson of Mesa; Lynn Crane of Sunsites and Joan Gardner of Phoenix; son, Rick (Katrina) Benson of Heidelberg, Germany; sisters, Millie Bennett of Massachusetts and Mary Ann Lowary of New Hampshire; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Private services were held with full military honors with cremation at Westlawn Crematorium.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox.
Patrick E. Henry
1936-2000
Patrick E. Henry, of Mescal, died at his home on May 3, 2000, at the age of 63. He was born on Dec. 12, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, to Ernest and Margaret (Martin) Henry.
He married Bettelee Matthews, of Aurora, Col., on June 16, 1979, at his home in Bailey, Colo. They spent 12 winters in Ensenada, Mexico, then moved to Mescal in 1995, spending their summers in Nathrop, Colo.
He was a graduate of West High School in Columbus, Ohio and attended the University of Northern Colorado. Pat retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1974 after a 20-year career as an airborne photographer, having served one tour in England and two tours in Vietnam. After his Air Force career he spent 30 years working as a real estate broker in Colorado before moving to Arizona.
He was involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Real Estate Board of Colorado.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Margaret Henry.
Pat is survived by his wife, BetteLee Henry; two daughters, Susan (Gary) Secor, of Lawton, Okla. and Pam (Craig) Denton, of Washougal, Wash.; son, Pat (Connie) Henry, Jr., of Washougal, Wash.; two sisters, Joyce (Dennis) Johnson, of Columbus. Ohio and Judy Ore, of Columbia, Tenn.; granddaughters, Karen, Kimberly and Shaunna Secor and Michelle Denton; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held May 6, at St. Raphael's Episcopal Church in Benson. Interment will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery
in Denver, Colo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat's name to the American Cancer Society, 1636 N. Swan, Suite 151, Tucson, Ariz. 85712. Donations may also be made calling 1-800-227-2345 FREE.
Homer "Pee Wee" Fisher
Homer "Pee Wee" Fisher, of Willcox, died on June 19, 2000, in Tucson, at the age of 69. Please contact Westlawn Chapel for service arrangements.
Philo O. "Nick" Nichols
1926-2000
Philo O. "Nick" Nichols, of Willcox, died at his ranch home in Willcox, on July 30, 2000, at the age of 73. He was born on September 8, 1926, in Elmira, N.Y., to Philo and Lelia (Ayres) Nichols.
Mr. Nichols was a rancher and also was a member of Plumbers & Steam Fitters Local #741 in Tucson. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WW II. On Feb. 18, 1967, in Mexico, he married Ann Trout.
He is survived by his wife, Ann of Willcox; sons, Lance (Sophia) Nichols of Tucson; Ornal Nichols of Tenn. and Michael Katzorke of Key West, Fla.; daughter, Lou Ann Nichols of Willcox; brothers, Benjamin Nichols of Virginia and Timothy Nichols of New York; sisters, Arlene Neale of Virginia and Geraldine McGuire of North Carolina; grandchildren, Jennifer Sutton, Nicholas Fleck, Deanna Judkins, Clayton Nichols, Ralph Nichols, Heidi Norwood, Melanie Nichols and numerous other grandchildren along with many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his niece Laurie Walker and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 3, 2000, at Valley Funeral Home, in Tucson . Concluding services were held on Aug. 4, 2000, at Westlawn Chapel in Willcox with viewing one hour prior. Burial took place at Sulphur Springs Community Cemetery
in Willcox. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Research.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox.
Damacio R. Barba
1906-2000
Damacio R. Barba, of Willcox, died on July 31, 2000, in Tucson, at the age of 94. He was born in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to Tomas and Leonarda (Rodriguez) Barba on June 29, 1906.
He had been a resident of Willcox since 1959 and was a employed as a farmhand. Mr. Barba was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Willcox.
He is survived by his son, Jose Barba of Willcox; daughters, Floretina Martinez of San Antonio, Texas and Juanita Risch of Atascadero, Calif; numerous brothers and sisters; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Rosary was said on Aug. 2, 2000 at Westlawn Chapel. Funeral mass was held on Aug. 3, 2000 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Willcox with burial in Sunset Cemetery
in Willcox.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox.
Arthur Edwin McKechnie, Jr.
1928-2000
Arthur Edwin McKechnie, Jr., of Bowie, died on July 28, 2000, in Tucson, at the age of 72. He was born July 24, 1928, in Cheyenne, Wyo., to Arthur E. and Geraldine McKechnie.
They both preceded him in death.
He was raised on the family ranch in the Laramie Mountains near Horse Creek, Wyo., where he attended a one-room, one-student schoolhouse. When he entered the ninth grade, he and his mother moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., where he graduated from Cheyenne High School. After graduation, he returned to work on the family ranch at Horse Creek.
He was very active in Wyoming civics and politics until he moved to Arizona in 1969. Once in Arizona, he became involved in efforts to save family farms and promote the Democratic party. He operated a ranch in Elfrida until 1978, when he bought a ranch in Holbrook. In the mid 1980s, he moved to the Willcox area where he raised Quarter Horses until his death.
He began a Quarter Horse business in 1947 and was recently recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association for over 50 years of work breeding Quarter horses. While in Wyoming, he was active in the Laramie Jubilee days and Chair of the City of Laramie Centennial Committee. He was active in rodeo and show management and on the Wyoming State Board of Agriculture.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur E. and Geraldine McKechnie.
