Obituaries for Feb. 17, 2022

Helen Jack

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Helen Jack, 87, of Red Rock, New Mexico, will be held today, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth cemetery in Rehoboth, New Mexico.

Helen was born Sept. 24, 1934, in Rehoboth, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). She passed away Feb. 8, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Helen was a stay-at-home grandmother who took care of her grandchildren as they grew up. She loved to sew and make her traditional clothing. She enjoyed spending time with her daughter, and her grandchildren made her happy. She also liked soda, Cheetos, and candy suckers.

Helen is survived by her son, Ray Jack; daughter, Louise Murphy; and brother, Jimmy Jack.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Honest Jack and Glengane Bah Jack; George Manning, Charley Jack, George B., Harry Woody, Lloyd, Hoska, Molly Pete, Polly Chee, and Allen Jack.

Pallbearers will be Virgil Jack, Ed Brown, and Preston Pete.

Rollie Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Ashleigh N. Keeto

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Ashleigh Nichelle Keeto, 29, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, Feb. 18, at noon, at the Fort Defiance community cemetery with Pastor James Flores officiating.

Ashleigh was born Nov. 8, 1992, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Tó’áhání (Near the Water Clan). She passed away Feb. 7, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas.

Ashleigh attended Tse Ho Tso Elementary School, Tse Ho Tso Middle School, and Window Rock High School, graduating from Highland High School in Albuquerque. She previously worked at Subway and was currently a supervisor at Savers in Albuquerque.

Ashleigh loved spending time with her daughter, listening to music, drawing, reading, and lifting others’ spirits.

Ashleigh is survived by her daughter, Aleena Baker; brothers, Marklen Keeto of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Kyle Keeto of Covington, Georgia, and Samuel Manuelito-Keeto of Fort Defiance; and maternal grandmother, Martina Keeto.

Ashleigh is preceded in death by her mother, Melissa Archie; father, Martin Keeto; sister, Alanna Archie; brother, Leland Archie; maternal grandparents, William and Laverne Archie; and paternal grandfather, Paul Keeto.

Pallbearers will be Marklen Keeto, Shane Slinkey, Xander Archie, Laverle Archie, Steven Sanderson, and Ronald Slinkey.

Following service, a reception will take place at the Navajo Bible Church in Fort Defiance.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Minnie Adakai

GALLUP — Funeral services for Minnie Adakai, 81, of Manuelito, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, at noon, at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Jonathan Begay officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Minnie was born Sept. 14, 1940, in Manuelito, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). She passed away Feb. 6, 2022, in Gallup.

Minnie was employed as a custodian and Navajo traditional silversmith. She was a rancher and seamstress who enjoyed raising livestock, yarn crocheting, and weaving.

Minnie is survived by her son, Ray Adakai; daughters, Sandy Adakai-Yellowhair, Rose Adakai, and Mattie Adakai; sister, Helen Yazzie; and grandson, Trestan Adakai.

Minnie is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Adakai; son, Roger Adakai; mother, Aghabah Yazzie; father, Kee Haswood; sister, Facey White and Betty Smith; and brother, Howard Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Trestan Adakai, Zane Yellowhair, Jimson White, John White, Robertson White, Billy White, Dustin Forgey, and John Clegg.

A reception will take place at Minnie Adakai’s residence in Manuelito, following services at 3:30 p.m.

Rollie Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Wilbert Myers

CRYSTAL, N.M. — Graveside service for Wilbert Myers, 90, of Sǫ Silá, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m., in Sǫ Silá.

Wilbert was born March 17, 1931, in Sǫ Silá, into the Dibé Łizhiní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He passed away Feb. 14, 2022, in Sǫ Silá.

Wilbert was a rancher and self-contractor with Navajo Forest Products Industry. He enjoyed watching football games and was a regular at the casinos.

Wilbert is survived by his son, Jeremiah Myers; daughters, Rosemary Cleveland, Lorraine Myers, Wilma Jones, and Kathleen Francisco; and 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Wilbert is preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters, and brothers.

Pallbearers will be Al-Tyson Jones, Kevin Cleveland, Ryne Toledo, Marcus Cleveland, Adam Francisco, and Tyrell Lee.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremiah Myers, Raymond Howard, Everett Howard, Jonathan Johnson, Edward Johnson, Aldrew Jones, Augie Cruz Jones, and Samuel John.

Following service, a drive-thru reception will take place at Louis Peshlakai/David Myers’ residence.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Henry Todacheeney

SHIPROCK — Funeral services for Henry Todacheeney, 81, of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, were held Feb. 16 at the Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock. Interment followed at the Kirtland Cemetery in Kirtland, New Mexico.

Henry was born in January 1941 in Teec Nos Pos, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). He passed away in Aztec, New Mexico.

As a bus driver, Henry attended Kirtland Central High School and retired after 30 years from Teec Nos Pos Boarding School. He loved gourd dancing, peyote meetings, fire dances, powwows, and working on his truck.

Henry is survived by his wife, Betty P. Todacheeney; children, Valerie Todacheeney, Rietta Eslinger, Monroe Todacheeney, Wilbur Todacheeney, Virgil Todacheeney, and Candice Yazzie; siblings, Thomas L. Todacheeney, Peter Whitehorse, and Barbara Whitehorse; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Henry is preceded in death by his mother, Laura Whitehorse; and brothers, Joe Boyd and Walter Martin.

Pallbearers were Virgil Todacheeney, Douglas Todacheeney, Jimmy Eslinger, Ryan Todacheeney, Langston Whitehorse, and Nicholas Todacheeney.

Honorary pallbearers were Betty Todacheeney, Valerie Todacheeney, Rietta Eslinger, Monroe Todacheeney, Wilbur Todacheeney, and Candice Yazzie.

Desert View Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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