Search for an obituary by name and/or lastname
Gail Perry Kinch passed away January 30, 2022 at her home in Sun City West, Arizona with her loving family by her side after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease and other health problems.
Gail was born on June 7, 1937 in Oil City, Pennsylvania to Charles Andrew Perry and Geraldine Campbell Perry.
She excelled in music while playing the clarinet, piano and organ with great skill. Her talents extended into creating intricate ceramic works of art, many creative crafts and was always reading a good book. She was as good of a wife and mother as she was skilled in the kitchen.
She attended Cranberry High School as an outstanding student where her love of being a basketball cheerleader was very prominent. She also worked on the school newspaper, sang in the choir and was in dramatic presentations as well. Gail was a member of the National Order of Rainbows for Girls.
It was at Cranberry High School she met her future husband, Robert J. Kinch as sophomores and were married October 6, 1956 at the Second Presbyterian Church in Oil City. They were active in many church functions where they helped form the Mr. and Mrs. Club. Gail and Bob were very active in the Second Presbyterian Church in various capacities. They also enjoyed playing bridge with many family members and friends.
While living in Cranberry Township and Oil City, Gail had various positions as a business professional beginning as a switchboard operator at Wolf’s Head Refinery. She also worked as a bank teller at the Northwest Bank and Trust Co branch office in Seneca.
Gail and her family moved to Denver in 1970 where they were joined by her parents in later years. There she gained a solid reputation in the health insurance services industry as both a supervisor for Swedish Hospital and as an office manager for private physicians. Gail and Bob kept their competitive bridge skills upon arriving in Denver. They enjoyed everything from being very good square dancers, traveling around the country in their motorhome to spending time in their place in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Gail and Bob then moved to Phoenix in 1998 to be near their grandchildren and enjoy warmer weather.
She is survived by her husband Robert, son Steven, daughter Sue Ann, granddaughters Nicole Sebion and Megan Oubre, grandson-in-law Deion Sebion and the joys of her life, her two great-grand daughters Mila and Mackenzie Sebion. She is also survived by various cousins around the country.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a son, Mark Robert Kinch in 1963.
The family requests memorials be made to the local Parkinson’s Foundation in her name.
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered!
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Corey Duane Messing!
Wednesday, February 9th at 1:00 pm
Arrowhead Country Club
19888 N. 73rd Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85308
We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry and remember a wonderful man who is greatly missed. We would be honored to encourage everyone to speak, if they would like to. If you would like to speak, please contact Valerie Munson or Bonnie Lose so we can ensure there is adequate time for everyone to share their stories.
In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made to BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse). Donations can be made via cash during the service and our family will ensure that the donations are made in Corey’s honor.
*******************
Feel No Guilt In Laughter, He'd Know How Much You Care
Feel no guilt in laughter, he'd know how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,
That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.
For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.
~Unknown
Robert “Bob” Boone passed away peacefully on January 30, 2022, at the age of 89, at Abrazo Central Campus Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile.
Bob was born in Oklahoma City to Billie and James W. Boone on January 18, 1933. He was the middle of three boys and grew up in the small town of Atoka, Oklahoma where his father owned a dry goods store.
Bob met the love of his life, Lucinda, on a blind date, during their Freshman year at the University of Oklahoma. After graduation from OU he entered the Army, then settled in the small town of Tonkawa, before moving his family to Arizona in 1963.
Bob was a Bank and Life Insurance Executive but his greatest passion was realized when he became an Auctioneer. Bob had mastered the rhythmic cadence of the Auction chant, whether it was selling real estate, furnishings or art. Bob entertained with his folksy charm and sharp wit. He will be missed by family and friends alike.
Bob is survived by his beautiful wife, Lucinda. He was a proud and loving father to 4 children: Becky, Heather, Kelley and Bob, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, March 5th at the Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ Reception to follow.
Judy Lea Pankau, born April 7, 1953, to Betty and Irv Pankau in Monroe, Wisconsin, and on January 29, 2022, in Sun City, Arizona, left this earthly space and joined the heavenly arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. Judy’s entrance into the world was much celebrated with a joyful cry from Betty, “How wonderful, I finally got my daughter.” Judy was preceded into the family by two older brothers: Alan and Jeff, and later her younger brother Mark.