Arthur is survived by his son, Arthur E. McKechnie, III of Pittsburg, Kans.
A family burial will take place sometime this fall in Laramie, Wyo., where he will be buried beside his mother and father.
George Kern
1919-2000
George Kern, Jr., of Willcox, died July 18, 2000, in Willcox, at the age of 81. He was born on June 7, 1919, to George Joseph and Beulah (Putnam) Kern in Grimes, Iowa.
He had been a resident of Willcox since 1994. Mr. Kern was an electrician for Johnson Electric in Des Moines, Iowa from 1947, until retiring in 1982. He was member of NEBF and IBEW and was awarded the 50year membership award. He loved to garden and travel especially to Hawaii. On August 10, 1984 in Kona, Hawaii, he married Joan D. Rittel.
He is survived by his wife Joan Kern of Willcox.
Funeral service was held on July 24, 2000 at Evergreen Shrine of Rest Funeral Home, in Colorado Springs, Colo., with viewing onehour prior at the funeral home. Burial took place at Evergreen Cemetery, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox and Evergreen Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Gaines Leroy Forkner
1921-2000
Gaines Leroy Forkner, of Willcox, died July 23, 2000 in Show1ow, at the age of 79. He was born on Feb. 1, 1921, in Gold Beach, Ore., to Lewis Jefferson and Ina (Gardner) Forkner.
Gaines had resided in Willcox since 1982 coming from Phoenix. Mr. Forkner proudly served in the US Army Medical Corp during WW II. Mr. Forkner was a selfemployed building contractor and enjoyed doing artwork and woodworking. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Willcox 2nd Ward. On November 16, 1946, in Medford, Ore., he married Lois Spencer.
He is survived by his wife, Lois of Willcox; sons, Michael Leroy (Kathy) Forkner of Missoula, Mont.; Larry Gaines (Caroline) Forkner of Salt Lake City, Utah; Harley (Charity) Forkner of Spanaway, Wash. and David Forkner of Tillamook, Ore.; daughters, Janette (Robert) Livingston of Show Low and Pamela (Sean) Smith of Chaska, Minn.; brothers, Howard Forkner of Crescent City, Calif. and Harley Forkner of Redding, Calif.; also, 34 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, July 27, 2000, at 10 a.m., at the Willcox LDS Church with viewing one hour prior to the service in the relief society room at the church. Burial will take place in Sunset Cemetery
in Willcox. Contributions to the American Cancer Society, 163 6 N. Swan Rd., # 151, Tucson, AZ 857124065.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox.
Douglas Vern Welker
1920-2000
Douglas Vern Welker, of Bowie, died on July 11, 2000, in Willcox, at the age of 79. He was born in Miami, Ariz., on Dec. 15, 1920, to William Ira and Pauline Agnes (Hall) Welker.
Mr. Welker had been a resident of Bowie since 1929 and graduated from Bowie High School with the Class of 1938. He proudly served in the US ArmyAir Corp during WW II and reached the rank of Master Sergeant and was involved in the First Occupation of Japan. Mr. Welker had owned and operated the Bowie Chevron Station, Bowie Market, was involved in farming in and around Bowie, was a real estate broker and an insurance agent and was a fiscal agent for Cowlings of Houston. He was instrumental in getting the first dial tone on the phone system in Bowie. He was member of Bowie United Methodist Church, Bowie Lions Club and Bowie Chamber of Commerce and was an active member of the Desert Rest Cemetery
Board. On June 18, 1941, in Safford, he married Barbara Jean Scott.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Jean of Bowie; daughter, NancyJean Welker of Bowie; brother, Lamar J. (Janice) Welker of Ajo; daughter-inlaws, Connie E. Welker of Scottsdale and Connie F. Welker of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Jeremy Welker, Jeffrey Welker, Jason Welker and Kristen Welker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons Douglas Scott Welker and William Vern Welker.
Visitation was held on July 14, 2000, at Westlawn Chapel, in Willcox, with funeral services held on July 15, 2000, at Bowie United Methodist Church in Bowie. Interment was at the Desert Rest Cemetery
in Bowie. Contributions may be made to the Doug Welker Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 188, Bowie, AZ 85605 for which the funds will given to Bowie Organizations for support of their project.
Services under the direction of Westlawn Chapel & Mortuary in Willcox.
Loren B. Merrill
1943-2000
Loren B. Merrill, of Pueblo, Colo., died on June 26, 2000, in a Colorado hospital, at the age of 68. He was born on May 29, 1943, in Pima, to Jessie and Velma (Beach) Merrill.
Mr. Merrill graduated from St. David High School, married and joined the U.S. Army. While overseas, he spent some time in Germany. He used his skills as a mechanic to fix anything. He also could operate heavy equipment.
He is survived by his wife Elenora, of Colorado; son, Gary Merrill of Colorado; four daughters, Lonie (Allan) Grob of Colorado; Deborah (Val Dean) Nicholls of Utah; Deanna (Jeff) Caster of Utah and DeLona (Tom) Jensen of Utah; four brothers, Burt (Lola); Eugene (Lorena), Larry (Jan) and Orland (Glennis) Merrill all of St. David; another brother, Gary (Sharlene) Merrill of Mesa; two sisters, Kay (Frank) Wood of St. David and Judy Merrill of Mesa; 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services, with military honors, were held on July 5, 2000, at St. David Cemetery. Larry V. Merrill officiated the service.
San Pedro Funeral Home provided professional services.
