Obituaries

Susan “Susie” Kay Dodge (Losinski). Former Jackson, Michigan native Susan Dodge, 45, passed away unexpectedly April 17, 2023 while nursing in Phoenix, Arizona. Susie was born December 14, 1977 to Ronald Losinski and Margaret Losinski (McGrath). After spending nine years of her life in Jackson, Michigan, she moved to Miami, Florida. There she met and married Lane Dodge on December 7, 2000. With him, she helped raise seven kids; David, Steven, Katie, Becky, Michael, Beth, and Billy. She was a fantastic Mom, devoted to all of the kids. As such, she became a huge sports mom, involved in cross country, football, marching band, wrestling, and everything in between. After the first two children graduated high school, she resumed her college education. Susan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Kentucky University in 2016. After working as an E.R. nurse for a few years, she began working as a travel nurse in 2018. As a travel nurse, she took herself and her family across the country. Some of her favorite locations included Minnesota, Missouri, and Montana. Susie was an avid Notre Dame fan, and a favorite time in the household was the semi-annual game between The Fighting Irish and Georgia Tech. She enjoyed taking her family to national parks and museums at each new location that work brought them. Whenever they got together, she also enjoyed trading books and recommendations with her sisters and mom. While not a chef herself, Susie loved when her husband Lane, Beth and Billy would try different recipes. Always offering her greatest compliments, Susie was never afraid to try something new. Susie is survived by her husband Lane, children David, Steven, Katie, Becky, Michael, Beth, and Billy. Her sisters Marcia Losinski and Kristin (Sean) Parsons. Her Aunt Laura (Greg) Bogdanski, Aunt Colleen (Steve) Bruce, Uncle Brian Gladstone, Aunt and Uncle Sue and Richard Losinski. She was preceded in death by her parents Ronald and Margaret Losinski, and her siblings William and Rebeccah Losinski. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated. Donate now to St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)

If this is being read, it is obvious that I have moved on to the next phase of my journey. The memories I take with me are priceless and have more value than life itself. On March 4, 1958 my parents and older sister celebrated my birth and I was introduced to the world as Betsy Patricia Rush, the daughter of David T. and Barbara A. Rush. I was born in Tokyo, Japan where my father was stationed in the air force. As a child, my parents made sure my brothers, sisters and myself never wanted for anything. Our days and nights were filed with drive-in movies, rodeos, all day adventures at the lake, snow machines, motorcycles, camping, and many friends to play with until the street lights went on ... then it was time to go home. On June 4, 1982, I married Jeffrey A. Kron of Anchorage, Alaska. Together we had two beautiful children, Kameron C. Kron and Brice B. Kron, both of whom were beyond my imagination of what I was capable of doing. I never knew a purer love than that which a parent shares with their children. I was blessed to be born a woman, as my bond with my children began long before their birth. I was somebody’s daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and friend. If you don’t believe it, just ask me ... oh wait, I'm afraid it’s too late for questions. Sorry. I was born; I blinked; and it was over. On April 16, 2023, the street lights came on and it was time to go home to that big mansion in the sky. I leave you with this ... please don’t cry because I am gone; instead be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away.) Today I am happy and I am dancing. Probably nekkid.

Richard E Eaton born January18, 1937. On April 13th,2023 Richard left us to go home. He is preceded in death by his parents Ray and Opal Eaton and his son Allen. Dick leaves behind his wife Jane Ann, his son Tracy Ray grandchildren Krystl, Hunter and Parker. He also leaves behind daughter Shawn (Larry) and grandchildren Joseph, Matthew, Leslie, Heather, Patrick and eight great grandchildren. Dick attended Madison School and is a graduate of North High in 1955. He has maintained many of his childhood friends who he held close to his heart. Dick had a passion for farming which his father taught him. He loved it. At 16 he was the harvest foreman for crops grown in Phoenix, Blythe and Rio Grande City in Texas. Dick got his pilot license in 1956. He volunteered with Maricopa County Sheriffs Air Posse from 1959 through 1965. Dick just couldn't fly enough. Dick also flew World War II B25 bombers converted to borate tankers to fight forest fires. Dick was a past president of the Arizona Vegetable Growers Assoc. Dick held board member positions with Best Pima Gin and Best Gin . Dick was one of the originating members that started the Growers Insurance Agency in Maricopa Arizona. Dick was on the board of Maricopa Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage and the Electrical District#3. Dick was given two governors appointments to the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council. Dick was a member the Glendale Rotary. Dick farmed in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. He was President of Eaton Fruit Company. Eaton Fruit Company was the largest grower and shipper of honeydews in the United States. Dick grew lettuce in California, Texas and Arizona. Cantaloupes in California, Texas and Arizona. Hay, grain,cotton, onions and cabbage in Arizona. Dick was also owner of Eaton Farming Company which grew cotton, grain and wheat. In 1972 Dick saw an opportunity in the real estate market and sold commercial and farm properties. Dick was also in the cattle business having a feedlot at 51st Avenue and McDowell Road. Dick also was in charge of the 10X Cattle Ranch which was north of Williams and south of the Grand Canyon. Dick was farm manager for Vekol Ranches in Maricopa from 1973 to 1996. After three months of retirement Dick went to work at Duncan Farms doing school tours and managing the u-pick garden. He said that was one of the happiest times of his life. Showing children how food was grown and meeting so many wonderful people. Dick also tried his hand at selling automobiles at Jones Ford. Dick had great passion for the outdoors and life in general. From childhood he loved hunting, fishing and camping. Dick enjoyed the beauty that world offered. Dick enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, golf and travel. Dick never met a person he didn't consider a friend. His friendships were very valuable to him. We lost a great man. His laughter, wit, honesty, tenacity, passions and unselfishness will be missed. Services May 20, 2023 at All Saints Episcopal Church 6300 N Central Ave, Phoenix AZ 10:30am and reception 12:30pm WigWam Resort 300 Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park AZ

