Obituaries for April 3, 2025
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Kenneth E. Walthall
MARIANO LAKE, N.M. – Funeral services for Kenneth Eugene Walthall, 60, of Smith Lake, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m., at the Mariano Lake Community Church with Sheridan Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in Smith Lake.
Kenneth Eugene Walthall, Feb. 19, 1965 – March 31, 2025
Kenneth was born Feb. 19, 1965, in Caldwell, Idaho, into the Hashtł’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Bilagáana. He passed away March 31, 2025, in Gallup.
Kenneth attended Mariano Lake Boarding School, Thoreau High School, and Navajo Community College. He was employed with Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority for 34 years. He enjoyed hunting, running, basketball, and fishing.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Vivian Barboan; sons, Dustin Walthall, Micheal Barboan and Mark Breyfogle; brother, Lawrence Bennett; sister, Paula Arviso; and one grandchild.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Gary Walthall; sister, Renee Walthall; and brother, Jerome Walthall.
Pallbearers will be family members.
A reception will take place at the Mariano Lake Community Church following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Regina M. Hawthorne Kelewood
SHIPROCK – Graveside service for Regina Mea Hawthorne Kelewood, 84, of Sawmill, Arizona, will be held Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m., at the Shiprock cemetery.
Regina was born Sept. 8, 1940, into the Naakaii dine’é (Mexican Clan). She passed away March 28, 2025.
Regina worked as a dormitory aide in Chinle and Many Farms, and as a certified nursing assistant in Chinle. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, puzzles, and crossword puzzles.
Regina is survived by her children, Valentina Yazzie, Valencia Kelewood and Vallese D. Kelewood; sisters, Elena Peshlakai, Lorraine Buck, Gloria Nez, and Jennifer Hawthorne; and 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Regina is preceded in death by her husband, Harold A. Kelewood; parents, Kirby and Marie Mae Smith Hawthorne; and grandparents, Eli and Susie Smith.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Yazzie, Albert Kelewood, Jameel Kelewood, Clarence Ray Dick Jr., Darrell Dick, Athen Jones, Myron Smith, and Seven C.
Honorary pallbearers will be Vallese D. Kelewood and Robert Bitsui Jr.
A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Shiprock following service.
Desert View Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Johnnie L. Yazzie
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Johnnie Lee Yazzie, 93, a Korean veteran, of Woodspring, Arizona, will be held today, April 3, at 9 a.m., at the Catholic Church in Fort Defiance, with Father Joe Hund officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.
Johnnie was born Jan. 17, 1932, in Cross Canyon, Arizona, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away March 29, 2025, in Ganado, Arizona.
Johnnie attended school up to the 8th grade and was drafted into the U.S. Marines. He worked at the Navajo sawmill as a carpenter in Navajo, New Mexico. He enjoyed planting on his cornfield in Cross Canyon.
Johnnie is survived by his sons, Lester Yazzie and Jackson Yazzie; daughters, Vickie Nez, Sylvia Yazzie, Hazel Wilson, and Arlinda L. Begay; sister, Eunice Benally; and 24 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Johnnie is preceded in death by his wife, Mae James Yazzie; son, Milton Yazzie; brothers, Frank Yazzie, Billy Yazzie and Herbert Yazzie; and sister, Nellie Fredricks.
Pallbearers will be Jermal Slinkey, Stewart Yazzie, Jaden Skeet, Sylvian Gurule, Ernest Nez Jr., and Zachary Gurule.
Honorary pallbearers will be Anson Shirley, Lester Yazzie, Jackson Yazzie, Malcolm Wilson, Milford Wilson, Leland Yazzie, and Lesley Yazzie.
A reception will take place at the Kinlichee Chapter House following services.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Rate:
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow