Obituaries for Feb. 26, 2015

June Louise McIntosh

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for June Louise McIntosh will be held at the St. Michaels Church in St. Michaels, Ariz. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

June was born June 19, 1951, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for The Scottish Clan. She passed away Feb. 18, 2015.

June attended El Paso Community College, University of New Mexico and Diné College. She worked as a switchboard operator, a police officer and a peacemaker. She was seen as a peace officer of her community.

June’s greatest joy came from being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She ensured her family treasured Navajo traditions. She sewed dresses, made moccasins, and relayed family stories for her children and grandchildren.

June’s mother was Louise Ann Begay and her father was Clive Clyde McIntosh. Her maternal grandparents were Lucy and Hastiin Begay and her paternal grandparents were Myra Melitta Tolman and Samuel Carlos McIntosh.

June’s daughters are Michelle Lynn Betancourt, Cheryle Litzin, Monique Skeet, and Angelique Cotte. Her sons are Duane Harvey and Michael Kirk.

June’s sisters are Dorthine Tso, Calthine Tso and Delthine Tso from the Navajo Nation. From Idaho, she has sisters Naomi McIntosh, Emma McIntosh, Elizabeth Faurote, and Christina McIntosh.

June’s brothers are Norman Multine, Leo Valencia, Calvert Tso, and the late Irvin Tso from the Navajo Nation. She has a brother named David Aldana from Farmington. She also has brothers, Charles McIntosh (Dave Crockett) and Sam McIntosh, from Idaho.

June has 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Sam McIntosh, Jeff Blanco Stevens, Duane Harvey, Michael Kirk, Angel Cotte, Josh Chischilly, and Jerald Tom.

Honorary pallbearers will be Luis Ray Betancourt Jr., Ryan Betancourt, Nikota Litzin, Daron Litzin, Kayo Litzin, Darrien Skeet, Michael Cotte, Angel Cotte, Jr., Alex Cotte, Chad Harvey, Faron Harvey, Terrell Detsoi, Clayton Allison, Bryce Sutton, Brent Sutton, William Sellers, Kye Tso-McCook, Jason Smith, Kelly Gleason, Casey Gleason, Chris Gleason, Clint Gleason, Shawn Gleason, Kip Gleason, and Marcel Gleason.

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

Special thanks to the friends and family who attended and supported with donations and kind words from the Kin dah lichee and St. Michael’s family meetings.

The family would also like to express its appreciation to the Window Rock Navajo Nation Police and the Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders for escorting the procession.

Alvin Begay

HOUCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Alvin Begay, 69, of Querino Canyon, Ariz., will be held Friday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. at the Good News Church in Houck, Ariz., with Milt Shirleson officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Sanders, Ariz.

Alvin was born June 24, 1945, in Bird Springs, Ariz., into the Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan) and Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for çshiihi (Salt People Clan). He died Feb. 21, 2015, in Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Alvin graduated in 1965 from Holbrook High School and was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army. He worked with different companies in the mining business and recently retired with the Navajo Tribe in the transit department.

Alvin enjoyed reading his bible, watching basketball, football, the PBR, and traveling to watch high school basketball games.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Nellie R. Begay; son, Bryant Begay of Albuquerque; stepson, Delbert James of Querino Canyon; daughter, Anna Begay of Zuni, N.M.; stepdaughter, Beverly Black of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers, Eddie Begay and J.R. Begay, both of Bird Springs, Bobby Begay of Leupp, Ariz., Eugene Begay of Albuquerque, Curtis Begay of Los Lunas, N.M., and Wayne Begay of Kinlichee, Ariz.; sister, Betty K. Yazzie of Bird Springs; and 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Alvin is preceded in death by his father, Kinyaa’anii Begay; mother, Mary Ann Begay; brothers, Ned Begay, Tony Begay and Bruce Begay; and sister, Judy Begay.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Tsidii-Toii Veterans Organization.

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

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow is in charge of arrangements.

Caressa N. Francis

GALLUP — Funeral services for Caressa N. Francis, 23, will be held today, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Gallup Christian Center (The Door). Burial will follow at Red Willow at the Hosteen Nez Begay Ranch in Tohatchi, N.M.

Caressa graduated from Tohatchi High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She played basketball for Tohatchi and Wingate High School. She also ran track and cross-country. She enjoyed the outdoors, riding horses, team roping, and spending time with family and friends. She was currently pursuing a degree in conservation and environmental science.

Caressa was born July 26, 1991, in Gallup, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). Her nali is Dibélzhini (Black Sheep); chei is Tl’ógi (Weaver-Zia). She died Feb. 21, 2015, in Tohatchi.

Caressa is survived by her parents, Colin J. Francis and Rolanda R. Francis of Tohatchi; and brothers, Lance Cpl. Cody D. Francis of San Diego, and Casey D. Francis of Tohatchi.

