Ruth M. Kutchera
February 7, 2012
Long-time Sun City resident Ruth Kutchera died February 5th, just shy of her 103rd birthday. Ruth was born in Shelbyville, IL. She met and married Harold Kutchera while they both worked for Illinois Bell Telephone. After Harold retired from a long telephone career, they moved to Sun City in 1971. In addition to being engaged in many activities, such as being part of the Rock Hound Club and becoming an accomplished silversmith, Ruth was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City and volunteered at Boswell Hospital until well into her nineties. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Harold, in 1999 and her daughter, Sheila, in 1967. She is survived by sister Rae Noble, Woodstock, IL; brother LeRoy Carlson, Fort Myers, FL; son-in-law John (Linda), Beaufort, SC; grandchildren: Jeff (Kathi), O’Fallon, IL; Christine (Adam) of Atlanta, GA; Wendy, Banner Elk, NC; and Hugh (Deann), Des Moines, IA. There are eleven great-grandchildren. A private family memorial service is planned. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, 12225 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351.
Jessie Richardson
February 6, 2012
Jessie Richardson, 97, of Peoria, AZ passed away February 3, 2012. Jessie was born in Doncaster, England. Formerly of Washington State, she moved to Arizona in 2006. She was preceded in death by daughter Heather Leveque. Survived by daughter Cathy McAlister. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 at Congregational Church of Sun City, 18401 N. 99th Ave., Sun City, AZ. Burial to take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane, Washington.
Russell Allen Bales
February 6, 2012
Russell Allen Bales (Rusty), 87, of Sun City, died February 3, 2012. Rusty was born the youngest of three brothers to Al and Margaret Bales on May 1, 1923 in Colusa, California. His family moved to Chico where he spent his youth and graduated from Chico High School as Class President. During his high school years he was a football player, an accomplished tuba player, tennis champion, a member of the Antler’s, a youth group of the Elks and an Eagle Scout. He was in training with the Olympic Cross Country ski team when WWII broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp at 17. When he graduated from flight school at Williams Field, the instructor announced to all that Rusty was the best student he had ever taught. He was the youngest Army/Air Corp Officer at the young age of 20. He was assigned to the Air Transport Command in China and flew C46 cargo planes over the hump in Burma until he and his crew were shot down. His bravery and ability to track a trail due to his Eagle Scout training enabled him to get his entire crew safely back to base, but only after 23 days of arduous walking and the help of local, friendly natives. This valiant effort awarded him the Bronze Star. He married Nancy Wellman in 1947 and they have two daughters, Beth Taft of Fallbrook, CA and Peggy Guichu of Phoenix, AZ, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was the owner of Russell A. Bales Insurance Adjusters in Redding, California and continued to fly after the war enjoying his single engine Cessna which he used for business and family vacations. He was a true outdoorsman, avid hunter and fisherman and he and Nancy enjoyed camping and traveling across the country. After retirement Rusty and Nancy moved to Sun City, Arizona where he could do what he truly loved most, GOLF. He was a past President of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a true American hero, a friend to everyone he met, a great husband and wonderful Father. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 10233 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City, AZ.
Robert Pell Litscher
February 4, 2012
Robert P. Litscher age 80 passed away peacefully February 1, 2012 at Hospice of Arizona. Bob was born in Akron, Ohio June 24th, 1931. He is survived by his devoted loving wife, Myra, of 29 years. He also leaves behind his identical twin brother, Glenn and sister, Jean whom both live in Sun City West, plus two nephews and three nieces. Bob migrated to Southern California in 1956 and retired to Sun City West in 1992. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953 and was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant. Bob attended Kent State University and UCLA. He was a heavy construction equipment mechanic and shop superintendent for several large construction companies. Bob was a teacher and business agent for the Operating Engineers Local # 12 Los Angeles. Bob loved sports especially golf, He and his lovely wife RV’D every summer. His main hobbies were building and flying radio controlled aircraft and playing the organ. He was well respected in the neighborhood and was known as the fix it guy. There wasn’t much that he could not repair. He was a long time member of the ELKS. He was the best friend a twin brother could ever have had. Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 15th 10:00 A.M. at Menke Funeral Home 12420 North 103rd Avenue, Sun City, Arizona. Please remember Bob by making a donation to Hospice of Arizona 19820 N. 77 Ave. STE 130 Phoenix, Arizona 85027-9914.
