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It is with love and sadness we say farewell to our beloved mother. Shirley passed away peacefully, December 6, 2021, at the age of 89.
She was born on March 8, 1932, in East St. Louis, Illinois. She moved to Phoenix at the age of 6. Shirley attended St. Francis Elementary school and was a 1950 graduate of Xavier College Prep.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Steve, daughters; Marylynn and Denise, her grandson Jeff and 3 of her siblings.
She is survived by her children, Chris, Linda, Greg, and Lisa.
She was an incredibly strong loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and had may wonderful lifelong friends that were dear to her heart.
A memorial service will be held, Saturday, January 8, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 North 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351 with a reception to follow in the Menke Sun City room.
Barbara Jean “Jeannie” Cowan, 77, of Payson, AZ formerly of New River, AZ died December 5, 2021. She was born on March 9, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio to Novice and Hazel Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Carl Jones and Jimmy Jones.
Jeannie attended Carl Hayden High School. She was a member of Ponderosa Bible Church and worked as a CNA at Payson Care Center.
She was also an invaluable asset on helping her late husband (Dean Cowan) in building and running a successful concrete and septic business (Cowan Enterprises) for almost three decades in New River, Arizona.
Her son and grandchildren were the center of her universe, and Jeannie took great pleasure in being part of her church and community. She was always known for her sassiness and high energy, and always lit up a room with her smile.
Survivors include son Deano (Annette) Cowan, sister Keke (Dale) Dashney, brother Rick (Shannon) Jones, sister-in-law Joanne Rosas and grandchildren Cameron Cowan, Seth Cowan and Casey (Gabe) Leite.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N Beeline Hwy, Payson, AZ.
Mandy, as her friends call her, spent a long and inspiring life that was important in its simplicity. She cared deeply about her faith, passionately about her husband John, avidly about the company that she and John helped build and grateful for the chance to live her life in a small corner of Arizona.
Amanda went to join John with her Lord on December 4, 2021. Amanda was born, a second-generation Phoenician, in her grandmother’s home in 1924 to Oswald and Isabella Gay Monreal. Oswald owned a grocery store in Marinette (now Sun City) AZ. And Isabella was the postmaster. Amanda was the youngest of three Monreal children and completed her education at Peoria School.
As a lifelong entrepreneur, like her father, Amanda formed a profound relationship with the apostle, St. Jude, the Patron Saint of lost causes and desperate situations. Always optimistic, Amanda and John Durand, who had no children of their own, understood how important their faith was in their own lives and upbringing. Twice, facing overwhelming challenges, Amanda, with John at her side (literally and spiritually) took on helping the Catholic Church build schools in the west valley, first in 1972 the St. John Vianney Elementary School in Goodyear, AZ and most recently, Amanda was the first donor to the St. John Paul II High School in Litchfield Park which opened in August of 2018.
In 1937 Amanda was attracted to a new friend with a new bicycle, John Durand. While the bike initially attracted Amanda, John quickly won her heart. John worked at the J.G. Boswell Cotton Company in Litchfield Park until he was drafted in 1944. After serving with General Patton forces in Europe until 1947, John returned to Arizona and John and Amanda were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (now Basilica) in downtown Phoenix. John and Amanda worked together, travelled through Europe and United States together, were enthusiastic co-parents to nieces and nephews and the children of close friends for most of their lives together. John passed away in 2000.
Amanda met Californian, Colonel J.G. Boswell in the early 1930’s while she was a young girl working at her father’s grocery store. That was the start of a relationship between Mandy and the Boswell family and the J.G. Boswell Company. Shortly after finishing school, Amanda formally joined the Boswell Company and worked in every aspect of the cotton company operation eventually serving as Manager. When the Boswell’s sold the cotton land and gins to Del Webb in 1959 Amanda, still young, went to work selling real estate in the west valley. John and Amanda loved the cotton land that they had worked on for all their adult lives and had no intention of leaving the west valley.
