Obituaries for April 11, 2019

Triston Tom Lee

CHINA SPRINGS, N.M. — Funeral services for Triston Tom Lee, 20, were held April 5 at Irene Lee’s residence in China Springs, New Mexico, with Hurbert Hoskie officiating. A private burial followed at the family plot in China Springs.

Triston was born Feb. 8, 1999, in Gallup, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Lók’aa’ dine’é (Reed People Clan). He passed away March 29, 2019, in China Springs.

Triston attended Central High School in Gallup, and loved music and writing his own poems, rhymes and beats. He enjoyed the outdoors such as hiking and riding horses, swimming, traveling and one of his passions was cooking.

Triston is survived by his mother, Colleen Lee of China Springs; brothers, Darren Natoni of Tuba City, Malcolm Natoni of Tuba City, and Lathan Robinson of China Springs; sister, Báádzolyn Robinson of China Springs; and grandmother, Irene Lee of China Springs.

Triston is preceded in death by his grandfather, Tommy Lee Sr.

Pallbearers were Matthew Barbone, Luke Lucero, Johnathan Silver, Max Mataya, Christopher Fraizer and Zacheriah Lee.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

John M. Whipple

WINDOW ROCK — Funeral services for John M. Whipple, 58, of Window Rock, will be held today, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Window Rock, with Stanley Jim officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels cemetery in St. Michaels, Arizona.

John was born July 5, 1960, in Fort Defiance. He passed away April 3, 2019, in Window Rock.

John graduated from Window Rock High School.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie J. Lee Sr.

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral services for Ronnie J. Lee Sr., 56, of Wide Ruins, Arizona, were held April 6 at the St. Anne Catholic Church in Klagetoh, Arizona. Interment followed at the Gee Bah Lee Cemetery in Klagetoh.

Ronnie was born March 12, 1963, in Wide Ruins. He passed away April 3, 2019, in Flagstaff.

Ronnie is survived by his sons, Brandon J. Lee, Ronnie J. Lee Jr. and Verdell R. Lee; daughters, Danielle Lee and Cheylene Euann Lee; parents, Annie L. and Roy J. Lee Sr.; brothers, Lester J. Lee, Ronald J. Lee, Eugene J. Lee, Leroy J. Lee and Lemanuel Lee; sisters, Eugenia J. Hale and Sharon Lee; and five grandchildren.

Ronnie is preceded in death by Roy J. Lee Jr.

Pallbearers were Ronnie J. Lee Jr., Calsey L. McCray, Trevor Lee, Triston Lee, Lemanuel Lee and Duke Garcia Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were Lester J. Lee, Ronald J. Lee, Eugene J. Lee, Leroy J. Lee and Roy J. Lee Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Ben Yazzie

BLUE GAP, Ariz. — Funeral services for Ben Yazzie, 84, of Blue Gap, Arizona, were held April 5 at the Blue Gap Bible Ministry Church with Tom Burbank officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Blue Gap.

Ben was born July 15, 1935, in Blue Gap, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away April 1, 2019, in Flagstaff.
Ben retired from BNSF Railroad and enjoyed cattle grazing and roping.

Ben is survived by his son, George Yazzie; daughters, Esther Tom and Bernice Denny; brother, Ray Bedoni; sisters, Louise Bedoni, Elsie Bedoni and Mary Philis Begay; and 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were family and friends.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

---