Obituaries

Marietta Jean Good, 99, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on May 5th, 2023. She was born on June 18th, 1923 in Madison, South Dakota to Thomas and Olga VanLaningham. Marietta had a brother Thomas and a sister Margaret. Marietta graduated from West Linn High School in West Linn, OR. During World War II, Marietta traveled to Washington D.C. and served as secretary to a high-ranking officer in the Pentagon. She also volunteered for the Red Cross as a “gray lady”. Marietta was the wife of a career officer in the U.S. Air Force where she truly flourished by hosting and attending countless parties and gatherings for officers and their wives far away from home on bases in Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Germany, and stateside. She was tireless in helping to build morale and she was an outstanding “ambassador” for the United States while overseas. Wherever she went, her warm, welcoming, and loving personality, and her fast and easy smile, made her the “belle of the ball” where she never met a stranger. Marietta was a woman of many interests and hobbies, including golf, dancing, needle work, water skiing, and traveling (RVing) to see friends and family. But foremost she loved the companionship and challenge of bridge. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend to everyone she met. Marietta was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Allen Good. She is survived by her son, Richard Allen Good Jr., daughter-in-law Connie Good, daughter Jean Ann Cole, daughter Marcelline Wehr, son-in-law Dennis Wehr, daughter Nancy Alan Lynch, son-in-law Dennis Lynch, four grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Marietta will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. St Joseph’s Indian School (P.O. Box 100 Chamberlain, S.D. 57325-0100) was one of Marietta’s favorite charities if you wish to donate in her name.

Dolores J. Coates 87, of Peoria, AZ, Formerly of Sun City, AZ, Passed away on May 3rd, 2023 peacefully. Dolores was born in Gary, Indiana on December 18, 1935, she had 3 siblings Eugene, Angeline and Walter. Dolores was predeceased by her parents Cecilia and Stanley Filar, husband Robert J. Coates Sr. Married for 68 years, Son Timothy Coates and 2 grandchildren Joshua and Adam. She is survived by her son Robert Jr., David Sr., Sharon (Matt) Glynn, Susan (Jay) Waller; grandchildren David Jr., Heather Coates, Diana (Amber) Mark, Christopher (Kasey) Coates, Eric (Brandy Absher) Coates. 10 great grandchildren. Dolores worked at a soda fountain as a teenager in high school and studied music. She married Robert on October 23, 1954, and worked in a windshield wiper factory and Simmons mattress factory before moving with her family in 1969 to Arizona, Dolores worked at Hanson Pipe as a secretary, Shasta Pools, The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles, AZ Department of Emergency Services, and retired as Case Manager for the Department of Economic Security Adoptions Subsidy. During Dolores’ retirement she enjoyed Singing in the church choir at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church and enjoyed going to events that the church sponsored. Dolores was active in the Red Hats Society and enjoyed the company of the Ladies. Dolores owned a home in Sun City for over 30 years and loved living in the Sun City area. She collected Snow Babies, angels and teddy bears as a hobby and was a proud Chicago Cubs fan. Funeral Mass is Scheduled for June 2, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85351 with a funeral mass and internment following at 11:30 am at Sunland Memorial Park 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85351, adjacent to the back of the church. Following the church service, a reception in Dolores’ honor will be held at 1:00pm – 4:00 pm at the American Legion Post 29 bingo hall, 6821 N. 58th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. Please send flowers the day before the funeral to St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City AZ 85335. In Lieu of flowers Please donate to Billet Hospice. billethealth.com or by contacting Elizabeth @ 1-833-224-5538