Amanda’s family friends and neighbors will miss deeply her remarkable memory, great story telling and enthusiasm for all thing’s west valley. She will rejoin John, her lifetime companion, at Sunland Memorial Park Cemetery, being laid to rest in an area that used to be the cotton fields they worked and loved.
Amanda will be celebrated in a Catholic Mass at The Church of St Joachim & St Anne, 11625 N. 111th Ave., Sun City, AZ on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 10:30 am with a burial to follow at Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ.
Arizona has lost a gentle woman, a devout Catholic and committed wife and friend. The twelve mile long, three mile wide area that is at the center of the west valley, Amanda’s home, has lost a native daughter and pioneer.
Carole entered life on March 9th 1937, born in Milwaukee as the first child
to Walter and Julia Jacobs (Toldrian). She attended Garden Holmes
elementary and later graduated from Rufus King High School. She fondly
remembered attending baseball games at the old Borchert field. Carole
graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in
elementary teaching and was employed by the Milwaukee Public Schools
for several years.
While dancing at the Eagles Club, she met Julius and they were married in
June of 1961. As a resident of Wauwatosa for 28 years, Carole taught
pre-school, and worked in various clerical positions. She enjoyed summer
vacations to Northern Wisconsin, Door County and winter vacations in
Florida.
When Julius retired, they settled in Sun City West, Arizona in 1994. Carole
unleashed a new passion as an active member of the SCW Jazzy Poms,
where she marched in parades and holiday civic events. At age 71 she
participated in the Superbowl XLII halftime show crowd. Carole was a
member of Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and was a frequent volunteer
with the Polish Club. She also monitored the service desk at the Palm
Ridge recreation center for several years.
Carole liked Dixieland Jazz music, watching baseball and football, and
being highly organized. Carole had an amazing ability to make friends and
sustain the longevity of friendships through sending cards, making phone
connections and extending lunch invitations. In later years Carole
demonstrated grace and perseverance when her leg strength diminished.
Preceded in death by her parents, sister Kathleen Fox, and her husband of
sixty years, Julius. Survived by Lorraine Jacobs, Walter Jacobs (Christine)
and brother in-law John Fox. Further survived by her son Fred (Christine)
and her two beloved grandchildren Theresa and Caleb Yatchak.
A gathering for both Julius and Carole Yatchak will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3722 S. 58th, Milwaukee, WI 53220 at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with a Mass to follow at 6:00 PM. The family will have a private burial the following day.
Roddy Meadows, Educator, Journalist and Farmer, died Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 in Sun City Arizona.
Born in Chowchilla, CA. in 1958, Roddy is survived by his wife Judy Meadows and his mother Neva Roberts and was preceded in death by his stepfather Ed Roberts.
Roddy graduated from California State University at Fresno in 1982 with a degree in journalism, where he met and married his loving wife Judy in 1988. Roddy worked in corporate advertising at Northrup King, DBK&D and FMC. After a successful career in advertising Roddy returned to his farming roots as an Almond grower and created Integrated Pest Management business with his father Ed Roberts in Chowchilla California. While working with his family growing Almonds, Roddy returned to School at Fresno Pacific College and obtained his teaching credential. After teaching elementary school in Fresno California for a number of years Roddy retired in 2013.
Roddy enjoyed movies, traveling, drawing and creating pottery in his spare time. He was well loved for his wonderful sense of humor He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all.
To view the services for Roddy, please visit the Faith Presbyterian Church Sun City AZ Facebook page where it will be livestreamed.
https://www.facebook.com/Faith-Presbyterian-Church-Sun-City-AZ-299851350821952/
The family of Donald L Sweitzer share with you, that angels were dispatched to escort his flight to a prescheduled “T” time in heaven on November 30, 2021 at age 71. He is survived by his wife, 3 married children, 15 grandchildren, 2 married sister, 2 married brothers in law, and many that were adopted and called him “Dad.” Don faithfully served country, family, church, friends, truckers and anyone in need. Don will be sorely missed.