At the age of 17 with her green rolling hills childhood memories of Wisconsin packed in her suitcase, she traveled to California where she met and married Elijah “Wayne” Littles. Wayne an Army veteran ensured that their first daughter Jeanette, born September 1971, was given every opportunity to grow and thrive in the California sunshine. Their second daughter Tracey born to them in 1973, an epitome of California with golden blond hair.
Her marriage dissolved and Judy moved her little family of 3 back to Monroe, Wisconsin where she met and married Denny Lincicum. To this little family of 4, Kristen a beautiful daughter with rose petal lips was born. With a desire to expand their careers the family moved to the big state of Texas. Here she thrived with a strong career as a payroll accountant and her family prospered. Jeanette joined the United States Air Force, served 20 years, and gave Judy her first grandchild Samantha. Tracey finished high school and put down deep roots in Dallas. Kristen, her youngest married high school sweetheart John Spakes, and bore two grandchildren: Hailie and John.
Her marriage to Denny dissolved and Judy moved to Arizona to be near daughter Jeanette. Here she was baptized as a disciple of Jesus Christ, made many friends, enjoyed a new career path in insurance and self-storage and enjoyed the year-round festivals the southwest desert weather offers.
Judy was a treasured friend, loved the color green and was a consummate baby dancer to newborn Samantha and Hailie. To know Judy was to know a vivacious woman with an incredible zeal for life. Her dancing legs may have slowed towards her life end, yet as at the beginning true at the end, she rediscovered the joy in her relationship with Jesus. Where she dances in heaven sweetly adored.
Phoenix – January 27, 2022, our fiercely independent mom has finally joined her beloved husband “Boots” on their final journey. She was born January 28, 1920 on a farm in the small town of Remsen, Iowa to Luxemburg emigrants Frank and Barbara (Kirsch) Beelner. Mom didn’t speak English until she started school at age 5. She was still driving her car until we were able to get it away from her at age 100.
She met and married our dad, Orville “Boots” Heuer in Hawarden, Iowa, where they owned and operated the “Steak House” and the “Boots Motel.” Mom also worked as a telephone operator while in Hawarden. After mom and dad moved our family to Phoenix in 1959, she continued as a telephone operator in Phoenix and then in Prescott for a few years before retiring. They returned to Phoenix, and she lived in their house in Sun City from 1989 until her death, maintaining her independent lifestyle after dad’s passing in 2016. She had a good life with lots of travel and many parties on their much-loved Dawn Lake.
She was preceded in death by our dad “Boots”, son Michael and wife Carmen, grandsons Kelly O’Brien and Billy Heuer, and 9 brothers and sisters. Mom is survived by son Pat and wife Julie, daughter Barbara O’Brien and partner Frank, son Bill and wife Betty. She also has 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her ashes will be interred along with our dads at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ.
Mary Beatrice "Bea" Shovestull Dunworth, went to be with her Lord on January 27, 2022 in Glendale, AZ. She was born on May 15, 1924 in Timblin, Pennsylvania to Ira F Shovestull and Mary Grace Sherry.
After graduation and waiting for the love of her life for three years, due to WWII, she married Edward H Dunworth on October 27, 1945. They were married 62 years. She and Ed moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1964 after the electronic plant, Sylvania, where Bea worked, closed in June of that year. She had worked there for thirteen years.
She loved doing Genealogy, started oil painting at the age of 65, and reading. She loved her family and spent as much time with them as possible. She belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution for 32 years, Daughters of the American Colonists, United States Daughters of the War of 1812 and Dames of the Court of Honor. She was a charter member of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. She was a member of North Phoenix Baptist Church, and presently a member of Palmcroft Church.
She is survived by her daughter Mary Jane Forsythe (Donald deceased), her grandsons and their wives, John and Annette Forsythe of Jefferson City, MO and Kevin and Kristin Forsythe of Glendale, AZ, 3 granddaughters, Abigail, Molly and Hannah and one grandson, Benjamin. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her son-in law, Donald Forsythe, her great grandson Sean Michael Forsythe, her parents, her siblings, Ira and Paul Shovestull and Norma Johns.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March19, 2022 at 10am at Palmcroft Church, 15825 N 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Choices Pregnancy Centers of Greater Phoenix, 10555 N 58th Drive, Glendale, AZ 85302.
