Obituaries for June 6, 2024

Marie C. Etsitty

PINON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Marie C. Etsitty, 91, of Upper Burnt Corn Valley, Arizona, were held June 4 at the Piñon Full Gospel Church in Piñon, Arizona, with Jackson Williams officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Upper Burnt Corn Valley.

Marie was born Oct. 30, 1932, in Burnt Corn, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). She passed away May 28, 2024.

Marie was a homemaker, farmer, rancher, and weaver.

Marie is survived by her sons, Ike Etsitty, Kirk Etsitty, Keams Etsitty, Richard Etsitty Jr., Lindberght Etsitty, Augustine Etsitty, and Jason Etsitty; daughters, Anita Draper and

Mae Upshaw; and 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Etsitty Sr.; son, Cecil Etsitty; parents, Chischilly Yazzie and Mary Kezbah Chischilly; brothers, Bahe Chischilly and Sammy Chischilly; and paternal granddaughter, Raelene Etsitty.

Pallbearers were Lindberght Etsitty, Reginald Etsitty, Mark Etsitty, Reynold Draper, Kevin Etsitty, and Raiden Etsitty.

Honorary pallbearers were Ike Etsitty, Kirk Etsitty, Keams Etsitty, Richard Etsitty Jr., Augustine Etsitty, Jason Etsitty, Justin Chischillie, Julian Chischillie, Virgil Chischillie, and Leon Chischillie.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Luther D. Scott

CHINLE — Funeral services for Luther D. Scott, 86, of Chinle, were held May 31 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Chinle, with Deacon Daniel Martin officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.

Luther was born May 2, 1938, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away May 27, 2024, in Farmington.

Luther attended Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California, and worked for Flagstaff Roofing Company and Chinle Public School. He enjoyed fishing, baseball games, basketball, bull riding, and country-western dancing.

Luther is survived by his wife, Donna M. Scott; daughter, Jeanette Scott; brothers, Ted Scott and Ralph Scott; and one grandchild and three great-grandchildren.

Luther is preceded in death by Maria Scott Barker.

Pallbearers were Garett Tsosie, Christopher Spencer, Jakoby Spencer, Eugene Begay, Ryan Claw, and Mickey Mahone.

Honorary pallbearers were Eugene Spencer, Aaron Barker, Marland Billie, Ted Scott, Darryl Mitchell, and the Native Rodeo Historical Society.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Leta S. James

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Leta Sharon James, 83, of Ganado, Arizona, will be held Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m., at Glory Temple Ministries in Ganado. Burial will follow at the Ganado community cemetery.

Leta was born June 15, 1940, in Ganado, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away June 2, 2024, in Ganado.

Leta graduated from high school and worked as a teacher’s aide, as a housekeeper at El Rancho Hotel, and at the Ganado Chapter House. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, decorating, listening to music, and watching movies.

Leta is survived by her sons, Roy Lester Jr. and Randolph James; daughters, Tonita James and Crystal Lester; parents, Lena Clotsoi Begay and Clarence Bahe Woodty; sister, Lena Kee; and 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Leta is preceded in death by her son, Amador James Sr.; daughter, Karen Yazzie; and brothers, Danny Begay and Thomas Begay.

Pallbearers will be Ian Begay, Kobin Lester and Ladainian Slivers.

Honorary pallbearer will be Roy Lester Jr.

Marlene M. Shondee

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Marlene M. Shondee, 79, of Kinlichee, Arizona, will be held Saturday, June 8, at 10 a.m., at the Mary, Mother of Mankind Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Father Peter Short officiating. Burial will follow in Kinlichee.

Marlene was born into the Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She passed away June 2, 2024.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Hernel Shondee; son, Lee Michael Shondee; daughters, Myrene Shondee, Shirlene Shondee-Roan and Marlena Shondee; brother, Charlie James; and sister, Marie Raymond.

Marlene is preceded in death by her grandson, Lyle Williams.

Pallbearers will be Lynol Williams, Vernon Roan, Shane Yazzie, Hernandez Miguel, Jerald Chicag, and Bradley Owens.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hernel Shondee, Houston Shondee Jr., Roger Wallace, Joseph Miles, and Lee Michael Shondee.

A reception will take place at the Shondee residence in Burnside, Arizona, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Harrison Shurley

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Harrison Shurley, 86, of Red Lake, Arizona, will be held today, June 6, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, with Father Blane Grein officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Red Lake.

Harrison was born July 23, 1937, in Red Lake, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). He passed away May 31, 2024, in Fort Defiance.

Harrison attended 8th grade at the BIA Boarding School in Fort Defiance and worked at the old Fort Defiance Hospital for 46 years.

Harrison enjoyed planting and irrigation, working on vehicles and driving his tractor around. He loved his family and his dogs, especially his beagles.

Harrison is survived by his son, Melvin Shurley; daughters, Elvina Shurley and Elvira Shurley; and four grandchildren.

Harrison is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Shurley; parents, Lynn and Maggie Shurley; daughter, Yvonne Shurley; son, Brian Shurley; brothers, Leonard Shurley, Marvin Shurley and Alfred Shurley; and sisters, Louise Walters, Fannie Waseta and Ruby Roanhorse.

Pallbearers will be Melvin Shurley, Tyler Shurley, Nathaniel Shurley, Kenneth Shurley, Rachel Shurley, and Patrick Shurley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Shurley, Maynard Shurley, Lewis Shirley, Delbert Shurley, Delwin Shurley, Randon Holmes, Ryan Betsoi, Delfred Wallace, Mauricio Curley, and Dewayne Waseta.

A reception will take place at the Red Lake Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Brandon J. Nez

GALLUP — Graveside service for Brandon Jed Nez, 35, of Buffalo Springs, New Mexico, will be held Monday, June 10, at 10 a.m., at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Brandon was born Aug. 17, 1988, in Gallup, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away May 29, 2024, in Tohatchi, New Mexico.

Brandon graduated from Tohatchi High School in 2006 and enjoyed fishing, camping, and reading.

Brandon is survived by his sisters, Marquita Nez and Nicolette Nez.

Brandon is preceded in death by his mother, Marlene Nez; father, Melvin Nez; brother, Donavin Nez; maternal grandmother, Lucielle Begay; and paternal grandparents, Morgan and Martha Nez.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

---