Obituaries for April 25, 2024

Krista Begay

GALLUP — Funeral services for Krista “Deda” Begay, 43, of Gallup, will be held today, April 25, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Daniel Smiley officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.

Krista was born Dec. 17, 1980, in Gallup, into the Naakaii Dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She passed away April 5, 2024, in Seattle, Washington.

Krista earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New Mexico and served in the U.S. Navy. She was employed as a registered nurse at the VA Puget Sound in Seattle for over 12 years.

Krista enjoyed the beauty of nature and city combined. She was a kindhearted person who devoted her life to service.

Krista is survived by her parents, Keith and Ellen M. Begay; brother, Ryan K. Begay; sisters, Talia N. Begay and Mariah K. Begay; and maternal grandparents, Ella and Harry Chee.

Krista is preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Arlene T. Begay; and great-grandparents, Harrison and Mary Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Ryan K. Begay, Arthur M. Begay, Evan N. Sartin, Damien D. Enos, Joaquin V. Ortega, and Michael A. Suina.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn J. Martin and Eric D. Jim.

A reception will take place at the Gallup Community Services Center following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Frank R. Roanhorse Sr.

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Frank R. Roanhorse Sr., 86, of Oak Springs, Arizona, will be held today, April 25, at 9 a.m., at the St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Father Peter Short officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Michael community cemetery.

Frank was born March 10, 1938, in Kayenta, into the Nóóda’í Dine’é Táchii’nii (The Ute People Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He passed away April 21, 2024, in Phoenix.

Frank was employed with the Window Rock Unified School District No. 8 for 43 years as a mechanic, bus driver, and maintenance man. He participated in rodeos as a bull rider and bareback rider.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ethel Roanhorse; sons, Leander Roanhorse, Lorenzo Roanhorse, Elvin Roanhorse, Fernando Roanhorse, and Jeffery Roanhorse; daughters, Brenda Roanhorse, Linda Carl, Valerie Roanhorse, and Jacqueline Roanhorse; brother, Alvin Gon; and sisters, Angela Catron, Julia Johnson and Harriet Gon.

Frank is preceded in death by his sons, Harrison Roanhorse and Frank Roanhorse Jr.; parents, Betty Gon and Ralph Roanhorse; and grandchildren, Delvin Roanhorse and Quintana Roanhorse.

Pallbearers will be Fernando Roanhorse, Jeffery Roanhorse, Elvin Roanhorse, Mark Richardson, and family members.

A reception will take place at Frank’s residence in Oak Springs following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Ryan L. Largo

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Ryan Lyne Largo, 26, of Fort Defiance, were held April 22 at the LDS Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Bishop Steven L. Prince officiating. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

Ryan was born April 11, 1997, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsenabahiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away April 6, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado.

Ryan attended Window Rock High School.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Sheila and Elvin Largo; brother, Tristan Largo; sisters, Darelyn Largo, Danielle Wood, Brittany Largo, Micaela Largo, Hailey Largo, and Rosalie Largo; nephew, Alduin Brooks; niece, Saphira Brooks; and grandmother, Rose Gorman Dedman.

Ryan is preceded in death by his brother, Alexander Nicholas Blake Largo; maternal grandfather, Henry Lee Dedman; and paternal grandparents, Bernice and Ernest Largo.

Pallbearers were Elvin Largo, Tristan Largo, Timothy Wood, Alan Morris, Ontario Wauneka, and Nathaniel Karlsson.

Honorary pallbearers were Anderson Morris, Dwayne Lee Dedman, Harolson Largo, Carlson Largo, and Ira Jones.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Bernard R. Shirley

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Bernard Reynald Shirley, 95, of Tempe, Arizona, will be held Saturday, April 27, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, with Father Blaine Grein officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.

Bernard was born Nov. 1, 1928, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He passed away April 15, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.

Bernard attended high school at Abbey School in Canyon City, Colorado, and two years at Tarleton State College in Stephenville, Texas. He was employed with Wilson Sporting Goods as a warehouse/shipping manager in Dallas, Texas. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and loved football and basketball.

Bernard is preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Ruiz Shirley; parents, Mary Shirley Begay and Nat (Ned) Begay; sisters, Annie Dodge Wauneka and Ann Shirley; and brothers, Sam Shirley, Johnny Shirley, Philip Shirley, Walter Shurley, and Harry Shirley.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Manuelito, Corey Manuelito, Mike Trav Manuelito, Norman Wauneka, Sonny Collins, and Darrell Shurley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Hardy, Franklin Wauneka and Lewis Shirley.

A reception will take place at St. Dominic’s Hall following services.

Messinger Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Joseph H. Yazzie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Joseph H. Yazzie, 87, of Church Rock, New Mexico, will be held Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m., at the Gallup LDS Stake Center with Lorenzo Sandman officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Canyon, Arizona.

Joseph was born Aug. 4, 1936, in Fort Defiance, into the Naakaii Dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away April 20, 2024, in Gallup.

Joseph attended Phoenix Indian School and served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Merganser 47. He was employed with the Navajo Police Department as a sergeant and later became property supervisor, retiring in the early 2000s.

Joseph enjoyed doing puzzles, watching military movies, spending time with family, and sharing stories (life) with his grandchildren.

Joseph is survived by his son, Derrick J. Yazzie; daughters, Jacqueline D. Henry and Daphne J. Etsitty; sisters, Mary Nelson and Barbara Francisco; and nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Joseph is preceded in death by his wife, Dollie L. Yazzie; parents, Elizabeth W. Yazzie and Frank H. Yazzie; daughter, Donna Yazzie; and grandson, Ryan J. Etsitty.

Pallbearers will be the Navajo Police Department officers.

A reception will take place at the Gallup LDS Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Dion L. Yellowhair

STEAMBOAT, Ariz. — Graveside service for Dion Leonard Yellowhair, 40, of Steamboat, Arizona, will be held Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Steamboat.

Dion was born Nov. 4, 1983, in Phoenix, into the Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan), born for Mą’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He passed away April 17, 2024, in Denver.

Dion graduated from Page High School and worked in construction as a pipefitter/pipe welder. He was also a tattoo artist and metal sculptor who enjoyed pencil sketching.

Dion is survived by his wife, Melissa James; father, Roy Yellowhair; and sister, Georgina Thompson.

Dion is preceded in death by his mother, Betsy Yellowhair; brother, Paul Thompson; and grandparents, Margaret and Leon Yellowhair.

Pallbearers will be Raven Ehsan, Niko Ehsan, Derrick James, Nick Thompson, Jerry Kein, and Roy Yellowhair.

Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Yellowhair, Larry Yellowhair and Ernest Hildreth.

A reception will take place at Roy Yellowhair’s residence in Steamboat following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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