Menke Funeral Home is handling arrangements and burial at the National Cemetery will be private.
Richard Harvey Lytle passed away and went on to the next life with our Lord. He was born to his parents Harvey and Virginia in Altoona, PA in 1935. A short time thereafter, the family moved to Chicago, IL. Richard was raised Catholic and attended Loyola Academy HS. He was a Korean War Veteran. He was married to his wife, Rosemary, for 61 years. He had a son, John and two sisters: Joan and MaryAnn.
Richard had a 30 year career with CBS News as a Film Editor at WBBM Chicago. He covered many major news stories abroad: Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II in Rome 1978 – 1981. The barracks bombings in Beirut 1983. President Reagan and Gorbachev negotiations in Reykjavik 1986. The Tiananmen Square massacre 1989.
He enjoyed motion pictures, plays and novels. His favorite film/play was “Carousel”. He was also a big sports fan – he favored teams i.e. Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Eagles, Penn State Nittany Lions and Loyola Ramblers. His favorite outdoor activity was golf. In 1995, the family moved from the Windy City to Sunny Phoenix, AZ.
A funeral mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9728 W. Palmeras Drive, Sun City, AZ 85373 on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11AM.
Darwin Dwayne Wille, 90, of Sun City, AZ passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. He was born June 11, 1931 near Klemme, IA to Cornelius and Marie (Thiemann) Wille. Darwin graduated from Klemme High School in 1948 and served in the United States Army from 1955-1957 in Colorado where he first fell in love with the mountains.
He was united in marriage to Opal Weinheimer on June 8, 1958 in Fontanelle, Iowa, and they lived near Klemme, Iowa on the Wille Homestead. After his time in the Army, Darwin spent his career on the farm, growing corn, soybeans and raising pigs. Darwin and Opal raised three children, Todd, Lisa and Sara. He was a wonderful father in many ways. He taught them the value of hard work, and supported them in all of their sports and other activities throughout the years, and continued to do the same with his grandchildren. Darwin enjoyed serving on various boards in the community and at their church, Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme. He loved to travel and take his family on camping trips, visiting many states across the country. He was always planning the next adventure.
Darwin and Opal moved to CO from Iowa in 1986, due to his health, leaving the Iowa humidity and dust behind. He loved the Colorado mountains, and also enjoyed the hobby of woodworking and tole painting, creating many pieces for home and holiday decor. They continued to travel with their Pleasureway RV and covered many miles, often with a caravan, making lasting friendships nearly everywhere they went. Darwin had interstitial lung disease, and eventually had to have full time oxygen because of Colorado’s altitude. In 2013 they moved to Sun City, AZ where he no longer needed the oxygen machine. He again was active in the community, serving on their church board and as president of their HOA. He loved Sun City!
Darwin is survived by his wife, Opal, children Todd (Lynette Michon) Wille of Sacramento, CA, Lisa (Scott) Fetty of Lenexa, KS, and Sara (Jeff) Miller of Kremmling, CO, and grandchildren Jordyn, Alison and Mark Wille, Canon and Gabriel Marin, all of CA, Kyle (Heidi) Forland-Fetty, Colin and Jared Fetty of Lenexa, KS, Jamie (David) Church of O’Fallon, IL, Jordan (Shea) Miller, Garrett and Audree Miller of Kremmling, CO. Darwin is also survived by his sister, Adala Bailey of Britt, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Dona, and 6 siblings, 5 of whom reached the age of 90+.
A Celebration of Life Service for Darwin will be Monday, February 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Palms, 14808 North Boswell Blvd, Sun City, AZ 85351 with a luncheon following the service. Burial will be in Klemme, Iowa in July.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in memory of Darwin to the Banner Health Foundation to support Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2901 N Central Ave, Suite 160, Phoenix, AZ 85012 (note on memo line: Banner MD Anderson, Darwin Wille Memorial); or The Church of the Palms, 14808 N Boswell Blvd, Sun City, AZ 85351.
