Obituaries for Jan. 3, 2019

Harrison A. Watchman Sr.

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Harrison A. Watchman Sr., 70, of Fort Defiance, were held Jan. 2 at The Potter’s House in Fort Defiance, with Pastor Martin Haven officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Harrison was born Oct. 23, 1948, in Shiprock, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). He passed away Dec. 25, 2018, in Gallup. Harrison attended Albuquerque Indian School and New Mexico Highlands University. He started work at Navajo Forest Products Industry, continuing at Peabody Western Coal Co., then spending 26 years at P&M Coal Mine and 10 years at Navajo Transit before retiring.

Harrison was an avid lover of softball, football and horseshoe games. He loved to travel to support the reservation teams at state tournaments and was his grandson’s biggest fan. He loved supporting St. Michael Indian School and his grandson’s participation in sports and extracurricular activities. He will be missed immensely by all.

Harrison is survived by his wife, Elouise Watchman; sons, Harrison Watchman Jr. and Keith Stewart; daughters, Valentina Sallis and Gwen Watchman; mother, Helen Silentman; brother, Phillip Silentman; sisters, Merlinda Miles, Christine Randolph and Linda Church; and grandson, Brayden Watchman. Harrison is preceded in death by his son, Dean Watchman; father, Tony Chicharello; stepfather, Harry Silentman; son-in-law, Keith B. Sallis; sister, Laura Jean Homer; and brothers, Willis Watchman and Henry Watchman. Pallbearers were Brayden Watchman, Keith Stewart, Blaine Segay, Troy Whitehair, Jeffrey Johnson and Erwin Yazzie. Honorary pallbearers were Harrison Watchman Jr., Kenneth Chicharello, Lionel Johnson, Edmund Ciccarello, Everett Tsosie, Herman Silentman and Harold Silentman.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joshua Michael Sholley

STEAMBOAT, Ariz. — Funeral services for Joshua Michael Sholley, 30, of Sawmill, Arizona, will be held today, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Bethel Navajo Baptist Church in Steamboat, Arizona, with Pastor Virgil Attson officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Steamboat.

Joshua was born Jan. 18, 1988, in Yuba City, California, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Bilagáana. He passed away Dec. 22, 2018, in Fort Defiance. Joshua graduated from Window Rock High School in 2007 and was employed with Navajo Nation Oil and Gas as a maintenance technician.

He also worked at the Sawmill Chapter House and Richard Casey Construction Company. Joshua enjoyed working with horses, painting, tattoos, coaching and watching his son and daughter wrestle. Joshua is survived by Tonika Tsosie; son, Jacoby Tsosie; daughters, Kloie Tsosie and Taelynn Tsosie; and grandparents, Genevieve and Johnny F. Attson Sr.

Joshua is preceded in death by his mother, Joan M. Attson-Zuniga. Pallbearers will be Corey Attson, Jeremy Begay, Francis Noble, Jones Begay, West Begay and Shane Parrish. Honorary pallbearers will be Jacoby Tsosie, Josiah F. Attson, Johnny F. Attson Sr., Irvin L. Attson, Virgil Attson and Freddy Zuniga. A reception will take place at the Ganado Chapter House following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marcus Charley

BLACK MOUNTAIN, Ariz. — Funeral services for Marcus Charley, 36, of Cottonwood, Arizona, will be held Saturday, Jan. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Black Mountain Mission Church in Black Mountain, Arizona, with Pastor Billy Kee John officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Mountain community cemetery.

Marcus was born Jan. 15, 1972, in Fort Defiance, into the Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away Dec. 29, 2018, in Chinle. Marcus attended school with Chinle Unified School District and worked with the National Park Service, Mountain State Railroad Company and various construction companies. He enjoyed taming and riding horses, and spending time with family and friends.

Marcus is survived by his sons, Joshua B. Charley, Marquis Charley and Marc Charley; mother, Mary C. Charley; brothers, Virgil and Matthew Charley; and sister, Coranda Whitesheep. Marcus is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Charley Sr.; and brother, Thomas Charley Jr.

A reception will take place at the Cottonwood Chapter House following services. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lucy Ruth VanWinkle

CHINLE — Funeral services for Lucy Ruth VanWinkle, 78, of Chinle, were held Dec. 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chinle, with Bishop Wagner officiating. Interment followed in Nazlini, Arizona.

Lucy was born March 8, 1940, in Chinle, into the Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan), born for Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). She passed away Dec. 20, 2018, in Albuquerque. Lucy received a GED, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree. She enjoyed going to temple and spending time with her family.

Lucy is survived by her sons, Teddy Draper III, Wendell Draper, Michael Draper Sr., Teddy Draper Jr. and Otto Draper Sr.; daughters, Lorraine Wilson, Theodora Draper, Gloria Begody, Wendy Draper, Theocia Begay, Geneva Stephens and Celia Tsinajinnie; brothers, Daniel Deeshchiinii and Luther VanWinkle; sisters, Cecelia VanWinkle, Lena Nez, Tressia Dedman and Sophia VanWinkle; and 32 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Jones VanWinkle; sister, Bertha Goldtooth; and brothers, Cecil VanWinkle and Herman VanWinkle.

Pallbearers were Vladmir Draper, Matthew Barrera, Eugene Anaya, Ashton Smith, Clinton Mark Jr. and Marlin L. Nez.

Honorary pallbearers were Teddy Draper III, Wendell Draper, Michael Draper Sr., Teddy Draper Jr. and Otto Draper Sr.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Richard Gerald Foley

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral mass for Richard Gerald Foley was held Dec. 28 at the Mother of Mankind Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona. A rosary preceded the funeral mass.

Richard, a longtime educator and former head volleyball coach at Ganado High School, passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona, on Dec. 17, 2018.

Richard transformed his passion for sports and his talent for teaching by becoming an exceptional coach and mentor to many youth near and far. He positively affected the lives of many of his players and their extended families. Richard’s primary goal was always to assist his students and players in reaching their life goals by developing their potential into strengths, which would last a lifetime. Long after his high school coaching years had passed, Richard maintained personal contact with countless players he had coached and mentored.

Richard is survived by his wife, Michelle L. Yazzie of Mesa; brothers, Greg Foley of Harrisburg, North Carolina, and Michael Foley of Saratoga Springs, New York; sister, Patricia Foley Hill of Aquebogue, New York; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Richard’s final place of rest will be in New York.

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