Obituaries for Feb. 9, 2017

Kenny Lane Touchin

PAGE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Kenny Lane Touchin, 68, of Kirtland, N.M., will be held Friday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center in Page, with Bishop Justin Begay officiating. Burial will follow at the Page cemetery.

Kenny was born May 15, 1948, in Tuba City, into the Tl’izi lani (Many Goats Clan), born for Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). He died Feb. 3, 2017, at his home in Kirtland, surrounded by his family.

Kenny graduated from Intermountain Inter-Tribal School in Brigham City, Utah, and was employed as a boilermaker for 38 years from Local 627 in Phoenix.

As a young man, Kenny participated in many rodeo events as a competitive bull rider. He continued his passion for rodeo into his retirement, helping coach his youngest son in team roping and teaching his grandchildren to ride and care for horses.

Kenny loved the game of baseball and found great joy and satisfaction in coaching his children and grandchildren and watching their many softball and baseball games.

Kenny was a committed husband, father and grandfather and found great joy in spending time with his family.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Lilly Touchin; sons, Lenny (April) Touchin and Olajuwon (Brittney) Touchin; daughters, Melissa (Jeff) Poarch, Kimberly (Rocky) Martin, Teresa (Mark) Ockey, Marissa Touchin and Sunshine (Nicholas) Bloomfield; and 11 grandchildren.

A reception will take place at the LDS Stake Center following services.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Darrell Patrick Barney

TSE BONITO, N.M. — Funeral services for Darrell Patrick Barney, 60, of Fort Defiance, were held Feb. 8 at the Gateway Community Church in Tse Bonito, N.M., with David Hilder officiating. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance veteran’s cemetery.

Darrell was born March 17, 1957, in Fort Defiance, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tódik’ózhi (Salt Water Clan). He died Feb. 2, 2017, in Gallup.

Darrell attended school at Navajo Methodist Mission and was self-employed as a handyman. He enjoyed hiking, fishing and electronics.

Darrell is survived by his father, Larry Barney; brothers, Vernon N. Barney, Emery Barney and Larry Barney Jr.; maternal grandparents, John and Helen Tsosie; and paternal grandparents, Eugene Tapahonso and Louise Manuelito.

Darrell is preceded in death by his mother, Jean Ellen Tsosie; brother, Johnathan Nick Barney; and sister, Elaine G. Barney.

Pallbearers were Robert Barney, Curtiss Yazza, Jeremiah James, Hoskie Yazza, Emery Barney and Steven Archie.

Honorary pallbearers were Emery Barney and Robert Barney.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Carol J. Jake

TORREON, N.M. — Funeral services for Carol J. Jake, 48, of Torreon, will be held today, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. at Torreon Mission with Jason Carpenter officiating.

Carol was born into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She died Jan. 31, 2017, in Torreon.

Carol attended Wingate High School and was employed as a caregiver and had other various jobs. She enjoyed reading, cooking, praying and was an animal lover. She was outgoing, respectful, friendly and lived life to the fullest.

Carol is survived by her husband, Micheal Yonnie Sr.; sons, Micheal Ace Yonnie Jr. and Zachary Yonnie; daughter, Vanessa Yazzie; mother, Betty L. Platero; sisters, Arlene Bickmore, Marlene Sonny and Mary Lou Roe; and six grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Roe, Christopher Peshlakai, Owen Romero, Jasper Willeto, Harold Cayaditto and Perry Roe.

A reception will take place at Torreon Chapter House following services.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Helen E. Nelson

GALLUP — Funeral services for Helen E. Nelson, 84, were held Feb. 8 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup cemetery.

Helen was born June 4, 1932, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). Her nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). She died Feb. 2, 2017, in Gallup.

Helen attended Phoenix Indian School and worked as a teacher’s aide at Red Rock Head Start and Church Rock Elementary School. She also worked at Wingate Elementary School as a residential aide. She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, singing traditional songs, and loved telling Navajo jokes.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Verna Ortiz, Nina Spencer, Vangie Lewis and Victrina Spencer; son, Lionel Spencer; sisters, Thena James and Effie Martine; and brother, Boyd Brown.

Helen is preceded in death by her father, Hoskie Brown; mother, Lillian Brown-Martinez; brother, Jessie Brown; and great-grandson, Xavier Hernandez.