On January 23rd, 2022 Charles Denny Faris went to be with the Lord in the presence of his family. Denny was surrounded by his friends and family in his final days. Denny was told how much he was loved and was given much affection in his final days. Denny didn‘t like all of the attention but despite it he went to be with the Lord fully knowing how his family and friends felt about him. Our family rejoices knowing Denny is in the arms of the Lord.
Charles Denny Faris was born on August 24th, 1942 in Nampa, Idaho to Charles Leon Faris and Velma Faris. He went by Denny because his fathers' name was also Charles and he liked the name Denny better.
Denny lived in Nampa, Idaho until he was 10 years old and then he moved with his family to Lewiston, Idaho. Denny met the love of his life, Verna Armstrong (Faris), at the ripe old age of 10 years old at the Assembly of God Church in Lewiston, Idaho. Denny attended Lewiston High School where he was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. Denny graduated from Lewiston High School in 1961. Denny went to the University of Idaho for two years before moving to the University of Washington where he graduated with a Bachelor‘s degree in Business. Denny and Verna continued dating through college and were married on September 3rd, 1965 at the Assembly of God Church in Lewiston, Idaho.
Denny proudly served in the Oregon National Guard from 1965-1971. Denny‘s first job as an accountant was for White Stag in Portland, Oregon in 1966. In 1968 he welcomed his first daughter to this world Kristi Lin Faris (Kantola). Denny then went to work for Weyerhauser and the family moved to Coos Bay, Oregon. In 1971 Chani Annette Faris(Cote) was born in Coos Bay, Oregon. Denny was transferred by Weyerhauser to Tacoma, Washington and in 1974 his third daughter, Kimberly Denise Faris(Taibi) was born. Denny was active with his family, church, and friends. Denny also enjoyed refereeing high school basketball in his spare time.
In 1976 the family moved to the Historic Victorian Lotz home in downtown Puyallup, Washington. The historic home brought Denny many projects and a hobby of collecting antiques for the home. In 1983 Denny moved back to Lewiston, Idaho where he became a part owner of Pioneer Pies and began a new career in the restaurant industry. In 1988 Denny moved to Dallas, Oregon where he owned and operated the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Denny was an avid jogger, cyclist and skier and enjoyed all three activities while he lived in Oregon.
In 2004 Denny and Verna retired from the restaurant industry and moved to Sun City West, Arizona to enjoy the beautiful Arizona way. Denny continued to be an avid cyclist while in Arizona and in one year biked 12,000 miles and on his 70th birthday he biked 70 miles. Denny and Verna traveled together to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas to name a few places and enjoyed traveling together and with friends. Denny‘s favorite place to take the kids was Lake Chelan, Washington and Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Charles Denny Faris is survived by his wife Verna Faris (Armstrong), sibling Pam Hopper, children Kristi Lin Kantola (son-in-law Greg Kantola), Chani Cote, Kimberly Taibi, grandchildren, Jacob Kody Kantola, Drew Cote, Jordan Taibi, Landon Cote, Kailin Kantola, Austin Taibi, Kaleb Kantola, Kennedy Kantola and Kirik Kantola.
Krystle Nichole, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away January 23, 2022, on her older brother's birthday. The Lord welcomed her into Heaven to be greeted by two grandmothers, Virginia and Helen, her cousin Eddie and numerous other family members.
Krystle was born in Paramount, California and moved to Arizona when she was 25. Krystle was a loving stay at home mom to 5 children.
Growing up Krystle loved outdoors, hanging with her sister, friends and cousins. Her favorite color was hot pink. She was into riding motorcycles with her cousin Eddie who also taught her brother Zack and they would often be seen riding together.
Most of all Krystle loved her family. She taught her sister Chelsea how to cook, and she was an amazing cook. She helped raise both her younger siblings Chelsea & Zack. She even took Zack in to live with her when he moved to AZ. She would do anything if it helped someone in need. Her children were her world.
Krystle Leaves behind her boyfriend Levi and children Madysen (17), Miranda (10), Makenzie (9), Seth (7) and Trevor (4). Her mother Utahna, father Brian, sister Chelsea and two nephews Brysen (11), Brody (9) and 3 Brothers Joshua, Brian and Zachary. She is missed by so many, her cousins Charlene and Ashley and so many more cousins from both sides. She leaves behind 4 aunts and 1 uncle on her mother's side and 5 aunts and 5 uncles on her dad's side.