Colleen M. Griffin
February 2, 2012
On January 29, 2012, Colleen Griffin passed away peacefully in Sun City, Arizona. Colleen was born on October 6, 1927, in Firth, Nebraska and was the daughter of Raymond and Edith TeSelle. She graduated from Firth High School. On February 18, 1946, she married Verne Griffin and they started their lives together in Lincoln, Nebraska. Colleen had two sons, Ken in 1946 and Phil in 1958. She raised a family and developed her Accounting skills with businesses in Lincoln. Colleen was a Deacon at First Presbyterian church in Lincoln. During the 70’s and 80’s, Colleen was a realtor with Woods Brothers Realty where she was a top performer in sales and listings. She loved golf and even had a hole-in-one. In 1990, Colleen moved to Sun City, Arizona where she continued to sell real estate with Ken Meade Realty. Colleen was a Deacon at Faith Presbyterian church in Sun City. She was preceded in death by her husband Verne in 2004. The last two years, Colleen had been a resident of Brighton Gardens Assisted Living facility in Sun City. Colleen is survived by her son Ken (PJ, East Brunswick, NJ), son Phil (Marc, Anchorage, AK), sister Cleo (Don, Gordon, Nebraska), grandsons Steve and Beau, granddaughter Kim, and three great grand children Jamie, Kristin and Kerri. A chapel service will be held on Saturday, February 11th at 9:30am at Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City, AZ followed by a brief graveside prayer at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Donations are welcomed in lieu of flowers to the organization of choice.
Vicki Lynn Myers
February 1, 2012
Vicki Lynn Myers, 60, of Glendale, Arizona passed away January, 31, 2012. Born August 7, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri. Memorial services for Vicki will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Menke Funeral Home, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ.
Hazel Marie Ivy
February 1, 2012
Hazel Marie Ivy, 88, 0f Sun City, Arizona passed away January 25, 2012. Hazel was born April 26, 1923 in Evansville, Indiana to Henry and Emma (Sprengel) Walden. An Arizona resident since 1965 she was a Teacher. She was preceded in death by her husband George Ivy on January 28, 2009 and by grand-daughter Allison. Survivors include her daughters, Carol Bedal (Chuck), Lana Hagerman (Gary) and Penny Hagedorn (Terry); sisters, Flora Wilhelm and Ionia Miller; 10 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Burial will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Lynn Rinehart
January 30, 2012
Lynn Rinehart is now making photographs from a slightly higher vantage point, Heaven. After a valiant battle she succumbed to pancreatic cancer January 28th at her home surrounded by her loving family. Lynn will always be remembered as a caring, compassionate, loving mother, grandmother and wife. She is preceded in death by her parents Dean and Marvis Moeller and sister Lorna Moeller. She left behind two loving children Scott Holdcraft and Rene Schneider along with 2 grandchildren Kara and TJ Schneider and her husband John. Lynn is also survived by her siblings Gary Moeller and Gere Ortleib. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Grace Hospice. The family would like to invite friends to join them in a celebration of Lynn’s life at the home of Judy and Nelson Butler (14802 N. 81st Lane, Peoria) February 4th at 2:00 p.m.
Frances Marion Carlson
January 26, 2012
Frances Marion Carlson
97, of Sun City West and formerly of Minneapolis, passed away on January 25, 2012. Preceding her in death are her husband Walter and brother Clarence Anderson. She is survived by daughters, Karen and Lynn (Robert); son Geoff; 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Private family arrangements have been made.
William Reed Neideffer
January 25, 2012
William Reed Neideffer
passed away peacefully at home, Monday night, January 23, 2012 at the age of 83. Survivors include his wife, Georgye, his sister Helen and brother in law Chauncey Giles; his son Daniel and daughter in law Wemme; his son Donald and daughter in law Marylou; his daughter Luanne and son in law Bill Reilly; and his daughter Joanne Neideffer Yutzy; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Bill was born July 22, 1928 in Des Moines, Iowa, graduated from Johnston High, Johnston, Iowa, and Drake University with a degree in business. He served in the U.S. Army in Italy where he was a member of the 88th Infantry Division, known as the “Blue Devilsâ€. He retired from Trucking Firm where he was Vice President. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bill was also a member of the Moose and Elks Lodges.
Bill resided in Iowa until he moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1962, and then to Sun City, Arizona in 1995. Bill will be missed greatly by his family, relatives, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mooseheart, C/O Moose Charities, 155 S. International Dr., Mooseheart, IL 60539-1100 (630) 966-2200 or www.moosecharities.org
Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Menke Funeral Home Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ.
