Dorothy Itule
April 29, 2008
Dorothy Itule passed away on April 29, 2008, after a brief illness.
She was born to Edwin and Norma Kiefer on July 23, 1927, in the quaint village of Glencoe, IL, a place she loved dearly. Her family moved to Arizona when she was 17 years old. She graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1945 and, on Christmas Eve 1948, she married Willie Itule.
Early in life, she discovered a passion for interior design. Her homes were always beautifully decorated and she taught everyone in her family to appreciate beautiful surroundings. She knew how to make a home a sanctuary and each of her children looked to her for decorating advice and suggestions. You could always find her with a paint brush in hand as she refurbished antiques, furniture and accessories. Her home was truly her castle. She also loved to travel and was fortunate to make several journeys to Europe throughout her life. She had a special love for Italy, the land of her heritage. On her 80th birthday, her son, Willie, surprised her with a family trip to Rome, Florence and Venice. For the past 26 years, Dorothy and her family would travel to Laguna Beach for summer vacations. She was a devoted mother and loving grandmother and was always surrounded by her adoring family. Holidays and birthdays were a special time. A superb cook and entertainer, everyone looked forward to dinners at her home. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brother Teddy, and her husband Willie. She is survived by daughter Beverly Kamps, son Willie Itule and wife Lynn, son Paul Itule and daughter Paula Itule and husband Steve Nastasi, and her grandchildren Billy, Andy and Jessie Itule, all of Phoenix.
Visitation will be from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM on Sunday, May 4th, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road in Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 5th, at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 2312 East Campbell Avenue in Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made in Dorothy’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Richard D. Tidwell
April 29, 2008
Richard D. Tidwell, age 60, of Phoenix, AZ, passed on April 29, 2008. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Beth Tidwell. Richard is survived by his wife Linda, children Chad Christy, Amber Justin, Clint, Cole Lina, Seth and Preslie, two granddaughters Rylan and Trinity, as well as four sisters Kayle Ernie, Marla Alen, Susan Joe, Sydney John, one brother Jeff Susan, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00 A.M., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Arcadia Ward, 4225 North 56th St., Phoenix. Interment will follow at Double Butte Cemetery, Tempe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard Tidwell Benefit Memorial Fund, c/o any Wells Fargo Bank branch.
Geraldine June Walrath
April 28, 2008
Geraldine “Jerry” June Walrath, of Phoenix, was called home on April 28, 2008. Jerry was the only child born to Doris LaBelle and Walter Whisenant on September 13, 1928, in San Fernando Valley, California. She spent most of her life in Las Vegas, Nevada where she was part of the first graduating class of Basic High School in Henderson. She married Plaz Conner in 1946. They owned and ran a successful masonry contracting business in Las Vegas until his untimely death in May 1966. She later married Ray Walrath. He passed away in 1994. For many years she was a member of Las Vegas Homemakers and Warm Springs Baptist Church. She was also a very accomplished artist and talented in many medias. In 2004 she retired to Phoenix to be near family. She is survived by her son Rod Sandra Conner of Nevada, daughters Jenice Doug Ramseyer of Orange, California, Belle Olen Petznick of Phoenix, Arizona and 6 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and grandson Plaz A. Conner. Jerry loved to travel, have new adventures, meet new people and made friends easily. She is loved by many and will dwell in our hearts forever. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Saturday May 3, at 2PM, at The Terraces, 7550 N. 16th St. in Phoenix. Donations may be made in her name to The Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, 1130 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Mary Lee Leist
April 27, 2008
Mary Leist, 83, passed away April 27th, 2008. Born in Roanoke, West Virginia, Mary was an Arizona resident for 57 years. She retired from Garrett Corporation Air Research. Mary was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and the Scottsdale United Methodist Church. Mary is survived by her husband Harold of 64 years. She will be remembered by her loving brothers and sisters, Eugene Wilson, Aubry Wilson, Anneita Mason, JoAnn Appling, and Janice Merril. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Mary was like the beautiful flowers she grew, spreading beauty and love to all she met and knew. Funeral Services will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018, on Thursday, May 1st. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. with Service at 11:00 A.M. Graveside service to follow at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren St.