Interment will be in the National Cemetery for immediate family.
Thank you for your Service
Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in
God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house
are many rooms; if it were not so, would I
have told you that I go and prepare a place for
you? And when I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also.
John 14:1-3
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Deborah Ann Macias 49 of Glendale passed away peaceful in her home on November 30, 2021 after a long hard struggle with breast cancer.
Debbie is survived by her son Anthony, (step-daughter) Santana, partner Anthony Apodaca, parents Irma and Joe H Macias Jr, sister Gina Euzarraga (Gonzalo), brothers Jesse "Jigger" Teran (Pamela), Ralph Teran (Renee), Joey Macias, Fred Macias, 3 nieces, 4 nephew's and a large extended family.
Debbie loved her Cardinals and enjoyed karaoke. She shall be missed by all who love her. Rest in peace beloved Debbie your suffering is over. You are now with all our family members who will welcome you into God's heavenly kingdom.
Judith K. (Nelson) Peterson was born in Sioux Falls, SD on October 24, 1939. Formerly of Saint Peter, Minnesota, died November 22, 2021 at her home in Sun City, Arizona.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents Russell and Lillian Nelson. She married Keith Peterson in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota on February 14, 1965. Together they have two children: Mark Peterson, Surprise, Arizona and Dale Peterson, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Judy was a childcare provider for many years until her two boys were old enough where she could go outside the house and be a secretary again. Judy worked at the Junior and Senior High School in Saint Peter as a secretary and all-around organizer. When Keith and Judy retired, they moved to Sun City where Judy volunteered at many places to include the Visitor’s Center, Boswell Hospital, and a pre-school where she was known as Grandma Judy. Judy was an avid sports fan that followed all the teams in the valley and voiced her opinions on how well, or better the teams could be. Meeting with her friends for outings and lunches were also enjoyed. Her family and friends will miss her smile and kindness.
Born to Samuel and Jean Tramont in Buffalo, New York, on September 2, 1937, Charles Vincent Tramont began his path of training, accomplishment, and service. He led a full, passionate, and meaningful life until he took his very last breath at home in Sun City West, Arizona, on November 18, 2021, attended by his loving family.
After graduation in 1958 from John Carroll University, he went on to earn his M.D. degree from New York Medical College in New York City, New York, in 1962. Dr. Tramont then began his medical practice in obstetrics and gynecology, performing surgeries and delivering thousands of babies through the University Hospitals’ Health System in Chardon, Ohio. His primary focus was always on healing and promoting good health, whether by conventional means or, later in his life, utilizing alternative, natural healing methods.
Dr. Tramont continued serving others during his time spent with the Air Force. He graduated from the School of Aerospace Medicine in 1984 and the Air War College Associated Studies Program in 1988. Serving as a Flight Surgeon, he was assigned to Active Duty in 1966 during the Vietnam War and again in 1991 during Desert Storm after attaining the rank of Colonel. None could deny he was a patriot who loved his country.
In 2000, Dr. Tramont retired from his OB/GYN practice and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he became certified by the American Board of Hypnotherapy. Shortly after starting a private practice in hypnotherapy, he delved into the therapeutic value of past-life regression through hypnosis. Excited by what he was learning, he was invited to lecture on this topic at the Consciousness Studies program at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and decided to write a book about his astonishing discoveries while performing past-life regressions. In 2009, his first book, From Birth to Rebirth: Gnostic Healing for the 21st Century was published, followed in 2016 by What’s Missing in Medicine: Unleashing the Healing Power of the Subconscious Mind. His methods of treatment are now being taught by Terry Palmer. Ph.D., in London, England.
Charles Tramont was not only a man with great compassion but a man of many passions as well. In addition to his enthusiasm evidenced in several vocations, over the years he has also enjoyed tennis, horseback riding, martial arts, men’s fashion, boating, snorkeling, metaphysics, dancing, and music. And to the delight of nearly all those who knew him well was his obsession with knights and chivalry, manifested in his home decor, wardrobe, library, and topics of conversation.
