Obituaries for Dec. 30, 2015

Dominic Charles Leslie

SHOW LOW, Ariz. – Funeral services for Dominic Charles Leslie, of Lakeside, Ariz., were held Dec. 21 at Owens Livingston Mortuary in Show Low, Ariz., with Lex Baha officiating. Interment followed in Forestdale, Ariz.

Dominic was born Sept. 15, 1986, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Cottonwood. He died Dec. 17, 2015, in Gilbert, Ariz.

Dominic graduated from Mountain View High School and was employed as a framer and carpenter with various companies. He enjoyed hunting, reading, playing pool, and fishing.

Dominic is survived by his son, Elias James Leslie; parents, Murray F. and Desdemona Leslie; brothers, Darron and Daryl Abeita; sister, Leandra Leslie; and grandparents, June Leslie, and James and Lenajean Morgan.

Dominic is preceded in death by his grandfather, Murray F. Leslie Sr.; and uncles, Kenneth “Tiger” Leslie and Othello Morgan.

Pallbearers were Daryl Abeita, Darron Abeita, Orren Lee, Roger Leslie, Bryant Yazzie, Xavier Cayedito, and Tyrone Gushoney.

Honorary pallbearers were Marcus Shirley, Dennis Morgan, Paul McCabe, Jamie Sheppard, Emeric James Sr., Davin Leslie, Timothy Lomavitu, and Wilbert Gushoney.

Owens Livingston Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Arian Earl Toledo

OJO ENCINO, N.M. – Funeral services for Arian Earl Toledo, 43, of Ojo Encino, N.M., will be held today, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Navajo Life Mission Church in Ojo Encino, with Chris Trombetta officiating. Burial will follow in Ojo Encino.

Arian was born into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He died Dec. 23, 2015, in Ojo Encino.

Arian attended Ojo Encino Day School and Cuba High School. He worked at the potato harvest and for Pipeline Industries. He was an outdoors sportsman who enjoyed hunting, drawing, fishing, camping, and arrowhead hunting.

Arian is survived by his father, Earl Toledo; and sisters, Jessilene Toledo, Erline Albert and Earlicia Toledo.

Arian is preceded in death by his grandparents and mother, Jessie Toledo.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Toledo, Jevon Thomas, Marcus Pinto, Markel Pinto, Malcolm Pinto, Benjie Sam, Melvin Toledo, and Gilbert Padilla.

Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Toledo, Josiah Charley, Jesse Toledo Jr., Jaquan Toledo, and Marquise Pinto.

A reception will take place at the Navajo Mission Life Center following services.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Peter Sam Buck Jr.

GANADO, Ariz. – Funeral services for Peter Sam Buck Jr., 47, of Cornfields, Ariz., will be held today, Dec. 30, at 10 a.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Ganado, Ariz., with Brother Paul officiating. Burial will follow in Cornfields.

Peter was born Oct. 7, 1968, in Denver, Colo., into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Dec. 23, 2015, in Cornfields.

Peter received an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Haskell Indian Junior College and a certificate from Southwestern Polytechnic Institute.

Peter is survived by his parents, Peter S. Buck Sr. and Evelyn R. Buck; brother, Patterson S. Buck; and sisters, Evangeline R. Ortiz, Elverna R. Spottedwolf and Clorinda C. Lindsley.

Peter is preceded in death by his grandparents, Hosteen and Hadibah Dalgai Begay, and Samuel and Clara Y. Buckinghorse.

Pallbearers will be Fred Elliott, Shawn Manuelito, Julian Dalgai, Joshua Manuelito, and Timothy Ortiz Sr.

Honorary pallbearer will be Patterson S. Buck.

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

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mary R. Martin

GALLUP – Funeral services for Mary R. Martin, 95, were held Dec. 29 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Gallup. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Gallup.

Mary was born Sept. 8, 1920, in Lybrook, N.M., into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She died Dec. 23, 2015, in Gallup.

Mary was born in the Nageezi community and attended Ignacio Trading School and Rehoboth Mission. She was married to Jack Martin for 50 years and worked for Indian Health Services in Crownpoint, retiring in 1989.

