Obituaries for Feb. 15, 2018

Billy Dean Crawley

FLAGSTAFF — Graveside service for Billy Dean Crawley, 82, of Kayenta, was held Feb. 14 at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.

Billy was born in Phoenix, to Alice and Dillard Crawley. His maternal clan is Osage (Black Bear) and his paternal clan is English. He passed away Feb. 10, 2018, in Flagstaff.

Billy was a private first class in the U.S. Army. After serving in the Army, he became a tour operator for the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. He also contributed to his community in the areas of athletics, local businesses, and the Navajo Nation. He is most known for showing the world through his tour company, Crawley’s Monument Valley Tours, for 60 years.

Billy’s interests included exploring, singing, off-roading and his family. He was a prominent member of his community and always had a story to share.

Billy is survived by his daughters, Tammie Dee Nelson, Whitney Dawn Crawley-Miller and Michelle Dawn Jensen-Crawley; sons, Billy Dean Crawley II, Cooder Dean Crawley and Chandler Dean Crawley; stepdaughter, Nika Nicole Augustine; stepson, Gunnar Soren Jensen; sister, Alice Maxine Cornford; brother, Dillard Crawley; and 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents, Alice H. Crawley and Dillard C. Crawley.

Arrangements were handled by Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary.

Leonard Carlston

GALLUP — Graveside service for Leonard Carlston, 65, were held Feb. 12 at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Gallup.

Leonard was born May 1, 1952, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). He died Feb. 7, 2018.

Leonard graduated from Gallup High School in 1971 and honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a corporal. Once he transferred to civilian life he worked as an electrician.

Leonard is survived by his son, Marshall Carlston; daughters, Marsha Spencer and Raven Buoye; sisters, Sharon Leslie, Dolly Silverfox and Victoria Jymm; and brothers, Peter Carlston, Tommy Carlston and Randy Carlston.

Pallbearers were Daniel Jymm IV, Chad Tsosie, Brandon Leslie Sr., Rayfert Spencer and Tommy Carlston.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Sharmaine Johnson

ALBUQUERQUE — Sharmaine Johnson, of Albuquerque, passed away Feb. 6, 2018, at the age of 40. She was born Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1977, in Gallup.

Sharmaine was of the Towering House Clan and Sleeping Rock Clan. She graduated from Tohatchi High School in Tohatchi, New Mexico. During her life, Sharmaine was in ROTC and Marine academy at Grants High School. After high school she continued her education at Bacone College in Oklahoma, and later transferred to Central New Mexico University. She worked for the Indian Health Service for some time. Sharmaine loved her two children dearly and all her family and friends.

Sharmaine is survived by her mother, Renea Etsitty who resides in Grants, New Mexico; father, Thompson Johnson and stepmother, Barbara Johnson from Tohlakai, New Mexico; son, Jason Shendo; and daughter, Rachel Johnson; brother, Kyle Eduvigen; and sisters, Chelsea Etsitty, Staci Etsitty, Latonya Johnson, Lasheena Johnson-Barnhurst and Tanya Gomez. Sharmaine leaves behind a maternal grandmother, Emma Yazzie of Pinedale, New Mexico; and paternal grandmother, Sarah Johnson of Tohlakai; and many family members and friends.

Sharmaine is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Jones Francisco of Two Wells, New Mexico; and paternal grandfather, Tom K. Johnson Sr. of Tohlakai.

Memorial contributions may be made at family donation meetings or contact 505-870-6832. Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Lighthouse Church in Gallup.

Louise Worker Gordy

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Louise Worker Gordy were held Feb. 14 at the Flagstaff Church of the Nazarene. Interment followed at the Citizens Cemetery in the veteran’s section.

Louise was born May 2, 1932, in Gray Mountain, Arizona, where she lived and worked throughout her life, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Kinlichíi’nii (Red House Clan). She went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 9, 2018, in Phoenix.

Louise attended Leupp Boarding School until it was turned into a concentration camp during the war and was transferred to Tuba City Boarding School. She also attended Southwestern School of Missions and received a two-year certificate. She worked as a part-time housekeeper and at Speedy’s Truck Stop in Cameron, Arizona, for a couple of years.

Louise worked alongside her late husband, Lawrence K. Gordy, as a missionary and pastor’s wife. She spent most of her time with her children and grandchildren, teaching them how to weave, read Navajo and learning from the word of God. She was a spiritual mother and grandmother to those she ministered to.

Louise is survived by her three daughters, two sons, one stepdaughter, 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Louise is preceded in death by her mother, Hast’iin Ashihii’ Bi Tsi’; father, Naalnishi Begay; brother, Leo Worker; husband, Lawrence K. Gordy; son, Leonard Gordy; and three granddaughters.

Arrangements were handled by Valley Ridge Mortuary in Tuba City.

June Y. Shondee

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for June Y. Shondee, 75, were held Feb. 13 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Michaels, Arizona. Interment followed at the family plot in Ganado, Arizona.

June was born June 30, 1942, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tl’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). Her nali is Tódích’íi’nii; chei is Kinlichíi’nii (Red House). She died Feb. 8, 2018.

June graduated from Gallup High School and was a valued member of the unified school boards. She enjoyed sewing and knitting.

June is survived by her husband, Clarence Shondee; son, Budford R. Henry; and daughter, Michelle Iszick.

June is preceded in death by her father, William Yazzie; mother, Florence Yazzie; brothers, Herman Yazzie and Reginald Begay; and sisters, Bernice Ranger, Rosie Yazzie and Beverly Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Reginald Lowman, Sherwin Carter, Micheal Chavez, Tony Yazzie, Glen Avery Jr. and Tommy Ranger Jr.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Julia Ann Clauschee

ROUND ROCK, Ariz. — A traditional burial service for Julia Ann Clauschee, 81, of Round Rock, Arizona, was held Feb. 10 in Round Rock.

Julia was born May 15, 1937, into the Kinlichíi’nii (Red House Clan), born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). She died Feb. 7, 2018, in Fort Defiance.

Julia received a bachelor’s degree in education and was employed as a teacher for 43 years at Chinle Elementary School, Tsaile Elementary School, Window Rock Elementary School, Fort Defiance Elementary School, Cottonwood BIE School, Wide Ruins Community School, Ch’ooshgai Community School and other schools.

Julia was also a translator for Lukachukai Catholic Church and dorm supervisor for Many Farms High School.

Julia is survived by her son, Dr. Joseph Chee; daughters, Gertrude Clark, Judith Bitsoi and Jacquline Phillips; and 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Jean and John Chee.

Pallbearers were Dr. Joseph Chee, Johanson Phillips III, Johnath Phillips, Cody, Bryon and Alessio John.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangement.

Ben Cooley

LEUPP, Ariz. — Funeral services for Ben Cooley, 68, were held Feb. 10 at the Leupp Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at the old Leupp cemetery.

Ben was born March 15, 1949, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). His nali is Hashk’aa hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line). He died Feb. 2, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona.

Ben received an associate degree and was employed as a truck driver, substance abuse counselor and summer youth counselor. He was ready to lend his time and money to help people in need. During his retirement, he helped fix homes for relatives.

Ben is survived by his sons, Jay Cooley of Cortez, Colorado, and Jacquin Cooley of Red Valley, Arizona; brother, Francis (Spade) Cooley of Coyote Canyon, New Mexico; and sisters, Juanita Morgan of Leupp, Barbara Jean Yazzie of Leupp, and Elenore Bobbi Hammer of Chandler, Arizona.

Ben is preceded in death by his father, Joe Cooley; mother, Clinette Cooley; brothers, Jerry Cooley, Ramon Cooley, Joe Cooley Jr., Darrell Lee Cooley, Robert Cooley; and sister, Sandra Cooley.

Pallbearers were Jay Cooley, Jacquin Cooley, Lynn Morgan and Mark Johnson Hammer.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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