Robert “Bobby” Comitz, Sr.
May 27, 2010
Robert “Bobby” Comitz, Sr. passed away May 27, 2010 and is now with God in Heaven. He leaves behind, a loving wife Bonnie J. Comitz; 7 children; 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind 4 siblings, Frank, John, Jeanette and Carol. He will be missed dearly but will always & forever, be in our hearts. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to service on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Interment to follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Russell C. McShane
May 27, 2010
Russell C. McShane, 80, of Sun City passed away April 10, 2010, of cancer. Russell was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He served his country in the US Air Force and was a retired Hospital Administrator. He is survived by his wife Evelyn; his brother Max; his daughter Cindy; sons Brian & Jeff; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Private family arrangements were made with Menke Funeral Home.
John P. Gavin Jr.
May 27, 2010
John P. Gavin, Jr.
John died at the age of 87 on Sunday, May 23, 2010, in Peoria, AZ. He was born November 3, 1922, in Kansas City, MO, son of John P. and Lucile L. (Moore) Gavin. John was a WWII Veteran and served in the US Navy from August 7, 1942, to December 15, 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. John married Arvetta Houghton on February 25, 1950 in Mexico, MO.
John is survived by his wife, Arvetta of Phoenix, AZ, daughters, Patty Underwood of Goodyear, AZ, Mickey Thayer of Everett, WA, Sharon Gavin of Snohomish, WA, Brenda Gettman of Marysville, WA and Maureen (Mike) Diaz of Duvall, WA, grandchildren, Darrell Underwood, Zac Underwood, Danny Underwood, Christopher Thayer, Melanie Thayer, Jessie Cruz, Derek Arnett, Kyle Gettman, Sean Diaz and Alicia Diaz and twelve great-grandchildren.
John was an Accountant and retired from E. J. Bartells in Renton, WA. He was a long-time member of the Snohomish Men’s Club in Snohomish, WA. Being the son of a professional golfer, golf remained his greatest passion throughout his life. John was a member of the Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Cathedral in Phoenix, AZ.
Services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 29, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 9728 Palmeras Dr., Sun City, AZ. Burial is at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary.
Bonnie Geraldine Shyrer
May 25, 2010
Bonnie Geraldine Shyrer, 82, of Glendale, Arizona passed away May 23, 2010 at Odyssey Hospice in Peoria, AZ. Bonnie was born in Geneva, Arkansas and resided in Arizona since 1959. Survivors include her children, Bonnie Sue Red, Peggy Sue Wadsworth and Jerry Lyn Ames; sister Joyce Costephens; 11 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 28, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, Arizona.
June Rice
May 21, 2010
June Rice passed away May 20, 2010 in Peoria, Arizona. June was born in Topeka, KS to Alice (Martin) McDowell and Kenneth Martin on March 7, 1930. She was preceded in death by a son Bruce Terry, husband’s Lester Terry & Greg Rice and sister Juanita Zinn. She is survived by a daughter Nancy Eckert of Topeka, KS; brother Gene Martin of Paola, KS; sisters Liz Martin of Sun City, AZ and Patricia Martin of Tecumseh, KS; 4 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 5 nieces and 1 nephew. Visitation will 11:30 a.m. with funeral services at Noon on Monday, May 24, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Burial will be in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona.
