Obituaries for Jan. 30, 2020

Josephine M. Slinkey

CHINLE — Funeral services for Josephine M. Slinkey, 101, were held Jan. 29 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle. Interment followed at the family plot in Many Farms, Arizona.

Josephine was born July 6, 1918, in Many Farms, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). Her nali is Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People); chei is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). She passed away Jan. 24, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona.

Josephine attended Fort Defiance Boarding School, Santa Fe Indian School and Wingate Boarding School class of 1938. She was employed with Fort Defiance Indian Hospital and became a homemaker in Morenci, Arizona, winning ribbons for her crocheting. She then returned to Fort Defiance IHS until retirement.

Josephine was an avid sports fan, bingo player, tourist, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Josephine is survived by her daughters, Pearl Day and Alberta Reynolds; and sons, Albert Slinkey Jr., Alfred Slinkey and Alex Slinkey.

Josephine is preceded in death by her husband Albert; son Robert; sisters, Inez, Hazel, Yandezbah and Nahglessbah; brothers, Billie and Jackie; and parents, Hosteen and Bah Yazhi.

Pallbearers were Ethan Slinkey, Keith Slinkey, Wayne Day Jr., Robert Day, Steven Hillis and Ryan Hillis.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Katherine Chapin

CHINLE — A Celebration of Life memorial service for Dorothy Katherine Chapin will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Grace Fellowship Community Church (three miles north of Bashas’ on Highway 191) in Chinle.

On Nov. 30, 2019, Dorothy was laid to rest in the Alamo Community Cemetery near her father and loved ones.

Dorothy was born on May 30, 1939, in Albuquerque. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 25, 2019, in Flagstaff.

As a young girl, Dorothy was raised on the Field Ranch in New Mexico, owned by her parents John Guerro of the Alamo Navajo Reservation and Katherine (Field) Guerro of the Field Ranch.

After graduating from Harwood Girls High School in Albuquerque, Dorothy earned her education degree from Western New Mexico University. For 35 years, she taught a variety of grades in various locations, but the majority of her time was spent teaching elementary education on the Navajo Reservation at Cottonwood Day School, Nazlini and Chinle.

Dorothy was actively involved in her local church and community, always looking to serve others and she had a heart for young people.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Scott Chapin; daughter, Yvette Ranger; sister, Tonita Kirpatick; and six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her father, John Guerro; mother, Katherine (Field) Guerro; stepmother, Juanita (Platero) Guerro; brother, Johnie Guerro; and sister, Rosita Smith.

Seneca Perry

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Seneca Perry, 38, will be held today, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Thoreau Church of God in Thoreau, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the family plot in Smith Lake, New Mexico.

Seneca was born Feb. 23, 1981, in Crownpoint, into the Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water Clan), born for Oglala Sioux. He passed away Jan. 16, 2020, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Seneca earned his high school diploma at Central High School and attended Mesa Community College for mechanics. He worked numerous jobs in restaurants, landscaping, construction and mechanics. He was a fast learner and loved fixing things around the home and for others.

Seneca loved his wife and children, enjoyed traveling to new places and watching the Seattle Seahawks play.

Seneca is survived by his wife, Tanya Perry; son, Isaiah Sivan Frank; daughters, Maxine Luci Perry and Taryn Samira Perry; mothers, Doreen Perry and Etta H. Thomas; brother, Jayston Platero; and sisters, Tina Thomas, Tammy Etsitty and Bridgette Etsitty.

Seneca is preceded in death by his brother, Jerald Platero; Andy Perry, Lucy Lee Perry, Leo House Sr., Douglas James; aunt, Deanne Perry; and uncles, Delbert Perry, Albert Perry and Paul Perry.

Pallbearers will be Isaiah Frank, Jayston Platero, Tarikziad Essawti, Grant Etsitty, Christopher Browning, Mitchell Begay, Lansford Perry and Gilbert Perry.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Nakia Nick Smith

In legacy memory of Nakia Nick Smith (April 26, 1977 — Jan. 15, 2020)

As a Blue Star mother, and a member of the Navajo Nation Tribe, I, Nancy Smith, dedicate this to my son, Nakia Nick Smith. The Creator God proclaimed you a very special gifted person.

Something very meaningful, you gave it your all. Always faithful in life and addition to our family and grandson, Noah Nabahe Smith.

I honor and respect you and thank you, son, and deep down in your inner heart, you had love and compassion for bull riding. Your big dream came true when you rode in those rodeos, it counts many blessings, bull riding for Jesus Christ, young warriors circle of honor.