Mary is survived by her children, Rosemary Tso, Johnny Martin, Rena Tom, Harrison Martin, and Violet Manuelito; sisters, Betty Norberto, Esther Curtis and Evelyn Platero; and 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Martin; siblings, Bernice Sam and Jerry Norberto; son, Jack Martin Jr.; and granddaughter, Cheryl L. Tso.

Pallbearers were Jack Martin, Vincent Begay, Trevor Begay, Collin Tso, Christian Begay, Bryson Becenti, Tyler Gaco, and Levi Curtis Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were Johnnie Martin, Harrison Martin, Johnny Perry, Harold Sam, Levi Curtis, and Benson Tso.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Rose Becenti

TOHATCHI, N.M. – Funeral services for Rose Becenti, 89, were held Dec. 29 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tohatchi, N.M. Interment followed at the Tohatchi community cemetery.

Rose was born Jan. 28, 1926, in Tohatchi, into the Tó’aheedliinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nali is Tl’izi lani (Many Goats); chei is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). She died Dec. 21, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Rose is survived by her brothers, Roy Lewis Becenti, Russell Lawless and Roger Lawless; sister, Emma Notanabah; sons, Henry Becenti, Nelson Becenti Sr., David R. Becenti Sr., and Milton Becenti Sr.; and daughters, Elouise Dawes and Denise Becenti.

Rose is preceded in death by her parents, Yenezbah Becenti and Pete Lawless; brothers, Thomas Bowman Becenti, Joseph Bitsie and Wesley Lawless Sr.; sons, Edison Becenti Sr. and Rambo H. Becenti; daughter, Louise Becenti-Davis; grandsons, Marvin Davis, Jessie E. Dawes and Vernalez R. Becenti; and granddaughters, Delores Becenti-Frank and Sharon Becenti.

Pallbearers were Stephanie Dawes, Melvin R. Jim, Vincent W. Chavez, Orion Martwinski, Leslie E. Dawes Jr., Joshlyn Davis, Randall Becenti, and Todd Becenti.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Chimeco Eriacho

RAMAH, N.M. – Funeral services for Chimeco Eriacho, 79, were held Dec. 28 at the Sand Mountain Nazarene Church in Ramah, N.M. Interment followed at the family burial site in Sand Springs, N.M.

Chimeco was born Nov. 6, 1936, in El Morro, N.M., into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tódik’ózhi (Salt Water Clan). His nali is Naakai Yaqui Indian; chei is Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House). He died Dec. 20, 2015, in Zuni, N.M.

Chimeco served in the U.S. Navy and was employed 35 years in law enforcement with BIA, Navajo Nation and Ramah Navajo. He worked with BIA Road Department, Ramah Dormitory as a cook, and was a businessman operating Eriacho Gas & Grocery Store. He served on the Ramah Navajo Business Enterprise, Transportation, and Grazing committees. He served as vice president for Ramah Navajo Chapter and was a member of the International Chief of Police Association. He enjoyed ranching, politics and was a historian.

Chimeco is survived by his wife, Joann Eriacho of Mountain View, N.M.; daughter, Christine Eriacho of Mountain View; brothers, Cecil F. Eriacho, MacDaniel Eriacho and Frank E. Paul, all of Ramah, and Sullivan Antonio of Albuquerque; sister, Esther E. Martinez, Ethel Lee, Isabell Ortiz, Aliceson Pokagon, all of Mountain View, and Angie Lee of Fort Defiance; and granddaughter, Idalis A. Yazzie of Mountain View.

Chimeco is preceded in death by his brothers, Franklin Eriacho, Leonard Eriacho, Kenneth Eriacho, Fedalis Antonio, Hubert Eriacho, and Albert Eriacho; and sister, Virginia Grant.

Pallbearers were Eli Pino, Delphino Antonio, Lancaster Eriacho Sr., Theron Oliver, Barry Oliver, Robert Oliver Jr., Kyle Denetsone Jr., and George Montoya.

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