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Robert Michael Crowley loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on August 28, 2021 at the age of 53. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona to Mike and Janice Crowley. Robert enjoyed a career as a chef working at local restaurants, including the Phoenician and Outback. Robert loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping and fishing with his family.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Susie; daughters, Xiomara Vega and Jack, and Iris Gamboa; his father, Mike Crowley; sisters, Debbie Harper and Robert; Dianna Crowley; and two grandchildren, Jaydiel Vega Gamboa and Jayden Vega Gamboa. Robert is preceded in death by his mother, Janice Crowley.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, Arizona 85351. There will be a reception immediately following the service.
William “Gil” Gilliam, 80, of Glendale, passed away on August 27, 2021. A SMSGT and U.S. Air Force veteran, Gil was a resident of Glendale for over 42 years.
Gil was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Rose Marie, his mother Vera and father Tommy, and brothers Jess and Robert.
He is survived by his daughter Tina Rohe (David K. Rohe) of Peoria, AZ and son Thomas Gilliam of Agawam, MA and grandchildren David Rohe, Dante Rohe and Tobias Gilliam and great-grandchild David Michael James Rohe, brother Keith Gilliam of Oregon and sister Lisa Mattatal of Mesa, and several nieces and nephews living around the country.
A private family viewing will be held. Interment and service will be held on September 13, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Anthony Edward Simhauser of Sun City, AZ passed away August 26, 2021. Born September 9, 1937, to Valentine & Kathryn Simhauser in Los Angeles, California, he was educated at Seattle University and Gonzaga University. Prior to a 32-year career in finance as a Trust Officer for First Interstate Bank, and Bank of Hawaii, he was a member of the Jesuit Priesthood. Tony enjoyed woodworking and reading in his spare time. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister. He is survived by 3 nieces, 1 nephew, 3 stepdaughters, their respective families, and many friends. Private family arrangements have been made. If you wish to honor Tony with a donation, please contribute to Seattle University – Edmund B. McNulty S.J. Scholarship Fund at PO Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122-1090.
Violet Louise Carr, 86, of Sun City, Arizona passed away August 25, 2021. Violet was born in Magazine, Arkansas. She was a US Air Force veteran and worked in the medical field as a Registered Nurse. Private family arrangements were made.
On Saturday, August 21, Randy, age 64, passed away quietly at Banner University Medical Center. Our comfort lies in knowing he is with our good Lord, his mom, his dad, and many other family members and friends who departed before him.
He leaves behind his love, best friend, and wife of 34 years, Carolyn, their three sons, Sean, Mike, Tim and Tim’s wife Jessica who will bring us our first granddaughter in October. The boys truly were the light of his life and he was the light of theirs. He was also survived by his brother, Charles.
A native Arizonan, Randy graduated from ASU and completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Phoenix. He spent 35 years as a teacher and a high school counselor in the Peoria Unified School District and at Younker High School in Buckeye, AZ. He was respected and loved by the thousands of students, parents, and teachers whose lives he touched. His ability to listen, empathize, truly care about, and problem solve made him one of the best in his field.
Randy’s greatest joy was time spent with his family traveling around the country first in a pop-up, then in our trailers, and finally in our class A motor home. He lived to spend time with his boys fishing, boating, camping, golfing, bowling, and challenging everyone during fantasy football fun.
Randy: a loving husband, a devoted father, a dedicated educator and counselor, and a beloved family member and friend will be missed more than words can ever say.
A memorial service with masks optional will be held to celebrate his life at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 on September 11, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. with a luncheon immediately following the service. (Masks are optional.)