Dr. Tramont was preceded in death by his parents but is survived by his sister, Michelle Rice (Ron), his loving wife, Nancy (née Williams), and his children: Karen Palmer (Jeff); Michael Tramont (Sharon); Lisa Menard (Tom); DeAnn Brett (John); Richard Tramont; Robert Tramont (Julie); Renea McKown (Todd); Samantha Gainer (Mark); and Charles Tramont (Candy). Additionally, he is survived by his step-children Natalie Frye (Brian) and Derek Smoot, as well as thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandsons.
Dr. Tramont loved spending time with family and friends, bringing an abundance of joy into our lives. He was a truly great man, and many will miss him greatly.
Services will be private.
John “Jack” Grucza passed peacefully at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 17, 2021. Jack was born on March 23, 1932, to Helen and Leo Grucza in Buffalo, New York. He attended the University of Buffalo where he received his R.N. (Registered Nurse) degree and also met his wife, Sylvia. They were married on September 15, 1953, and after serving in the U.S. Army and receiving his honorable discharge, they moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where Jack received his C.R.N.A. (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) designation from Mayo Clinic. They settled in Ames, Iowa, where he began his career at Mary Greeley Memorial Hospital while adding to their growing family of four children.
His career took him to Perry, Iowa, at the Dallas County Hospital and finally to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. In the mid 1980’s at the University of Iowa Hospitals, he was instrumental in managing the anesthesia team for a relatively new procedure for pulverizing kidney stones using an Extracorporeal Shock-Wave lithotripter. He also enjoyed mentoring students in the C.R.N.A. Program in Iowa City and continues that mentorship at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.
Jack was passionate about his family, his faith and his career and enjoyed a long anesthesia practice. After retiring from the University of Iowa, Jack and Sylvia relocated to the warmer climate of Sun City West, AZ. Jack enjoyed a good Manhattan, a nice steak, playing bridge or cribbage along with swinging his tennis racket and a golf club. He passed these passions onto his children which is still appreciated to this day.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia, and his sister, Patricia Boulware, and is survived by his children, Paula (Tom) Damgaard, Ellen (Steve) Diedrichsen, John (Sandy) Grucza and Paul (Brenda) Grucza; his grandchildren, Nicole and Josh Wilkinson, Mitchell and Claire Damgaard, Taylor Grucza and Connor Grucza; his great grandchildren, Chase, Cruz and Madelynn. Jack will be laid to rest alongside Sylvia at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Private services will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: Zephyr Hospice, 14040 N. Cave Creek Rd., #308, Phoenix, AZ 85022.
Ronald D Smedshammer, 79, living in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota for the summers, peacefully passed away surrounded by family in his winter home of Sun City, Arizona, on November 17, 2021 at Abrazo Hospital. Ron was born in Enderlin, North Dakota on May 26, 1942, to Henry and Signe Smedshammer, the youngest of 8 siblings. Ron attended Enderlin High School where he met his future wife, Diane Schmidt. It was here Ron first began his lifelong passion for athletics, excelling in multiple sports, and graduating in 1960. Ron continued his athletic career at Valley City State University where he played 3 sports, with his football team being inducted into the VCSU Hall of Fame. It was during this time that Ron and Diane married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Enderlin on June 1st, 1963. After graduation from VCSU, Ron and Diane moved to Cavalier, North Dakota to start his teaching and coaching career. In 1969, Ron and Diane moved to Jamestown, North Dakota where he continued for the next 31 years in his career as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director. Ron’s love of athletics was passed on to his 4 children and wife for years to come. After retirement, Ron and Diane spent their summers in Detroit Lakes where they enjoyed many great moments on the lake. Ron and Diane also bought a home in Sun City, Arizona, and became snowbirds for their winters. In his retirement years, Ron spent a lot of time playing golf, where his goal each summer was to “shoot his age”, which he successfully accomplished multiple years. While athletics was one of his passions, Ron’s greatest passion was watching his children and grandchildren compete in their athletic events. Ron is survived by his wife Diane, Sun City, Arizona, son Jason, Moorhead, Minnesota, son Joel (Andrea), Lorena, Texas, twin daughters Jill Stakemiller, Prescott Valley, Arizona, and Jodi Turney (Glenn), Peoria, Arizona, 9 grandchildren, brother Don (Reba), Lake St. Louis, MO, sister Grace Dunham, Detroit Lakes, and many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in passing by his parents, 4 sisters, and a brother. A private family service will be held at their Detroit Lakes home in the summer of 2022
Joshua Cale Kluver was born September 29, 1971, at Jenny Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Brenda (Eitzen) Kluver and Chuck Kluver, and baptized at Trinity Lutheran in Shenandoah, Iowa. Josh passed away, due to a stroke, at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona, on November 17, 2021.
