Obituaries for October 5, 2023

Galena Tsosie Dineyazhe

CHINLE — Funeral services for Galena Tsosie Dineyazhe, 92, of Chinle, were held Oct. 4 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Chinle, with Father Blane Grein officiating. Interment followed at the Chinle community cemetery.

Galena was born Dec. 28, 1930, in Coyote Springs, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She passed away Sept. 30, 2023, in Chinle.

Galena was one of the first graduates of St. Michael Indian School in 1950. She then attended two years of college in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Galena was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and retired as an education placement specialist. She loved to cattle ranch with her husband at family ranches at Coyote Springs and Sunrise Springs.

Galena is survived by her sons, Frank T. Dineyazhe II, Derrick Dineyazhe and Myron Dineyazhe; daughters, Gayle Dine’ Chacon, Cynthia Dineyazhe and Andrea Yazzie; brothers, Howard Tsosie, Louis Denetsosie, Steven Tsosie, and Michael Benally; sister, Loretta Wood; and 20 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Galena is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Frank T. Dineyazhe; parents, Jonah Denetsosie and LenaBah Towne; stepfather, Bluecoat Benally; brothers, Leonard Tsosie and Dan Tsosie; and sister, Angie Begay.

Pallbearers were Derrick Dineyazhe, Myron Dineyazhe, Matthias Brown, Emmett Yazzie Jr., Daryl Begaye, and Donovan Dineyazhe.

Honorary pallbearers were Frank Dineyazhe II, Frank Dineyazhe III, Terrell Dineyazhe, Evan Dineyazhe, Raven Chacon, Collen Dineyazhe, Daron Brown, Matthew Yazzie, Howard Tsosie, Louis Denetsosie, Steven Tsosie, and Michael Benally.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Peter Rockbridge

BLACK MESA, Ariz. — Graveside service for Peter Rockbridge, 74, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Oct. 6, at the Rockbridge family plot in Sliding Rock, Arizona.

Peter was born Feb. 16, 1949, into the Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan), born for Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). Her nalí is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge); cheii is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together). He passed away Sept. 30, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona.

Peter attended Northern Arizona University and was employed as an activities coordinator with the Office of Diné Youth. He enjoyed sports, reading, watching movies, and crossword puzzles.

Peter is survived by his wife, Linda M. Kee-Rockbridge; children, Darryl Rockbridge, Lilandra Little, Logan Little, and Jonathan P. Harris; siblings, Terry, Edward, Hilda, Marlinda, Arlene, Iris, and Della; and nine grandchildren.

Peter is preceded in death by Jimmy Rockbridge, Darren Rockbridge, Derrick Rockbridge, and Tahusa Towne.

Pallbearers will be Gordon Segay, Larry Biakeddy, Mykel Towne, Nathan Wolfel, Lionel Rockbridge, and Harrison Yellowhair.

Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Rockbridge, Darryl Rockbridge and Edward Rockbridge.

A reception will take place at the Rockbridge residence in Sliding Rock following service.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Eugene Kirk

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Graveside service for Eugene Kirk, 72, of St. Michaels, Arizona, were held Sept. 30 at the St. Michaels cemetery.

Eugene was born Aug. 13, 1951, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away Sept. 26, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona.

Eugene received an associate degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and was employed with the Navajo Nation Department of Labor Relations for 41 years.

Eugene practiced many forms of art: painting, drawing, and silversmithing. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and was an avid fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.

Eugene is survived by his daughters, Jeanelle Dupree, Janilee Spotted Horse, Amber Kirk, Eugenia Hall, and Cheryl Harvey; brother, Lorenzo Kirk; and 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Eugene is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Kirk; and siblings, Carol, Sadie, Terry Sr., and Nina.

Pallbearers were Anthony Harvey and Makua Harvey.

Messinger Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Ryan D. Cadman

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Funeral services for Ryan Dean Cadman, 49, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, will be held Monday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m., at the Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Chapel (4310 Sara Road) in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the Vista Verde Memorial Park.

Ryan passed away peacefully with family by his side and then went home to be with the Heavenly Father on Sept. 28, 2023.

Ryan was a construction and cement mason worker for over 25 years. He enjoyed spending time with family, taking leisurely walks with his family, was a jack-of-all-trades, and was a lifelong lambherder to his grandbabies.

Ryan was also a gambling man and was known to be the most excellent chef, especially his jalapeño poppers, seafood crab boils, and “papa beans.”

Ryan is survived by his wife, Roxanna Tom; daughter, Deedra Cadman; stepson, Kyle Manuelito; sister, Cyrillie Damon; father, Dennis Cadman Jr.; maternal uncle, Tulian Brown; paternal uncles, Eugene Belone and Cornell Etcitty; paternal aunts, Elizabeth Bradshaw, Bernae Etcitty, Christine Beach, and Misty Begay; and two grandchildren.

Ryan is preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Cadman; maternal aunt, Lorene Brown; maternal grandmother, Agnes Brown; maternal grandfather, Archie Brown; maternal great-grandmother, Nora Watson; and paternal grandfather, Dennison Cadman Sr.

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