Theresa (Terry) Marie Weicker (Burdick) 63, of Peoria, AZ passed away on May 2, 2023 from Scleroderma. Terry was born March 11, 1960 in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in Levittown, PA. She was a 1978 graduate at Pennsbury High School. She was of the Catholic faith. She married the love of her life, Blair Weicker Jr. November 9, 1985. Terry and Blair were just shy of celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary. Terry was a fighter. She battled with Scleroderma for years and faced the biggest battles of her life with it twice just recently. Each time she came out stronger, but unfortunately in her final battle, God decided she had fought hard enough and welcomed her home with open arms. She can finally rest. After all 4 of her children were born, Terry and her husband decided to move to Peoria, AZ in 1994 to be with her parents. Terry had a few jobs in Arizona including New York West Bakery in Sun City, and working as a crossing guard at her childrens’ school, Cheyenne Elementary. The biggest job of all was being a stay at home mom to raise her 4 children. Terry always kept busy doing the things she loved. She loved making jewelry and arts and crafts, which her 3 grandchildren wish to continue to do in honor of their “OohAhh.” She loved going to shows to watch “the guys” (Paperback Writer who covers the Beatles, The Beach Boys, and the Monkees) perform. Terry loved to travel all over with her husband to see everyone, especially their family. She loved her football season. Terry was an avid Eagles and Cardinals fan. Terry loved her decaf coffee, she never went anywhere without it. She was also a member at West Valley Geneological Society and Library where she would spend time looking up her ancestors, which was also a hobby of hers that she loved. Without question, though, what she loved most was her family. Terry was pre deceased by her mother Joan Burdick (Williams), and father Clarence Burdick. She is survived by her husband Blair Weicker Jr., her children, Allison Bennett (Weicker), Jamie Weicker, Blair Weicker III and partner Elizabeth Ellis, Katerina Embardino (Weicker) and wife Marissa Embardino, her grandchildren, Nicholas, Aaron, and Carter Bennett. She is also survived by her sister Kelly Kretschmer (Burdick) and husband Jason Kretschmer, a nephew Benjamin Kretschmer and niece Emily Kretschmer. Services will be held privately for her family.

Don J. O'Brien, 84, of Sun City, AZ passed away at his home on May 1, 2023. Don was born July 14, 1938 in McMinnville, TN the son of W.M. O'Brien and Emma Cornelia (Foster) O'Brien. Don graduated Moline High School in 1958. He then went on to serve in the National Guard. Don married Mary Ferguson of Bald Knob, Arkansas on April 22, 1961. He was a long-time resident of Moline, IL where he retired from MidAmerican Energy (formally Iowa-Illinois Gas & Electric) as a Substation Electric Crew Leader. After Retirement Don & Mary moved between Moline, IL & Sun City, AZ where they enjoyed their retirement golfing, traveling, and socializing. Those left to honor his memory include Mary; his wife of 62 years, his children Tom (Tracey) O'Brien of Moline, IL and Rob O'Brien of Kissimmee, FL, along with his grandchildren: Elizabeth "Jasmine" (Daniel) Carr and Matthew (Susan) O'Brien and great-grandchildren: Keagan, Noah, and Savannah all of Moline, IL. Don is also survived by his twin brother Dan (Kathy) O'Brien Sun City, AZ. In addition to his parents Don is predeceased by his brothers George, Jim, and William (Bill) O'Brien. In lieu of a service the family has requested you take some special time and spend it with your family doing something fun.

Patricia K. Konopka, 87, of Peoria, AZ, passed away on April 24, 2023. Pat was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 31,1935. Pat was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Katherine Stenson and her husband, Walter Konopka, Sr, of 24 years, her sons Walter Konopka, Jr., William Konopka, her daughter, Susan Konopka and her brother, Robert Stenson. She is survived by her son James (Lydia) Konopka and her daughter, Kim (Scott) Cooper; grandchildren, William (Tiffany) Cooper, III, James (Marley) Cooper, Ashley (Andrew) Horne, Michael (Jessica) Cooper, step grandsons Simon and Dylan Fish and step-granddaugher Andrea Murchie; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Ridley, William IV, Beau, Lane, Reid, Riley and Grady Cooper, Drew and Blake Horne, and step-great grandson Kairo Fish. Pat attended secretarial trade school after high school. After raising her 5 children, she joined a Real Estate firm in New York as an office manager until moving to Lake Havasu City, AZ when her husband retired. After her husband passed away, Patricia moved to Phoenix and joined a law firm as a legal secretary and eventually moved to Walnut Creek, CA and became an office manager and legal secretary in a law firm in San Francisco. Upon retirement, she returned to Arizona. During retirement, Pat thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Phoenix Children’s Hospital NICU. Pat was a resident at Sierra Winds in Peoria, AZ for over 15 years and was active in the new resident welcoming programs, active member of the library committee and the distribution of the community newsletter. Pat very much enjoyed traveling with her companion, Harry Humphrey, and spending time with her grandchildren and seeing her great-grandchildren via video chats. A service to celebrate the life of Pat Konopka will be held on April 29, 2023 at Sierra Winds chapel located at 17300 N. 88th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382 at 2:00 pm. A reception in the Alexander Room for family and friends will follow the service. Burial will take place at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Patricia’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Faith Hospice, 426 N. 44th St, Suite 405, Phoenix, AZ 85008, faithofaz.com.

