Obituaries for Feb. 5, 2015

Staff Sgt. Robert “Hoss” Matthew Parkhill

CHENEY, Wash. – Family and friends celebrated the life of Staff Sgt. Robert “Hoss” Matthew Parkhill on Jan. 31, 2015, at the Amazing Grace Fellowship in Cheney, Wash. Interment followed at Marshall Cemetery in Cheney, with a military honor guard.

Robert was born in Williams Lake, British Columbia, on April 17, 1976. He is full blood Chilcotin and was raised by his parents James Robert Parkhill and Irene Langworthy Heppler. He died of complications related to PTSD on Jan. 25, 2015.

Robert attended Cheney High School and graduated in 1994. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps because of his deep desire to defend this country after watching the movie Full Metal Jacket. During his 20-year service with the U.S. Marine Corp, Staff Sgt. Parkhill did five combat tours: three in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, one in Kosovo, and received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, Presidential Unit and Combat Action Ribbon. He was stationed stateside in San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Fort Lee, Va.; Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and overseas in Okinawa, Japan. Marines called him “Chief” and “Hoss.” They also liked to call him “Chesty” after Chesty Puller (iconic Marine) because of the number of ribbons on his military uniform. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on Nov. 30, 2014.

Robert married his first wife, Desiree’ Parkhill-Snider and had two children, Chelsea Cheyanne, who he loved to call “Shi-Shi” and Robert Chilcoltin Parkhill, who he fondly called “Lil Hoss”. He loved being a dad and having his kids call him “Pa”.

Robert found love a second time and married his wife, Valarie King-Parkhill. He embraced his wife’s Navajo culture and was given the Indian name “Eyes Like Arrows” and was also called “Warrior”.

Robert was incredibly funny; he had the best laugh and was loved by all who knew him. He loved his family, his children, hunting, mixed martial arts, camping, and fishing with his dad.

Robert will never be forgottenÉour son, brother, friend, uncle, father, husband, Marine, and proud native warrior.

Robert is survived by his wife, Valarie; stepsons, Chris, Patrick, Tyler, and Kyle; children, Chelsea and Robert Parkhill; parents, James Parkhill and Irene Heppler; sisters, Onna and husband Travis Andrews of Spokane, Wash., and Karen Vassar-Severns; niece, Hannah Severns; nephew, Joshua Severns of Plummer, Idaho; grandmother, Winnona Reese, Spokane; aunt Nancy Parkhill, Mesa, Ariz.; and uncle, Clyde Langworthy, Port Orchards, Wash.

Robert is preceded in death by his brother, Abraham Parkhill; uncle, John Parkhill; grandmother, Evangeline Parkhill; grandfather, Burt Langworthy; and his pooches, Gonzo and Dozer.

Jerry Pino Jr.

RAMAH, N.M. — Funeral services for Jerry Pino Jr., 48, will be held Friday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. at the Sand Mountain Nazarene Church in Ramah, N.M. Burial will follow at the family plot at Flat Top Mountain.

Jerry was born Nov. 18, 1966, in Zuni, N.M., into the Haltsooi (Meadow People Clan), born for Tódik’ózhi (Salt Water Clan). His nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge); chei is Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People). He died Jan. 30, 2015, in Gallup.

Jerry graduated from high school and college. He worked as a carpenter, plumber, rancher, was a member of the Southwest Indian Firefighters, and was active in sports.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Corina C. Pino; daughters, Savannah Pino, Shenoah F. Pino, Shanelle H. Pino, Jiovanni J. Pino, and Lovely J. Pino; sons, Jerome J. Pino and Jerry Pino III; mother, Marge G. Pino; father, Jerry Pino Sr.; sister, Lucinda Pino; brothers, Angelo M. Pino, Benvenuti M. Pino, Floyd M. Pino, and Bonavena J. Pino; and four nieces, four nephews and eight grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Floyd M. Pino, Angelo M. Pino, Benvenuti M. Pino, Bonavena J. Pino, Jerome J. Pino, and Jerry Pino III.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Bah Yazzie Ashley

HOUCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bah Yazzie Ashley, 87, of Houck, Ariz., were held Feb. 2 at the Good News Mission Church in Houck, with Rexsen Spean officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Houck.

Bah was born March 25, 1927, in Wide Ruins, Ariz., into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). She died Jan. 28, 2015, in Flagstaff.

Bah enjoyed weaving Navajo rugs and dresses, sewing by hand, traveling, talking, and joking with family and friends.

Bah is survived by her sons, Peter Ashley of Querino, Ariz., Phillip Ashley of Wide Ruins, Ariz., Preston Ashley of Querino, and Presley Ashley Sr. of Page, Ariz.; daughter, Victoria Six of Querino; brother, John Spean of Houck; sister, Josephine John of Wide Ruins; and 28 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Bah is preceded in death by her husband, John Ashley; parents, Navajo and Emma Spean; sons, Prescott Ashley and Perry Ashley; daughter, Grace Ashley; sisters, Mary Lou Begay and Maggie; and brothers, Willie Spean, Ben Spean, Frank Spean, George Spean, and Willy Sammy Spean.

Pallbearers were Brandon Ashley, Orlando Begay, Marvin Ashley, Tyron Ashley, Scottie Ashley, and Myron Ashley.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Joelano Martinez Joe

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Joelano Martinez Joe, 39, of Scottsdale, Ariz., were held Jan. 31 at the Ganado Presbyterian Church in Ganado, Ariz., with Custer Lowe officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Cornfields, Ariz.

Joelano was born Nov. 17, 1975, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She died Jan. 27, 2015, in Phoenix.

Joelano graduated from Ganado High School in 1995 and was employed as a judicial court clerk in Scottsdale.

Joelano is survived by her mother, Rita Nez; brothers, Benson Begay and Davis Begay; and sister, Ruby Lewis.

Pallbearers were Loren James, Larry James Jr., Larren James, Lionel Cook, Emerson Dalagai, and Aaron Charlie.

Honorary pallbearer was Shawn Cook.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.