Verna Jean Larson of Sun City, AZ received her angel wings on 8/20/21 at the age of 94 years. She passed away peacefully at Hope Assisted Living Center where she had resided the past two years. Verna was born on 6/25/1927 to John A. and Olga Larson at Hastings, ND. She was baptized at Spring Creek Lutheran Church in Hastings and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kathryn, ND. She was raised and educated in Valley City, ND., graduating from Valley City H.S. She furthered her education at Dakota Business College, Fargo, ND. Her first employment was Bookkeeper/Accountant for the Farmers Union Oil Company, and later moved to St. Paul, MN where she was the Assistant Administrator of the Employee Benefits Program for CENEX, Inc. She retired from that position in 1987 and moved to Sun City, AZ.
Serving her Heavenly Father, church and music were at the center of Verna’s life, always. Her church was her “happy place.” So it was only natural that she joined American Lutheran Church of Sun City, and accepted a staff position as Assistant to the Director of Music. She loved every minute of her responsibilities, retiring after 18 years. Verna was also active in WELCA, Adult Sunday School, and Bible study; she served on the Board of Trustees and many other committees and activities at the church. Verna helped plan trips and outings for the congregation; a highlight was traveling to the Lawrence Welk shows. She loved to tell that while living in St. Paul MN Verna was a fellow choir member with Tom Netherton from that show. She also organized several trips to Norway. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and recently was awarded a Lifetime Award in the Sons of Norway.
Along with all of her activities, Verna was a gourmet cook, having attended gourmet classes, and she loved to cook and entertain. Reading, crafts, sewing and knitting were also hobbies she enjoyed. Christmas was her favorite season so her home was full of goodies and was beautifully decorated. Verna was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. When visiting her, she always made you feel special. She knew the fancy places to visit, shop and enjoy the arts, musicals and plays. An amazing trip for her nieces was seeing Disney on Ice in Minneapolis. Doing puzzles with her, baking, warm hugs and her gentle voice—these memories are cherished and will never be forgotten. Verna cherished her family. Oh, and did you know about her big collection of shoes? She loved shoes!
Verna will be forever loved and missed. Her family includes her brother-in-law Leo Goetz; nephew Leon Goetz; nieces Carrie Johnson and Linda Stewart; cousins and many friends. She is warmly and lovingly welcomed in heaven by her Heavenly Father, her parents, sister Lois Goetz and brother Kenneth Larson.
A memorial service celebrating Verna’s life will be held on Friday, August 27th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the columbarium at American Lutheran Church of Sun City.
Bobbie Faye Drennan of Phoenix, Arizona passed away surrounded by her loved ones under the care of hospice at her home on August 15, 2021 at 6:30 PM at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Robert and Evelyn Drennan, and her two brothers, Bennie and Roy Drennan. She is survived by her sister, Gaydene DeJaynes; her brothers, Jerry and Stanley Drennan; her two children, Raymond Hightower and Donnie Hightower and his wife, Claudia; her Granddaughter, Cornelia Hightower Torres and her husband, David; and her Great-Grandson.
Bobbie was born in Lamesa, TX on July 13,1938. She graduated from Seminole High School and then worked in a beauty salon for many years before moving to Arizona. In Arizona she worked for the City of Phoenix at the Phoenix Public Library in the Special Needs Department. She retired after working for them for 30 years. Bobbie was also a devout member of the deaf community at Camelback Church of Christ.
Bobbie was a bright light in this world. She enjoyed meeting new people and traveling to new places. Wherever she went everyone remembered Bobbie by her kind heart and beautiful smile. She loved spending time with her family and leaves behind many beautiful memories.
In Lieu of flowers, Bobbie requested that donations be made to the Camelback Church of Christ. A Celebration of Life for Bobbie will be planned later this year when it is safer to assemble in a group. The family will update those who were close to Bobbie when this is organized.
Roy Lory Smith Jr. (November 15, 1933 – August 11, 2021)
Roy Lory Smith Jr. was born to Roy Lory Smith Sr. and Ruth Alberta Smith on November 15, 1933. He grew up in Greeley, Colorado. After graduating from Greeley High School in 1951, Roy earned a BS in law at Denver University. He then obtained a Masters of Divinity from Drake University and worked on a PhD at Vanderbilt.