Peter Ladd Joachim
May 20, 2010
Peter Ladd Joachim left us unexpectedly on Wednesday May 19th, 2010 at the age of 77. Pete was born September 28th 1932 in Plainview Minnesota, and moved to Phoenix in 1936 where his family owned and operated a diner, The Dinner Pail. As a young man Pete was determined to be a cowboy, he learned a lot about the cowboy business while attending the Boy Scout camp near Payson. Pete became a wrangler for the Boy Scouts, taking care of the livestock and teaching other young men how to ride the trails. A talented singer, guitar player and hard worker, Pete’s occupations included working as a cowboy, singing on a Channel 5 variety show, working as a firefighter and as a saddle maker. Pete was one of the original White Knights at the Green Gables Restaurant back in the early 1950’s and was working as a Knight on horseback when he asked the love of his life, Bessie Nelson, out on their first date. Pete and Bess were married January 25th, 1952. Pete hired on at Arizona Public Service in 1953 in an entry level position, he became a Journeyman Electrician and retired in 1988 as the Supervisor of Labor Relations. After retirement Pete went to work as an Associate for M.A.R.C. and was still presenting programs at the time of his death. Pete was on the Board of Directors and a member of the Roosevelt Rough Riders as well as a member of the Verde Vaqueros. Pete is survived by his wife Bessie, 3 daughters, Mickey (John) Bowen, Sheri Monet, and Sarah Joachim, 9 grandchildren, Todd Bowen, Mindy (Joel) Skousen, Sunny Bowen, Amanda (Jeff) Shafer, Dean (Trisha) Erb, Elizabeth Claxton, Rachel (Virgil) Brooks, Reese VanHassel, Peter VanHassel and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. June 12th, Scottsdale Bible Church in the Chapel 7901 E. Shea Blvd. Reception will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the BSA Council Service Center 2969 N. Greenfield in Phoenix (N of Thomas near 20th St) Donations to the Roosevelt Rough Riders can be made to: Attn: Kim Bergeron Roosevelt Rough Riders PO Box 14042 Tempe, AZ 85284-0068. For donations made directly to the Boy Scouts Please send to: Suzanne Herrmann Grand Canyon Council 2969 N. Greenfield Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 Please indicate clearly on your check or include a note with your donation, in Memory of Pete Joachim.
Shirley C. Coyle
May 19, 2010
Shirley C. Coyle, 71, of Sun City passed away May 19, 2010. Born in Springfield Township, PA, Shirley moved to Arizona in 1961. She is survived by her brothers Gerald T. and Norman L.; sisters Helen Donnini and Mary Buell. Private arrangements were made by Menke Funeral Home.
Kenneth P. Damiani
May 19, 2010
Kenny was born on August 7, 1958, in Phoenix, AZ, to Leonard and Cecilia Damiani. Kenny touched many hearts and will be greatly missed by all. He left us suddenly, but we know he has been greeted by our mom and dad in heaven who preceded him in death. Kenny is survived by his son, Brandon, and his many siblings including 3 brothers, Leonard (Leanne), Michael (Terri) and John Damiani and his 5 sisters: Sheila (Randy) Ray, Theresa and Barbara Damiani, Beverley (Dave) Friedman, and Susie Smith, nine nieces and nephews, 7 great nieces and nephews, Sr. Rose Marie Holden and Sr. Angela Aldi, many cousins, extended family including Nicholas (Leslie), Ameliah and Michael Jacott, lifelong friends, Shane Spaulding, Jake Long, Jimmy Martinez, the Anderson Family and many others. A celebration of Kenny’s life will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glendale 5-7 p.m. including a Rosary at 6 pm on Friday, May 21st and a Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 22nd at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to OLPH School 5614 W. Orangewood, Glendale, AZ 85301
George E. Smorra
May 18, 2010
George E. Smorra 83, of Sun City, AZ passed away May 18, 2010. George was born October 22, 1926 in Niles, Ohio to Adam and Amelia (Alexy) Smorra. He served his country in the US Navy. He married Lillian Druschel, June 7, 1947. During his career, George was the Vice President for a wholesale plumbing supply company in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, retiring to Sun City in 1987, where he was a member of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lillian; son Allan (Deborah) Smorra; grandson Michael (Mary Ann) Smorra; great grand-daughter Nicolette Smorra; sister Eleanor Smorra and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 8 brothers and sisters. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, 11025 N. 111th Ave., Sun City, AZ. Contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Jimmie Roslee Moorhead
May 17, 2010
Jimmie Roslee Moorhead, 97, of Tolleson, AZ passed away May 12, 2010. Born in Milledgeville, Tennessee, she was an 80 year Arizona resident. Survivors include her children, Alta Chance, Clifford, James and Frank Moorhead; sister Mary Bettis; 16 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grand and 1 great great great grandchild. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 21, 2010 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ.