Obituaries for July 26, 2016

Keith Bernard Sallis

MAYWOOD, Ill. — Funeral services for Keith Bernard Sallis, 48, of Chicago, will be held Saturday, July 28, at 9 a.m. at the St. Eulalia Catholic Church (1845 South 9th Avenue) in Maywood, Illinois, with Father Christian officiating. A reception will follow at the St. Eulalia Catholic Church following services.

Keith was born Oct. 30, 1969, in Shaw, Mississippi, to the union of George W. and Martha A. Sallis. He departed his earthly life on July 19, 2018, surrounded by family and friends.

Keith graduated with honors in May 1987 from Providence St. Mel High School in Chicago. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design in May 1991.

During his career, Keith was a juvenile probation officer for Kane County, Illinois. He then went on to become a professionally licensed locomotive engineer for Union Pacific Railroad in Chicago.

During his railroad career, Keith fell in love with fitness and decided to pursue it full time. He left Union Pacific, moved to Arizona, and obtained professional personal training certification and started work with the Indian Health Service Unit in Fort Defiance, on the Navajo Reservation. On the Navajo Reservation, Keith helped to develop a nutrition program that was designed for the Navajo diabetic population, physical rehabilitation clients, the elderly population, Navajoland Wildfire firefighters, and the Navajo Police Department. While living on the Navajo Reservation, in 2006 he was baptized and gave his life to the Lord at Lighthouse Pentecostal Church by Brother Melvin Yazzie.

During his fitness training his fitness-ith was a competitive body builder and became well known in the Southwest bodybuilding circuit. His competitions took him to New Mexico, Arizona, and Las Vegas, where he placed in several bodybuilding categories. He also took a men’s overall competition prize while pursuing his goal of professional bodybuilding.

To pursue his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder, he relocated with his wife, Valentina, to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Keith was cherished by so many and he leaves his most cherished memories with those of the Fort Defiance/Window Rock community. Keith’s work on earth was done, so God sent His angels to bring him Home.

Keith leaves to cherish his memory and legacy to a beautiful wife of 21 years, Valentina Sallis; children, Brittney and Keith Jr.; brothers, Marvin Sallis and Kendrick (and Nina) Sallis; an extended family of brothers, Gerald and Jerome Sallis; sister, Voncia Sallis; and aunts, Ernestine Young, Ethel Weekly-Avant (Rodney), Annette Sallis (Benjamin), Fannie Harris, and Stella Sallis-Wilder (Freddie). Keith also leaves behind his mother, Martha A. Sallis; father in-law, Harrison Watchman Sr.; mother in-law, Elouise Watchman; sister in-law, Gwen Watchman; brother in-law, Harrison Watchman Jr.; godson, Brayden Watchman; and special friends, Tyjuan Green and Rodney Chavez. Keith is preceded in death by his father, George W. Sallis; stepfather, Theodore Mullins; grandparents, O.T. and Dorothy Staten, and George T. and Rosie Sallis; and five uncles and two aunts.

Keith was an avid dog lover. He leaves behind his pug, Bugzee Seegull Sallis, and is preceded in death by his boxer, Kato Sallis, and his Shepherd/Chow, Sisquo Sallis.

Pallbearers will be Kendrick Sallis, Marvin Sallis, Robert Young, Harrison Watchman Jr., Gerald Sallis, and Jerome Sallis. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyjuan Green, Rodney Chavez, Brayden Watchman, Kevin Steele, Harrison Watchman Sr., Van Watchman Sr., Van Orr, Larry Sallis, and George Bloomingbird.

A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Fort Defiance Potters House Church at 8:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the Fort Defiance Chapter House.

Cannon Funeral Home Services is in charge of arrangements.

Donna Boone Brown

WEST JORDAN, Utah — Funeral services for Donna Boone Brown, 52, were held July 14 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Jordan, Utah. Interment followed at the Taylorsville City Cemetery, Utah. D

onna was born Jan. 20, 1966, in Salt Lake City. She passed away July 4, 2018, in Salt Lake City. Donna was the fifth child of six children from Arkie Leonard and Charlotte (Martinez) Boone of Tuba City. Two brothers and two sisters were added when her parents divorced and each later re-married. After Donna’s parents divorced, her dad Arkie married Marylou Smith of Upper Fruitland, New Mexico. Marylou lives in Salt Lake City and had a special relationship with Donna. Donna worked in several industries, including construction, food services, and housekeeping.