Claudia Jean Nihart Clayton, 77, left us to be with her Lord in Heaven on April 24, 2023, peacefully while in hospice care in her winter home of Sun City, Arizona. Her husband and son were by her side. Born to Earl and Ada (Sellers) Nihart on October 4, 1945, in Lansing, MI, the youngest of three girls, Claudia attended Lansing Eastern High School. Charles and Claudia married on November 13, 1966, and made their home in Perry, MI where they raised their three boys. After the boys grew up and left for their own adventures Claudia and Chuck found they enjoyed seeking out the warmth of Arizona during the winter months in Michigan. After Chuck retired they began to spend nearly half the year there where Claudia enjoyed spending time with the desert cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, and quail that frequented their backyard. Claudia enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and ice cream- chocolate was her favorite. She had a feisty spirit that enjoyed a good debate and when she won, it made her smile from ear to ear. Raising three sons she knew what it meant to stand your ground, as those boys often tested her patience. Being a Christian she knew what it meant to stand firm in her faith. She could often be heard sharing her faith with loved ones; she wanted to be sure she would see them again when their time came. It spoke of her caring and loving heart. Claudia loved her pets; she loved to hear a good story being told; she enjoyed playing good-natured jokes on people; and she loved her family. She will be dearly missed. Claudia is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Charles Clayton; her son Matthew (Angela); daughter-in-law, Allison Schluchter; her sister, Sharon (Nihart) Craney; several nieces and nephews; as well as several loving grandchildren. Claudia is predeceased by her parents, Earl and Ada; sister, Sandy (Nihart) Huver; and sons, Charles Dean, and Mark Alan. . In lieu of flowers please send donations to Graham Community Church, Perry, MI in Claudia’s name.Services will be Saturday, July 29, 2023. Visitation with the family at 10:00am, service at 11:00am, with a luncheon at 12:00pm all at the church. Graham Church 7320 W Beard Rd, Perry, MI 48872

Evelyn M. Cummings, passed away peacefully on April 22nd, 2023. She was born on January 10th, 1928 in Sheridan, Illinois. She was preceded in the death by her daughter Rhonda and Husband Earl in 2017 also her parents and many relatives and friends. She attended beauty college after high school graduation in 1945. She became a beauty operator in 1946. She also married her husband Earl in 1946 as well. They lived in Sheridan, Illinois for the next 14 years having a son and daughter. In 1960 they moved to Mesa, Arizona. Evelyn worked for many beauty shops and owned four of her own shops throughout her career. She ran the Rose-Mar Beauty College in Mesa from 1963-1969. In 2000 Evelyn and her husband moved to Sun City, Arizona where she volunteered for 22 years at the Sun City Recreation Centers. Evelyn did hair for 63 years before retiring. Evelyn was and is a loving wife and mother in all her years. Evelyn is survived by her son Robert and many other relatives. Her ashes will be placed at the National Memorial Cemetery along with her husband Earl. 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona.

Dan was born on June 4, 1949, in Iowa and moved to Arizona in 1955 where he lived with his father Harold and mother Mary, along with his older brother Perry and his younger brother Frank. Dan graduated from Maryvale High School, and then from ASU with a degree in chemical engineering. He joined the ROTC program and entered the US Army as a second Lieutenant. Dan was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and after his service he returned to Phoenix where he joined his father and Perry at Harold Harris Realty in Phoenix. Dan went on to have a highly successful career in Real Estate working with his brother and Father and then moved to Prescott where he became the broker for Crystal Creek Homes. Dan was awarded the Realtor Emeritus Lifetime Achievement Award for forty plus years of membership, and for his work on several national committees. Dan is survived by his brothers Perry and Frank, as well as wife Peggy, her son Steven Littman, her daughter Jessica Cline, his first wife Dorthy (mother of his two children, Nicole, and Doug). He also has three grandchildren, granddaughters Ashley and husband Aaron Henderson, granddaughter Kayla and husband James Kleissle, who have a son named James Wyatt. He also has a grandson, Justin, and his wife Amanda, along with their daughter Kayley. There will be an open house at Dan & Peggy's home after services, 3401 W. Montello Road, Phoenix AZ 85086

