Obituaries for July 11, 2019

Jean M. Johnson

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for Jean M. Johnson, 80, will be held Monday, July 15, at 10 a.m. at the Crownpoint Christian Reformed Church. Burial will follow at the Crownpoint cemetery.

Jean was born Feb. 23, 1939, in Crownpoint, into the Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). She passed away July 8, 2019, in Albuquerque. Jean attended cosmetology school and received secretarial training. She was a deacon at Crownpoint Christian Reformed Church and enjoyed her hobbies as a seamstress and quilting. Jean is survived by her daughter, Michelle R. Johnson.

Jean is preceded in death by her son, Shelton Morgan; brother, Angus Morgan; father, Cecil Morgan; and mother, Lillian Morgan.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

 

Alvin Larry Charlie

BELLEMONT, Ariz. — A Celebration of Life memorial service for Alvin Larry Charlie, 80, will be held Tuesday, July 16, at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona. The Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders will escort to Bellemont.

Charlie will receive military honors west of Dook’o’oosliid, the San Francisco Peaks, with his father, the late Teddy Chico. He spent young preteen life at Camp Navajo with his parents and loved this place.

Secondly, a family memorial service is scheduled Thursday, July 18, at 10 a.m. at the Bethlehem Christian Reformed Church in Tohlakai, New Mexico. Sermon will be conducted by Arnold Smallcanyon of Shonto, Arizona, at the family’s request with assistance of Navajo Police in attendance and local veterans for support.

Charlie was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People Clan). He was the son of the late Mabel Haven Chico and the late Richard R. Charlie. Charlie was married to Kathleen Stanton. They resided in Mora, New Mexico. Charlie attended school in Flagstaff and California.

Upon graduating from school, he joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Ord, California. Later, he married Ruby Greenstone and resided in Tuba City. There he joined the Navajo Tribal Police and became sergeant and detective with the force. Eventually he was hired by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Phoenix.

Later, he retired to become a full-time rancher at his homestead in Tohlakai. Charlie loved to rodeo. He and co-workers of the Navajo Police started the first Western Navajo Fair in the 1960s. He loved hunting and the rancher life.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Kathleen Stanton; daughters, Lucinda A. Charlie of Shonto, and Alvina Larria Charlie of Flagstaff; son, Todd Denny of Flagstaff; brother, Melvin Chico of Tohlakai; sisters, Anna Mae Sneezer of Flagstaff, Julie Day of Ohio, Louella Harvey of Tuba City, and Gloria Dodge of Mesa, Arizona; and 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Charlie is preceded in death by his father, Richard R. Charlie; son, Irvin Richard Charlie; mother, Mabel Haven Chico; and Teddy Chico.

Family will receive friends and relatives on July 16 at the Cedar Crest Apartment Club House (2251 North Izabel) in Flagstaff. Family will also receive friends and relatives on July 18 at Rock Springs Chapter House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the following organizations for their assistance: Christus Saint Francis Hospital, Santa Fe; Navajo Nation Police District (Tuba City), KTNN, KGAK, Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Camp Navajo, Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders, and Rock Springs Chapter House.

Riverside Funeral Home of Santa Fe is in charge of cremation.

Elliott Storm Parks Jr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Elliott Storm Parks Jr., 25, will be held Friday, July 12, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Elliott was born Sept. 2, 1993, in Mesa, Arizona, into the Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water Clan), born for Bilagaana. His nali is Bilagaana; his chei is Naakai dine’é (Mexican). He passed away July 2, 2019, in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Elliott enjoyed skateboarding, hiking, tattooing and joking with family.

Elliott is survived by his mother, Joanna Morgan; father, Elliott Storm Parks Sr.; girlfriend, Adriana Léybá; daughter, Ariel Parks; son, Isiaha Parks; sister, Anastasia Parks; aunt, Reda Galvan; uncles, Mark Galvan and Alex Galvan Jr.; cousins, Katelyn Galvan, Mariah Galvan and Markalya Jose; best friend/brother, Little River Saunders; and grandmother, Ida Galvan.

Elliott is preceded in death by his grandfather, Alex Galvan Sr. Pallbearers will be Mark Galvan, Angel Galvan, Little River Saunders, Matt Sherman, Deion Welletto and Dave Yazzie.

