Mary M. Plummer
February 18, 2010
Mary M. Plummer, 88, Litchfield Park, AZ, and formerly of Helena and Lewistown, Montana, and Dickinson, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on February 17 , 2010, at Chaparral Winds Assisted Living Facility in Surprise, Arizona. She was born August 20, 1921, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Joseph J. and Anna Dietz Koffler. Mary is survived by her children, Jerry Cloud of Hudson, Colorado, Don Cloud of Montana City, Montana, three granddaughters, one grandson and five great grand children. Also a brother, Matt of Mandan, North Dakota, and sister Rose of Dickinson, North Dakota, survive her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil W. Plummer, her parents, sisters Anna, Tillie, Barbara and Betty and brothers John and George. Mary spent her life living and caring for her family whom she cared for dearly. An avid sports fan, Mary had the opportunity to attend live games played by the Arizona Cardinals and Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns, and for the past several years, she has followed each team religiously on television.
A resident of Chaparral Winds since 2003, Mary’s nickname was “The Angel,” as she was known for assisting others who were less mobile or able than she was. She made many friends among the staff and residents of Chaparral Winds and she enjoyed her twice daily bingo and card games immensely.
Jerry and Don and the immediate family are very grateful to friends and immediate and extended families including the Plummers, Clouds, MacDonalds, Allbrights, Mosiers and others who have been so supportive throughout Mary’s illness.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Helena, Montana.
Joe Rooney Slack
February 15, 2010
Joe Rooney Slack passed away on February 12, 2010 at the age of 87 years. He was born in Yuma, Arizona and raised in Glendale, Arizona. He attended Glendale schools and ran the family business of Slack Motors in downtown Glendale until his retirement in the early 80’s. Mr. Slack was preceded in death by his first wife Marjorie in 1968, his second wife Esther in 2008, grandson Dennis Rice, Jr., parents Harry and Dixie Slack, sisters Janis Granger and Florence Nickell. He is survived by his children Linda Irish, Christine Parker (Roy), Burt Slack (Lynn), Joe R. Slack, Jr. (Colleen), Pete Slack (Mary), Sam Slack (Cheryl), Jim Rice (Jackie), and Dennis Rice (Linda). Also surviving is a sister Madge Martz (Kermit) as well as twelve grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 17th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, Arizona. Graveside services will be private. The family would like to thank the staff at Peppertree Square, John C. Lincoln Hospital, Chris Ridge Village and Cornerstone Hospice for their care and kindness to our father and grandfather.
William Oliver “Scrapp” Rudrud III
February 12, 2010
Rudrud, William Oliver III “Scrapp”
Born January 28, 1948, in Savannah, Georgia, Scrapp unexpectedly passed away February 9, 2010. He grew up in Tucson, graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1966, and later Northern Arizona University after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp with a 1968-69 tour of duty in Vietnam. Scrapp was an accountant with Sun Health and later an independent locksmith. He was preceded in passing by his parents Bill and Bess Rudrud and is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Cindy, his sisters Stephanie Hutchinson and Cynthia Cox (Chuck), his brother Jeffery (Linsley, Janet), nieces Nicole, Ashley and Andrea, nephew Jeffery Glenn (Christine), family members Steve and Cherryl Glenn, Edie Glenn, Raymond Rudrud (Corrine), and many cousins. Scrapp was a dear friend to many and a pillar to his family. He dearly loved his family and friends, his home and neighborhood, the Diamondbacks, fishing and his country. A memorial service will be held Monday, February 15, 2010, 1:00 pm at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351. Semper Fi, Scrapper.
H. Horton Bumguardner
February 11, 2010
H. Horton Bumguardner, 86, of Sun City West, AZ died Feb. 10, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family. Graveside services will be held Feb. 16, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ..
He was born November 30, 1923 in Hope, New Mexico, the son of late Joe Cephas and Annie Lee Bumguardner. He was the youngest son of four brothers. He is proceeded in death by his sister Mary Alice Mottram. Mr. Bumguardner served in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman in 1946-47. After he was discharged from the Army, he spent the rest of his life serving the Lord, raising his family and doing what he loved-ranching.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Sun City West, AZ; son and daughter in-law Eddie and Jan Bumguardner of Dolores, CO; daughter Becky Bumguardner of Ft. Collins, CO; daughter Kim Sloan and Terry Bolton of Winter Park, CO, and son and daughter in-law Randy and Melodie Bumguardner of Phoenix, AZ; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He was a strong but gentle soul to all who knew him. Our husband, daddy, Papa, and friend will be greatly missed.
Gary R. Irish
February 11, 2010
GARY RAY IRISH
Gary R. Irish, 78, formerly of Sioux City, Iowa and South Sioux City, Nebraska passed away on February 3, 2010 at his home in Sun City, Arizona after a lengthy illness.
Abiding by his wishes, cremation has taken place. Graveside services will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona at 10:00 a.m. on February 12, 2010. Arrangements are under the direction of Menke Funeral Home of Sun City, Arizona. Immediately after the graveside service, visitation with the family will be at the Irish residence in Sun City.
Irish was born on September 25, 1931 in Sioux City, Iowa to William and Lenora Irish. After attending Central High School, Irish married the former Mary Watterson of Sioux City, Iowa in July of 1950. In 1951, Irish joined the United States Air Force. During his enlistment, Irish was stationed primarily at the Mountain Home Air Force Base near Boise, Idaho where he served as a sergeant in the Air Police.