As a bull riding member of the Native American and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Nakia was also a member of the Southwestern Pro Bull Riders, Wild Thing Double Iron Tour and Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association. He was also a mixed martial arts student at Mitchell’s Jiu Jitsu.

Nakia worked as a forestry technician and Hotshot firefighter at the U.S. Department of Interior, surveyor/fuller at the U.S. Department of Interior, ironworker at Local Union 495 and Local 86, auction helper at Joe Wemberly’s Stockyards in Weatherford, Texas, tow truck driver in Arizona for I-40 Towing and security officer at Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority.

Nakia is the grandson of the late Bert Toney/Albert Smith, Navajo Code Talker, Perry Toney and the first District 6 evictees from Echo Canyon, Keams Canyon, Arizona.

Nakia’s father is Franklin (Hopi/Apache/Navajo); mother, Nancy M. Toney Smith (Navajo/Anglo); brothers, Master Staff Sgt. Korey Smith, Edwin Smith and Zachary Smith; and nephews, nieces, uncle and aunts.

Appreciation to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez for his leadership, Uncle Peterson Zah, Peter McDonald Sr., Larry Anderson, Leonard Anthony and family, sister Cassandra Morgan of Wide Ruins, Arizona, Elmer Milford Sr., and the late Lori Piestewa and family.

I want to honor the following brothers and riders: Travis and Monty Webster, J.P. Paddock, Alfonzo Francis, Joe Wimberly, Charlie Samson, Curtis Jessie, Cody Hancock, Greg Golden, Tuff Hedeman, Adriano Moraes, and Mitchell’s Jiu Jitsu. Thank you for all the encouragement.

Donations are appreciated and accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank under Nakia Nick Smith.

Jeffery D. Begay

SMITH LAKE, N.M. — Funeral services for Jeffery D. Begay, 49, were held Dec. 28 at the Smith Lake Church of God in Smith Lake, New Mexico. Interment followed in Smith Lake.

Jeffery was born Oct. 23, 1970, in Fort Defiance, into the Mescalero Apache People, born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); chei is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together). He passed away Dec. 23, 2019, in Albuquerque.

Jeffery graduated from Wingate High School where he played varsity football in 1989. He then studied auto repair at the Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, graduating in 1992. He also worked in Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Albuquerque.

Jeffery is survived by his wife, Melinda Martinez; sons, Tyler and Jeremy Begay; mother, Nellie Begay; father, Thompson Begay; brother, Jason Begay; and sisters, Francine Sandoval and Courtney Begay.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Grace Woody

GANADO, Ariz. — A memorial service for Barbara Grace Woody nee Tracy was held Jan. 4 at the Ganado Presbyterian Church in Ganado, Arizona.

Barbara passed away Dec. 17, 2019, in Phoenix, where she and family were residing.

Barbara graduated from Ganado High School in 1981 and worked at Fed Mart in Window Rock, moving to Phoenix, where she held a custodial position with Glendale Community College.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Melvin Woody of Many Farms, Arizona; children, Natasha, Tobias and Erica, all of Phoenix; mother, Lena Ruth Wilson; brothers, Roger Descheenie Tracy and Thomas Raymond Tracy of Window Rock; brothers-in-law, Arvin, Kevin and Marvin; Elsie Yazzie, aunt to Melvin; uncles and aunts from the Tracy family along with cousins; and uncles and aunts from the Davis family along with cousins.

Barbara is preceded in death by Morgan Wilson; maternal grandparents, Roger and Grace Davis; paternal grandparents, Descheenie Nez and Rose Tracy; mother-in-law, Emma; Kee Yazzie, Melvin’s uncle; and several uncles, aunts and cousins from both the Davis and Tracy families.

Karl Frank Heidenreich

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Karl Frank Heidenreich, 78, were held Dec. 30 at St. Mary’s Mission in Tohatchi, New Mexico. Interment followed at the Gallup Veteran’s Cemetery.

Karl was born July 6, 1941, in American Fork, Utah. He passed away Dec. 21, 2019, in Gallup.

Karl obtained a master’s degree in fine arts and served in the U.S. Army. He loved and lived on the Navajo Reservation for 30 years as an art teacher at Tohatchi Middle School for 28 years before retiring in 2003.

Karl is survived by his wife, Betty Dennison Heidenreich; daughters, Rebecca Heidenreich, Gina Dennison and Amber Dennison; brothers, Dennis Heidenreich and Boyd Heidenreich; sister, Joann Marzo; and four granddaughters.

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