Obituaries for Aug. 24, 2017

Gwen Grace “GiGi” Bush

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Gwen Grace “GiGi” Bush, 52, of St. Michaels, Ariz., will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Mary Mother of Mankind Parish in St. Michaels. Burial will follow in St. Michaels.

Gwen was born Dec. 9, 1964, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tó’aheedliinii (Water Flows Together Clan). She died Aug. 22, 2017, in St. Michaels.

Gwen attended St. Michaels Association for Special Education and enjoyed puzzles, crafting, coloring, crossword puzzles, canvas weaving and listening to music.

Gwen is survived by her parents, Marjorie and Ronnie Bush; brother, Duane Bush; sister, Rhonda Bush; and grandmother, Maggie Slinkey.

Gwen is preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Bush Jr.; niece, Tamika Day; and grandfather, Mark Slinkey Sr.

Pallbearers will be Victor Tsosie, Darryl Tsosie, Vernon Tsosie, Duane Bush, Anslem Yazzie, Ryan J. Yazzie, Shawn Yazzie, Berlyn Yazzie Jr., Ronald Bruce Begay and Jason Kaulity.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Slinkey, Delane Yazzie, Joaquin Sheperd, Matthew Yazzie, Ronnie Bush Sr. and Montana Martin.

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

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Donnie Wade Barney

GALLUP — Funeral services for Donnie Wade Barney, 32, will be held Friday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow in Becenti, N.M.

Donnie was born Oct. 25, 1984, in Gallup, into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nali is T l’ógi (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia); chei is Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House). He died Aug. 19, 2017, in Gallup.

Donnie graduated from Valley High School in Sanders, Ariz., and was an accomplished rodeo cowboy in tie-down calf roping and a team roper.

Donnie is survived by his parents, Marsha Faye and Nathan Barney; daughter, Bianca Barney; and sisters, Camey Barney, Karyn Barney and Heather Smith.

Donnie is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Caroline and Ernest D. Becenti; and paternal grandparents, Katherine and Jerry Barney.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Begay, Kendall Mitchell, Shyler Becenti, John Boyd III, Quentin Russell and Donovan Bahe.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie Tsadiasi Upshaw

GALLUP — A memorial service for Ronnie Tsadiasi Upshaw, 58, will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel in Gallup. Burial will take place at a later date.

Ronnie was born Dec. 19, 1959, in Gallup, into the Dibélzhini (Black Sheep Clan) and Zuni Pueblo. His nali is Naasht’ézhi dine’é (Zuni); chei is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around). He died July 31, 2017.

Ronnie graduated from Gallup High School in 1978 and worked for Truck Stops of America for 18 years. He also worked for Shamrock Trucking in Phoenix, and worked various jobs in Phoenix.

Ronnie cherished and loved his four grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He loved to help people in need and enjoyed listening to music, watching movies and had lots of hobbies.

Ronnie is survived by his son, Avery Mitchell; sisters, Connie Upshaw Brown of Tsedatah, N.M., Zetia Bradley of Phoenix, Treva Upshaw of Phoenix, Pam Tsadiasi Marburger of Show Low, Ariz., and Cordelia and Delia Tsadiasi, both of Zuni, N.M.; brothers, Benny Upshaw Jr. of Phoenix, and Philemon and Freemont Tsadiasi, both of Zuni; and four grandchildren.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Upshaw Goldtooth; fathers, Antonio “Tony” Tsadiasi and Benny Upshaw Sr.; brother, Gerald Gold; and grandparents, Charlie and Elizabeth Francis, Anna and Lastyano Tsadiai, and Tom and Bah Upshaw.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Nelvin Smith

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Graveside service for Nelvin Smith, 49, will be held Monday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Tohatchi community cemetery in Tohatchi, N.M.

Nelvin was born Feb. 7, 1968, in Gallup, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nali is çshiihi (Salt People); chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died Aug. 20, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Nelvin graduated from Tohatchi High School and worked as a carpenter for various private contractors and for San Juan Generating Station. His favorite NFL team was the Denver Broncos.

Nelvin is survived by his mother, Irene Smith; father, Billy Smith; sisters, Arlene Casuse, Orlinda Boyd and Michelle Jarvison; and brothers, Ornell Smith and Olsen Smith.

Nelvin is preceded in death by his daughter, Nelvina Smith.

Pallbearers will be Ornell Smith, Olsen Smith, Marcus Casuse, Cordell Smith, Terrell Smith and Tommy Yazzie.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jackson J. Craig

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for Jackson J. Craig, 51, will be held today, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Crownpoint. Burial will follow at the family plot.

Jackson was born Jan. 17, 1966, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan). His nali is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People); chei is Haltsooi (Meadow People). He died Aug. 20, 2017.

Jackson was a rodeo coach at Navajo Technical University and Diné College. He was former Indian Junior Rodeo Association president and workforce youth coordinator.

Jackson is survived by his son, Kendrick Craig; daughter, Kyera Craig; and sisters, Jackie Craig Bates, Jolene Craig-Thompson and Colene C. Arviso.

Jackson is preceded in death by his mother, Gracie T. Craig; and father, Johnson E. Craig.

Pallbearers will be John H. Bates, Royce Craig, Ross Craig, Joey Martin, Ethan Arviso and Bill Craig.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mable Benally

TSIYI BE’AK’ID, Ariz. — A memorial service for Mable Benally, 72, of Black Mesa, Ariz., was held July 31, 2017, at the Forest Lake Baptist Church in Tsiyi Be’ak’id, Ariz., with Rev. Dr. Stephen T. Donohue, of Phoenix, officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Tsiyi Be’ak’id.

Mable was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Tsiyi Be’ak’id, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan). She died July 25, 2017, in Flagstaff.

Mable had no formal education but had always wanted to attend school so she encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. She was a rancher and raised sheep, goats and cattle. When she was younger she wove rugs to provide for her family.

Mable was an active member of Black Mesa United Inc., Diné Ranchers Association and Mesa View Baptist Church. She was always willing to help others in need. She hosted many college students through Black Mesa Indigenous Support Network who provided assistance to elders in caring for livestock.

Mable is survived by her husband, Daniel Benally Sr.; sons, Norman Benally, Daniel Benally Jr. and Aaron Benally; daughters, Elsie Benally, Fern Benally and Lucille Benally; mother, Ateed Yazzie Lake; sisters, Nellie Begay, Katie Charley and Helen Benally; and seven grandchildren and many other half-siblings through her father and mother.

Mable is preceded in death by her father, Big Leg Benally; brother, Keith Benally; sister, Gloria Lake; and maternal grandparents, Attakai Begay and Ateeke Bimah Begay.

Pallbearers were Norman Benally, Aaron Benally, John Nakai, Jo Donna Salt, Chee Salt BiNali, Kyle Yazzie, Jerry Clitso and Philbert Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Benally Sr., Daniel Benally Jr., Charley Begay, Willie Tsosie and Raimund J. Yazzie.

The family would like to thank United Blood Services, the Cancer Center of Northern Arizona and the Taylor House for all the assistance they provided.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth McCabe

BLACK FALLS, Ariz. — Ruth McCabe, of Black Falls, Ariz., went to be with the Lord on Aug. 12, 2017. She was born Nov. 15, 1926, along the Little Colorado River, north of Black Falls, born to Tsé n’jikin’ (Cliff Dwellers People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan).

Ruth was known for her beautiful bead work, rug weaving and her missionary work with her husband John P. McCabe. Together they raised their family of eight children, near the Wupatki basin area, raising sheep, cattle and horses. She will be remembered most for her lifetime dedication in serving the Lord.

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