Upon his discharge from active duty in the United States Air Force in 1955, Irish returned to Sioux City where he enrolled in, and graduated from, the management and accounting program at National Business Training College. Irish began his professional career in 1957 as the officer manager and comptroller for the Beermann Bros. Dehydrating Plant in Dakota City, Nebraska. Irish remained in the employ of Beermann Bros. until 1963 when he opened Irish Accounting and Tax Service in South Sioux City, Nebraska. In addition to operating his accounting and tax service, Irish was appointed as County Judge in and for Dakota County, Nebraska in 1967. While residing in South Sioux City, Irish served as president for both the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce and the Sookota Toastmaster’s Club. Irish also helped organize the South Sioux City Police Reserve and served as that organization’s initial chief. Irish remained on the bench as Dakota County Judge until June of 1972, at which time he resigned and moved to Fresno, California. While in Fresno, Irish worked in the cotton business as an executive and accountant for various agricultural concerns. In 1983, Irish moved to Arizona where he worked as an accountant and tax preparer until his death.
Irish is survived by his wife of fifty nine years, Mary Irish, and their beloved Pomeranian dog, Joey. Irish is also survived by his son and daughter-in law Craig T. Irish and Abigail Irish of Phoenix, Arizona, together with their two children, Michael, 24, and Melissa, 22; and his daughter and son-in-law Jori Sova and Larry Sova of Phoenix, Arizona, together with their two children, Amanda, 19, and Justin, 13.
Irish was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Warren Irish and William Irish, Jr., both of Sioux City, Iowa.
Alexander R. Woodford
February 9, 2010
Alexander R. Woodford, 78, of Peoria, Arizona was born, raised and lived in Brooklyn, NY for 30 years (a former 35 year resident of North Merrick, Long Island, NY). A Switchman for New York Telephone Co. for over 40 years, he retired to Arizona in 1995 where he was an active member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Sun City, AZ. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Woodford; children Gerard Woodford (Lisa), John Woodford (Susan) and Mary Ann Klein (Matthew); 6 grandchildren, Ryan, Kelsey, Melissa & Kelly Woodford and Allison & Emily Klein. Visitation will be 2-5:PM with Rosary at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 9728 Palmeras Dr., Sun City, AZ.
Ellen Jane Diede
February 8, 2010
Ellen J. Diede, 72, of Glendale Arizona, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2010. She was the CEO of Diedes Transport, Incorporated in Phoenix Arizona.
She is survived by her husband Ira of 48 years, her son Greg, his wife Denise, and two grandchildren Denee’ and Greg Jr. Diede.
Her visitation will be held at the Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, Arizona on February 11, 2010 from 5-8:00 PM with Pastor Ralph Robertson officiating.
The memorial service will be held at the Peoria – Sun Cities Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 13450 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd. in Peoria on February 13, 2010 at 3PM.
Dorothy June Key
February 5, 2010
Dorothy June Key, 93, of Sun City, AZ, passed away Monday, February 1, 2010. She was born June 13, 1916, in Decatur, IL, to parents, Walter and Fay Quick. She grew up on a dairy farm there, the second oldest of eight children. June worked as a comptometer operator and bookkeeper. She retired from Safeway in 1978, and was a member of the Teamsters Union. She and husband, James, moved to Sun City from California in 1988. She had been a member of Fairway Lapidary Club and Fairway Silvercraft Club. She also enjoyed Line Dancing. June loved playing the violin and as a young woman, traveled with an all girl orchestra. June is survived and will be dearly missed by daughter, Maria Meure, and son-in-law, Bob, of Sun City, AZ, daughter-in-law, Nannie McCoy of Windsor, South Carolina, sister, Mary Jane Corey, of Decatur, IL, brother, Kenneth Quick, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, grandchildren: Ronald Denton, Jr., Randall, Gwen, Christina, Rene, Deborah, and James, 25 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, son, Ronald McCoy, sisters, Evelyn Biddle and Betty Cox, brothers, Lynn Quick, Walter Quick, and Richard Quick, two granddaughters, and one great-grandson. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, Monday, February 8, with funeral services following at 1:00 pm, at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, with burial to follow at Resthaven Park Cemetery.
Harriett Rose Simpkin
February 5, 2010
Harriett Rose “Gigi” Simpkin, 89, of Sun City passed away Jan. 26, 2010. She was born in Hannibal, MO to Harry & Clara Culler. A resident of Sun City for over 30 years, Mrs. Simpkin was the co-founder of the C. Tom Simpkin Air Conditional & Heating Co. of Sun City. A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, she was a member of Lakeview United Methodist Church of Sun City. She is preceded in death by her husband C. Tom Simpkin in 2008 and a brother John L. Culler. Survivors include son Arthur Simpkin (Rose); grandchildren John Fitzpatrick (Stacy), Andrea Melanson (Michael), Erika Hawkins (Alex), Jason Fitzpatrick and James Fitzpatrick (Corey); great grandchildren Dylan & Sidney Melanson, Brook Sylvain, Camron & Damon Hawkins, Lennon Fitzpatrick, Katrina Schabel and Devin Fitzpatrick. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Lakeview United Methodist Church, 10298 W. Thunderbird Blvd., Sun City, AZ.