Roy married his high school sweetheart, Grace May Knight on August 29, 1954. From 1955 to 1960, he served as a pastor in several Disciple of Christ churches in Iowa and Kentucky. Roy and Grace were blessed with two daughters during that time: Lorraine Ann (AKA Lory) and Karen Sue.
In 1961, Roy and family moved back to Greeley, Colorado. Their son, Philip Eugene was born. From 1961 to 1978, Roy worked as accountant and office manager for Ted Nieters Motor Company and eventually, Roy became part-owner of the Ford/Toyota car dealership.
Roy returned to school in 1978 (at the age of 45) after the car dealership was sold. He attended the University of Northern Colorado. There he obtained a Doctor of Education degree in Business. Roy served as a lecturer at UNC and taught business classes at AIMS Community College in Greeley for one year. He then became a professor of business at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas for five years, followed by five years at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas.
Roy retired in 1991. He moved to Sun City, Arizona with his wife Grace in 1992. At Sun City Christian Church he was a leader of the Bible Forum for 25 years. Roy also served as an elder and a choir member. Grace preceded Roy in death on April 23, 2019.
On October 15, 2019 Roy married Donna Shubin. Both Roy and Donna attended the Sun City Christian Church and sang in the choir. They enjoyed entertaining others in their home with a card game called hand, foot and knee.
During his life, Roy enjoyed staying active playing tennis and table tennis. He had a passion for Bible teaching and translation from the original Greek and Hebrew.
Roy lost weight and strength recently and was hospitalized with pneumonia. He died at his home in Sun City on August 11, 2021. Roy is preceded in death by his first wife, Grace, his parents and older sister, Vera. Roy’s surviving family includes his second wife, Donna, his younger brother, Bruce, his three children, Lory (Dennis McDonald), Karen (Julius Petty) and Philip (Cindy) Smith, and his seven grandchildren: Alison & Bonnie McDonald, Jedidiah (Catherine) Larson, Rachel (Sean) Donovan, Terry (Katie) Smith, Taylor (Trista) Smith and Abby Smith. In addition, Roy was blessed with eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Sun City, Arizona.
Allen Fred Chady of Sun City, Arizona, died early evening Tuesday August 10, 2021 at his residence. He was born July 26, 1936 in the town of Waupaca, Wisconsin to the late Ignes and Florence (Abrahamson) Chady. They later relocated to Milwaukee, WI where Allen also graduated from Washington High School.
Allen served our country as a Specialist in the US Army reserve from 1959 until April 1962.
Allen worked as a Machinist at Globe Union in Milwaukee where he met his bride Joyce Tyler. Joyce was the product inspector in his department at the company.
Al sang and played guitar in a country western band "The Drifters" where they played at taverns in Milwaukee.
Allen married Joyce Marie Tyler on May 9, 1964 in Shiocton, Wisconsin.
Al and Joyce resided in Brookfield, WI. Al was a family many who enjoyed traveling the USA taking many cross-country road trips with his wife Joyce and daughters. In addition to Joyce and the girls, many of these road trips were shared with his parents, and his aunts; Alice (Abrahamson) Dopp and Mabel (Abrahamson) Chady. Al loved coin collecting and was the President of the Waukesha County Coin club for a few years. Al also enjoyed great times with friends and family fishing and socializing during a good ol' game of cards. Al had a marvelous sense of humor, he was always smiling and made everyone around him laugh.
Allen & Joyce retired and relocated in Sun City, Arizona in summer of 1996. They chose Arizona which is where their good friends Darrell "Josh" and Karen Dallmann had settled years ago and raised their two daughters.