Josh was raised by his mother in Shenandoah, Iowa. Brenda married Dan Lonowski in 1984, and they moved to Atlantic, Iowa, and then to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where Josh graduated from high school in 1989. Josh worked in production and skilled trades, and CNC setup and operate after high school, including Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah, Custom Machining in Shelbyville, Indiana. and Honeywell Aerospace in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1998, Josh was accepted into the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix where he graduated top of his class.
Josh was a certified Harley-Davidson cycle mechanic and loved working on them and riding around Arizona. Josh loved his daughter, Morgan, and always looked forward to spending time together. Josh stayed close friends with Morgan’s mother, Nikki Jackson, over the years. Nikki and Morgan were with Josh in his last hours.
Josh played piano and tenor saxophone growing up and taught himself guitar and harmonica as an adult.
Josh was preceded in death by Chuck Kluver; his grandparents, Lucille and Forrest Eitzen, Myron Lonowski, and Lois and Carl Kluver.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Morgan Kluver; his parents, Brenda and Dan Lonowski; his grandmother, Agnes Lonowski; Morgan’s mother, Nikki Jackson; aunt and uncle Sheryl and George Evans; aunt Joan Olson; aunts and uncles on the Lonowski side; and a host of friends and relatives.
Julius Yatchak, 90, of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on November 14, 2021.
Julius was born in Milwaukee in the year 1931 Julius lived life to its fullest. Along with his sister Gloria, he graduated from St. Mary of Czestochowa elementary and Riverside High School. His early years included an annual train ride to Bessemer Michigan where he visited the family farm and played all summer with his cousins. Shortly after high school Julius was drafted into the US Army where he served in the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. Shortly after his honorable discharge, Julius was an electrical mechanical inspector at the Square D Company and then with Johnson Controls, where he retired in 1993. Julius married Carole (Jacobs) in 1961. Julius and Carole were residents of Wauwatosa for 28 years. He was a member of St. Margaret Mary Church, The Ten Point Hunting Club, and the American Legion Post #449. His summers were frequented with a lake cabin in Forest County and winter vacations in Florida. Julius retired to Sun City West Arizona where he thoroughly enjoyed an amazing run of 28 years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge #2243, Elks Lodge #2559, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, the Polish Club, and the American Legion Post #94 where he was a prolific volunteer. He was preceded in death by his sister Gloria and parents Margaret (Supercynski) and Steven. Survived by Carole, his loving wife of 60 years. Also survived by two wonderful grandchildren, Theresa and Caleb Yatchak, and by his son Fred (Christine) Yatchak.
Julius was a kind and gentle man who was able to strike up a conversation with nearly anyone. He was a lover of dogs, especially Barney. His early retirement days were filled with golf, bocce ball, dancing, and bowling. In later years he enjoyed reading his favorite newspaper, playing cribbage, and fixing items around the home. Julius will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
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OUR LOCATION
Menke Funeral & Cremation Center
12420 N 103rd Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
Phone: (623) 979-6451