Obituaries for April 5, 2018

Laura Laurence Chaco

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Laura Laurence Chaco, 87, will be held Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Thoreau, New Mexico. Burial will follow at Floyd Laurence Jr. Memorial in Smith Lake, New Mexico.

Laura was born June 10, 1930, in Mulholland Wells, New Mexico, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flowing Together Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nali is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water). She died March 30, 2018, in Flagstaff.

Laura attended Crownpoint Boarding School and Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. She retired from the Indian Health Service in Gallup. After retirement, she did missionary work with Bethesda Mission.

Laura is survived by her sons, Erwin Laurence, Mearl Laurence and Melvin Laurence; daughter, Sharon Joe; brothers, Wayne Arviso, Benny House and Martin House; and sisters, Lorraine Barbone, Pauline Brooks, Annie Sorrell, Mary Rose House, Dorothea House and Etta Thomas.

Laura is preceded in death by her husband, James Chaco; brothers, Harry House and Leo House Jr.; sons, Emerson Laurence and Floyd Laurence Jr.; daughter, Doris Logan; and parents, Leo House Sr. and Alice Arviso.

Pallbearers will be Floyd Bruce, Kristyna Issac, Nathanial Joe, Keith Laurence, Levi Isaac and Eric Laurence.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lawrence M. Hickson

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Lawrence M. Hickson, 71, will be held Friday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at a private family plot in Deer Springs, Arizona.

Lawrence was born in Fort Defiance, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He passed away in Fort Defiance.

Lawrence attended Window Rock High School and welding/training school in Dallas, Texas. He was employed as a welder and water wells pipefitter with the Indian Health Services warehouse for 25 years. He was retired at the time of his death.

Lawrence enjoyed welding, archery, hunting and fishing.

Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Lisa M. Hickson, Melissa M. Hickson and Kimberly D. Gallen; son, Lawrence M.B. Hickson; and five grandchildren.

Lawrence is preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle G. Hickson; and son, Arlan M. Hickson.

Pallbearers will be Lawrence M.B. Hickson, Michael Blackman, Travis Wauneka, Albert Wauneka Jr., Leonard M. Wauneka, Patrick Jones, Harold Jones II, Wendell Birch, Rodney Birch and Jeffrey E. Gallen.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Pauline M. Shackelford

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — Mass of Christian Burial for Pauline M. Shackelford, 75, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, will be held Monday, April 9, at 9 a.m. at the St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church (800 Taylor Drive NW) in Sierra Vista. Burial will follow at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery (1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail) in Sierra Vista. Visitation will take place Sunday, April 8, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hatfield Funeral Home (830 S. Highway 92) in Sierra Vista.

Pauline, formerly of Henderson, Kentucky, was born Dec. 28, 1942, in Crownpoint, to Samuel and Annie Morgan (née Yazzie). She passed away March 22, 2018.

Pauline is survived by her children, Tyra (Greg) Schmidt, Jess (Stacy) Shackelford and Beecher (Frances) Shackelford; grandchildren, Madison, John, Presley, Conner and Richard; sister, Etta Yazzie; and a host of other family members and friends.

Pauline is preceded in death by her parents and husband, George David Shackelford.

 

 

Stephanie Yellowhair

TSE BONITO, N.M. — Funeral services for Stephanie Yellowhair, 41, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at the Silver Creek Mortuary in Tse Bonito, New Mexico, with Rev. David Hilderman officiating. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery in St. Michaels, Arizona.

Stephanie was born Dec. 13, 1976, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan) and Nát’oh dine’e (Tobacco People Clan), born for Táchii’nii and Zuni people. She passed away March 30, 2018, in Window Rock.

Stephanie graduated from Window Rock High School and attended Cosmetology Academy. She was known worldwide for saying, “Excuse my beauty” on a “Cops” episode. She enjoyed promoting “Excuse My Beauty” activities.

Stephanie is survived by her parents, Shirley N. and Skeet Yellowhair Sr.; brothers, Edward Yellowhair and Ken Yellowhair; and sister, Leanne Yellowhair.

Stephanie is preceded in death by Willard Yellowhair and Steed Yellowhair; maternal grandparents, Esther and Arthur Nez Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Peter and Phoebe Yellowhair.

Pallbearers will be Wacey Yellowhair, Skeet Yellowhair, Ken Yellowhair Sr., Kevin Yellowhair Jr., Shayne Yellowhair and Christopher Yellowhair.

Honorary pallbearers will be Skeet Yellowhair Sr., Robert Yellowhair Jr., Jimmy Yellowhair Sr., Jerry Yellowhair, Bert Yellowhair, Victor Yellowhair, Ken Yellowhair Jr., Karl Yellowhair, Roland Tsosie and Adrian Yazzie.

A reception will take place at the St. Michaels Chapter House following services from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Hanley Tom Todecheenie

CORNFIELDS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Hanley Tom Todecheenie, 81, of Cornfields, Arizona, will be held Friday, April 6, at 10 a.m. (MDT) at the Lighthouse Assembly of God in Cornfields, with Rev. Joyce Muench officiating. Burial will follow in Cornfields.

Hanley was born Dec. 13, 1936, in Cornfields, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died April 1, 2018, in Winslow, Arizona.

Hanley attended Phoenix Indian School and served in the U.S. Army. He was employed as a carpenter, security officer and police officer with the Navajo Nation. His interest was rodeo and he enjoyed playing basketball and football.

Hanley is survived by his wife, Alice Todecheenie of Cornfields; sons, Roland Todacheenie of Cornfields, Ferrall Todacheenie of Tuba City, and Harland Todecheenie of Chinle; daughters, Priscilla Curtis of Ganado, Marcella Mark of Ganado, Rolanda Todacheenie of Cornfields, Yolanda Begay of Crownpoint, and Melinda King of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Edison Thomas of Holbrook, Arizona; sisters, Genevieve Olsen of Ganado, and Isabelle Smith of Irving, Texas; and 34 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Hanley is preceded in death by his mother, Maude B. Slivers; father, Edward Todecheenie; sister, Grace Allen; brothers, Steven Nez and Tom Todecheenie; and nephew, Tommy Moses.
Pallbearers will be Harland Todecheenie, Arnoldo Curtis, Larrick Mark, Tyreke Harvey, Tyrell Moses and Marvin Moses Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ferrall Todacheenie, Roland Todacheenie, Fred Martin, Jeremy Curtis, Burkley Todecheenie and Edison Thomas.

A reception will take place at the Cornfields Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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