Allen was a member of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sun City.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; two daughters: Sandra (Michael) Arndt, Oconomowoc, WI; Patricia Baas, Surprise, AZ; and one grandson: Michael Arndt II. He is further survived by one nephew: Keith Daniel, Little Chute, WI; and four cousins Luetta (Gary) Miller, Weyauwega, WI; Jeffery (Mary) Dopp, Oconomowoc, WI; Donald (Bonnie) Chady, Racine, WI; Donna (predeceased George) Boetcher, Racine, WI; other relatives and friends.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 28th at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sun City with Pastor Robert Smith officiating.
Final resting place will be Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, WI.
Leon L. Putnam, Jr., 76, of Peoria, Arizona passed away August 8, 2021. Born in Creston, Iowa, to Leon L. Putnam, Sr. and Dorothy DeWitt on January 7, 1945, he resided in the Elliott and Griswold, Iowa area until he went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. He served in the U.S. Army including a tour of duty in VietNam in the 101st Airborne Division. He worked in the telephone industry until 1990 when he took early retirement and started a lawn service company in Omaha, Nebraska. He sold that when he moved to Peoria, Arizona in 1997. Leon loved to play golf and was a member of the Westbrook Village golf club for 24 years. He also loved following the Iowa Hawkeyes in sports, especially football.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years Marla; a son Barry Putnam of Des Moines, Iowa; a daughter Tracey Wenson of Irving, Texas; brother Jerry Putnam of Griswold, Iowa, sisters Judy Robberts of Lyman, Iowa and Debbie McAfee of Parrish, Florida; grandchildren Tiffaney Whitten of Ankeny, Iowa, Tawney Dettman of Glidden, Iowa and Chris Wenson of Dallas, Texas; five great grandsons Teagon and Tobyn Whitten; Vin, Enzo and Knox Dettman.
A Celebration of Life is being planned at Westbrook Village at a date to be announced.
Leon’s ashes will be interred in a military service at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Adel, Iowa on September 27, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Leon’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate
Dylan Richard Gordon, 33, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away August 7, 2021. Dylan was born in Phoenix and resided in the Phoenix area most of his life. He graduated from High School in 2006. Dylan served a short stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. Dylan worked in construction, customer service and technology repair. He was an avid poker player and he enjoyed playing in poker tournaments with his father, brother and friends. Dylan especially enjoyed the time he spent with his daughter Violet.
Dylan is survived by his daughter Violet Preston-Gordon, his father Rick Gordon, his mother and stepfather Gloria and Don Kugel, his brother Michael Gordon, half-sister Amber Smith and stepsiblings Jenna Smith and Axle Smith. He also leaves his uncles Rey Martinez and Moses DeAlejandro and his aunts, Sandra Odom and Deanna DeAlejandro. Dylan was very much loved by his Grandmother Sarah Gordon, Uncles Mark Gordon and Richard Wodnicki and Aunt Susan Wodnicki. Additional surviving family members include Daniel and Michael Wodnicki, Nicole and Patrick Vargas and Samantha Gordon.
Dylan was a very kind and gentle person. In spite of his epilepsy and other health issues, he was always very positive and strong, even though the toughest of times. He will be missed terribly.
A memorial service will be held at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, Arizona on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 11 AM.
Elva Mary Connors died on August 3, 2021.
The family will receive friends and family at the Arlington National Cemetery on December 6, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
Elva was a caring, intelligent woman with a beautiful smile and spectacular green eyes. It was often said that she was an Elisabeth Taylor lookalike. She was compassionate, generous, and loving towards her family, friends and strangers, and she showed her love in ways that would touch you forever.
She loved animals, especially her dog, Chambo, and the dogs of neighbors that she adopted daily. An early and accomplished artist throughout her life she created award winning art including paintings and sculptures. Elva was a successful businesswoman working her way up to senior management during a time when few women, in spite of their talent, were able to do so.
Growing up as a child she spent many summers away from her home in Boston at her favorite place, her grandmother’s farm in Tabusintac New Brunswick, Canada, where she admired all the beauty of nature. She was inquisitive and sought to understand the world by visiting other cultures and traveled extensively in Asia and in Europe.