Donna Mae Benally

WINDOW ROCK — Funeral services for Donna Mae Benally, 78, of Fort Defiance, were held July 10 at the Methodist Church in Window Rock, with Daniel Cleveland officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Donna was born July 5, 1941, in Gallup, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-Walks-Around Clan). She passed away July 5, 2019, in Gallup. Donna was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, cooking and attending revivals.

Donna is survived by her sons, Daniel Williams, Darryl Williams and Dwayne Williams; daughters, Denise Williams, Cheryl Benally, Chelsea Draper, Cindy Draper and Vestah Tikium; and 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Hilda Cleveland and Joe Walker; husband, Wilson Benally; Davis Williams and Nathaniel Draper. Pallbearers were Anthony Williams, Eric Williams, Harris Yazzie, Wesley Yazzie, Bradley Woody and Jeremy June. Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Williams, Darryl Williams and Dwayne Williams.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Frankie F. Martin Jr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Frankie F. Martin Jr., 27, will be held today, July 11, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Frankie was born Aug. 29, 1990, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan); chei is Kiyaa’áanii. He passed away Oct. 24, 2017. Frankie enjoyed family gatherings and loved his mother’s tortillas. He will be remembered as a humble, caring and respectful little brother.

His mother will forever miss his presence for her birthday, Mother’s Day and every holiday as he always came from afar just to spend this special occasion with her and his family. We love you, brother.

Frankie is survived by his mother, Louise Benally; and sisters, Lorene Francisco, Tamie Cortez, Arlene Pearson, Theresa Benally and Joleen Benally. Frankie is preceded in death by his father, Frankie F. Martin Sr.; and grandparents, Maria and Tayilwood H. Benally. Pallbearers will be Franklin Martin Jr., Garen Fragua, Sollers J. Francisco, Jayden E. Bailey, Paul W. Pearson and Eddie Cortez.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Billy Yazzie

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Billy Yazzie, 91, were held July 3 at the Mother of Mankind Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Billy was born Aug. 14, 1927, in Hunter’s Point, Arizona, into the Dibélzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tl’ógí (Hairy Ones Clan). He passed away June 29, 2019, in Gallup. Billy was a sheepherder and carpenter. He worked for the railroad and with the Navajo Nation as a groundskeeper, maintenance man and carpenter.

After retirement, Billy tended to his sheep and livestock. He enjoyed football and spending time with his family.

Billy is survived by his children, Florence Jesus, Jimmy Yazzie, Robert Yazzie, Ruby Yazzie, Angela Gilmore, Della Yazzie, and William Yazzie; sister, Helen Singer; and brother, John Mose Yazzie. Billy is preceded in death by his wife, Irene P. Yazzie; and son, Lee B. Yazzie. Pallbearers were Franco Jesus, Robert Yazzie, Ronald Roanhorse Jr., Sylvester Yazzie, Cleo Gilbert, and Isaiah John.

Joshua Joseph Van Kanawite

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral services for Joshua Joseph Van Kanawite, 28, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, will be held Sunday, July 14, at 2 p.m. at the Daniels Alameda Chapel in Albuquerque. Burial will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Monday, July 15, at 9 a.m. Joshua was born April 14, 1991, in Albuquerque.

He passed away July 2, 2019, in Georgia.

Joshua attended Wherry Elementary School on the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, Enchanted Hills Elementary in Rio Rancho, Mountain View Middle School in Rio Rancho, and Rio Rancho High School.

Joshua worked at Pizza 9 and Two Fools Tavern in Rio Rancho, and served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed playing video games, drawing and tattooing. Joshua is survived by his mother, Freida Mae Tully; father, Orlando J. Kanawite Sr.; brother, Orlando J. Kanawite Jr.; sister, Ellisen S. Law (Kanawite); and grandmother, Lillie Billie Kanawite (Johnson).

Joshua is preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas Joseph Kanawite. Pallbearers will be Gabriel J. Kanawite Sr., Gabriel J. Kanawite Jr., Orlando J. Kanawite Sr., Orlando J. Kanawite Jr., Fernando J. Kanawite, Troy Watson, Felipe Toledo, and Jimmy Piefer. Daniels Family Funeral Services—Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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