Obituaries for June 13, 2019

Dericon Steel

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — A memorial service for Dericon Steel (aka Derek Donovan Stevens), 49, of Denver, will be held Saturday, June 15, at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Blaine Grein officiating. Lunch will be provided after service.

Dericon was born into the Dibélzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). Honágháahnii (One-who-walks-around) are paternal chei clanship and Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House) are paternal nali clanship. He passed away May 25, 2019, in Denver.

Dericon graduated from Holbrook High School and earned an associate degree from the Denver Institute of Arts. He lived 30 years in Denver, working with various companies and organizations.

Dericon was a dedicated Steelers fan, a people lover, enjoyed the challenges of playing pool and adored his network of family, friends and extended relatives.

The fond memories are truly a blessing and Dericon will be missed.

Pre-decedents include his father, Lyn Alvin Stevens, Richard/Mary Hubbell, Richard Hubbell Jr., Fred/Bertha Stevens, Fred Stevens III, Rex Stevens, Joshua Fatty and other relatives.

Fannie Yazzie

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Fannie Yazzie, 69, of Fort Defiance, will be held today, June 13, at 11 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance, with James Benette Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot.

Fannie was born July 4, 1949, in Fort Defiance, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away June 7, 2019.

Fannie completed high school and attended school in Burbank, California, receiving a secretary certificate. She was a collector and enjoyed walking, visiting family and having animals.

Fannie is survived by her common-law husband, Alan Thomas; son, Kurt Billie; daughters, Victoria Tilden and Denise Yazzie; mother, Juanita Billie; brothers, Edison Billie, Albert Billie and Sammie Billie; sisters, Sarah Cecil, Mae Billie and Alice Neswood; grandparent, Bah Yazzie; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Fannie is preceded in death by her sister, Teresa Tilden; Peterson Billie, John T. Yazzie and Frances Billie.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Tilden, Trenton Tsosie, Donald Tsosie Jr., Edison Billie, Sammie Billie, Glordano Cecil and Kimuel Cecil.

Honorary pallbearers will be Glordano Cecil, Victor Wauneka and Trenton Tsosie.

A reception will take place at Sarah Cecil’s family home (four miles northwest of Blue Canyon Road), following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Phillip J. Chischilly

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Phillip J. Chischilly, 73, of Sawmill, Arizona, were held June 8 at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance, with Father Jose officiating. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

Phillip was born July 5, 1945, in Fort Defiance, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He passed away May 29, 2019, in Sawmill.

Phillip retired as a sawyer with Navajo Forest Products Industries in Navajo, New Mexico. He was an active member in his community and enjoyed watching boxing, wrestling and football on TV.

Phillip is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Y. Begay; and father, Charley Chischilly.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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