Born Beverley Ann Swall, 11/24/1931, in Tulare, California, Ann was the first female child to be born in three generations. She was a special gift to the world and gave back to the world so many gifts.
Ann was destined to be special from the day she was born. As a young girl, Beverley decided to go by her middle name, Ann.
1950s
Ann met the love of her life, Raymond Schmidt on a blind date. They became Ray and Ann Schmidt, getting married on 1/28/1956 and together raising seven children.
1960s-1970s
During her children's school years, she was very hands on for school activities as well as being a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Boy Scout Den Mother. Ann provided many well-thought-out creative projects for children. She had a special gift when it came to arts and crafts.
Because of Ann, children enjoyed outdoor adventures, hiking and camping. Every summer, Ann and Ray made sure their offspring got to experience summer vacations, camping and fishing. In a station wagon pulling a tent trailer, Ray and Ann and their children pulled over, along with the whole world stopping, as man landed on the moon on 7/21/1969.
Ann Schmidt is also the reason your dog in Phoenix should be on a leash at all times. She was the catalyst in getting that law passed. Ann was also active in Block Watch. She enjoyed civic duties, knocking on strangers' doors to register voters and serving as a poll worker, all while raising seven children and growing beautiful passion flowers in the backyard.
1980s-1990s
As her seven children entered adulthood with jobs and children of their own, Ann began her professional career working for the City of Phoenix Police Department and then the Parks and Recreation Department before retiring.
2000s-2010s
That decade was especially tough, with Ann and Ray losing two daughters to breast cancer.
Ann, along with Ray, became advocates for breast cancer research. Again, the ever-talented Ann created a delicate flower with a pink bow on a safety pin, handcrafting thousands of pins.
Ann, with Ray at her side, would greet and cheer thousands of walkers at numerous events year-after-year. Walkers supporting breast cancer research began to look for the two of them, trading hugs for Ann's flowers. Every single flower was a simple gift of love and support to each of them.
2010s-2022
For Ann and her beloved husband Ray, life still included being of service. First Camp Verde, being on call to help people with community resources, then alternating between Sun City and Payson, volunteering time serving lunches to the homeless in downtown Phoenix, to making recycled grocery bags into mats for the homeless while living in Payson.
Ann was all about family, immediate as well as extended. She devoted her life to researching genealogy long before computers and the internet. Her travels with Ray were numerous and fun filled, exploring how the family tree came to be. Attending family reunions every 2-3 years became a way of life. She treasured birthday lunches with her grandchildren.
2022
While Ray was watching the football game, and getting ready to make her dinner, Ann was quietly napping, and peacefully passed away. Ray lost his wife, Ann, after 65 years of marriage and their life together, on 1/22/22.
What happens after you die? You are missed by all who had the honor and privilege to know and love you. Goodbye sweet wife, loving mother, affectionate grandmother, neighbor and friend. Rest in peace Ann. She was preceded in death by her daughters Kathy and Karla. She is survived by her husband Ray, her children Kary, Steve, Joe, Karol and Kelly, and 11 grandchildren.
A private funeral mass for the family has been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 13600, Phoenix AZ 85002 in Ann’s memory.
With a heavy heart we are sad to announce the passing of our dear brother Harvey Mendez (age 65). He passed away at his residence in Peoria, Arizona. Funeral service will be held at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 12 noon. Harvey Mendez was born October 23, 1956, in Philadelphia, PA to Gloria Cuadrado Mendez and Eugenio Mendez. Harvey worked in the luncheon business for most of his life. Harvey was the epitome of hard work. Harvey was a leader and a great example to many in the Philadelphia neighborhood of his childhood and early adulthood. He organized neighborhood football and handball teams. It served as a healthy outlet for many in a very rough neighborhood. Harvey Mendez is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Cuadrado Mendez, his father, Eugenio Mendez, his sister Priscilla Mendez and his beloved niece Gloria Cruz Sow. Harvey is survived by his three brothers Paul Mendez, Eugenio Mendez, and Edwin Mendez and his sisters, Susan Topham, Dorothy Mendez, Lana Williams and Faith Davis Flores, and many nieces and nephews.
