Obituaries for March 26, 2015

Alex Kee Yazzie

FARMINGTON – Funeral services for Alex Kee Yazzie, 42, of Crownpoint, will be held Friday, March 27, at 10 a.m., at the Pinon Hills Community Church (1501 N. Dustin) in Farmington. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens (6917 E. Main) in Farmington.

A public viewing will be held today, March 26, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Desert View Funeral Home Chapel in Shiprock. The casket will not be opened at the funeral service.

A reception will take place at the National Guard Armory in Farmington, following services.

Alex was born Dec. 1, 1972, in Crownpoint. He passed away March 19, 2015, in Red Valley, Ariz.

Alex is survived by his sons, Alexavier Yazzie and Alexio Yazzie; daughters, Alexis Yazzie of Shiprock, and Tariah Yazzie of Crownpoint; brother, Wilfred Yazzie of Wyoming; and sisters, Dorothy Joe of Crownpoint, and Rose Ann Cowboy of Albuquerque.

Alex is preceded in death by his mother, Etta Yazzie; and son, Marcus Yazzie.

The Alex K. Yazzie Memorial Fund has been established with Bank of America. The donation account is No. 439006376215. Any overages, a trust will be established for Alex’s children.

Alex is in the care of Desert View Funeral Home.

Isabel Marie Whitehair

SANTA FE — Graveside service for Isabel Marie Whitehair, 95, of Tohatchi, N.M., will be held Friday, March 27, at 3 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Daniels Family-Alameda Mortuary Chapel.

Isabel was born into the Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree Clan), born for Tl’ááshchi’i (Red Bottom People Clan). She died March 17, 2015, in Laguna, N.M.

Isabel was employed with Tohatchi BIA Boarding School. She enjoyed playing bingo and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Isabel is survived by her sons, Vincent Moreno and Henry L. Whitehair Sr.; daughters, Katherine Herrera, Henrietta Ceja, Marion Salinas, and Lisa Ann Whitehair; brothers, Francis Spencer, Louis Tahe, and Roger Toyah; sisters, Mary Begay and Katherine Toyah; and 19 grandchildren.

Isabel is preceded in death by her father, Notah Tayah; mother, Kate Spencer; husband, Henry Whitehair; daughter, Annabel Whitehair; and sons, Alfreedie Whitehair, Roger C. Whitehair, and Anthony J. Whitehair.

Pallbearers will be Henry L. Whitehair Sr., Henry L. Whitehair Jr., Maurkys Billie, Manuel Herrera Jr., Josia H. Herrera, and Stan Russell Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Francis Spencer, Roger Tayah, and Arthur J. Hubbard Jr.

A reception will be announced at the service.

Daniels Family Funeral Service-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Harry Dolth Curley Sr.

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Harry Dolth Curley Sr., 95, of Ganado, Ariz., will be held Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. at the Ganado Presbyterian Church with Scott Merrit officiating. Burial will follow in Ganado.

Harry was born March 14, 1920, in Ganado, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tsénjikini (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). He died March 23, 2015, in Ganado.

Harry graduated from Ganado Mission High School in 1947 and from Haskell Institute in 1951 in vocational carpentry. He was honorably discharged from the 426th Army Air Force in 1946 and received a pastor certificate of license.

Harry was employed with the Arizona State Carpenters Local Union No. 0408 and was a pastor with Ganado Baptist Church. He enjoyed reading and studying the bible daily, hunting, farming, and watching old westerns.

Harry is survived by his wife, Helen W. Curley; sons, Harry Curley Jr., Harrison Curley, Harold Curley, and Harrington Curley; daughters, Harriet C. Redhouse, Evangeline C. Thomas, Hilda C. Wilcox, Helena C. Hill, Eveline C. Sandoval, and Evonne Curley; brothers, Clarence Curley and Webster Kurley; and 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Harry is preceded in death by his father, Dolth Curley; mother, Nahgebah Curley-Slivers; brothers, Emery Curley and Raymond Curley; and sisters, Louise Curley-Damon, Grace Curley-Monroe, and Katherine Curley-White.

A reception will take place at Harry and Helen Curley’s residence in Ganado, following services.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Willie Gruber

GALLUP — Funeral services for Willie Gruber, 85, were held March 23 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Willie was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Dziltl’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan), born for Tó baazhni’ázhi (Two Who Came To Water Clan). He died March 15, 2015.

