Obituaries for Jan. 14, 2016

Brian Alan Dempsey

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Brian Alan Dempsey, 47, of Albuquerque, were held Jan. 8 at the Mary, Mother of Mankind Church in St. Michaels, Ariz., with Father Don Billard officiating. Interment followed in Ganado, Ariz.

Brian was born April 21, 1968, in Fort Defiance, into the Tó’áhani (Near the Water Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). He died Dec. 31, 2015, in Albuquerque.
Brian graduated from Gallup High School in 1986 and was employed as a silversmith. He enjoyed sports, art, fishing, swimming, and reading.

Brian is survived by his daughters, Cheri Dempsey and Krystal Sandoval of Albuquerque; parents, Leigh Dempsey of Cornfields, Ariz., and Robin and Phil Nakaidinae of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother, Lonnie Paul Majesta of Las Vegas; sister, Nicolette Garcia of Albuquerque; and granddaughter, Emilina Garcia of Albuquerque.

Brian is preceded in death by his brother, Del Dempsey; and grandparents, Paul W. Arviso Sr., Doris J. Arviso, Alfred Dempsey, and Joy Dempsey.

Pallbearers were Shawn Dempsey, Dewayne Dempsey, Casey Arviso, Pashen Bedonie, Arlan Dempsey, and Ethan Bedonie.

Honorary pallbearers were Lonnie Paul Majesta, Gordon Dempsey, Wil Arviso, Alfred Dempsey, Phil Nakaidinae, Kirk Arviso, Leigh Dempsey, and Benneke Gorman.
The family would like to thank family and friends for their prayers, support and donations. May God bless everyone.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Robert James Begay

GALLUP – Funeral services for Robert James Begay, 66, will be held today, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Mexican Springs, N.M.

Robert was born May 7, 1949, into the Áshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Tl’ógi (Weaver-Zia Clan). His nali is Spain; chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died Jan. 8, 2016.

Robert is survived by Paul J. Begay, Linda Begay, Kathryn B. Sherman, Elsie Begay, Minnie Begay, and daughter, Kathy Wartz.

Pallbearers will be family members.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Peter Fred

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Funeral services for Peter Fred, 83, of Laramie, Wyo., will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home (2133 Rainbow Avenue) in Laramie, with Dr. Sally Palmer officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

Peter was born in Rough Rock, Ariz., and found his way to Laramie through the Union Pacific Railroad, working for the railroad until his retirement in 1993. He died at the UC Health-Medical Center of the Rockies on Jan. 10, 2016, surrounded by his family.

In 1957, Peter married Pauline Pine in Laramie. The couple has lived in Laramie since and have raised their eight children there.

When Peter wasn’t working, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether it was telling stories or getting ladders out for them to climb up. He also enjoyed being outside and walking around the parks.

Peter is survived by his wife, Pauline Fred of Laramie; daughters, Mary Jane Berry of Albuquerque, Marjorie Fred of Cheyenne, Wyo., Maureen Fred, Mildred Fred, and Ethelyn Fred, all of Laramie, and Edith Fred of Vail, Colo.; son, Peter Fred Jr. of Vail; sister, Bessie Begay; and five grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Peter is preceded in death by his father, Whitehair Begay; brother, John Fred; sisters, Rena Meyers and Sally Fred; and son, Timothy Fred.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Peter Fred Fund at GoFundMe.com.https://www.gofundme.com/d3hjnyek
Services are under the direction of Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.

To send condolences or to sign the online guest book, visit www.montgomerystryker.com.

Wesley Chavez Yazzie

GALLUP – Funeral services for Wesley Chavez Yazzie, 59, will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot in Tohlakai, N.M.

Wesley was born June 22, 1956, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His nali is Mike Yazzie; chei is John Brown. He died Jan. 8, 2016, in Gallup.

Wesley graduated from Fort Wingate High School.

Wesley is survived by his wife, Marilyn Davis-Yazzie of Church Rock, N.M.; son, Lionel Yazzie of Church Rock; brother, Antonio Yazzie of Tohlakai; sisters, Evelyn Yazzie Duboise, Sylvia Yazzie and Nettie Yazzie, all of Tohlakai; and granddaughter, Easton Yazzie of Church Rock.

Wesley is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Yazzie Sr. and Grace M. Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Jasper Davis, James Duboise Jr., Tyrone Chavez, Aaron Yazzie, Anthony Yazzie, and Marlon Yazzie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Onawa Takoda Upshaw

KINLICHEE, Ariz. – Funeral services for Onawa Takoda Upshaw, 4, of Kinlichee, Ariz., were held Jan. 13 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kinlichee, with Pastor Dale Wolcott officiating. Interment followed in Kinlichee.

Onawa was born July 29, 2011, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Áshiihi (Salt People Clan). She died Dec. 30, 2015, in Chambers, Ariz.

Onawa attended preschool at Kinlichee Head Start. She enjoyed reading, fishing, playing with Barbie dolls, painting, playing school, and attending school.

Onawa is survived by her parents, Irene Claw and Ernie Upshaw Sr.; brothers, Ernie Upshaw Jr. and Eric Upshaw; sisters, Elaine Upshaw, Ilene Upshaw and Ariana Upshaw; and grandmothers, Josephine Claw and Marie Upshaw.

Onawa is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Bennie Claw and Ernest Scott.

Pallbearers were Franklin Cook, Delbert Damon Jr., Ernie Upshaw Jr., and Kevin Descheenie.

Honorary pallbearer was Ernie Upshaw Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Eshana Emera Upshaw

KINLICHEE, Ariz. – Funeral services for Eshana Emera Upshaw, 8, of Kinlichee, Ariz., were held Jan. 13 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kinlichee, with Pastor Dale Wolcott officiating. Interment followed in Kinlichee.

Eshana was born Jan. 9, 2008, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Áshiihi (Salt People Clan). She died Dec. 30, 2015, in Chambers, Ariz.

Eshana was in the second grade at Kin Dah Lichí’í Olta School. She enjoyed reading, fishing, playing with Barbie dolls, painting, and playing school.

Eshana is survived by her parents, Irene Claw and Ernie Upshaw Sr.; brothers, Ernie Upshaw Jr. and Eric Upshaw; sisters, Elaine Upshaw, Ilene Upshaw and Ariana Upshaw; and grandmothers, Josephine Claw and Marie Upshaw.

Eshana is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Bennie Claw and Ernest Scott.

Pallbearers were Emery Upshaw, Courtney Descheenie, Eric Upshaw, and Sedric Peterson.

Honorary pallbearer was Ernie Upshaw Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Rorando Boone

WHITE MESA, Ariz. – Gravesite service for Rorando Boone was held Jan. 11 at the family plot in White Mesa, Ariz.

Rorando was born to Lucille Onesalt and Vincent Denetdeal, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died Jan. 3, 2016.

Rorando’s stepfather is Michael Onesalt from Tonalea, Ariz.

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