Obituaries for Feb. 11, 2016

Dean Michaelis Anderson

WINDOW ROCK – Funeral services for Dean Michaelis Anderson, 57, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Window Rock, with Rev. James Flores officiating. Burial will follow at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fort Defiance.

Dean was born Sept. 14, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He died Feb. 5, 2016, in Window Rock.

Dean graduated from Window Rock High School in 1976 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps until he was honorably discharged in 1979. He attended TVI in Albuquerque, Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, University of New Mexico-Gallup, and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque.

Dean worked in the carpentry and construction fields. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, working on vehicles, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs play football.

Dean is survived by his wife, Rebecca Anderson; daughter, Shannon Saltclah; mother, Gladys Anderson; and sister, Valerie Harrison.

Dean is preceded in death by his father, Nelson Anderson; brothers, Marvin Wallace and Stewart Anderson; sister, Laura Dennison; and grandparents, Lewis and Ada Cambridge, and Eddie and Elsie Anderson.

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

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rachel Denise Showalter-Claw

FORT DEFIANCE – A memorial service for Rachel Denise Showalter-Claw, 44, were held Feb. 9 at the Family Church (Assembly of God) in Fort Defiance, with Pastor Carl Garitson of Solid Rock Church of Sedona officiating. Interment followed Feb. 10 at the family plot in White Cone, Ariz.

Rachel was born Jan. 9, 1972, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsé njikini (Cliff Dweller People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She died Feb. 4, 2016, at her home in Clarkdale, Ariz., with her family at her side.

Rachel graduated in 1991 from Rehoboth Christian High School in Rehoboth, N.M. She was a passionate bowler for many years at Gal-a-Bowl and went to many local, state, national and Native American bowling tournaments throughout Washington, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

In 2000, Rachel and her husband moved to Gulkana, Alaska, and worked for the Gulkana Village Council for eight years. During this time in Alaska, Rachel’s faith in Jesus grew stronger as she experienced all the Last Frontier had to offer… salmon and halibut fishing, berry picking, the northern lights, and the culture and traditions of the Athabascan Alaska Native people.

In 2009, Rachel moved to the Verde Valley where she completed the International School of Ministry and worked for David Herzog Ministries.

Rachel is survived by her husband, LaMonica “Bry” Claw of Clarkdale; daughter, Heaven; sons, Aiden, Kobe and Jacob; mother, Betty Showalter of Window Rock; brother, Dwayne Showalter Sr. of Window Rock; and sister, Pamela Showalter Conley of Phoenix.

Rachel is preceded in death by her father, Daniel Showalter Jr.; maternal grandparents, William and Elsie Ashley; and paternal grandparents, Daniel and Marjorie Showalter Sr.

Pallbearers were Donovan Conley, Michael Nez, Marques Conley, Lyle Claw, Marlon Moore, Henry Goldtooth, Hyllis Dauphinais, and Wade Henderson.

Donations to support the funeral costs can be made to Wells Fargo in the name of Rachel Claw Memorial Donation, account number 6240571791.

Eleanor Jones

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Eleanor Jones, 105, of So Sila, Ariz., were held Feb. 9 at the Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance, with Jay Tsosie officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in So Sila.

Eleanor was born Dec. 25, 1910, in Milkwater, Ariz. She passed away Feb. 4, 2016, in Farmington.

Eleanor is survived by her sons, Johnson Jones, Charles Jones and Jack Jones; daughters, Anna Goddard, Alice Thacker and Lita Jones; and 62 grandchildren and 78 great-grandchildren.

Eleanor is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Jones; daughters, Nellie Hanley, Lorena Jones, Marie Smith, and Loretta Jones; and sons, George Halona and Herman Jones.

Pallbearers were Tommy Thacker, Derwin Goddard, Brian Staley, Manuel Yazzie, Paul Tsosie, and Timothy Smith.

Honorary pallbearers were Sam Thacker, Johnson Jones, Charles Jones, Jack Jones, David Tsosie, and Shannon Jones.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Lorretta Smith

REHOBOTH, N.M. – A memorial service for Lorretta Smith, 59, was held Feb. 12 at the Rehoboth Sports Fitness Center.

Lorretta was born Dec. 7, 1956. She passed away Feb. 6, 2016, in Rehoboth.

Lorretta is survived by her daughter, Nicole Hawthorne; brothers, Richard Smith Jr., Lorenzo Smith, Julian Smith, Carl Smith, and Porter Rio Smith; and sisters, Rena Miller and Rosemary Smith.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Anjelica Valencia Morgan

GALLUP – Funeral services for Anjelica Valencia Morgan, 27, were held Feb. 6 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Anjelica was born Feb. 17, 1988, in Phoenix, into the Tó’áhani (Near the Water Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). Her nali is Tó baazhni’ázhi (Two Who Came to the Water); chei is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House). She died Feb. 2, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Anjelica graduated from Window Rock High School in 2006. She studied at Central New Mexico Community College where she graduated as a Certified Nursing Assistant. In 2014, she gave birth to her daughter, Sienna Morgan Sorrell, in Phoenix.

Anjelica is survived by her daughter, Sienna Morgan Sorrell; and sisters, Janelle Auld and Quintina Morgan.

Anjelica is preceded in death by her father, Roland Louis Morgan; and mother, Julia Ann Begay-Morgan.

Pallbearers were Wyatt Begay, Brandon Begay, Gregory Begay, Craig Begay, Ronald Benally, and Garrett Francis.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

John H. Charley

GALLUP – Funeral services for John H. Charley, 68, were held Feb. 4 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

John was born Dec. 3, 1947, in Continental Divide, N.M., into the Áshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Jan. 31, 2016, in Continental Divide.

John attended Chilocco Indian School and Intermountain. He was employed as a mechanic, truck driver and silversmith. He was a medicine man most of his life and was known by his signature trademark of wearing his big black hat and Pendleton vest. He loved to sing traditional songs and tend to his livestock. He was a kind, generous man who loved to help people and loved his grandchildren unconditionally.

John is survived by his sons, Terry Charley Sr., Johnny Charley Sr., Cota Charley, and Jonathan Charley; daughters, Anita Charley, Priscilla Ration, Marcella Charley, Lucia Charley, Cheryl Charley, and Sylvia N. Charley; brother, Hardy Charley; sisters, Elsie C. Yazzie, Anita Long, Shirley Charley, Pauline Charley, Julia Yazzie, and Bertha Yazzie.

John is preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Charley and Herbert Charley; and sister, Marlene Charley.

Pallbearers were Johnny Charley Sr., Jim Paul Long, Marvin Long, Calson Charley, Terry Charley Jr., and Johnny Charley Jr.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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