Obituaries for April 11, 2024

Ella M. Arthur

SHIPROCK — Graveside service for Ella Mae Arthur, 85, of Shiprock, were held April 5 at the Shiprock community cemetery.

Ella was born April 19, 1939, into the Hashtł’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away April 1, 2024, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Ella served her community for 45 years as a nurse assistant with Indian Health Service. Among her many gifts, gardening was her passion.

Ella is survived by her children, Theresa Redhouse, Lester Arthur and Lauresa Arthur; and 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson.

Ella is preceded in death by her son, Sammy Arthur; and husband, Sam C. Arthur.

Desert View Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Sam C. Arthur

SHIPROCK — Graveside service for Sam C. Arthur, 85, of Shiprock, were held March 26, 2024, at the Shiprock community cemetery.

Sam was born March 26, 1939, in Shiprock, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Naaneesht’ézhi (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). He passed away March 22, 2024, in Shiprock.

Sam served in the U.S. Army and retired from the Indian Health Service and Arthur’s General Contracting. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a member of the Kiowa Gourd Society and the Long Walk Descendants.

Sam is survived by his children, Theresa Redhouse, Lester Arthur and Lauresa Arthur; and 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson.

Sam is preceded in death by his son, Sammy Arthur.

Desert View Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Emerson Nez

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Graveside service for Emerson Nez, 75, of Prewitt, New Mexico, will be held today, April 11, at 10 a.m., at the Rehoboth cemetery in Rehoboth, New Mexico, with Damon Platero officiating.

Emerson was born Aug. 15, 1948, in Prewitt, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He passed away April 5, 2024, in Prewitt.

Emerson earned a bachelor’s in education and retired as an educator and coach. He enjoyed woodwork, leatherwork, graphic design, coaching, and mentoring.

Emerson is survived by his brothers, Johnny Rae Nez and Olsen Nez; and sisters, Lucy Nakai, Lucia Lewis and Lucita Grey.

Emerson is preceded in death by his parents, Jenny and Pete Nez; sisters, Rosita Stone and Ancy Nez; and brother, Robert Nez.

Pallbearers will be Bennett Francisco Sr., Cedric Nez, Denny Francisco, Ace Yazzie, Ricky Platero, and Irwin Nez.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Ross Bigman

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. — Ross Bigman of Vanderwagen, New Mexico, succumbed to complications of pneumonia on April 1, 2024, at the age of 90.

Ross was born in Tsé isgizii, Arizona, before births were recorded to Henry and Martha Bigman. May 25, 1933 was his chosen birth date.

Ross was of the White Corn Zuni Edge Water, born for Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). His cheii is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water); nalí is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People).

Ross was the last of Henry and Martha’s children to journey forward. His siblings were: Robert Bigman, Nazhone Bigman, Agnes Bigman-Church, Sullivan Bigman, Fern Bigman-Lefthand, Nona Bigman-Lefthand, Evelyn Bigman-Yazzie, Ray Bigman, Maude Bigman-Begay, Haskie Bigman, and Tsosie Bigman.

While tending sheep with his brother, Ross was kidnapped by government officials and placed at Tuba City Boarding School where he was punished for speaking Navajo. He transferred to Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California, where he served on the student council.

Sgt. Ross Bigman served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a field wireman in the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his service, he attended Chaffey College in California and was employed by Douglas Aircraft as a machinist.During this time, Ross met and married Dorothy Claw. Together they had five children, Barney Bigman, Vernon Bigman, Patricia Ramirez, Petrina Davis, and Colleen Bigman; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In 1960, Ross returned to the Navajo Nation and became a Navajo Police officer. He was stationed in Lupton, Arizona, at a time when I-40 was a two-lane highway. He ascended to detective lieutenant before becoming a criminal investigator with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Interior, where he retired in 1990.

In 1974, Ross graduated from the 96th Session of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. As the last federal criminal investigator on the Navajo Nation, he oversaw the 638 process for the Navajo tribal criminal investigators.

Following retirement, Ross worked as a liaison for Wingate BIE School. Higher education was important to him as he worked hard for his achievements despite his dyslexia. Retention of the Navajo language and culture through traditional songs was an important aspect of his life.

Ross will be memorialized on Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m. (Arizona time), at the Page Elks Lodge in Page, Arizona.

In place of prayers and cards let your local law enforcement know they are appreciated.

Sally N. Barney

CRYSTAL, N.M. — Funeral services for Sally N. Barney, 87, of Tó niłtsilí (Crystal), New Mexico, will be held Saturday, April 13, at 11 a.m., at the Tó niłtsilí Baptist Church in Crystal, with Pastor Raymond Mullahan officiating. Burial will follow at a private family plot in Crystal.

Sally was born June 12, 1936, into the Táchii’níí (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Hałtsooí Dine’é (Meadow People Clan). She passed away April 7, 2024, in Globe, Arizona.

Sally worked for the BIA for 25 years and retired. She enjoyed sewing, weaving, weekend getaways, the casino, helping all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they needed support, storytelling of her childhood and life experiences, hardships and perseverance.

Sally overlooked livestock and tended the land passed on to her, but most of all, she enjoyed her TV shows (Let’s Make A Deal, The Price is Right, and never missed an episode of the evening special news with David Muir), sitting on her porch enjoying the scenery of the homestead, and always happily blessed seeing many hummingbirds greeting one another over the nectar treat she would refill many times during the week.

Sally is survived by her children, Anthony Halona, Benjamin Halona and Gloria Halona; and 26 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Sally is preceded in death by her father, Charlie Begay; mother, Margaret Wingate Begay; sisters, Betty Lou Begay, Elizabeth Nez and Carolyn A. Quashnick; husband, Wilson Barney Sr.; sons, George Halona Jr., Larry Halona and Wilfred Halona; and daughter, Valorie H. Bahe.

Pallbearers will be Gabriel Halona, Leon Fuson, Ben Fuson III, Chancellor Bahe, Jeffery Halona, and Larry Tallwood.

Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony Halona, Benjamin Halona and Tim Vandever.

Desert View Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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