Obituaries for June 17, 2021

Stella Mae Freeland

GALLUP — Funeral services for Stella Mae Freeland, 88, of Crownpoint, will be held Friday, June 18, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Pastor Aaron Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at the Crownpoint community cemetery.

Stella was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Mexican Springs, New Mexico, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tl’ógí (Weaver-Zia Clan). She passed away June 12, 2021, in Gallup.

Stella attended Sherman Institute in Riverside, California, and worked as a dorm aide at Crownpoint Boarding School and manager at the Crownpoint Senior Citizen Center. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, ceramics, and gardening.

Stella is survived by her son, Darryll Freeland; daughters, Mildred Ross and Alberta Freeland; sisters, Wanita Skeet and Bessie Dawes; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Stella is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert V. Freeland Sr.; daughter, Roberta Freeland; son, Herbert V. Freeland Jr.; parents, Elsie and Tom Jim; sisters, Katherine Malone, Gladys Tony and Evelyn Upshaw; and brother, Teddy Jim.

Pallbearers will be Houston Ross, Kendrick Freeland, James Yazzie, Uriah Yazzie, Jaydon Yazzie, and Alphozo Mann.

Honorary pallbearers will be Darryll Freeland, Lee Skeet, Roland Skeet, Kenneth Jones, Tom Jones, Dr. Franklin Freeland, Errol Blackwater, and Rydell Curley.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Herbert Hoover Tsosie Sr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Herbert Hoover Tsosie Sr., 92, of Fort Defiance, were held June 15 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Roscoe D. Smith officiating. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.

Herbert was born March 4, 1929, in Fort Defiance, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan). He passed away June 5, 2021, in Fort Defiance.

Herbert attended Fort Defiance Indian School and Chilocco Indian School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1949, serving in World War II.

As a youth, Herbert worked at an ice plant in Kansas City. He also worked for NFPI, NHDE, and the Navajo Nation, retiring as manager of Red Lake Chapter House.

Herbert enjoyed watching western/war movies and game shows, traveling, and telling jokes in Navajo. He loved sports and was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.

Herbert is survived by his wife, Aurelia J. Tsosie; sons, Vernon H. Tsosie, Emerson D. Tsosie, Herbert H. Tsosie III, and O. Eric Tsosie; daughter, Doris M. Tsosie; brothers, Calvin H. Tsosie and Douglas Tsosie; sisters, Betty T. Hubbard and Gloria Gorman; and 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Katherine and Wallace Tsosie; brother, Freddie Tsosie; sisters, Angela Billie and Elizabeth J. Tsosie; and sons, Marvin H. Tsosie and Herbert H. Tsosie.

Pallbearers were Emerson D. Tsosie, Pierre R. Tsosie, Pierson B. Tsosie, Valentino R. Aubrey, and Kyle Gantar.

Honorary pallbearers were Herbert H. Tsosie III and O. Eric Tsosie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Garrick Clauschee Benallie

CHINLE — Graveside service for Garrick Clauschee Benallie was held June 7 at the Chinle cemetery with Pastor Walt Jones officiating.

Garrick was born Feb. 5, 1979, in Albuquerque, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). His maternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) and his paternal grandfather is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People). He passed away May 23, 2021, in Phoenix.

Garrick received his high school diploma from Many Farms High School and attended Fort Lewis College, receiving a construction certificate from Navajo Technical University. He was a skilled carpenter and operated his own business doing home renovations and construction.

Garrick loved cooking for the family and was an expert cook at various restaurants in Chinle and Winslow, Arizona. He was multi-talented and enjoyed listening to music. His favorite teams were the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.

Garrick volunteered to help his relatives and made monetary donations to strangers. He loved his children, family and welcomed visitors to his home offering them refreshments or cooking for them.

Garrick will be dearly missed by his wife, children, siblings, and family. We will miss his friendly greetings and his personality of a happy-go-lucky person.