Pallbearers were Brian Charley, Brian Yazzie, Lionel Spencer, Clinton Martine, Keon Ortiz and William Smith.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Matthew Lynn Damon Bitsuie

WINDOW ROCK — Funeral services for Matthew Lynn Damon Bitsuie, 23, of St. Michaels, Ariz., were held Feb. 3 at the United Methodist Church in Window Rock, with Steven Joe officiating. Interment followed in St. Michaels.

Matthew was born May 10, 1993, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He died Jan. 27, 2017, in Flagstaff.

Matthew attended Window Rock High School and enjoyed listening to music. He was a Patriots fan and enjoyed hanging out with his cousin and being a father to his son.

Matthew is survived by his son, Jordan Dyshawn Bitsuie; parents, Mary Ann Williams and Chandler Damon Bitsuie Sr.; sister, Maria Ann Nez; and grandparents, Guy and Annie Williams.

Pallbearers were Kenny Williams, Geremy Williams, Merle Begay, Ervin Begay, Apolo Bitsuie, Chandler Damon Bitsuie Jr., and Terrel Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearers were Calvin Curley, Shammond Goodman, Melvin Williams, Guymond Williams, Gilbert Williams, Bradley Yazzie, and Jordan Dyshawn Bitsuie.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Keith Goldtooth Sr.

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Keith Goldtooth Sr., 91, were held Jan. 9, 2017, at the St. Jude Catholic Church in Tuba City, with Father Jay Jung officiating. Interment followed Jan. 10, 2017, at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Ariz.

Keith was born June 17, 1925, in Cameron, Arizona, into the Biih Bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan), born for Tl’ ááshchi’i (Red Bottom People Clan). His nali is Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass-Jemez); chei is Tl’izi lani (Many Goats). He died Jan. 4, 2017, in Tuba City.

Keith served in the U.S. Army, Battery “A” 213^th Armored Field Artillery Battalion as corporal technician from 1950 to 1952, Korean War in Korea. The Battalion received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance on the May 27, 1951, attack north of Kap’Yong, Korea. After serving in the Korean War, he transferred to the reserve for five years as an active member with Battery “A” 213^th Field Artillery Utah National Guard and attended annual meetings receiving honorable awards as a Korean War veteran.

Keith worked with Western Navajo Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs, Branch of Roads as a surveyor aide to party  chief for 29 years. He did soil conservation and built diversion dams within Western Navajo Agency. He was a carpenter and mason by trade on and off the reservation. He was also involved in surveying the Tuba City High School grounds and Navajo Power Plant in Page, Ariz. He was a gifted mathematician.

Keith was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt deer, camp out, farm, fish, cook meals outdoors, was a rodeo bronc rider with his brothers in his younger days, herbalist, sand-painter, Navajo chanter and participated in Native healing ceremonies.

In addition, Keith made arts and crafts such as bows, arrows and tomahawks for vendors. He loved watching football as his favorite team was the Green Bay Packers, golf and western movies. He was very loving, caring, knowledgeable, outgoing, friendly, down-to-earth, and a family oriented individual.

Keith married Rosemary J. Gorman of Crystal, New Mexico, in 1954 and had seven children.

Keith is survived by his children, Kathleen M. Goldtooth, Kenneth R. Goldtooth, Warren R. Goldtooth, Keith Goldtooth Jr., Karlis R. Goldtooth and Marlin R. Goldtooth of Tuba City; sisters, Lena G. Canyon and Francine Manygoats; brothers, Jack Goldtooth, Dennis Goldtooth, Harry J. Goldtooth, Kee Y. Goldtooth and Henry Goldtooth; and 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Keith is preceded in death by his son, Anthony R. Goldtooth; grandson, Travis T. Riggs; siblings, Ray Goldtooth, Emerson Goldtooth, Herbert Goldtooth, Frank Goldtooth Jr., John Goldtooth Sr., Albert Goldtooth and Bertha Goldtooth Knight; parents, Frank Goldtooth Sr. and Margaret Bigman Goldtooth; aunt, Rita Goldtooth; and uncle, Clay Bigman.

Pallbearers were Levi T. Riggs, Christopher Benally, Tony Goldtooth, Stephen Goldtooth, Allen Goldtooth and Edward Goldtooth.

Honorary pallbearers were Lena Canyon, Jack Goldtooth, Dennis Goldtooth, Harry J. Goldtooth, Kee Y. Goldtooth, Francine Manygoats, Henry Goldtooth, Rosemary J. Gorman, Kathleen M. Goldtooth, Kenneth R. Goldtooth, Warren R. Goldtooth, Keith Goldtooth Jr., Karlis R. Goldtooth, Marlin R. Goldtooth and Michael A. Long.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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