Obituaries for June 13, 2024

Nellie Liston

SHEEP SPRINGS, N.M. — Funeral services for Nellie Liston, 93, of Sheep Springs, New Mexico, will be held Friday, June 14, at 11 a.m., at the Full Gospel Church in Sheep Springs, with Evangelist Anthony Tsosie officiating. Burial will follow in Sheep Springs.

Nellie was born Nov. 6, 1930, in Shiprock, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away June 8, 2024, in Gallup.

Nellie enjoyed sewing, animals and livestock. Her favorite color was purple and her favorite food was chicken.

Nellie is survived by her sons, Alfred Liston, Gary Liston and Nofred Liston; daughters, Delora Johnson and Lula Liston; and 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Nellie is preceded in death by her husband, Hoskie Liston; son, Larry Liston; and grandsons, Jason Liston and Fabian Johnson.

A reception will take place at the Sheep Springs Chapter House following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Ella Jean Toledo

JEDDITO, Ariz. — Graveside service for Ella Jean Toledo, 82, of Smoke Signal, Arizona, were held May 28 at the Jeddito cemetery in Jeddito, Arizona.

Ella was born Dec. 5, 1941, to Harry and Hazel Cook, in Bigham Dam, Arizona, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She passed away May 15, 2024, in Phoenix.

Ella was the eldest of 13 children. Her siblings include: Anthony Cook (deceased), Nasbah Footracer, Arlene Cook (deceased), Rosanna Cooke, Carlson Cooke, Raymond Cooke (deceased), Phyllis Cooke-Green, Geneva Nelson, Tina Cooke, Antonio Cooke, Jacquelyn Tom, and Beverly Cooke.

Ella’s late grandfather was Hosteen Jimmie, a well-known hataałii from the Low Mountain area. His photo can be seen at the Hopi Health Care Center.

As a young child, Ella attended Keams Canyon Boarding School and later attended Chilocco Indian School in north-central Oklahoma. She graduated from Chilocco in 1964 and is rumored to have graduated with Wes Studi.

Ella relocated to Dallas, Texas, for employment and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. The move to Dallas explains the Toledo family’s love for the Cowboys.

Ella was married to the late Henry Toledo of Torreon, New Mexico. Henry was a well-known medicine man and served in the Army. Together they had four daughters: Cheryl (aka CherLee) Caruso, Yolanda Cayaditto, Melanie Matteson, and Nikola Toledo. Ella and Henry parted ways, but he remained a favorite son-in-law to Ella’s mother.

Ella moved to Phoenix and continued to work for the USPS. She retired in the early 2000s and moved back to Smoke Signal to herd the sheep that her mother and father originally started circa the 1930s.

Ella had three grandchildren that she adored: Melishia Toledo, Uriah Cayaditto (deceased), and Autumn Cayaditto. She also had six great-grandchildren: Keanu, Joaquin, Jeremy, Taylor, Delaney, and Darian.

Ella was instrumental in guiding family members into the USPS career field and sharing the importance of obtaining an education with her children and grandchildren. She loved reading Westerns, watching cooking shows, doing Word-Finds, and loved coffee with hazelnut creamer. She enjoyed discussing conspiracy theories, aliens, UFOs, Bigfoot, and seeing Elvis live in concert.

Pallbearers were Antonio Cook, Cheryl Caruso, LaValerie Lopez, Melanie Matteson, Silver Creek Mortuary staff, and an unknown male.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Harold Arviso

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Harold Arviso, 67, of Hunters Point, Arizona, will be held Monday, June 17, at 10 a.m., at the Mary, Mother of Mankind St. Michaels Mission in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Father Peter Michael Short officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Defiance.

Harold was born Jan. 9, 1957, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away June 7, 2024, in Hunters Point.

Harold graduated from Window Rock High School in 1976 and earned an associate degree in welding from Diné College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was an archaeologist and welder. He enjoyed welding, farming, reading, and fishing.

Harold is survived by his sons, Michael Arviso and Christopher Arviso; daughters, Danielle Arviso and Kirsten Arviso; brother, George David Arviso; sister, Clarina Boyd; and four grandchildren.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Ethel James and George Chee Arviso Sr.; son, Joshua Arviso; brothers, Albert Ross Sr., George Chee Arviso Jr. and Gilbert Arviso; and sisters, Alberta Quail and Carol Begay.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Jonah T. Bizardi

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Jonah Thomas Bizardi, 85, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, June 14, at 10 a.m., at the Fort Defiance Catholic Church with Father Blaine officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance community cemetery.

Jonah was born Jan. 7, 1939, in Coyote Spring, Arizona, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He passed away June 4, 2024, in Gallup.

Jonah attended Fort Lewis College and retired from the BIA Navajo Region Forestry after 44-plus years. He enjoyed road trips, casino visits, and watching college football, especially the Norte Dame Fighting Irish.

Jonah is survived by his sons, Adrian Bizardi and Jon Bizardi; daughters, Johannah Bizardi and Carolyn Bizardi; sisters, Oma Wauneka and Christine Tolino; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Jonah is preceded in death by his mother, Caroline Tabaha; father, Guy Bizardi; and grandson, Jared Landis.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Gilbert R. Lee

HOUCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Gilbert Ray Lee, 64, of Burntwater, Arizona, were held June 7 at the Good News Church in Houck, Arizona, with Pastor Eugene Chee officiating. Interment followed in Houck.

Gilbert was born Aug. 21, 1959, in Torrance, California, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He passed away May 23, 2024, in Phoenix.

Gilbert attended school in Gallup, Sanders, Thoreau Boarding School, and Many Farms High School. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad, Tune Up Service, and Upholster and Roofer.

Gilbert is survived by his son, Derrick Ray Lee of Phoenix; daughters, Danielle Lee-Vasquez, Sandra Lee and Sharon Lee-Lopez, all of Phoenix; sisters, Sylvia J. Lee of Fort Defiance, and Irama J. Cly of Seattle, Washington; and 11 grandchildren.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his mother, Ida Mae Lee (Silversmith); father, Benjamin Ray Lee “BR Lee”; brother, Gary Ray Lee; sister, Orlinda Lee; and daughter, Geneva Lynn Lee.

Honorary pallbearers were Derrick Ray Lee, Jasper Keedah, Harrison Ashley, Leland Lee, Fredrick Lee, and Charles Lee.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Miles Z. Jodie

RIMROCK, N.M. — Funeral services for Miles Zane Jodie, 36, of Window Rock, were held June 11 at the Church of Jesus Christ in Rimrock, New Mexico. Interment followed in St. Michaels, Arizona.

Miles was born Sept. 29, 1987, in Fort Defiance, into the Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). He passed away June 1, 2024, in Phoenix.

Miles received a GED from the University of New Mexico. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed playing with his son and nephews.

Miles is survived by his mother, Sadie Silversmith; brother, Hollis Silversmith; and sisters, Holly Silversmith, Melaniena Yazzie and Morgan Yazzie.

Miles is preceded in death by Hannah Silversmith.

Pallbearers were Hollis A. Silversmith Jr., Christian S. Silversmith, Pedro Meza, Arlo Silentman, Kurt Yazzie, and Garret Jodie.

Honorary pallbearer was Hollis Silversmith.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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