William J. Kurth
June 30, 2009
William J. Kurth passed peacefully to join other angels on June 30, 2009 with his daughters Cindy Lenzie, Mary Lou Genovese, and Billie Hayes at his side. Bill was born in Joliet, Illinois on December 4, 1921. H was married to his beloved wife, Alice Messier for 40 years who died on April 22, 1983. His parents were Glenn and Mary Kurth who preceded him in death as well as his brothers Francis and Glenn Jr. He is survived by his three daughters, five grandchildren; Kurt Lenzie, Tony Lenzie, Steven Lenzie, Mona Thurmond, and Martie Gutshall Kelley; Eight great grandchildren; Samuel, Matthew, Christopher, Hannah and James Lenzie, Billie Marie, Alice and Emily Thurmond.
Bill was a wonderful husband and a devoted father. He graduated from Wilmington High School where he was a basketball player. He played baseball for many years as an adult with many of the Wilmington
Timothy Francis Kelly
June 30, 2009
Kelly, Timothy F. Age 46 of
Laguna Hills, CA died June 30, 2009 due
to a stroke. Survived by daughter
Jazmine, parents Larry & Arlene,
4 siblings, 7 nieces & nephews. The
great loves of Tim
Liberty Sands Marie Peters
June 28, 2009
Liberty was born to Stephanie Jean Martell and Michael Shane Peters II and to sister Emma Elizabeth Peters passed away on June 28, 2009.
To celebrate in a world full of pain means you must believe in God and his hope. We take this time to cherish and remember our precious daughter and sister Liberty and the many priceless gifts she has left us. Take this time to cherish those you love in memory of Liberty, June 28, 2009.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure at heart because they shall see God
Verniel Edward DeWitt
June 27, 2009
Verniel Edward DeWitt, 61, of Sun City, AZ passed away June 27, 2009. Mr. DeWitt was born in Peoria, IL and worked as an assistant in the funeral industry. He moved to Sun City in 1998 from Monmouth, IL. He was a highly involved and dedicated charter member of Tender Mercy Christian Fellowship and an avid ham radio operator. He is survived by his wife Kristy; brother David DeWitt Cindy; sister Cathy Gillham and many loving nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his first wife Nancy; his mother and father, and a favorite nephew Michael DeWitt. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday, July 3, 2009 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Memorial donations are suggested to Tender Mercy Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 2020, Sun City, AZ 85372.
Kenneth A. Jansen
June 27, 2009
Ken Jansen of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin passed away at the age of 73 on June 27, 2009. He was a wonderful husband, a loving father, and an awesome grandfather!! He was an electrician and a business owner. He worked for Magaw Electric, Muzak, and owned Pyramid Electronics in Wisconsin prior to his moving to Arizona in 1992 where he was a foreman for Brown & Sons. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Raymond. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, JoAnn, his daughter, Sheri, his son, Robert Bobbyand his wife Lori, and his granddaughters, Kasey, Dominique and Jenni. He definitely was The Best and our hero. We were blessed and lucky to have him in our lives. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society cancer.org OR The Arizona Humane Society azhumane.org in Kenny’s name. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, July 3, 2009 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ.
Kathleen A. Bartlett
June 26, 2009
Kathleen Agnes Wheeler-Bartlett, 55, of Glendale and Mineola, New York has returned to her Father in heaven after a long battle with Lupus. Kathleen was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents William & Elizabeth Wheeler. She leaves behind her loving husband Edward; her son and his wife Richard & Lisa Cornwell and their wonderful daughter Kathryn and her son Ryan Cornwell and his partner Jeremy Tamsen; also a brother and 2 sisters. Come and celebrate Kathy’s life at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of Arizona www.lupusarizona.org.
Thomas Joseph Brennan
June 24, 2009
Brennan, Thomas J.
Thomas Brennan, 79, passed peacefully from this life at his daughter’s home in Bailey, Colorado on June 24, 2009, formerly of Glendale, Arizona. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 5, 1930, he served in the Air Force in Korea and was a systems analyst, computer geek during his working life. Upon retirement, he taught part-time at Glendale Community College and loved interacting with young people. He is predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Ann Brennan and his grandson, Nicholas Brennan. He is survived by his second wife, Lafaye Brennan, his children Rosalie and Thomas, his step-daughter Billie, seven grandchildren and siblings Rosalie, Margaret and James.
Memorial service will be held on Sat., July 11, 2009, at 12:00 noon at Menke Funeral Home, 103rd & Grand Ave, Sun City, with reception to follow. As Tom was an animal lover, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to a local no-kill animal shelter or IMHS.org in Bailey.
Loyd A. Craft
June 22, 2009
Grace E. Rupkey
June 20, 2009
Grace Colegrove Rupkey
Grace Colegrove Rupkey of Peoria, AZ. went to the Lord on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Grace was 100 years of age, born July 24, 1908 to Merritt and Mary Colegrove of Armstrong, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband Welford Willie Rupkey, adopted son Frederick, and brothers Floyd, Frank and Lewis Colegrove. She is survived by Nieces Sonja Hazen Thomas of Colorado Springs, CO., Mary Arnie Bettinger of St. Paul, MN., Corinne Kim Fox of Sierra Vista, AZ., Katherine Simpson of Silver Springs, MD., Elizabeth Ney of Riverton, NJ., Bridwell Williams of Tucson, AZ., Ruth Bell of Fremont, CA.; Nephews Charles Brenda Colegrove of Armstrong, IA., Jerry Maggie Loomis of Garretson, SD, Robert Elaine Taylor of Plano, TX. and Rick Diane Rupkey of Tucson, AZ. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 2 at 10:00am at the Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. It is Grace’s wish that any memorial gifts be donated to your favorite charity in Grace’s name.
Internment of ashes will occur at a later date in the Rupkey family plot at Lakeside, AZ.
Grace was a thoughtful and caring women who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met throughout her long life. Her sense of humor, positive attitude and zest for life will truly be missed!
Harry Atkinson, Jr.
June 19, 2009
Harry Atkinson, born March 6, 1913 in Chicago, IL died June 19, 2009 in Peoria, AZ. He is survived by son, Bill; daughter, Karen; and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cleo and brother, Kimble. Most of his career was spent at the Chicago Post Office accounting department. After 31 years he retired and became an accountant at the Lake County Health Dept. in Illinois. He sang with the Apollo Chorus for 24 years where he performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife moved to Sun City in 1976 where he learned jewelry making in lapidary and silver-craft clubs and sang with Luke AFB Choir and the Bellevue Heights Baptist Church Choir. Harry also had a lifelong passion for fishing. Memorial services 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 22, 2009 at Amethyst Gardens, 18170 N. 91st Ave., Peoria, AZ. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City AZ with final interment at William Chapel Cemetery in Ewing, Illinois. Donations may be made to Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Northern Ave., Suite A-100, Phoenix, AZ 85021.