Obituaries for July 23, 2015

Joe Francisco

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Funeral Services for Joe Francisco of Rock Springs, N.M. will be held Monday, July 27, at 10 a.m. at La Paz-Grahams Funeral Home (555 West Amador) in Las Cruces, N.M. Burial will follow Tuesday, July 28, at 11:15 a.m. at the Sante Fe National Cemetery (501 North Guadalupe Street) with military honors.

Joe was born July 12, 1931, in Rock Springs, into the Haltsooi (Meadow People Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He died at home surrounded by family in the early morning hours of July 17, 2015, five days after his 84th birthday.

Joe was a highly decorated Korean War combat veteran. He lobbied and wrote legislative proposals that obtained financial resources for economic development for communities located throughout the Navajo Nation, and he was co-founder of the All-Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association with the late Dr. Wilson Francisco.

Joe is survived by his wife, Ethel Francisco; daughter, Barberita Murphy; sons, Arvid, Casey, Duane, and Fitzjose Francisco; sisters, Sarah A. Yazzie, Rose Mark and Lenora Boyd; and 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Francisco; sister, Nellie Tso; brothers, Kenneth and Dr. Wilson Francisco; sons, Gustavous and Hewitt Francisco; and grandsons, Myles B. Murphy and Wade Francisco.

La Paz-Grahams Funeral Home of Las Cruces, N.M., is in charge of arrangements.

For online condolences, visit www.lapaz-grahams.com.

Arlan Michael Hickson

DEER SPRINGS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Arlan Michael Hickson, 41, will be held today, July 23, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at the family plot in Deer Springs, Ariz.

Arlan was born Oct. 30, 1973, in Fort Defiance, into the T—dich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for T—’aheedliinii (Water Flow Together Clan). He died July 16, 2015, in Peoria, Ariz.

Arlan attended Window Rock High School and was a seasonal firefighter for Navajo Forestry. He also worked with Palo West Archaeology as a seasonal worker. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.

Arlan is survived by his wife, Nosbah Hickson; father, Lawrence M. Hickson; sisters, Lisa Hickson, Melissa Hickson and Kimberly Gallen; brother, Lawrence M.B. Hickson; and one niece and two nephews.

Arlan is preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Hickson; grandparents, Mary G. Hickson, Albert Hickson Sr., and Benny B. Robbins; brothers, Irving Jones, Merle Jones, Theron Wauneka, Sheldon Hickson, and Gerald Robbins; and sister, Amanda Robbins.

Pallbearers will be Lawrence M.B. Hickson, Mike Blackman, Rodney Birch, Wendell Birch, Brandon Jones, Patrick Jones, Leonard Wauneka, and Joel Smith.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Eddie Ray Morgan

(Oct. 20, 1966 — March 31, 2015)

We, the family of Eddie Ray Morgan, wish to express our sincere gratitude to all our relatives and friends who were so kind and supportive during the loss of our son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. Your kindness, prayers, emails, phone calls, words of comfort, presence (some traveled far) and generous donations of food and money were greatly appreciated.

Eddie passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of March 31, 2015, in Albuquerque. He was laid to rest April 4, 2015, at the Shiprock community cemetery.

We will miss him deeply for his hugs, great smile, laugh and sense of humor. He was a kind-hearted person and was the greatest sports fan anyone could know.

We have endured unbearable grief and sadness that we are trying to understand. Eddie has passed from our family. We loved him dearly and precious memories of his life will never leave our hearts. He is now at peace with the Lord and reunited with his brother Timothy.

Patricio Sanchez

GALLUP — Memorial services for Patricio (Pat) Sanchez, 80, will be held Saturday, July 25, at the Gallup Lion’s Club Hall. A rosary will take place Friday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Church in Gallup.

Patricio was born Jan. 13, 1935, in Grants, N.M. He died July 17, 2015, in Gallup.

Patricio worked in construction on the Navajo Reservation and retired from SunWest Bank as a maintenance supervisor. He was a rodeo coach for Navajo Community College and was a calf and team roper as horses were his passion.

Patricio is survived by his wife, Lois Parker Sanchez; son, John P. Sanchez of Phoenix; daughters, Troy Sarricino of Grants, and Patricia Romansky of Denver; and sisters, Gloria Weddle and June Blea of Grants.

Patricio is preceded in death by his father, Gaudalupe Sanchez; mother, Dorrie Sanchez; and brothers, Robert Sanchez and William Sanchez of Grants.

Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters, Stevy Elkins, Sammy Sarricino, Nikki Sarricino, Danni Sarricino, Tessia Romansky, and Rachel Romansky.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Peter Tullie

CHINLE — Funeral services for Peter Tullie, 75, of Tselani/Cottonwood, Ariz., will be held today, July 23, at 10 a.m. at the Chinle Catholic Church with Father Jose officiating. Burial will follow at the Black Mountain community cemetery in Black Mountain, Ariz.

Peter was born Jan. 21, 1940, in Black Mountain, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for T—’aheedliinii (Water Flow Together) Clan. He died July 18, 2015, in Phoenix.

Peter attended Haskell Indian School and worked on the railroad and 40 years with BIA in Chinle. He enjoyed working and attending song and dances.

Peter is survived by his sons, Peterson Tullie of Fish Point, Ariz.; daughter, Esther Tullie of Fish Point; brothers, Anderson Tullie, Bobby Tullie, Tracey Tullie, Franklin Tullie, and Louis Tullie; sisters, Elouise Benally, Maryln and Ellen Cooley; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Peter is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Helen Tullie; sister, Loretta Tullie; son, Theodore Tullie; daughter, Edith Tullie; and granddaughter, Shephanie.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Naize, Pierson McCray, Peterson Tullie, Alonzo Naize, Johnny Naize, and Tracey Tullie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Anderson Tullie, Bobby Tullie and James Bahe.

A reception will take place at Tselani/Cottonwood Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Marguerita “Widder” Hawthorne

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral services for Marguerita “Widder” Hawthorne, 54, of Albuquerque, were held July 22 at the Daniels Family Funeral Chapel in Albuquerque. Interment followed at the San Carlos Cemetery in Albuquerque.

Marguerita was born Feb. 7, 1962, in Shiprock, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). She died July 16, 2015 in Albuquerque.

Marguerita attended grade school in Shiprock, Shiprock High School and Chinle High School. She was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Marguerita is survived by her sons, Erick Ballejos and Ricky Ballejos of Albuquerque; daughters, Marguerita Ballejos, Demetria Ballejos, Marie Ballejos, and Francisca Ballejos of Albuquerque; sisters, Elena Peshlakai of Sawmill, Ariz., Regina Kelewood of Sawmill, Lorraine Buck of Crystal, N.M., Gloria Nez of Shiprock, and Jennifer Hawthorne of Albuquerque; and 10 grandchildren.

Marguerita is preceded in death by her mother, Marie Ann Smith Hawthorne; father, Kirby Hawthorne; brothers, Randall Hawthorne and Douglas Hawthorne; and sister, Linda Mae Davidson.

Pallbearers were Oscar Seldona, Ricky Ballejos, Joseph Velarde, Ramsey M. Davidson Jr., Vincent Candelaria and Luis Garcia.

Honorary pallbearers were Erik Begay, Daniel Little, Donavan Little and Edward Smith.

Anita S. Montoya

TORREON, N.M. — Funeral services for Anita S. Montoya, 69, of Torreon, N.M., were held July 18 at Torreon Navajo Mission Church with Jason Carpenter officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Torreon.

Anita was born into the çshiih’ (Salt People Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). Her n‡l’ is T—dich’ii’nii (Bitter Water); chei is T‡baah‡ (Water’s Edge). She died July 11, 2015 in Torreon.

Anita attended Torreon Day School, Crownpoint School, Santa Fe Indian School, and graduated from Albuquerque Indian School. She studied culinary arts at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., and worked as a housekeeper on occasion in Cuba, N.M., but was a homemaker all her life.

Anita enjoyed sewing, baking, collecting trinkets and family photos, watching wrestling and western movies, listening to classic country music and playing slots at the casinos.

Anita is survived by her husband, Phillip S. Montoya; son, Niyah Montoya; daughters, Vivian Montoya and Valerie A. Montoya; aunt, Elsie Lazero of Mesita, N.M.; brothers, Raymond Jack, Andy Sandoval, Ronald Sandoval, Floyd Showalter, and Lloyd Showalter; sisters, Rita Antonio, Marion Herrera, Caroline Yazzie, and Eva Sandoval; grandparents, Evelyn Negale and Julio Juan; and seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents, Kee and Susie J. Sandoval; daughter, Baby Girl Montoya; brothers, Keith, Kenneth, Roger, Jasper, and Gene Arthur Sandoval, and Ervin Showalter; and grandparents, Felipe and Mary Sandoval.

Pallbearers were Ronald Sandoval, Delfano Sandoval, Hilando Lorado, Lynn Sandoval, Randolph Rafael, Alfonso Ramirez, and Edward Gutierrez.

Honorary pallbearers were Phillip S. Montoya, Niyah Montoya, Raymond Jack, Andy Sandoval, Floyd Showalter, and Lloyd Showalter.

Daniels Family Funeral Services — Alameda Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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