Obituaries for July 2, 2015

Mary Alice Manuelito

The family of the late Mary Alice Manuelito would like to thank all our relatives, immediate and extended, as well as community members for donations, financial and otherwise that were used toward the funeral expenses and reception held June 1, 2015. We are truly blessed by your support and the outpour of sympathy regarding our beloved mother’s passing. Aside from our desire to acknowledge all the help provided us, as our mother would have wanted, we want to ensure everyone was thanked for their part in assisting with the endeavors for this solemn occasion.

We especially express our deepest sincerity as “thank you” does not seem enough in expression, to our aunt Elvina Hale, aunt Vida Kenny and her husband Roger, uncle Thomas Billiman and his wife Sally, along with their families, as well as to the family members of our late uncle Howard Billiman and Samuel Billiman. We are very grateful for our uncle Leroy Billiman for his leadership to ensure everything from the Billiman family was covered. Together with his wife Laurie and her family from LeChee, including her mother Pearl Begay, her brother and sister-in-law Bobby and Mary Begay, her sister Carol Bigthumb and her husband Thomas, her sister Daisy Etsitty and her husband James, and her sister Judy Etsitty and her husband Dalvin.

Our sincere thank you to our cousin sister, Lorencita Billiman, sous chef, who supervised all our relatives to help ensure everyone at the reception was fed. To the Begay family of Fluted Rock, Laughing family from Red Lake, and the Griswold family of Tse Bonito for their donations.

We also wish to thank our relatives from Klagetoh, Kinlichee, Nazlini, Fluted Rock, Sawmill, Whiteclay, Window Rock, Fort Defiance, St. Michaels, Red Lake, Navajo, Crystal, and Newcomb, as they continue to reaffirm their relationship to our family. Through your combined efforts, you were instrumental by going above and beyond the call of duty, a sure practice in humility and love. A’heehe’nihi’ Ke’.

From Velma Yazzie, Linda Kenny, Phillip Billiman, Anthony Manuelito, Antoinette Short, Dennis Manuelito Jr., Orlando Manuelito, Cornelius Manuelito, along with the spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and our mother’s adopted daughters, Robin Powers and Charlene Worley.

Sandy Marina Chavez

CANONCITO, N.M. — Funeral services for Sandy Marina Chavez, 25, of Canoncito, N.M., will be held Friday, July 3, at 10 a.m. at the Word of God Church in Canoncito, N.M., with Pastor Arlis Secody officiating. Burial will follow in Canoncito.

Sandy was born into the Water Clan, born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). She died June 26, 2015, in Milan, N.M.

Sandy graduated from To’hajiilee High School and continued her college education to become a journeyman electrician at Central New Mexico. She was a full-time student who enjoyed playing basketball.

Sandy is survived by her parents, Sammy Smith and Sylvana Apache; brothers, Colten Apache, Sam Smith and Lane Smith; sisters, Sasha Chavez, Chelsea Apache, Heather Smith, and Cassandra Ann Smith; and grandmothers, Rena Scott, Rita Apachito and Lena Smith.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Smith, Randy Secatero, Richard Smith, Jesse Platero, Sam Smith, Colten Apache, Nathan Smith, and Cephas Apachito.

A reception will take place at Rita Apachito’s residence following services.

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

Marvin Begay

CHINLE — Funeral services for Marvin Begay, 47, of Chinle, were held July 1. A reception followed at the Chinle LDS Church.

Marvin was born Oct. 1, 1967, in Ganado, Ariz. He died June 26, 2015, in Chinle.

Marvin attended Chinle Unified School District and was employed as a rancher. He was a member of the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association and Central Navajo Rodeo Association as a steer wrestler from 1988 to 2000. His favorite sports were basketball, football and rodeo as a steer wrestler champion. He enjoyed expressing and sharing his talent of rodeo and playing with his nephews, niece and grandchildren of siblings.

Marvin is survived by his brother, Willis Begay Jr.; and sisters, Rosita Clark, Genevieve Begay, Rose M. Begay, Clarena Begay, and Barbara Begay-Lee.

Marvin is preceded in death by his brother, Michael W. Begay; father, Willis A. Begay Sr.; mother, Annie M. Begay; and nephews, Joel R. Lee and Terrance B. Jones.

Pallbearers were Willis Begay Jr., Willis Begay III, Fernando Begay, Myron Lee, Vernall Begay, and Adrian Begay.

Honorary pallbearers were Talon Begay, Uland Jones, Manuel Lee, Torres Jones, Kirby Begay, and Andre Begay.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Milfred Jim

GREASEWOOD, Ariz. — Funeral services for Milfred Jim, 73, of Toyei, Ariz., were held July 1 at the Mennonite Mission Church in Greasewood, Ariz., with Daniel Koehn officiating. Interment followed in Toyei.

Milfred was born May 12, 1942, in Toyei, into the Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He died June 26, 2015, in Chandler, Ariz.

Milfred graduated from Intermountain High School and worked for Union Pacific Railroad. He had 31 years of sobriety and enjoyed spending time with his children.

Milfred is survived by his wife, Nora Jim; sons, Brandon Jim and Chadwick Jim; daughter, Rowena A. Lane; brothers, David Jim and Jerry Jim; sisters, Rena Jim Begody, Helen Jim Begay and Nellie Rose Begay; and five grandchildren.

Milfred is preceded in death by his parents, Lane and Mary Begay; and brothers, Lester Jim, Larry Jim and Francis Begay.

Pallbearers were Jackson Begay, Floyd Larsen, Chadwick Jim, Harry Jim Begay, Arthur Hardy Jr., and Sampson Larsen.

Honorary pallbearers were Donovan Lane, Brandon Jim, David Jim, and Jerry Jim.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Johnny Travis Platero

GALLUP — Funeral services for Johnny Travis Platero, 78, were held July 1 at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Fort Defiance.

Johnny was born July 16, 1936, in To’hajiilee, N.M. He died June 28, 2015, in Gallup.

Johnny is survived by his sons, Robert Platero of Fort Defiance, and Michael Platero of Hopkinsville, Ky.; daughters, Abigail Platero of Tucson, and April Platero of Gallup; brother, Burton Platero of To’hajiilee; and seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Johnny is preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean Platero; parents, Desiderio and Jessie Platero; brothers, Dillion Platero and Jimmy Platero; and sisters, Bessie Arviso, Ann Hemstreet and Minnie Secatero.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Irvin Bitsilly

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Irvin Bitsilly, 76, were held June 30 at the Tohatchi Christian Reform Church. Interment followed at the Tohatchi community cemetery.

Irvin was born Dec. 15, 1937, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born forn Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He died June 25, 2015.

Irvin is survived by his sons, Erwin Bitsilly, Alvin Bitsilly and Johnathan Bitsilly; brothers, Paul Bitsilly and Tsosie Bitsie Sr.; and sister, Marie Plummer.

Irvin is preceded in death by Tommy Bitsilly, Guy Bitsilly Sr., Edison Bitsilly, Nelson Bitsilly, Jane Bitsie, and Delores Etsitty.

Pallbearers were Craig J. Bitsilly, Guy Bitsilly Jr., Ridley Bitsilly, Darryll Bitsilly, Harry Plummer Jr., and Romel Powell Sr.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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