Pallbearers will be Lance Cpl. Cody D. Francis, Lance Cpl. Mario Roberts, Cameron Dahozy, Seth Brown, Anthony Ashley, and Myka Jensen.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rosanna Nelson

GALLUP — Funeral services for Rosanna Nelson, 38, will be held Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Rosanna was born Feb. 29, 1976, in Dallas, Texas, into the Nihoobáanii (Gray Streaked-Ends Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). She died Feb. 21, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Rosanna is survived by her parents, Roy and Dorothy Nelson; paternal grandfather, John Nelson; and sister, Stephanita Nelson.

Rosanna is preceded in death by Bill and Mary Ann Martin, and Betty Nelson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jonathan Robert Lee

CHINLE — Funeral services for Jonathan Robert Lee, 29, of Chinle, were held Feb. 25 at the Chinle Presbyterian Church with Shirley Jones officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Chinle.

Jonathan was born July 2, 1985, in Gallup, into the Tsénjikini (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He died Jan. 11, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Jonathan attended Gallup High School and was employed with Good Shepherd Center in Albuquerque.

Jonathan is survived by his sons, Jacob Rayon Lee and Josiah Lee; daughter, Alanna Taya Lee; parents, John and Velma R. Lee; brothers, Gunnery Sgt. Alvison J. Lee of San Diego, Avison J. Lee of St. Louis, Mo., and Robert J. Lee of Albuquerque; sisters, Cornelia R. Lee of St. Louis, and Velinda R. Lee of Albuquerque; and grandmother, Eunice Edith Lee.

Jonathan is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John Billie Lee; and maternal grandparents, Tom Hovel and Thelma A. Hovel.

Pallbearers were Gunnery Sgt. Alvison J. Lee, Avison John Lee, Robert John Lee, Allison Wayne Fragua, Aaron Jonathan Fragua, and Jerry John Lee Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were John Robert Lee, Roger John Lee, Jerry John Lee Sr., Phillip Arviso Hovel, Leonard Arviso Hovel, and Albert Arviso Hovel.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Yazzie

NAHODISHGISH, N.M. — Graveside service for Thomas Yazzie, 62, were held Feb. 23 in Nahodishgish, N.M.

Thomas was born Sept. 12, 1952, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). His chei is Tó’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together). He died Feb. 18, 2015, in Nahodishgish.

Thomas graduated from Wingate High School and was a seasonal worker in Idaho. He enjoyed herding sheep, family reunions and telling stories.

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Thomascita Yazzie and Tatanya Yazzie; and sisters, Klara Johnson, Virginia Barber, Betty R. Yazzie, Arlene Montoya, and Genevieve Morgan.

Thomas is preceded in death by his mother, Polly Yazzie; and grandparents, Jim Yazzie and Molly Morgan Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Raymond Barber, Mike Barber, Frank Garfield Jr., Harvey Yazzie, Irvin Garfield, Steven Yazzie, Harry Yazzie, and Robert Yazzie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Bo-Bubba Yazzie

MANY FARMS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bo-Bubba Yazzie, 25, of Many Farms, Ariz., were held Feb. 21 at the Chinle LDS Church with Harold Benally officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.

Bo-Bubba was born Oct. 27, 1989, in Chinle, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Naasht’ézhi dine’é (Zuni Clan) and Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He died Feb. 14, 2015, in Many Farms.

Bo-Bubba is survived by his parents, Rose A. Yazzie and Bobby Yazzie Sr.; brother, Bobby Yazzie Jr.; and sisters, Roselyn Yazzie, Roberta Yazzie, Robbie A. Yazzie, Rolinda Yazzie, and Roxanne Yazzie.

Bo-Bubba is preceded in death by his grandmother, Clara Gene Harvey.

Pallbearers were Presley Carroll, Robbie A. Yazzie, Roxanne Yazzie, Oshondo L. Whitesheep, Jeremy Yazzie, and Jeffrey Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearers were Alonzo Naize, Lance Harvey, Tiffany Harvey, and George Yazzie.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Bobby Martinez

OJO ENCINO, N.M. — Graveside service for Bobby Martinez, 63, of Ojo Encino, N.M., were held Feb. 20 at the Ojo Encino Assembly Cemetery, with Tully Butler officiating.

Bobby was born into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He died Feb. 12, 2015, in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Bobby was a sheepherder and enjoyed watching Bruce Lee and Western movies.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Marie Toledo-Martinez; stepson, Ernest Toledo; daughter, Lucy Martinez; parents, John Frank and Alice Lopez; brothers, Ted Lopez, Daniel Lopez, Dick Lopez Jr., and Eddie Lopez; sisters, Lena Lopez and Cora L. Charley; grandparents, Jessie Platero-Sandoval and Martinez Augustine; and one grandchild.

Bobby is preceded in death by Corrine L. Herrera-Lopez.

Pallbearers were Dion Martinez, Dedrick Dennison, Daniel Lopez, Johnson R. Martinez, Henderson Pablo, William Herrera, Rinaldo Martinez, and William Dennison.

Honorary pallbearers were Wilson Martinez Sr., Denise Largo Sr., Alice Lopez, Lena Lopez, Lucy Martinez, Eddie Lopez, and Ted Lopez.

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

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