Obituaries for July 16, 2026
The Navajo Times thanks you for being a valued reader. We truly appreciate your trust and support. We would like to inform our readers of a new service fee for obituary submissions. This decision was not made lightly, but it has become necessary because of rising printing costs. The cost of producing the Navajo Times, including paper, ink and printing plates, has continued to increase. Beginning July 2, 2026, obituary announcements will be $25. Photos will be an additional $5 per photo. Military announcements will remain free of charge with a military insignia as we continue to honor our veterans. Despite this change, we remain committed to providing quality printing services as families share and honor the lives of their loved ones. If you have an obituary you would like to submit, follow this link to the online submission form. We look forward to serving you.
Donna A. Whitehair
WINDOW ROCK – Donna Ann Whitehair, 53, of Window Rock, passed away June 25, 2026, in Albuquerque.
Donna Ann Whitehair, Oct. 20, 1972 – June 25, 2026
Donna was born Oct. 20, 1972, in Gallup, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree Clan). Her nálí is Kinłichíi’nii (Red House); cheii is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water).
Donna was an alumnus of Saint Michaels Indian School and the University of New Mexico. She loved to sing and enjoyed musicals, concerts and gourd dances. Music was woven through every part of her life.
Donna is survived by her parents, Rosaline and Henry Whitehair Sr.; and daughter, Raquel Bahe.
In keeping with Donna’s wishes and the family’s needs, funeral services will be held privately for immediate family only.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Betty J. Hubbard
NAVAJO, N.M. – Funeral services for Betty Jean Hubbard, 92, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, July 18, at 9 a.m., at the Navajo Baptist Church in Navajo, New Mexico, with Israel Tsosie officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance cemetery.
Betty Jean Hubbard, Oct. 29, 1933 – July 5, 2026
Betty was born Oct. 29, 1933, in Fort Defiance. She passed away July 5, 2026, in Gallup.
Betty earned an associate degree from Phoenix College and was employed as an accountant at the Arizona State Capital. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, and fostering animals. She loved nothing more than settling in to watch her favorite westerns and her beloved reruns of “Friends.”
Betty is survived by her sons, Johnny Hubbard and Odie Hubbard; sister, Gloria Gorman; and 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Betty is preceded in death by her daughter, Catherine “Nina” Billy; parents, Wallace and Katherine Tsosie; and siblings, Angela Billie, Calvin Tsosie, Douglas Tsosie, Elizabeth Tsosie, Freddie Tsosie and Herbert Tsosie.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Hubbard, Odie Hubbard, Michael Billy, Ryan Hubbard, Cody Hubbard and Sergio Narvaez.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harrison Billy, Austin Billy, Payson Harry and Rylan Harry.
A reception will take place at The Family Church Assembly of God in Fort Defiance, following services.
Donations can be sent to Rollie Mortuary in the name of Betty Hubbard in Gallup.
Angelo E. Castillo
GALLUP – Funeral service for Angelo Eli Castillo, 44, of Mexican Springs, New Mexico, will be held Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m., at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Gallup, with President Nez officiating.
Angelo Eli Castillo, Dec. 29, 1981 – June 28, 2026
Angelo was born Dec. 29, 1981, in Gallup, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away June 28, 2026, in Albuquerque.
Angelo worked multiple jobs in the food industry and enjoyed fishing, hunting, making jewelry and caring for animals.
Angelo is survived by his sons, Quentin and Daniel Castillo; mother, Jasmine Castillo; brother, Stewart Castillo; and sister, Jamie Yazzie.
Angelo is preceded in death by his brother, David Castillo; grandmother, Grace Gorman; and grandfather, Willie Yazzie Sr.
Pallbearers will be Quentin Castillo, Jamie Yazzie, Steven Yazzie, Patrick Yazzie, Dominic Johnson, Damian Johnson, Erwin Jones and Matthew John.
Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Castillo and Stewart Castillo.
A reception will take place at the Church of Latter-day Saints following service.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Rodney A. Nelson
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral service for Rodney Arviso Nelson, 56, of Fort Defiance, will be held Monday, July 20, in Fort Defiance at 10 a.m.
Rodney Arviso Nelson, May 29, 1970 – July 12, 2026
Rodney was born May 29, 1970, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). His nálí is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle); cheii is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House). He passed away July 12, 2026, in Albuquerque.
Rodney earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of New Mexico and worked at Chichiltah Jones Ranch Community School and Hunters Point Boarding School. He enjoyed volleyball, cooking and traveling.
Rodney is survived by his father, Roger Nelson; sisters, Ophelia Nelson, Nizhoni Thorton and Clarissa Holmes; and five grandchildren.
Rodney is preceded in death by Wilhelmina Becenti Nelson.
Pallbearers will be Mathias Milford, Arriania Milford, Blake Campbell, Cheyenne Milford, Ken Thorton, Michael Holmes, Nate Tolino and Brighten Thompson.
A reception will take place at The Family Church in Fort Defiance, following service.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Rosalyn E. Roanhorse
ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Rosalyn Eriacho Roanhorse, 73, will be held today, July 16, at 10 a.m., at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Father Pio O’Connor officiating. Burial will follow at the Houck community cemetery.
Rosalyn was born July 4, 1953, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Naasht’ézhí (Zuni Clan). Her nálí is Dibéłizhíní (Black Sheep); cheii is Naasht’ézhí. She passed away July 10, 2026.
Rosalyn attended Window Rock Primary School, Window Rock High School and Eastern Arizona College. She worked for the Navajo Nation Department of Education, Navajo Nation Police Department, Window Rock High School, Indian Health Service, Office of Navajo Economic Opportunity and Office of Environmental Health.
Rosalyn enjoyed traveling, watching TikTok videos, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rosalyn is survived by her husband, Edison Roanhorse; son, Malcolm Roanhorse; father, Tony L. Eriacho Sr.; brother, Myron Eriacho; sisters, Marlene Eriacho and Belinda Eriacho; maternal grandparents, Lillian and Tom Lewis; paternal grandparents, Hilda and Leopoldo Eriacho; and four grandchildren.
Rosalyn is preceded in death by her mother, Irene R. Lewis; and brothers, Tony Eriacho Jr. and Leo Eriacho.
Pallbearers will be Stewart Lewis, Shawn Peterson, Jimmie Pete, Peggy Roanhorse, Levi Eriacho and Mason Clark.
Honorary pallbearers will be Myron Eriacho, Tom Lewis, Eddy Harker, Ray Smith, Austin Roanhorse, Tristan Roanhorse and Miles Roanhorse.
A reception will take place at the Houck Chapter House following services.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Francis W. Draper Sr.
CHINLE – Funeral services for Francis W. Draper Sr., 97, of Del Muerto, Arizona, will be held Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m., at the Potter’s House in Chinle, with Artie Aragon officiating. Burial will follow at the Draper’s Ranch in Del Muerto.
Francis was born Feb. 7, 1929, in Del Muerto, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii/Naakai dine’é (Water Flow Together/Mexican Clan). He passed away July 12, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Francis was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 40 years and at Chinle Chapter House for 15 years. He enjoyed rodeos, planting, basketball, ranching, sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Francis is survived by his wife, Ella Draper; sons, Bryan Draper, Francis Draper Jr. and Donovan Draper; daughters, Jeannette Bia, Michelle Draper and Lynette Clah; brother, Richard Draper; sister, Helen Gorman; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Francis is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Garnet Draper; and Bill Draper, Tommy Draper, Wallace Halwood Sr., Alice Tah, Louise Hubbard, Evelyn Draper and Elizabeth Damon.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
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