Elaine Smith
April 24, 2008
Elaine Smith, 83, passed away on April 24, 2008. Born in Abie, Nebraska in 1924. Elaine was a valley resident for over 60 years. She retired from the Salt River Project in 1985. She will always be remembered as a giving person who was loved by all.
Elaine is survived by her son, Scott Smith and Daughter, Linda Garcia and by 3 grandchildren, Christina Brouwer, Craig Garcia and Juliette Smith, and 4 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 1st at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday May 2nd at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Ave., Phoenix. Interment at St. Francis Cemetery
Mildred M. Edwards
April 24, 2008
Mildred M. Edwards, 83, of Peoria, passed away April 24, 2008. Born July 6, 1924 in Aurora, Illinois, Mildred came to Phoenix in 1952 with her husband Robert who precedes her in death. She is survived by 1 daughter, 4 sons, and 7 grandchildren. Graveside Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 1st, at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street.
Mario James Catalanotte
April 24, 2008
Mario James Catalanotte, 82 passed away April 24, 2008. He was born in Detroit and has been a Phoenix resident since 1946. Mario was a proud member of local 383 Labors Union. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances, brother Peter and sister Angela Mannino. Survived by daughters Alice Kies and Ana, sons Vito and Peter, 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, 2 sisters, Grace Adams, Patricia Nicosia, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at 10:00 A.M. with a Funeral Service at 11:00A.M. Wednesday April 30th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
Josephine Seville Carrillo
April 24, 2008
Josephine Seville Carrillo, 71, was born in Phoenix on August 29, 1936 to Agripina Duarte and James Robert Seville. She was surrounded by loving family when she passed away on April 24, 2008. As a young woman Josie was known for the tamales and chorizo she made at Estrella, her uncle’s tamale shop, before she opened her own restaurant, Big Eyes Mexican Café. She later worked for Honeywell and then Motorola before retiring. Josie enjoyed playing bingo and was a devoted Dallas Cowboys and Phoenix Suns fan; continuing to watch them into her last days. Charles Barkley’s call to her was deeply appreciated. Josie is survived by her daughter Veronica Carrillo and her companion of 24 years Angel Dominguez, along with Delores Vera Bennie, Herminia Escalante, Oswaldo Mary Seville, and Betty “Tichie” Villa who will greatly miss their beloved sister. 11 nephews, 8 nieces, 19 grand nephews, 18 grand nieces, 6 great-grand nephews and 11 great-grand nieces will remember their adored Nina’s honest nature, sense of style, love of family, poker games and sincere interest in their lives. The family is so thankful for the time they had with Josie and the care Mary and Pat gave her along with help from Joe, Destinee and Tiffany at Hospice of Arizona.
Josie’s love and unforgettable spirit touched all our lives and her memory will forever be in our hearts. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 29th from 8:00 – 9:00 A.M., Rosary at 9:00 A.M. and the Funeral Mass to follow at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 909 South 1st Ave., Phoenix. Interment at St. Francis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to Hospice of Arizona at 2222 W. Northern Ave., Suite A100, Phoenix, AZ. 85021, Attn. Connie Frisby
John Henry Lee
April 23, 2008
John Lee passed away on April 23, 2008 with his family surrounding him. John, a wounded World War II veteran, was a long time resident of Scottsdale, AZ. He had retired from the general contracting firm he had built after having constructed championship golf courses across the United States. He is survived by his daughter, Peaches L. Sloan, his son, two granddaughters and four great grandchildren. John is also survived by three sisters and two brothers. Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, April 26, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. Graveside Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 29, National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 8014. Please request the funds be directed to the Gardiner Home. The Gardiner Home provided for John’s care and comfort during his final days.
Anna Jeanne Friend
April 23, 2008
Anna Jeanne Friend, 83, Phoenix, AZ passed away April 23, 2008. Born in Chicago, IL, she is survived by her husband George, 5 children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren. Funeral Mass is 10:30am Monday, April 28, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd. Interment at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: ‘The Friends of Talking Books’, 1030 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