Elva will finally be at rest with her beloved husband “Rossie” Connors when she joins with him at his grave site at Arlington National Cemetery. Elva will be in our thoughts, prayers and our hearts everyday.
She is survived by her son and daughter and many grandchildren and friends.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made, on her behalf, to your favorite charity.
Kenneth Leon Simmons, 50, of Glendale, Arizona passed away July 30, 2021. Born in Fresno, California, he resided in Arizona for the past 48 years. He was a graduate of Cactus High School and served in the U.S. Army. Kenneth worked in athletics as a former football and track coach. He enjoyed football and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 31 years Kristy and their children, K.C. Simmons (Ninna) of Glendale, AZ and Mason Simmons (Brittany) of Cassville, MO; his father Gene Simmons; sisters Deborah Dyer of Sun City, AZ, Cyndi Simmons of Phoenix, AZ and Julie Piech of West Plains, MO; grandchildren Reven Simmons of Glendale, AZ, Natalie Dewandler of Buffalo, NY, Laila Simmons of Cassville, MO, Brielle Simmons of Glendale, AZ and K.J. Simmons of Glendale, AZ.
Private family arrangements were made.
M Terese De Young nee McSherry, 94, formerly of Sun City, AZ, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Providence Place at Glencroft in Glendale, AZ, on July 30, 2021, after a brief illness.
Terese was born in Battle Creek, MI on June 29, 1927. She was a 1949 graduate of Marygrove College in Detroit, MI earning her BA in Education. Terese was an elementary school teacher until she left that profession to raise her family. The family moved from Battle Creek to Naperville, IL and later in life, she returned to work in various positions at Marshall Field’s and O’Hare International Airport.
Retirement brought Terese to Sun City, AZ where she enjoyed the warmer weather, meeting new friends, exploring Arizona and involving herself in many volunteer activities including Sts Joachim & Anne Catholic Church, St Vincent de Paul Society, the West Side Food Bank Thrift Shop, Banner Boswell Hospital, Hospice of the Valley and Habitat for Humanity.
Terese loved watching PBS, especially Downton Abbey. Over the years, she held season tickets for the Phoenix Opera and ASU Gammage. Terese was a proud Democrat and a member of the Sun City Democratic Club. She also traveled throughout her life visiting Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, the Caribbean and many states throughout the US.
She is survived by her children: Trish/Mary Pat Brown, Peggy Brown, Ellen (Chris) Keith, Jane Brown, Barbara Theobold, Bill (Kelley) Brown, Emily (Bill) Borman and Charlie Brown; 15 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 14 nieces and nephews and 22 great-nieces and nephews; brother Jack McSherry of Peoria, IL and sister-in-law Nancy Smith and family of Richland, MI. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Myldred McSherry, sister Elizabeth Brown, brother Charles McSherry Jr, granddaughter Katie Theobold, niece Katherine Arnold and nephew Robert Maher; her spouses William M Brown (1984), Clifford D De Young (1996), and longtime companion, John Kelly (2011).
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 @ 10 am at Sts Joachim & Anne Catholic Church in Sun City, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made to Sts Joachim & Anne Catholic Church or St Vincent de Paul Society.
Barbara Helen Eisenhuth of Sun City, Arizona passed away on July 27, 2021, at the age of 77. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan on September 22, 1943, to William and Henerita Aue.
Barbara was a 61-year resident of the West Valley and worked as a reservationist at the Wigwam Resort. She had a love and passion for sewing, belonging to numerous sewing clubs in the area.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Ray; two children, Ray C. Eisenhuth and William Eisenhuth (& Vicky); and grandchildren, Autumn and Brooke.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made “In Memory of Barbara Eisenhuth” to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
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OUR LOCATION
Menke Funeral & Cremation Center
12420 N 103rd Ave.
Sun City, AZ 85351
Phone: (623) 979-6451