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Roberta Mott Wehrfritz, 5/17/11 5/19/08
Roberta Mott Wehrfritz, 97, departed this earth 5/19/08 to join her husband Henry in the hereafter with our Lord Jesus. Theirs was a love affair that spanned over 60 years. They met at Syracuse University, the town in which Roberta was born and raised. A Phi Mu sorority sister brought Henry to a dance as her date, but Henry took more of an interest in Roberta. They dated, fell in love, married, and began their lives together until WWII interrupted. Henry went off to war, but wrote her every day. The family is blessed to have these letters that Roberta kept. Thankfully, Henry and Roberta's brother Hubert, returned from the war to set about getting on with their lives.
Henry had a long career as an investment analyst with Equitable Life in New York and Roberta and Henry made their home in Long Island. Her brother Hubert and his family lived in New Jersey and they shared holidays and family gatherings together. A few years after Henry's retirement in 1974, Roberta and Henry moved to Sun City, AZ. Several years ago, they moved into the Royal Oaks Community where they both lived and were often seen holding hands, until Henry passed away in 2001 and Roberta carried on until this week. Two days before she died Roberta had a lovely 97th birthday party at Royal Oaks with her friends. No one knew it would be her last as her passing was sudden and blessedly quick from congestive heart failure.
She is survived by her brother, Hubert Mott of Jacksonville, FL; her niece Margaret Mott Watkins of Atlanta, GA, her niece Dr. Elaine Mott Urbina and her grand-niece Francesca of Cincinnati, OH as well as her dear friends.
Menke Funeral & Cremation Center is handling arrangements. Henry and Roberta were long time members of Faith Presbyterian Church of Sun City, where there will be an interment service at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 29th in the Prayer Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, AZ 85351.
John Jack Conovaloff, 88, a native of Arizona passed away May 17, 2008. He was one of the last remaining West Valley farmers in the Tolleson area. He graduated from Pendergast Elementary and Tolleson Union High Schools and attended Phoenix College. He is survived by his wife Ann, Sister Anna Varonin, four children Andy, Elaine, Jack and Kathy Baghdanov, four grandchildren, His only two brothers Dan and Pete died before him. Before farming full time, John was a pilot and set a height record for a towed glider. During WWII he worked a McDonald Douglas in Santa Monica CA as the night supervisor, and was in charge of repairs for President F.D. Roosevelt's plane now called Air Force One. He also served duty as a conscientious objector at Fort Huachuca, near Tucson, Arizona. Visitation will be today from 4- 6:00 P.M. at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N 103rd Ave. Sun City 1 block south of Grand Ave. Funeral Service and Interment will be in Los Angeles, CA. Contact Risher Montebello Mortuary for further information 323728-1261.
C. Thomas Simpkin, 87, passed away May 15, 2008. A resident of Sun City for over 30 years, Mr. Simpkin was founder of the C. Tom Simpkin Air Conditioning and Heating Co., Inc. in Sun City. He was a 60 year member of Hannibal Lodge #188 AF&AM in Hannibal, MO, as well as a member of the Lakeview United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Harriett; son Arthur Simpkin Rose of Phoenix; brother William Simpkin Peggy of Dallas, TX; 5 grandchildren: John Fitzpatrick Stacy, Andrea Melanson Michael, Erika Hawkins Alex, Jason Fitzpatrick, and James Fitzpatrick Corey; and 8 great-grandchildren: Dylan & Sidney Melanson, Brook Sylvain, Cameron & Damon Hawkins, Lennon Fitzpatrick, Katrina Schabel, and Devin Fitzpatrick.
Services will be held 10 AM, Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Lakeview United Methodist Church in Sun City. Menke Funeral & Cremation Center handled the arrangements.
With his family by his side, Charles Leamon Olmstead started his heavenly life on May 13, 2008 at the age of 84. He was born in Broken Bow, OK on January 26, 1924 to Alfred Olmstead and Irene Neal Olmstead. He was a Navy veteran in World War II. H has a career in the lumber industry in both Arizona and Texas. He retired in Sun City with his loving wife, Edoline. His passions were golfing, and his friends and family.
He is survived by his wife Edoline; his sister Virginia Brock; 5 children: Mike Olmstead, Greg Eppie Olmstead, Phil Olmstead, Gale Jean Jones, and Diana Lynn Galbreath; 4 step-children: Jane Gault, David Chester, Ken Debra Chester, and Mark Chris Chester. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Neil, his sister Tillie Carleton, and grandson Troy Clarke.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10 am at the Olive Church of Christ, 10935 W. Olive, Peoria, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the charity of your choice in his memory.
Loretta Angela Eckstein, 90, of Sun City, passed away May 13, 2008, in Peoria, AZ. Formerly of Elmhurst, IL, she moved to Arizona in 1970. She is survived by daughter Rosemary Fiebig, and son William Eckstein. She was predeceased by her husband Frank C. Eckstein. Services are to be held on Mon., May 19, 2008 at 10 am at St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Church, with interment following at National Memorial Cemetery of AZ. Donations in memory of Loretta may be made to Hospice of AZ, 2222 W. Northern Ave., Ste A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85021.
Joseph D. Goodrich, 78 of Mesa formerly of Prescott passed away May 9, 2008. He was born in Boliver, NY. He was a US Navy veteran. Survivors include his son Gary Goodrich; daughter Michele Goodrich; cousin Michael Stevens; aunt Jean M. Stevens; life partner Kathy Vaculin; 5 grandchildren. A gathering will take place at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ.
Joseph Michael Cerfus 9-3-83 to 5-5-2008 Gone but not forgotten in the service of his country Survived by his mother and stepfather, Susan and Mark Harr of Surprise, Father and stepmother, Michael and Linda Cerfus of Marysville, Sisters Sarah and Amanda of Surprise, Kaylin of Marysville, and a niece Angelica of Surprise. Graduated from Dysart High School in 2001and enlisted in the Navy the same year. Served with distinction for 5 years, including two tours of duty overseas. He then joined the army reserves and in 2007 became a custody officer for Snohomish county department of corrections. While in the Navy, Joseph was a Gunner's Mate on the USS Fitzgerald DDG 62 and qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, serving as Minor Caliber Flex Member from March 2003 to October 2003 when deployed to the Arabian Gulf in operation Enduring Freedom. Another tour in assisting relief following the Tsunami in Southeast Asia. When Joseph transferred from San Diego Naval Base to Washington State, he was then on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier until he finished his enlistment with the Navy in 2006. Shortly after, he enlisted with the Army Reserves A Company 5-159 Avaition Regiment, based at Gray Army Airfield, Fort Lewis. While in the reserves, Joseph's life was tragically cut short during a training mission in Alberta, Canada participating in heavy equipment exercise. Our hearts go out to those working alongside of him, and to all those who have suffered the loss of our brave soldiers. Joseph had plans of continuing training for helicopter repair on Chinook, and eventually learning to fly one. He had further plans of schooling in the Criminal Investigational field, as well. Joseph was deeply loved by his family and many friends. He was very out-going, loyal, loved to joke around and would help anyone. He will be missed dearly. He had an infectious laugh and a great smile. He will forever be in our hearts. Visitation will be held at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Sun City 85351, 11: AM Tuesday, May 15, 2008. Services start at Noon following with procession to graveside service at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, located at 23029 N. Cave creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85024 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to charity of your choice in Joseph's name. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and kindness. seekingsees@yahoo.com
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OUR LOCATION
Menke Funeral & Cremation Center
12420 N 103rd Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
Phone: (623) 979-6451