Obituaries for August 20, 2026

 

Florence B. Davis

GALLUP – Funeral services for Florence B. Davis, 95, of Window Rock, will be held Monday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Sunset Cemetery.

Florence was born April 14, 1931, in Shadow Mountain, Arizona, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She passed away Aug. 15, 2026, in Albuquerque.

Florence earned a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University and was employed with the TB Program as an Indian Health Service administrator.

Florence enjoyed crossword puzzles, attending children sports activities, Girl Scouts, playing the piano, and was the southwest moderator for the Presbyterian Church.

Florence is survived by her children, Grace Gorman, Charlene Davis, Roger Davis, and Tony Davis; and 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Florence is preceded in death by her husband, Roger C. Davis; and parents, Julius and Frances Begay.

Pallbearers will be Keeyahaanii Nilsen, Vander Nilsen, Kale Nilsen, Sean Largo and Adam Largo.

A reception will take place at the First United Methodist Church following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Marilyn W. Dalton

TEMPE, Ariz. – A memorial service for Marilyn W. Dalton, 86, of Fort Defiance, will be held Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m., at the Arizona Community Church (9325 S. Rural Road) in Tempe.

Marilyn was born Sept. 18, 1939, in Fort Defiance, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). She passed away peacefully Aug. 12, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Marilyn attended both elementary (Fort Defiance) and high school (Ganado Mission) in the Navajo Nation. She studied and graduated from the School of Nursing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Upon graduation, Marilyn returned to the Navajo Nation and worked at various hospital and clinics (Gallup Indian Medical Center, Chinle Service Unit and Kayenta Service Unit Pediatrics Outpatient Department as a school nurse for several BIA boarding schools). Later, she received her pediatric nurse practitioner license and practiced at Fort Defiance Indian Health Clinic.

Marilyn became one of the first bilingual public health nurses to be hired and went on to manage the Fort Defiance Community Health Nursing Program. She became the Area Public Health nursing consultant for the Navajo Nation and coordinated several Navajo tribal community programs.

Thirty years later, Marilyn applied for and received a scholarship to attend Arizona State University. She obtained a master’s degree in nursing at the tender age of 51. In 1999, after many years of service to the Navajo people, she retired and enjoyed the rest of her life with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Tara Coggins, Valerie Bribiescas, and Malcolm C. Dalton; and grandchildren, Nicole, René, Joshua, Shauna and Christopher.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm P. Dalton; parents, David and Rhoda Watchman; sister, Laurita Jones; and brother, David Watchman Jr.

A reception will take place at the Arizona Community Church following the memorial service.

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Maj. Charles H. Pahe

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Charles Henry Pahe was born July 24, 1943, in Ganado, Arizona. He passed away Aug. 13, 2026. He was 83 years old.

Charles attended Ganado Mission High and graduated in 1962. After graduation, he attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Charles began his Army career in infantry and transitioned to aviation. He flew with the 61st Air Assault Company in Vietnam. He flew the UH-1 on both Air Assault and Search and Recovery Missions and later with the 82nd Airborne, 18th Aviation, U.S. Army Reserve Control Group COSCOM. He retired from 2nd Support Center at Fort Bragg after 22 years. He served his country with courage and dedication.

Charles received the Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Parachute Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Cluster).

Upon his retirement, Charles worked on the Navajo Nation with the late Peterson Zah. He took pride in his heritage and had a great respect and love for his family, friends, and relatives. He returned to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to his family.

Charles loved and was deeply devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He found strength in the Jesus Christ Our Lord. He left his family a legacy of serving God, family and country.

Charles is survived by his wife, Dorothy Runions Pahe; children, Michael Wayne Pahe, Mitchell Todd Pahe and Pamela Fern Keegan; brother, Rodney Pahe; sister, Erna Pahe; and grandchildren, Nicholas Pahe, Jenna Pahe, Grayson Pahe, Abigail Keegan, Abraham Keegan, Campbell Pahe, Connor Pahe, Ananiah Keegan, Apphia Keegan, Dawkins Pahe, Asher Keegan and Tatum Pahe.

Charles is preceded in death by his father, Daniel Pahe; mother, Ethelyn Pahe; siblings, Ethel Pahe Peshalakai, Melvin Pahe, Orville Pahe, Merrill Pahe, Delores Pahe and Ernie Pahe.

Funeral service was held Aug. 18 in Fayetteville, followed by burial service with military honors Aug. 25 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

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