David (Paul) Popoff
April 25, 2013
David (Paul) Popoff was born to Paul (Michael) Popoff and Mary (Tolmachoff) Popoff on December 6, 1921, in Glendale, Arizona. At the age of 91, while in the care of Hospice of the Valley, Dave died peacefully at his home in Phoenix on April 22, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. Dave survived all of his immediate family; his sister, Anne Babashoff and 5 brothers, John, Mike, Alex, Peter and Morris. Dave’s parents immigrated from Russia in 1912, the same year that Arizona became a state. They soon established a farm on 75th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. He worked the farm with his Father. His mother died in 1963 and in the early 1980′s, Dave cared for his elderly Father. A few years after his Father’s death, Dave sold the farm and moved to his new home in Phoenix in 1983 where he remained for 30 years. His farming abilities were transferred to gardening and thoroughbred horses. Dave is cherished by many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins. He has always been an inspiration to many, lived his life in integrity and will be greatly missed by all that know him.
Services will be at Menke Funeral Home on Saturday, April 27, at 10am (preceded by viewing at 9am). Burial will be at 11am at the Russian Molokan Cemetery on 75th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona.
Dorothy A. Glad
April 23, 2013
Dorothy Ann Charlotte Glad, 88 years, of Peoria AZ peacefully died April 18, 2013. She was born in Minneapolis MN June 7, 1924 to George and Judith Florence Theorin Miller. She grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from North High School. In 1947 she married Woodrow Glad and they moved to Worthington MN in 1951. In 1987, Dorothy and Woodrow retired to Sun City Arizona.
Dorothy and her husband were active in the Worthington community but most notable was Dorothy’s contribution to First Lutheran church where she was the church organist, accompanist for choirs and highly sought after organist for weddings and funerals. She was often called upon to accompany the more difficult solo selections for many high school band and choir students at the annual music contests. Dorothy also provided organ lessons and several of her students have joined the league of church organists. She was a talented musician who could improvise around faulty organ pipes, change keys on the spot to fit soloist ranges and “stretch” the music when there were those occasional delays in the church service.
American Lutheran Church of Sun City became their new church home. Dorothy enjoyed singing in the choir. She worked with enthusiasm on the organ building committee which provided an organ that is used widely by the Phoenix music community.
Sixty years of living with arthritis and a series of strokes over the last 7 years may have worn down her body but never her spirit. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Woodrow Glad; daughters Marybeth (David) Vigeland and Pamela (James) Schutjer; grandchildren Joseph (Heather) Klein, Anna (John) Sommer, Elliot Schutjer and Aaron Schutjer: great grandchildren Avery and Cason Sommer and Alex Klein; sister-in-law Joan Hugill.
A service celebrating her life will be held Thursday, April 25th at American Lutheran Church of Sun City, 1:00 p.m. Memorials requested to American Lutheran Church of Sun City Music Fund, 17200 North Del Webb Blvd, Sun City AZ 85373.
John Donald De Pesa Sr.
April 23, 2013
John Donald De Pesa Sr. age 79, U.S. Army Veteran, at peace April 18, 2013, beloved husband of 54 years to Marcia (Mitberg). Son of the late Arthur and Irene (Toweson), and loving father of seven children, Arthur (Sandra), John Jr., Angela (Charles) Wilson, the late Steven, Julie (Richard) Howard, Anthony (Mary), and Marc (Julia), 20 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. John had a unique gift for sharing family stories and passed down the family tradition of “pizza making” that will be carried on for generations. He loved Notre Dame Football and family gatherings. John was devoted to his faith and served as a Eucharistic Minister for the Catholic Church and attained the rank of Fourth Degree, Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He will be greatly missed by all who have loved and known him. Visitation and Rosary at Menke Funeral Home 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City from 5 to 7pm on Wednesday, April 24th. Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church 9728 W. Palmeras Dr., Sun City at 10 am on Thursday, April 25th. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John’s name to Hospice of AZ 19820 N. 7th Ave. Ste 130, Phoenix, AZ 85027.
Kelly Jeanne Bryson Bryant
April 17, 2013
Kelly Jeanne Bryson Bryant passed from this life surrounded by her loved ones on April 16, 2013. She was born in Phoenix on July 29, 1966 to Bernard Bryson and Janice Ryan Bryson. Kelly was proud of her many pioneer ancestors who helped settle Arizona Territory. She became a 4-H Leader at the age of 16 while still a member herself and was honored for her leadership in 4-H. A lover of horses and rodeos, Kelly announced team ropings around the state and was a co-founder of the Liberty Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. Employed by the Phoenix Union High School District; Kelly was a Senior Office Assistant at Betty Fairfax High School in Laveen. She was committed to her family and to her work with youth; always serving with excellence and integrity. Kelly is survived by her husband Bruce Bryant, Buckeye, son Colten Butler, daughter Austin LaRae Butler, brother Ryan Bryson (Karimy), nephew Walter, nieces Ximena and Layla Kelly in addition to her parents. Stepdaughter Andi (Scott) McMillan, stepson Scott Bryant, grandchildren Chance, Justin and Tatum, Noelani Zywickie whom she considered a daughter and many other relatives and friends whom she dearly loved. A celebration of Kelly’s life will be held on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Buckeye Equestrian Center, 10300 S. Miller Road, Buckeye.
Elaine Pauline Kendrick
April 12, 2013
71, of Sun City, AZ passed away April 1, 2013. Elaine was born in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania and was a 35 year Arizona resident. Survivors include her daugher Mary Jasmin of Glendale, AZ. Memorial service for Elaine will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel.
