Obituaries
In response to requests from our readers, the Navajo Times will post obituaries as they are published in the print edition of the Navajo Times.
The Navajo Times does not receive all obituaries from border towns and reservation communities. Some mortuaries send them regularly, others ignore the Navajo Times in favor of local daily newspapers.
Many obituary notices are brought in by families or friends. If you would like an obituary for a loved one or friend published in the Navajo Times and posted on the web page, send to obits@navajotimes.com.
May 23, 2013
Nelaren "Pretty" Tabaha
DEL MUERTO, Ariz. – Funeral services for Nelaren "Pretty" Tabaha, 43, of Chinle, were held May 16 at the Presbyterian Church with Danny W. Halwood Sr. officiating. Interment followed at the private family plot.
Nelaren was born March 16, 1970, in Fort Defiance, into the Naaneesht'ézhi Táchii'nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water) Clan, for Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People) Clan. She died May 12, 2013.
Nelaren attended Diné College for two years and was a full-time mother who loved to play softball. She was very artistic and loved to draw and paint. She was a best mother anyone could ask for. She was a mother of four beautiful children, three daughters and one son.
Nelaren is survived by her son, Orhyn Onefeather Dee Begay; daughters, Nelteria Yazzie, Nelturiah Segay and Neltierra Segay; parents, Norma and Fred Benally; brothers, Christesen Blacksheep, Charlestother Blacksheep and Nelthan Tabaha; sisters, Archulita Holtsoi, Sartreva Blacksheep Riddle and Nelvalen Tabaha; and one grandchild.
Pallbearers were Nelteria Yazzie, Nelturiah Segay, Neltierra Segay, Orhyn Onefeather Dee Begay, Norma Benally, and Fred Benally.
Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Reuben Tracy Charlie
ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Reuben Tracy Charlie, 36, of Tse Bonito, N.M., were held May 21 at the Mary Mother of Mankind Catholic Church with Father Patrick Schafer officiating. Interment and a reception followed in St. Michaels.
Reuben was born June 29, 1976, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Weaver-Zia Clan, for The Red House People Clan. He died May 17, 2013, in Albuquerque.
Reuben attended Window Rock High School and Tucson College. He was a self-employed tattoo artist and enjoyed driving his 1964 Chevy Impala, spending time and loving his children, hunting, and fishing.
Reuben is survived by his son, Reuben Tracy Charlie; father, Richard Tom Charlie; brothers, Irvin Billy, Howard Billy Jr., and Ervin Billy; and sisters, Regina Vaquez, Teresa Manarelli, Treva Wyaco, Josephine Nelson, Johanna Benallie, and Joanna Charlie.
Reuben is preceded in death by his daughter, Riana Teresa Charlie; mother, Mabel Charlie; sister, Charlotte Chow; maternal grandparents, Mike Yazzie Smiley and Hanasbah Marie Yazzie; and paternal grandparents, Tom Charlie and Marie H. Yazzie.
Pallbearers were Irvin Billy, Howard Billy Jr., Paul Vaquez, Jason Yazzie, Leotto Wyaco, Roger Porter Jr., Herman Upshaw, and Rick Wilson.
Honorary pallbearers were Spencer Chow, Robbie Day, Ervin Billy, Richard Tom Charlie, Patrick Atcitty, Landon Curley, Mertis Begaye, Raymond Rintala, Thomas Rintala, Art Rintala, Tom Yazzie Sr., and Tom Yazzie Jr.
Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Marvin Chicharello Jr.
CANONCITO, N.M. – Funeral services for Marvin Chicharello Jr., 27, of Canoncito, N.M., were held May 18 at the Canoncito Church of God with Bishop Leroy Tate officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Canoncito.
Marvin was born into the Salt People Clan, for Towering House Clan. He died May 12, 2013, in Canoncito.
Marvin graduated from To'hajiilee Community School and attended Highland University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. He worked for Sysco Food and enjoyed sports and music.
Marvin is survived by his son, Dominic Rayne Chicharello IV; parents, Marvin Chicharello Sr. and Rosita Chicharello; brothers, Chet Arviso, Ted Arviso, Thompson Chicharello, and George Abeyta Chicharello; paternal grandmother, Mary S. Chicharello; and maternal grandmother, Katherine A. Joe.
Marvin is preceded in death by his sister, Pablita Sunshine Cadman; brother, Dominic Chicharello III; and grandfathers, Dominic Chicharello I and John Johnson.
Pallbearers were Garrison Francisco, Kevin Chicharello, Kerry Chicharello, Andrew Chicharello, Virgal Denesto, Arliss Williams, Cameron Barbone, and Micheal Suina.
Honorary pallbearers were Chet Arviso, Ted Arviso, Thompson Chicharello, George Chicharello, Tristian Cadman, Dallas Morris, Harold Joe Jr., Dalton Arviso, Kaiden Arviso, Cody Arviso, Thompson Piaso, George Piaso, Harrison Joe, Harris Joe, and A.J. Williams.
Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
David Thomas
HOLBROOK, Ariz. - Funeral services for David Thomas, 63, were held May 18 at the Pentecostal Church of God with Pastor Jerry Keams officiating. Interment followed at the Holbrook City Cemetery.
David was born Nov. 25, 1949, in Indian Wells, Ariz., into the Big Water Clan, for Towering House Clan. He died May 11, 2013, in Phoenix.
David was a journeyman carpenter and he used his skills to build many things. He enjoyed doing ranch work in Indian Wells and watching John Wayne movies. Mostly he enjoyed his children and grandchildren.
David is survived by his daughters, Jolene Thomas, Silena Thomas, Davina Thomas and Delphina Thomas, all of Phoenix; sisters, Anna Billie of Phoenix, Helen Yazzie Johnson of Indian Wells, Suzie Lake from Black Mesa, and Mori Judge of Indian Wells; brothers, Jerry Thomas of Indian Wells, Davis Thomas of Santa Fe, and Jeff Thomas of Holbrook; and six grandchildren.
Greer's Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.
Henry William Draper Sr.
GANADO, Ariz. – Funeral services for Henry William Draper Sr., 46, will be held Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at the LDS Church in Ganado. Burial will follow in Del Muerto, Ariz.
Henry was born Dec. 29, 1966, in Ganado, into the Naakai dine'é Clan, for Áshiihi Clan. He died May 20, 2013, in Phoenix.
Henry attended Chinle High School and worked for private and public security (community). He enjoyed woodcarving, hunting and oil painting.
Henry is survived by his sons, Sgt. Dereck William Draper, T.L., airborne infantry Henry William Draper Jr.; daughter, Trista Rae Draper; brothers, Patrick L.L. Draper, Fred C. Youvella, Wayne Youvella, and Arnold Youvella; sisters, Wilma D. Draper and Ardythe Youvella; and six grandchildren.
Henry is preceded in death by his parents, William H. Draper and Irene P. Shondee; nalis, Henry and Garnet Draper; and grandmother, Lena Shondee.
Pallbearers will be Donovan Draper, Sgt. Dereck Draper, Matthew Draper, Primeaux Youvella, Bryan Draper, and Harrold Bia.
Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Youvella, Warren Tallbrother, Don Noble, Patrick Draper, David Draper, and Wayne Youvella.
Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.