She attended Job Corps in Ogden, Utah, where she acquired her construction skills. Later, she completed her high school diploma from Wasatch County School District. Donna made many friends in the Utah area, but also spent time outside of Utah. Many know her to be of a loving and friendly spirit. She was very accepting of people.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Laurissa Dawn (Atene) Bowsley; siblings, Patrick Boone, Ronald Boone, Audrey Boone, Christine Boone, Mesha Melissa Boone, and Braxton Boone, all of Salt Lake City, and DuWaine Boone of Yah-Ta-Hey, New Mexico, and Gina Marie (Martinez) Pino of Pima, Arizona; grandson, Makailor Skoit Bowsley of Maricopa, Arizona; and her Chichuahua, Max.

Donna is preceded in death by her Retriever/Pyrenees/Shepherd dog, Gunner Boy Boone; brother, David Behrendt; and parents, Charlotte Behrendt and Arkie L. Boone.

Bruce Black

DENNEHOTSO, Ariz. — Graveside service for Bruce Black, 72, will be held Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at the family plot in Dennehotso, Arizona.

Bruce was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was born Oct. 22, 1945, into the Kinlichíi’nii (Red House People Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Folding Arms Clan). His chei is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House); nali is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). He passed away July 24, 2018, in Flagstaff.

Bruce was the eldest child, out of nine, born to the late Tulley and Eunice Black. He was married to Lecretia Black and together they had one child, his only son, Virgil Black (wife Helena and his children).

Bruce is survived by his sisters, Lucy Black-Brady of Dennehotso, LaVonne Tuni of Dennehotso, Majorie Charley of Birdsprings, Arizona, and Lillie Linville of Kayenta. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Tulley and Eunice; brothers, Abraham, Benji and Ernest Black; and sister, Rose Lee.

Tom N. Claw Jr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Tom N. Claw Jr., 57, of Chinle, will be held Friday, July 27, at 10 a.m. at the Chinle Potter’s House with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Chinle.

Tom was born April 12, 1961, at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). His chei is Tótsohnii (Big Water); nali is Tl’ááshchí’í (The Red Bottom People).

He died July 23, 2018, in Chinle.

Tom graduated from Chinle High School and was employed with Chinle Unified School District.

Tom is survived by his parents, Pat Joe Ashley Sr. and Lillian Ashley; brothers, David Claw Sr. and Juan Claw; and sister, Rachel Claw. Tom is preceded in death by Francis and Tom N. Claw Sr.; and brothers, Albert Claw and Rudy Claw. Pallbearers will be Stanford Watson, Natay Claw, Terrence Spencer, Daniel Yazzie, and Patrick Ashley III.

Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Ashley Sr., Patrick Ashley Jr., Patton Ashley, David Claw Sr., and Juan Claw.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marianna Shipley

GALLUP — Funeral services for Marianna Shipley, 40, will be held Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m. at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico.

Marianna was born Aug. 24, 1977, in Gallup, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). Her nali is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water); chei is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). She died July 24, 2018, in Gallup. Marianna attended Gallup High School and was a homemaker.

She enjoyed spending time with her children and family, loved to make people laugh, and joke around with friends and family. Marianna is survived by her daughters, Shaunté Armstrong, Tehnaya Armstrong, Bria Armstrong, and Candra Armstrong; son, Brenon Armstrong; and brothers, Danny Shipley Sr., Gary Willie, and David Willie. Marianna is preceded in death by her husband, Mark Armstrong; parents, Mary S. Willie and Charlie D. Joe; and brothers, Larry Willie and Davis Willie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mary B. Mexicano

TUBA CITY — Graveside service for Mary B. Mexicano, 76, of Flagstaff, were held July 17 at the Tuba City community cemetery. A reception followed at the Tuba City First Baptist Church.

Mary was born Sept. 4, 1941, in Kaibeto, Arizona, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for T’l’ízílání (Many Goats Clan). Her chei is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People); nali is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water).

She passed away July 11, 2018, at her home in Tuba City. Mary had resided in Tuba City and Flagstaff. She attended Salt Lake City High School, Intermountain School, Mesa Community College, and Crownpoint Institute of Technology. Mary accepted the Lord as her personal savior at an early age and remained committed to the ministry.

She faithfully attended and served at Flagstaff Indian Bible Church and Tuba City First Baptist Church. Mary had worked as a pastor’s wife, missionary, at Tuba City Public Schools, as a sales clerk, and in culinary services. She also enjoyed working at the church, spending time with her grandchildren, visiting the elderly, and walking for exercise.

Mary was a dedicated wife to her late husband, Rev. John M. Mexicano; loving mother to Ina and husband Richard Beam of El Campo, Texas, the late Ira Mexicano, and Cornelia and her husband Richard K. Tsinnie III of Flagstaff; caring grandmother to eight grandchildren and proud great-grandmother to one great-grandchild.

Mary shares a sister and many half siblings by parents, Nellie Johnson and Sam B. Boone, as well as extended family in Christ.

Valley Ridge Mortuary of Tuba City handled arrangements.

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