Al passed away January 18, 2022. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Alma Louise (Godfrey) Klimuck and eldest son Kenneth Leigh Klimuck. He is survived by loving sons Timothy Alexander (Janet), David Phil, daughter Christine Lee (Klimuck) Wahlenmaier and Ken’s wife Sharon. Also grandchildren Eric, Brenda, Brian, Meghan, Adam, Kaylah, 11 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. Al was a commercial electrician throughout the valley until his retirement, whereupon he and Alma enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. After their travel adventures they enjoyed many years of fishing, playing Boggle on the front porch and enjoying the wildlife at the family cabin in Forest Lakes. The family would like to thank both staffs at Hillcrest Assisted Living of Glendale and through Hospice of the Valley for the loving care he received.
Nevada Mass was born in Pioche, Nevada on September 5, 1929. She passed away peacefully on January 17, 2022 at home in Mesa, AZ.
She is survived by her daughter Sandra Dianne (Mass) Preston and her husband Mickey Preston, 5 grandchildren: Bruce (Allison) Preston, Candace (Bart) Rall, Michael Preston, Kelley (Rob) Wimp and Jason Evans along with 8, soon to be 9, great-grandchildren and sister Helen Leonard.
Preceding her in death are her parents August and Mary Mangan, husbands: 2nd Lt. Richard Lee Johnson and Lt. Col. Jack Edward Mass, daughter Sharon Kay (Mass) Evans and son Bruce Allan Mass.
Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with her late husband Lt. Col. Jack Edward Mass.
Born June 20, 1927 to Myrtle Selzer Flemm and Emil Flemm at home in Newark, NJ.
The oldest of three children and the first grandchild on both sides, Myrtle - called "Mickey" by her father from the age of three - was a tomboy. She loved to ride the bike that she shared with her brother Bob, race down the street with the neighborhood kids and climb the chain link fences surrounding the school to get onto the playground.
She grew up loving to go to the movies (.05 cents back then!) with the money she earned by running errands for elderly neighbors. She could name all the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood and knew their backgrounds (her favorite star was John Wayne but she really admired Hedy Lamarr who was a scientist for the Allies in WWII).
Eventually she took a job at Bell Telephone and it was there that she made many friend- ships with women who would later become her sisters-in-law. One of her friends (Helen) introduced Mickey to her handsome, Army Veteran, brother George Ratti. They dated steadily and married on April 17, 1948 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Kearny, NJ.
Moving from the city around 1950, they built a home in Hillsdale, NJ where they resided from 1951 until July of 1986 with their three children: Karen, Cindy and George and later Christian, their first grandchild. In 1986 they retired to Sun City, Arizona bringing their family with them.
Although the love of Mickey’s life predeceased her on June 13, 2004, she continued to live in Sun City and immersed herself in the activities of her children, grandchildren and their families. She traveled back to the east coast (at least every couple of years) to visit relatives and finally made two trips to Europe: Italy in 2008 and England and France in 2010.
Mickey is survived by her children: Karen, Cindy (Jess), George (Lori); Grandchildren: Christian (Jennifer), Madison, Jamison, Nick (Tori); and Great Grandchildren: Kyle, Alyssa, Jaxson and Grace. Her brother Bob (Marge) and nieces and nephews Theresa (Joe), Frank (god son), Michael (Lynn), Marybeth (Larry), Joseph (Noreen), Barbara Jo (Frank), Diane, Denise, Kim, Michele (Scott), Keith and all their children. She is also survived by her husband’s cousin in AZ, Theresa.
Mickey was predeceased by her parents, Myrtle and Emil Flemm, her younger sister Carole, sisters-in-law Maureen and Helen and lifelong friend Dorothy.
Dear Mom (Grandma, Great-grandma, Aunt and Friend),
We love you and will miss you every day of our lives. Until we meet again, pray for us!
More Content
OUR LOCATION
Menke Funeral & Cremation Center
12420 N 103rd Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
Phone: (623) 979-6451