JOHN THOMAS LAGUNA
October 31, 2008
John Thomas Laguna passed away, October 31, 2008 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 30+ years, Rita, sons Chris Jessie Laguna, Danny Laguna, Billy Laguna, granddaughters Katarina June Laguna & Genevieve Rose Laguna, brothers Fred Alice Laguna & Mike Cherrie Laguna sister Norma John Sanchez. Visitation will be at 6:00-9:00pm, Thursday, November 6 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Rd., Scripture Service 7:00pm. Funeral Mass at 10:00am, Friday, November 7, St. Theresa Church, 5045 East Thomas Rd. Reception following Mass at Fr. Feeney Hall at St. Theresa Parish. Interment for family is scheduled at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Theresa School Scholarship Fund, 5001 East Thomas Rd. 5018 or St. Mary’s High School Scholarship Fund, 2525 North 3rd St. 85004.
ISMAEL VICHO BLANCO
October 31, 2008
Ismael “Vicho” Blanco, 80, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, October 31, 2008. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his commitment and unconditional love to his family and friends. He always had a smile on his face and spread his love and faith to those around him. He loved to sing, dance, listen to music and enjoy time with those he loved. His days were spent working hard to support his family, until he retired from the Washington school district. He was a devoted and proud husband of Margaret Blanco for over 58 years. He loved her with all his heart and spent his last minutes on this earth making sure she knew he would fight for that love until God took him to heaven. He was preceded in death by his son, Louie Blanco. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Blanco; two children, Angie LaBrie and Tom Blanco; two grandchildren, Serena Moran and Thomas Blanco; three great-grandchildren, Justin Baker, Hannah Baker and Nathan Blanco. We will love him forever and he will stay with us each day in our hearts, memories and prayers. We would like to thank the staff at Hospice of the Valley, 340 E. Coronado for making his last days as comfortable and peaceful as possible. All those who would like to celebrate Ismael’s life are invited to join family and friends on Monday, November 3, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. – Rosary, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. 602-840-5600. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 N. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 602-244-0349, following the church service he will be laid to rest at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ
NORMAN FRANCIS HALL
October 30, 2008
Norman was born in November, 1910 in Kansas and passed away at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, October 25, 2008. He married the love of his life Ellen Marnell in 1935 and was very happily married for 61 years. Ellen preceded him death. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona from Missouri in 1953. He was a member of Saint Francis Xavier Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Faternal Order of Elks. Norman was most happy when surrounded by family, especially his children and their babies. He had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. He enjoyed a good Irish song and a good Irish pud. He was dedicated and loving father to his twelve children: Norman F. Hall II,Shirley; Ellen M. Monge Al; James D. Hall; Mary Catherine Bayles deceased; Patricia H. Goodin; Michael A. Hall Mary;Marilyn J. Hochstrasser Wayne; Carolyn J. Meyers; Dorothy E. Keating Keith; Colleen M. Flowers David; Terrence J. Hall; Dennis G. Hall Jill. He also had 29 grandchildren and 51 great grandchildren. We will miss you dearly dad, grandpa and great grandpa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Susan G. Komen Race fot the Cure, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Suite 250, Dallas, TX., or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ. A viewing will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indain School Rd., Phx., Friday, October 31, 2008, from 2:00 – 5:00pm with a Rosary at 4:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10:30am at St. Francis Xavier Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Interment will follow the services at Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Road, Avondale.
SARAH E. HOBSON
October 28, 2008
GENE G MITCHAM
October 27, 2008
On October 27, 2008, Gene Mitcham, 76 passed away peacefully. A Native Phoenician, Gene was born in Phoenix where he resided his entire life. His education began at Creighton Elementary School, and continued with his attendance at North High School where he lettered four years in baseball, football, track and basketball. As an outstanding athlete, Gene was courted by numerous colleges across the nation but his heart remained committed to his first choice Arizona State University. To this date, Gene ranks in the Top Ten Best Athletes as a result of his career at ASU. Gene went on to play for the Fort Ord World Championship Team in the United States Army. Following his service, Gene returned to his beloved ASU where he successfully made All Boarder Conference and Honorable Mention for All American. The following year he was drafted and played wide receiver for the Ram’s 1957-1958, and was subsequently drafted as a receiver by Norm Van Brocklin with the Philadelphia Eagles. Following his football career, Gene returned to Phoenix where he was a successful home builder for fifty-one years. During those years, Gene was an active member of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse and served as its President in 1983. Throughout his remarkable career, Gene remained an active and devoted member of the Home Builders’ Association. Gene is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Mary Ann Cavanagh Mitcham and their children: Butch Mitcham, Beth Thompson, Doug Mitcham, Loretta Brown, Joseph Mitcham, Mimi Cohen and Tom Mitcham; seventeen grandchildren as well as his extended family of sons and daughters-in-law, and lifelong friends all of whom gave him much joy throughout his life. Gene Mitcham was a true Arizona pioneer in many ways, living the wild west dream. Mean Gene the Waterdog King was his nickname. Gene loved fishing and hunting! Although a competitive tennis player and avid golfer, Gene would pass on both at the drop of a hat to fish or hunt with “the boys”. His boat was forever ready, and Alaska salmon fishing and duck hunting in Canada as well as summers spent with his dear friend Dave Brown at Echo Canyon in Colorado, provided wonderful memories which he forever cherished. Viewing and visitation will take place at the Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Gene Mitcham’s family expresses a deep and heartfelt appreciation to those who provided care and support during the last months of Gene’s life, especially, Hospice of the Valley. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, 85014. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
MARGARET ELLEN LIGGETT
October 27, 2008
Margaret Liggett, 90, of Phoenix was called home on October 27, 2008. She was born in Sheffield, Iowa and has resided in Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado before moving to Phoenix in 1994. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who made her family her priority throughout her life. She enjoyed music, dancing, reading and had a wonderful sense of humor. She will be remembered for the love she gave and her willingness to help in any situation. She was preceded in death by her husband Burt Liggett. She is survived by her daughters Karen Headrick, Mesa, AZ. and Colleen Lerma, Fairfax, VA. Grandchildren: Michele Headrick, Phoenix, AZ.; Randy Headrick, Lakewood, CO.; John Holguin, Fairfax, VA.; Liz Holguin Albuquerque, NM. and great-grandchild Elisse Headrick Phoenix, AZ. A Private Family service will be held this weekend.
THERESA KAMRAR MITCHELL
October 27, 2008
Teri Kamrar Mitchell passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27th after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Phoenix on October 3, 1951 and attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and graduated from Xavier High School in 1969. She possessed a sharp wit and great beauty, both inside and out. Throughout her life, she enjoyed a large circle of close friends and family and many beloved pets. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Mary Agnes Kamrar and is survived by her brother John Kamrar and her sisters Joanne Tessmer Chuck, Karen Kamrar and Gail Lorenzen and 11 nieces and nephews and their children. A celebration of her life is planned for 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008, at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phx. Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx., 85014 or the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 W. Dobson Road, Phx., 85041, Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
MORMAN F. HALL
October 25, 2008
JEANNINE M PARKS
October 23, 2008
Family to publish obit.
JOHN CHRISMAN HUGHES
October 22, 2008
John C. Hughes, son of Dr. Coit I. Hughes and Hattrude Chrisman Hughes, was born at home, delivered by his father on February 18, 1923 in Phoenix, Arizona. A member of a founding pioneer family, his grandfather, Dr. Henry Adams Hughes, rode from Texas to Phoenix in 1882. John was a beloved and extraordinary man of an indomitable spirit who died peacefully on Oct. 22, 2008, surrounded by his family.
John attended Emerson Elementary, Phoenix Union High School, Phoenix College, and the University of Arizona, where he was a Sigma Nu. In 1942 he left the U of A to join the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific as a 2nd Lieutenant on the U.S.S. St. George. During the invasion of Kerama Retto and Okinawa he survived a kamikaze attack upon his ship. He received personal commendation from the commander of the Fifth Fleet and remained in the Naval Reserves until 1954. After the war he returned to the U of A where he completed his undergraduate degree and graduated from law school in 1950. John practiced law in Phoenix with his brother in the law firm of Hughes and Hughes and retired in 1995.
He married Nancy Kinney in 1949 and together they raised five children. John was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives in 1958. He maintained an active interest in local and national politics and always felt a citizen’s obligation to be involved in civic life.
His family’s pioneer legacy was a source of great pride to John. A descendant of Henry Adams of Quincy, Massachusetts, John C as he was respectfully and affectionately known was an inveterate student of history and fostered a love of Arizona with his family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved sailing, car racing, scuba diving, skiing, boxing, a fine horse and his dogs.
John was a proud member of The First Families of Arizona. Other associations included the Sports Car Club of America, R.O.N.S. Club, The Saints, Fraternal Order of Police, Phoenix Country Club, Verde Vaqueros and the Valley Field Riding and Polo Club.
Embracing “old school” morals, Dad never wavered from the core values he demonstrated every day of his life. He had an uncompromising faith in family and believed family unity and love were essential to a successful life. The education of his children and grandchildren was of great importance to him. Dad’s personal commitment and responsibility is our legacy. He is survived by his children, Nan Hughes, Wendy Pitha Nick, John, Leslie, Michael, Alison, Betsy Baker, Tom; and grandchildren, Mary, Wendy, Emily, Nicholas, Carey, Chrisman, Clara, and Kinney.
A celebration of John’s life will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. at the Valley Field Riding and Polo Club, 2530 N. 64th St., Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of John C. Hughes to The First Families of Arizona, c/o Phoenix Museum of History, 105 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