Lee C. Kloft, 88, of Peoria, Arizona, beloved husband, father, brother and papa peacefully passed away surrounded by family on April 20, 2023. Lee, the 4th of 6 siblings, was born on May 18, 1934 in Bellevue, Iowa. He grew up in Charles City and after high school briefly attended Loras College. Shortly afterwards, Lee was drafted into the US Army where he proudly served his country. While stationed in Germany, among other commendations, he was proud to be named Soldier of the Month. Upon his discharge, Lee moved to Phoenix where he met and, in 1963, married RoseMary, his beloved wife of nearly 50 years. Together they welcomed 2 sons, Tony and Kevin, and were active members of St. Gregory Catholic Church for over 45 years. In 1989, Lee answered God’s call, was ordained as a Deacon, and served St Gregory’s community faithfully for more than 25 years. Lee had a knack for fixing things and put his skills to good use in his job as an Electronic Technician at Western Electric, which later became part of AT&T, where he worked until he retired. He could fix nearly anything around the house and was frequently called by his sons for home-repair advice. Lee always made family time a priority and, while he might have preferred to kibitz, could usually be talked into a competitive game of Pinochle or 500. He enjoyed his daily crossword puzzle and the many hours spent in the wood shop that he built. He constructed useful and beautiful creations including the doll houses and rocking chairs he lovingly crafted for his 3 grandchildren. Following RoseMary’s passing, Lee moved to Freedom Plaza where he was famously known as “Mr Perfect” for his record of 100+ perfect (300) Wii Bowling games. Although they tried many times, his grandchildren could never beat Papa at Wii Bowling! Lee is survived by his sons Tony and Kevin; daughters-in-law Lisa and Heather; grandchildren Allison (18), Matthieu (18), and Vivian (15); sister Margaret, brother Paul, and sisters-in-law Virginia Voltarel and Ruth Kloft. Visitation will be held on May 25th from 6-7:30 PM at Menke Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held on May 26th at 10:00 AM at St Clement of Rome in Sun City.

Julie Diane Belter of Sun City Arizona, passed away April 20, 2023 at Hospice of the Valley, Thunderbird House. Julie was 73 years young. Julie was born to Dorothy (Reed) and Floyd Borkenhagen on March 21, 1950 in Baraboo Wisconsin. Julie married Robert (Fritz) Belter December 2, 1969 in Janesville WI. Fritz preceded her in death on July 6, 1983. After a trip to Arizona, Julie moved here in 1988 to escape the Wisconsin winters and never looked back. Julie obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Management degree from the University of Phoenix in 1996. Julie worked for Maricopa County for several years and made several lifelong friends. Julie retired in July 2009. After her retirement, she volunteered at her grandchildren’s elementary school. She then joined the Northwest Woman’s Club, which she loved dearly. Survivors include her only son, Scott Belter Sr. (Shannan) two grandchildren, Scott Belter Jr. (Courtney) and Lillian Belter (Lily). Two stepdaughters; Vicky Pauls (Jamie) and Peggy Belter. Three step grandchildren; Joe Burdick, Shaun Burdick, and Alana Murdock. Two great step grandchildren; Gavin Burdick and Kylar Murdock. Two sisters; Shirley Belter and Joanne Breunig. Two brothers James (Jim) and Gary Borkenhagen. Julie is also survived by many other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Julie is preceded in death by four sisters; Ethel Hill, Carol Levesque, Lois Borkenhagen, and Dorothy Wiese; brother Bill Borkenhagen, and step grandson Robert Murdock. A celebration of Julie’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Menke Funeral and Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351 Please make any donations to Hospice of the Valley. www.hov.org