Willie worked in Tremont, Utah, with the railroad and was a farmer in different states.

Willie is survived by his brothers, Billy Gruber and David Johnson; sisters, Margaret Whitegoat, Betty Holtsoi, Irene Johnson, and Lillian Chiquito; sons, Paul Gruber, Phillip Gruber, Pete Gruber, and William Gruber; and daughter, Pearl Gruber.

Pallbearers were Paul Gruber, Pete Gruber, Cody Gruber, Percy Gruber, Kevin Gruber, and Iverson Thomas.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Larry Leroy Yazzie

PINEHAVEN, N.M. — Funeral services for Larry Leroy Yazzie, 71, were held March 21 at the Pinehaven Bible Church in Pinehaven, N.M. Interment followed at the family plot.

Larry was born March 15, 1944, into the Tl’ááshchi’i (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away March 17, 2015.

Larry was a medicine man and rancher. He enjoyed being around his family and grandchildren.

Larry is survived by his wife, Janie Yazzie; daughters, Janice Laner of Bayfield, Colo., Jeanette Yazzie of Joseph City, Ariz., and Genevieve Serna of Pinehaven; sons, Lester Yazzie of Pine Hill, N.M., Lawrence Yazzie of Pinehaven, Leonard Yazzie of Pine Hill, and Lloyd Yazzie of Pinehaven; and 34 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Brett Laner, Kuzak Martine, Gatlin Martine, Cody Yazzie, Zachary Serna, and Johnny Hererra.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Julian Bia

WHITECLAY, Ariz. — Graveside service for Julian Bia, 40, of Spider Rock, Ariz., were held March 21 in Whiteclay, Ariz., with Father Gilbert Snider officiating. A reception followed in Spider Rock.

Julian was born Oct. 14, 1974, in Fort Defiance, into the Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Tó’áhani (Near the Water Clan). He died March 14, 2015, in Chinle.

Julian attended Navajo Pine Elementary School from 1980-1984 and graduated from Many Farms High School in 1993. He was employed with various construction companies throughout metro Phoenix, and was employed with Excel building cooling towers.

Julian loved music and was a Saints fan. He enjoyed being with family, collecting CD’s and movies, building his home, traveling, and playing sports.

Julian is survived by his wife, Bernita Bia; sons, Jeremy Bia, Jerin Bia, and Jerid Bia; daughter, Katie Bia; stepdaughter, Christina Begay; mother, Elsie Bia; brothers, Julison Bia, Daniel Bia, Ray Paul Bia, Raymond Bia Jr., Leon Bia, and Julius Bia; sisters, Romena Tso and Ranae Nez; and one step-grandson.

Julian is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Bia Sr.; paternal grandparents, Ben Bia Jr. and Louise Bia; and maternal grandmother, Annie Bia.

Pallbearers were Julison Bia, Julius Bia, Raymond Bia Jr., Daniel Bia, Ray Paul Bia, and Travis Tso.

Honorary pallbearers were Raynor Cooke, Nelson Tso Jr., and Johnson Brown.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Rhonda Sardo

PREWITT, N.M. — Funeral services for Rhonda Sardo, 28, of Prewitt, N.M., will be held Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at the Prewitt Assembly of God with Pastor Ruth Droll and Jason Yazzie officiating. Burial will follow at the Borrego Pass community cemetery.

Rhonda was born March 10, 1987, in Crownpoint. She passed away March 20, 2015, in Prewitt.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, Carlos Perez of New Jersey; parents, Ronald Sardo and Janet Hudson of Prewitt; brothers, Michael Hudson of Prewitt, Dewayne Hudson of Grants, N.M., and Randall Sardo of Prewitt; and sisters, Priscilla Hudson of Prewitt, Rosanda Hudson of Grants, and Sandra Sardo of Prewitt.

Rhonda is preceded in death by her nephew, Brycent Largo; grandparents, Evelyn M. Garcia and John Johnson; paternal grandfather, Raymond Sardo; and paternal great-grandmother, Francis Sardo.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Hudson, Leo Garcia Jr., Jimson Edsitty, Tennison Perdasofpy, Jimmy Platero Jr., Justin Sardo, John Martin Garica Jr., and Jason Arviso.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ronald Sardo, Randy Sardo, Randall Sardo, Michael Hudson, Dewayne Hudson, and Jerry Delgarito Jr.

Compassion Mortuary of Grants is in charge of arrangements.

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