Obituaries for Feb. 19, 2015

Peter Frank Nez Sr.

TEESTO, Ariz. – A celebration of life service for Peter Frank Nez Sr., 79, was held Feb. 16 at the Teesto Crossroads Assembly of God Church with Pastor Sammie K. Begay officiating. Interment followed at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow, Ariz.

Peter was born Feb. 24, 1935, in Teesto, to Frank and Zonnie Nez.

At a young age, Peter attended Riverside Indian School in Riverside, Calif. After his bout of illness he returned to the Navajo Nation. Several years later he received vocational training in bakery. However, he did not use his new trait, instead he began his career in masonry. He and others built the Teesto Assembly of God Church and other multiple churches and homes.

In 1976, Peter began working at what was then Navajo Community College as a men’s residential advisor. During his time at the college he was known for assisting the rodeo team in building corals and providing his expertise in horsemanship.

Throughout his life, Peter was often tending to his horses and livestock. He enjoyed attending church and camp meetings, watching sports, reading western/cowboy magazines, and listening to Spanish music. People knew Peter by his faith in God and love for his family.

During the last decade of his life, Peter became an advocate of preserving the life of the Navajo people as one of the original founding members of Team Navajo (Navajo Health Coalition). He worked effortlessly with his children and others in creating a commercial tobacco-free environment for the Navajo people. He believed in a healthier Navajo people by placing health as a high priority in his persuasion to the Navajo leadership. He will truly be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, and the Teesto and Seba Dalkai communities.

Peter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janet Nez; children, Peter Nez Jr. and wife Paulina Nez, Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson and husband Dr. Jeffrey Henderson, Vernon Nez, Braden Nez, Priscilla Nez, Marine Cpl. Erick Nez, and Chantal Nez; adopted sons, Deswood Tome, Quincy Afraid of Lightning and Jason Braveheart; and 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Peter is preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Nez and Felix Nez; parents, Frank and Zonnie Nez; son, Donald Peter Nez; and sisters, Helen N. Yazzie and Ella N. Kie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peter Frank Nez Memorial Fund with Wells Fargo (account No. 121000248 3260767177). Please provide the following email when donating: pnhenderson@bhcaih.org.

Louella Deswood

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. – Funeral services for Louella Deswood, 61, of Sweetwater, Ariz., will be held today, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. at St. Isabel’s Catholic Church in Lukachukai, Ariz. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in Upper Greasewood, Ariz.

Louella was born Feb. 28, 1953, in Shiprock. She died Feb. 15, 2015, in Acoma, N.M.

Desert View Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Kee Wilson Sr.

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Kee Wilson Sr., 96, of St. Michaels, Ariz., will be held Friday, Feb. 20, at 9 a.m. at the St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Pio O’Connor officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michaels.

Kee was born June 10, 1918, in Chinle, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He died Feb. 13, 2015, in Fort Defiance.

Kee is survived by his wife, Elsie Wilson; sons, Thomas Wilson, Paul Wilson, Alexander Wilson, and Eddie Wilson; and daughters, Mary Wilson and Melissa Wilson.

Kee is preceded in death by his parents, Hastin lbai and Aszá Nez; sons, Alfred Wilson and Kee Wilson Jr.; and daughter, Marie Wilson.

Pallbearers will be Alexander Wilson, Paul Wilson, Eddie Wilson, Jeffery Baker, and Casper Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Wilson and Shaun Wilson.

A reception will take place at St. Michaels Parish Hall following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Maggie Shirley

KLAGETOH, Ariz. – Funeral services for Maggie Shirley, of Klagetoh, Ariz., will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at a private residence in Klagetoh. Burial will follow in Klagetoh.

Maggie was born May 23, 1933, in Klagetoh, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She died Feb. 15, 2015, in Winslow, Ariz.

Maggie was employed with Hunts Corporation and did volunteer work for the community, Sage Memorial Hospital and Save the Children Program. She was an esteemed rug weaver and active church member.

Maggie is survived by her husband, Edward J. Shirley Sr.; sons, Edward J. Shirley Jr., Leonard Shirley, Edgar Shirley, and John B. Shirley; daughters, Marcella Arriola, Jennifer Shirley, Cynthia Shirley-Deschinny, and Glenda Shirley; brothers, Jamis Jones and Raymond Jones; sisters, Marie Denetdeal and Dorothy Yazzie; grandparents, Asdzáá Yázhi Boyd and Charley Boyd; and 27 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Maggie is preceded in death by her daughter, Priscilla Richmond; mother, Alice Jones (Boyd); father, Ralph K. Jones; grandson, Stephen Shirley; sister, Betty Wauneka; and brother, Alfred Jones.

Pallbearers will be Jason Shirley, Christian Shirley, Nickolas Yellowhorse, Dominic Roberts, and Raymond Roberts.

A reception will take place at a personal residence (three red hill) in Klagetoh.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Kenley Begay

TOHATCHI, N.M. – Funeral services for Kenley Begay, 43, were held Feb. 17 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tohatchi, N.M. Interment followed at Naschitti cemetery in Naschitti, N.M.

Kenley was born April 9, 1971, at Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Hashk’aa hadzohi (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line Clan). His nali is Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People); chei is Tó’áhani (Near the Water). He died Feb. 11, 2015, at Maricopa Medical Hospital in Phoenix.

Kenley attended Page High School, Coconino Community College, Northern Arizona University, and graduated with a master’s degree in structural engineering at Arizona State University. He was an intern engineer in New Jersey and Seattle, Wash. He was briefly employed with SRP and worked for engineering firms in Phoenix. He was also employed as a transportation engineer and computer designer.

Kenley is survived by his daughter, Kendra Begay of Flagstaff; parents, Kenneth and Lucille Begay of Cameron, Ariz.; brothers, Pernell and Kendrick Begay, both of Cameron, Kurt Begay of Flagstaff, and Jeremiah Begay of Killeen, Texas; and sisters, Jacqueline Begay of Cameron, and Juanita Ayala of Tucson.

Pallbearers were Pernell Begay, Kendrick Begay, Kurt Begay, Jeremiah Begay, Fredrick Nez, and Elmer Bizardie.

Honorary pallbearers were Ronald Bullhorse and Lance Nez.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.