Garrick is survived by his wife, Santanna R. Benallie; daughter, Brooklyn Benallie; sons, Dakotah A. Benallie and Jerrick Benallie of Tsaile, Arizona; stepsons, Mason Wilson and Arron Jones of Winslow; stepdaughters, Autumn Wilson and Enphany Begay; father, Andrew Benallie Sr. of Chinle; sisters, Mryna Benallie of Chinle, Audrey Benallie of Albuquerque, and Andritta Nez of Scottsdale, Arizona; and brothers, Dwayn Benallie of Albuquerque, Steven Benallie of Chinle, Anthony (Tony) Benallie of Kirtland, New Mexico, Benjamin Benallie of Chinle, Andrew Benallie Jr. of Window Rock, Christopher Benallie Sr. of Santa Fe, and Ronald Benallie of Phoenix.

Garrick is preceded in death by his mother, Helena Clauschee Benallie; sister, Andrea Benallie; brothers, Darly Benallie and Mathew Benallie; and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Pallbearers were Dwayn Benallie, Steven Benallie, Anthony Benallie, Benjamin Benallie, Ronald Benallie, and Arron Francis.

Chad E. Tsosie

STAR POND, N.M. — Funeral services for Chad E. Tsosie, 24, of Crownpoint, were held June 12 at the Word of God Church in Star Pond, New Mexico, with Carlos Baki officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Star Pond.

Chad was born June 13, 1996, in Crownpoint, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away June 7, 2021, in Albuquerque.

Chad is survived by his parents, April Barbone and Everrick Tsosie; and sisters, Robyn Yazzie, Allysia Tsosie, Rhiannon Tsosie, and Kiersten Tsosie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Jerry Elwood Sr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jerry Elwood Sr., 88, will be held Monday, June 21, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.

Jerry was born May 19, 1933, in Shiprock, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). His maternal grandparents are Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) and paternal grandparents are Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). He passed away June 13, 2021.

Jerry was a Korean War veteran and served proudly as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has lived in and raised his family in Standing Rock, New Mexico, since 1975.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marjorie Elwood; and children, Jerome Elwood, Jerry Elwood Jr., Justin Elwood, Julius Elwood, and Miranda Elwood.

Pallbearers will be Ohmry Secatero, Wade Elwood, Ethan Elwood, Melvin Jim, Daniel Boyd, and Emery Willie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Elwood, Jerry Elwood Jr., Justin Elwood, Jerome Elwood, and Julius Elwood.

To-go food will be served at the Gallup Community Service Center (across from the Food Pantry) in Gallup, following services.

Drive-up donations will be accepted today, June 17, at Navajo Nation Route 9, mile marker 25, and Standing Rock Chapter turnoff from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Donations are also welcome via Zelle to Miranda Elwood at 970-234-4619.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Thomas

SHIPROCK — Lillie Thomas, 76, of Shiprock, passed from this life June 8, 2021, in Hobbs, New Mexico. She was born May 17, 1945, in Chilchinbeto, Arizona.

Lillie is in the care of Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock.

Paul Milford

RED LAKE, Ariz. — Graveside service for Paul Milford, 89, of Red Lake, Arizona, will be held today, June 17, at 10 a.m., in Red Lake, with Rev. Blane Grein officiating.

Paul was born Jan. 23, 1932, in Red Lake, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away June 7, 2021, in Fort Defiance.

Paul attended McKinley High School in Berkeley, California, Sherman Institute in Riverside, California, St. Michaels Indian School in St. Michaels, Arizona, and Crystal Boarding School in Crystal, New Mexico.

As a Korean War veteran, Paul served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954. He worked for the Window Rock Unified School District, chapter official for Red Lake No. 18 Chapter, General Dynamics, and General Electric.

Paul enjoyed ranching, farming, sports, and outdoor activities.

Paul is survived by his son, Tim Milford; daughters, Janice Deal, Amanda Milford-Joe, Lisa G. Milford, and Alisia J. Milford; sisters, Helena M. Tsabetsaye and Mary A. Benally; and 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Paul is preceded in death by Julia R. Milford and Nathan R. Deal.

Pallbearers will be Basilio Tsabetsaye, Johnny Tsabetsaye, Ortega Wauneka, Austin Wauneka, Edward Silversmith Jr., and Akando E. Wauneka.

Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher P. Davis, Dwayne R. Pacheco, Brendan S. Tsosie, Anthony P. Milford, and Daniel P. Milford.

A reception will take place at the St. Berard Catholic Parish Hall (101 Cedar Ave.) in Navajo, New Mexico, following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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