Norma Jean Barber
April 11, 2013
78, of Sun City passed away April 10, 2013. Mrs. Barber was born March 27, 1935 in Ochulata, Oklahoma to Ruben & Hattie Adams. A homemaker, she resided in Sun City since 1993. Survivors include her husband of 61 years Don Barber; her sisters Shirley Shepard & Mary Lou Sears, and nieces Cris Lockett and Susie Rives. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.
Carol Kaufman Jaslow
April 10, 2013
Carol (Kaufman) Jaslow, born March 8. 1930 in New York City (The Bronx), N.Y., passed away on March 30, 2013. She had been in the care of Hospice of the Valley since experiencing a stroke following elective surgery on March 11. Carol met her future husband, Charles (Chuck) Jaslow, while attending the University of Michigan, and they were married in 1949. During Chuck’s dental career with the Air Force Carol was an active military wife, mother, and volunteer. The family was transferred to many locations, including Tokyo, Japan and Honolulu, Hawaii. It was while in Hawaii that Carol developed an interest in Hula dancing, which eventually lead to her teaching the “Nani Wahinis” Hula group at the Sun City Recreation Center for many years. Carol completed her B.A. degree in History & English from Huntington College in Alabama in 1959 after attending Duke, U. of MI, Temple U., U. of IA, and other institutions as a military coed. Upon her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1964 the family settled in Ann Arbor, MI where Carol briefly taught in the public school system, and then worked as an Editor and Assistant Director of the Educational Resources Information Center at the University of Michigan, until 1981.
Carol and Chuck then retired to a house in Quail Run in Sun City. In addition to her volunteer instruction and direction of Hawaiian Dance, Carol was a member of the SCWGA 18-holers for whom she served as treasurer for many years. She was secretary of the Fairway Silver Club for 2 years before being elected to the Sun City Recreation Centers Board of Directors in 1994. Following that tenure Carol undertook playing Bridge and Mah Jongg with several groups, often participating as director or coordinator. Carol most recently resided at Royal Oaks, having moved there in 2010.
Carol is survived by her brother, David Kaufman of Boca Raton, FL; three daughters: Jancy Jaslow (Don Lewis), Betty Macnee (David), Sarah Jaslow (Ann Steiner); four grandchildren: Nathan Macnee (Christina), Rachel Macnee Hartsfield (Eric), Jessica J. Lewis, Eli J. Lewis; and one great-granddaughter, Sydney Macnee.
A Memorial Service will be held at Menke Funeral Home at 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City on Thursday, April 18th at 3:00 P.M. The family invites friends to visit beginning at 2:30 P.M. Her body will be cremated and her remains interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona alongside those of her husband.
In keeping with Jewish tradition the family requests that donations be made to Sunshine Services or Hospice of the Valley in lieu of flowers. Aloha ‘Oe.
Marlene Bechtold
April 9, 2013
80, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013. Marlene was born January 21, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her husband, James G. and her two sons James T. and Thomas Bechtold. In over 55 years of marriage, Marlene enjoyed traveling and spending time with her husband. She was a dedicated mom providing so much love and support to her children while they grew up. In her spare time Marlene enjoyed reading books, sewing and knitting. A viewing will be be held 4-6 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Menke Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in which her ashes will be blessed at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 14818 W. Deer Valley Rd., Sun City West, AZ.
James Evans Matych
April 5, 2013
79, of Payson passed away April 2, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Matych was born in Big Rapids, Michigan to George and Leona Matych. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Matych retired from the electronics industry and has resided in Arizona for the past 16 years. He was preceded in death by his grandson Timothy. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joleen; son Steve (Theresa) Matych; daughters Cindaleen (Michael) Cummings, Aleshia (Gary) Sacks and Kimberlee (Claudio) Franca; brother Harry E. Matych; sister Clara Jo Altenbern. 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild also survive. A celebration of life will be held June 10 in Payson at a time yet to be determined.
Nancy Jean Ellingson
April 3, 2013
Technical Sergeant Nancy Jean Ellingson, USAF Retired, died peacefully at her home in Sun City, AZ March 25, 2013. Jean, as she was known to her friends, was born in Hoquiam, WA November 11, 1931 to Harold and Nancy Marie Ellingson. Jean grew up on her family’s ranch where she learned to ride and love horses. She graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1949 and worked as a cook at a nearby lumberjack camp before joining the U.S. Air Force in December 1951. Jean served honorably, retiring April 1, 1973. She was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and Cuban Missile Crisis. Among her military awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon. Assigned to various stateside and overseas bases, she became proficient in several career fields including Air Police K-9 handler, Training Instructor (to basic trainees) at Lackland AFB and Personnel Management, and culminated her career as a First Sergeant. The highlight of her military service was an overseas assignment at Ramstein AB, Germany. She loved sports and played catcher for the WAF (Women in the Air Force) Squadron softball team and guard with the WAF basketball team. Known as “Sgt E” to many of her troops, she perpetrated hilarious, playful pranks both on and off duty. While stationed at March AFB, she commuted to a part-time job at a popular date farm and gift shop near Palm Springs, CA. Jean was a charter member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, DC, American Legion Post #426, Yucaipa, CA and Elks #2389, also in Yucaipa. She spent many happy retirement years in the City of Yucaipa before settling in Arizona. She had a wonderful way of telling delightful stories as she shared her memories with others. Jean never met a stranger. She could walk into a room full of people and immediately become the life of the party. She looked forward to attending the WAF Association annual reunions. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and other family members, and her dear friend Panorea Collis. Sgt E has now reported to the ultimate duty station. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her–especially her WAF sisters. She requested there be no memorial service.