Don Allen Smith was born on August 23, 1946, to Bertha Lee Busby and William Robert Smith in Fayette, West Virginia. He passed away on April 13, 2023, at Banner Del E Webb Medical Center, Sun City West after a long illness.Survivors include his wife Jean (nee Cadman), his son Ryan Chadwick, his daughter Jennifer with Susan Smith (nee Triebsch), his sisters, Ramona (Wayne Thomas), and Catherine (Lewis M. Riley). His brother, William Robert Smith (Donna J Pittman) is deceased.  When he was fifteen years old, Don moved to California to live with his sister. He attended Chaffey High School in Ontario. He joined the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and for over four years he served on the USS Markab repair ship, reaching the rank of E-5. He was released with an Honorable Discharge.Don met his wife Jean while vacationing in Freeport, Bahamas in 1976. At that time, Don lived in Wisconsin, and Jean, who was from England, lived in Toronto Canada. A year later, they married and settled in Sussex, Wisconsin, where Don worked for the Hilton Company, in Butler. In 1984 he and Jean and their son moved to California. Don was hired as Production Supervisor at Dunham-Bush, (later renamed Thermal Dynamics), in Ontario. In 2000, after Thermal Dynamics had signed Joint Ventures with Chinese companies, Don became instrumental in setting up and overseeing the production of oil coolers in Nantong, China. He spent over ten years living and working there and retired in 2012.In 2006, Don and Jean moved to Sun City. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, loved college football, NASCAR, and enjoyed playing billiards. 

Our mother, Virginia B. Ashberger, nee Brzozowski passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023 at the age of 96. Born May 13, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois; Virginia was the tenth of eleven children born to John and Estelle Brzozowski. She was raised in a large, loving Catholic family, and as the last surviving sibling, they are all now reunited. Love and peace to each and every one of our aunts and uncles. Virginia met her husband Donald at their workplace, Swift Premium & Company located in Chicago. After marriage, they moved to Baltimore Maryland, and a few years later, back to Illinois where they raised their family. Predeceased by Donald in 2001, Virginia is survived by her two daughters, Donna ( the late Walter) Fraczek and Linda (Michael) Marquis. Virginia was thrilled to welcome her four grandchildren Ryan (Katelynn) Kajunski, Kelly (Billy) Johnson, Elise (Bryan) Harris and Brian Harris into her loving arms. She was honored to generously spoil her great grandchildren, Kara Johnson, Reagan Kajunski, Blakely Johnson and Nolan Kajunski. The family moved from Illinois to Arizona in1977 upon retirement and loved the Sun City activities and sun! Virginia loved playing bridge and card games with friends and neighbors. The friends she made were life long friends. Virginia carried on the tradition of game playing with her grandchildren, loving to play Old Maid, Phase 10, Rumicube and many others. Visitation will be at 12:00 p.m. with funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Menke Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave, Sun City AZ on Tuesday May 2, 2023.

Gary Ralph Romig, 77, of Peoria, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly on April 3, 2023, with his eternal companion at his side. Gary was born on March 14, 1946 to Ralph and Norma Romig in Pocatello, Idaho. During middle school, he and his parents moved to Salt Lake City, where Gary lived a full, loving, family-filled upbringing as the second oldest of four children. Gary, a lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, exemplified his love for the Savior through a life of service. Shortly after graduating high school in 1964, Gary served the people of the Netherlands as a young missionary. Later, when Gary was not so young, he returned to the Netherlands with his sweet companion, Ellie, and served the Dutch people as a senior missionary. Hij hield van de mensen in Nederland. Gary’s life of service took a sharp turn after his first mission. Gary was drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Gary trained in the infantry unit and was stationed in Fort Ord, California in 1968. In the spring of 1969, he received his orders and was sent to the frontlines in Vietnam. As a radio operator, Gary’s 50-pound radio, 10-foot-high whip antenna, and marching orders at the heels of the officer-in-charge made him an easy target for the enemy. Gary’s love of Country, faith in the Lord, and uncompromising dedication to the mission carried him through Vietnam and life. The members of Gary’s platoon could see that he was different. He rejected vulgarity and profanity and abstained from the common vices of the day. Gary’s platoon affectionately called him “Bishop” and at the urging of his squad, he taught the men how to pray. Gary’s service continued as a loving father, grandfather, foster parent, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was kind, gentle, and compassionate. He was the kind of guy people loved being around. He was funny and always had a “dad joke” or two on hand. He loved hiking, four-wheeling, yelling at the evening news, playing five crowns, and taking his best friend Rocco on walks. Gary and Rocco were inseparable. Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Eloise “Ellie” Romig, his three sons Jeff Romig (Laura), Brad Romig (Carrie), and Jared Romig; step-daughters Kathy Mexicano (David) and Sarah Monahan (JJ); brothers Brent (Suzanne) and Mark (Nancy) Romig; and 13 grandchildren who he adored. Gary is predeceased in death by his parents Ralph and Norma Romig, sister Peggy Pocock, and daughter Jenny Romig. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 24 at 11:30am, at the Rose Valley Ward located at 22034 N. 83rd Ave, Peoria, Arizona. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30am to 11:30am. Interment will take place at 2:00pm at the National Memorial of Arizona located at 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona.