Obituaries for Feb. 8, 2018

Pearl Ration

COOLIDGE, N.M. — Funeral services for Pearl Ration, 56, will be held Friday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Elms Haven Church in Coolidge, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the Thoreau community cemetery in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Pearl was born July 27, 1961, in Gallup, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died Jan. 31, 2018, in Albuquerque.

Pearl attended Thoreau High School and was a self-employed silversmith. She enjoyed beadwork, spending time with her grandchildren, reading her Bible, cooking, watching NASCAR and the Dallas Cowboys.

Pearl is survived by her sons, Jake Shorty of Gallup, Timothy Ration and Adam Shorty, both of Thoreau; daughters, Kesha Singer-Shorty and Nizhoni Shorty, both of Yah-Ta-Hey, New Mexico; parents, Pierce Ration of Smith Lake, New Mexico, and Esther Kee of Thoreau; sisters, Percy Ration of Thoreau, and Rena Ration of Albuquerque; and seven grandchildren.

Pearl is preceded in death by her husband, Randy Shorty Sr.; son, Isaac Shorty; grandson, Angelo Shorty; and grandparents, Martha and Joe House.

Pallbearers will be Jake Shorty, Timothy Ration, Adam Shorty, Donavon Singer, Gilbert Betonie and Aaron Rico.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Billie

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Charles Billie, 74, will be held Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (625 East Cherry Ave.) in Flagstaff. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at noon at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona.

Charles was born July 23, 1943, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan) and Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He died Jan. 31, 2018.

Charles served in the U.S. Army from Oct 23, 1968, to Aug. 1, 1970. His rank was listed as SP-4, in Company B, Battalion Armor 1st Infantry Divisions, Fort Riley, Kansas, 5th U.S. Army with a specialty title of Light Weapons Infantryman. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 1970.

As a member of the Navajo Tribe he served, devotedly, as a mortician in Tuba City, for many years. He assisted many families throughout the Navajo Nation.

Charles’ love and compassion for others will live on in the hearts of his family and his community. He was a devoted father, uncle and brother. He enjoyed life and was full of laughter.

Charles is survived by his sons, Kory L. Billie of Phoenix, and Lionel J. Billie of Logan, Utah; daughters, Koren C. Billie of Albuquerque, Sherilyn Billie of Phoenix, Denise K. McClellan of Cameron, Arizona, and Kristiana J. Billie of St. George, Utah; siblings, Bahe Billy, Evelyn Billie, Ellen B. Branch, Jane B. Anderson and Carrie B. Jackson; and eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his unborn son; wife, Etta Babbitt Billie; parents, John and Ethel Billie; brothers, John Billie Jr., Woody Billie, Tsosie Billy, John Ben Billie and Benny Billie; and sister, Alice B. Monroe.

A reception will take place at the church following services between the hours of 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Johnny D. Slim

HEARTBUTTE, N.M. — Johnny D. Slim, of Heartbutte, New Mexico, peacefully passed away Feb. 1, 2018, at the age of 88.

Johnny was born Nov. 11, 1928, in Heartbutte, to Slim Jim (hataałii neez) and Alice Willie, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan).

Johnny attended school in California up until grade school and worked railroad for 10 years. He was a proud member of the Native American Church and was an active member in his community.

Johnny loved working outdoors, driving his truck, selling snow cones and having a laugh with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Bessie Slim; sons, Amos Slim, Norman Slim, Jerry Slim, Ivan Slim and Johenson Slim; daughters, Evelyn Joe, Nadine Delgarito, Geraldine Slim and Farrah Tsalate; brother, George Jim; and 36 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

French Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Milton Brock

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Milton Brock, 53, will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. at the Tuba City Assembly of God Church in Tuba City, with Pastor Joel Cornelius officiating.

Brock was born Aug. 2, 1964, in Shiprock, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flowing Together Clan), born for German people. He died Jan. 31, 2018, in Phoenix.

Brock attended American Indian Bible College, Diné College, Apollo College, Navajo Technical College and Western New Mexico University.

Brock is survived by his wife, Raeanna Brock of Fort Defiance; son, Joshua Malone-Brock of Fort Defiance; parents, Willard and Lorraine Brock of Tuba City; brothers, Jacob Brock of Tuba City, Noah Brock of Kingman, Arizona, and Alex Brock of Tuba City; and sisters, Marian Brock-Begay of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Carolyn Yazzie of Tuba City, Beverly Brock of Tuba City, Katherine Brock of Tucson, and Sharon Brock of Mesa, Arizona.

Brock is preceded in death by his mother, Geneva Brock.

The family will receive friends and relatives following services at the Tuba City Assembly of God Church Fellowship Hall.

Sonoran Skies Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Anthony Paul Keeto

St. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Anthony Paul Keeto, 50, of St. Michaels, Arizona, were held Feb. 6 at the St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Jose officiating. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Anthony was born Jan. 9, 1968, in Fort Defiance, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tl’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). He died Jan. 25, 2018, in Fort Defiance.

Anthony attended St. Michaels Indian School and enjoyed drawing, carpentry and carving kachinas.

Anthony is survived by his sons, Travis Keeto and Jessy Keeto; daughter, Tanisha Keeto; mother, Elizabeth Keeto; brothers, Henry Keeto Jr., Virgil Keeto and Patrick Keeto; sisters, Ida Peshlakai, Laverne Keeto and Virginia Hardy; and two grandchildren.

Anthony is preceded in death by his father, Henry Keeto Sr.; Anthony Sage Keeto, Rebecca Keeto, Helen Keeto and Emery Keeto.

Pallbearers were Virgil Keeto, Patrick Keeto, Wayne Keeto, Travis Keeto, Vernon Peshlakai and Shawn Peshlakai.

Honorary pallbearers were Henry Keeto Jr. and Jessy Keeto.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Rose Marie Shorty

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Rose Marie Shorty, 93, of Cross Canyon, Arizona, were held Feb. 7 at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Father Jose Gutay officiating. Interment followed at the Kinlichee community cemetery in Kinlichee, Arizona.

Rose was born Aug. 7, 1926, in Cross Canyon, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honeycombed Rock People Clan). She died Feb. 3, 2018, in Gallup.

Rose was a homemaker, rug weaver and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She loved cooking, playing Navajo Ten and attending traditional ceremonies.

Rose is survived by her sons, Raymond Shorty and Benjamin Shorty; eight daughters; sister, Cornelia Mego; and 177 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Rose is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Shorty; son, Dan Shorty; daughter, Evalina Begay; grandsons, Leroy Begay and Elrickson Mann; granddaughter, RaeAnn Sullivan; parents, Irene and James John; and brother, Carlos John.

Pallbearers were Robertson Shorty, Ralph Lee Begay, Deion Begay, Daniel Shorty Sr., Cameron Clark and Jamisen Shorty.

Honorary pallbearers were Raymond Shorty, Benjamin Shorty, Jimmie Watson and Ferdinand Cook.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Russell Lee Begay

CASTLE BUTTE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Russell Lee Begay, 59, were held Feb. 3 at the New Life Fellowship Church in Castle Butte, Arizona. Interment followed at the Dilkon community cemetery in Dilkon, Arizona.

Russell was born March 10, 1958, to Robert Lee and Florence Begay, in Winslow, Arizona, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). His nali is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water); chei is Tl’ízí lání (Many Goats). He passed away Jan. 30, 2018, at his home in Dilkon, Arizona.

Russell is survived by his sisters, Judy Grey, Annie Begay, Laverne Begay, Lorenda Begay and Beatrice Tsosie, all of Dilkon; brothers, Andrew Begay of Dilkon, Calvin Begay Sr. of Vanderwagen, New Mexico, and Gilbert Davis of Winslow.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Begay and Florence Begay Shields.

Pallbearers were Gilbert Davis, Byron Woody, Randall Chee Sr., Bear Davis, Chris Benally and Derrick Benally.

Honorary pallbearers were Andrew Begay, Calvin Begay Sr., Sgt. Josh Wilson and Lance Cpl. Gilbert Davis.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

Sharmaine Johnson

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. — Funeral services for Sharmaine Johnson, 40, of Albuquerque, will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Broken Arrow Bible Church in Vanderwagen, New Mexico, with a reception to follow.

Sharmaine was born Feb. 14, 1977, in Gallup, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). She passed away Feb. 6, 2018. Sharmaine graduated from Tohatchi High School in Tohatchi, New Mexico.

During her life, she was in ROTC and Marine Academy at Grants High School, Grants, New Mexico, and later worked for the Indian Health Service for a short time.

Sharmaine attended classes at Central New Mexico University. She loved her two children dearly and all her family and friends.

Sharmaine is survived by her mother, Renea Etsitty of Grants; father, Thompson Johnson and stepmother, Barbara Johnson, of Tohlakai, New Mexico; son, Jason Shendo; daughter, Rachel Johnson; sisters, Latonya Johnson, Lasheena Johnson-Barnhurst, Chelsea Etsitty, Staci Etsitty and Tanya Gomez; and brother, Kyle Eduvigen.

Sharmaine leaves behind a maternal grandmother, Emma Yazzie, of Pinedale, New Mexico, and a paternal grandmother, Sarah Johnson, of Tohlakai, New Mexico, and many family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Tom K. Johnson Sr., of Tohlakai, New Mexico.

Memorial contributions may be made at family donation meetings or contact 505-870-6832.

---