Obituaries for March 3, 2022

Alice H. Loan

GALLUP — Funeral services for Alice Haley Loan, 88, of Manuelito, New Mexico, were held Feb. 25 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Fred Duboise officiating. Interment followed in Manuelito.

Alice was born in Manuelito, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). She passed away Feb. 14, 2022, in Gallup.

Alice enjoyed weaving rugs, beadwork, silversmith work, taking care of livestock, and making Navajo cakes for puberty ceremonies.

Alice is survived by her son, Arnold Haley; brothers, James Morgan Haley of Vanderwagen, New Mexico, and Andy Haley of Fairbanks, Alaska; sisters, Mary H. Chee and Anita Wagner, both of Manuelito; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Alice is preceded in death by her parents, John and Bilsosiebah Haley.

Pallbearers were Joseph Haley, Alex Haley, Tierro Haley, Skylar Haley, Johnston Lee, and Wallace Dawes.

Honorary pallbearers were Roger Haley and Arnold Haley.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Aurelia J. Tsosie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Aurelia J. Tsosie, of Fort Defiance, were held Feb. 28 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Roscoe D. Smith officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Aurelia was born Jan. 8, 1929, in Whiteriver, Arizona, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away Feb. 17, 2022, in Phoenix.

Aurelia attended Ganado Mission and was employed with the Navajo Nation and Window Rock Unified School District. She loved to send out celebratory cards and enjoyed crossword puzzles, attending church and singspirations, and sharing her life story.

Aurelia is survived by her sons, Vernon H. Tsosie, Emerson D. Tsosie, Herbert H. Tsosie III, and Orville E. Tsosie; daughter, Doris M. Tsosie; sister, Charlotte Macias; and 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Aurelia is preceded in death by her daughter, Belinda Charles; son, Felix Dennison; husband, Herbert H. Tsosie Sr.; sister, Kathleen Macias; brothers, Ralph Johns Jr. and Chester Johns; and parents, Flora Tsipai and Ralph Johns Sr.

Pallbearers were James Ray, Valentino Aubrey, Pierson Tsosie, Danny Macias, Jeff Bowman, and Carlos Santana.

Honorary pallbearers were Vernon H. Tsosie, Emerson D. Tsosie, Herbert H. Tsosie III, and Orville E. Tsosie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Leita Gordon

YAH-TA-HEY, N.M. — Funeral services for Leita Gordon, 80, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, were held Feb. 26 at the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Yah-Ta-Hey, New Mexico, with Geneva Silversmith officiating. Interment followed in Gallup.

Leita was born March 27, 1941, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She passed away Feb. 16, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Leita attended Tohatchi Boarding School and Intermountain Indian School. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital and enjoyed reading her bible, singing gospel songs, fishing, camping, cooking, tending to her sheep, and traveling to many places with her husband.

Leita is survived by her husband, Roland Gordon; sons, James Silversmith Jr., Michael Gordon and Leland Benally; daughters, Marilyn Footracer, Barbara Silversmith and Natalie Gordon; brothers, Fred Benally and Jones Benally; sisters, Mary Lou Denetclaw, Francine Boyd, Regina Benally, and Jeannie Benally; and 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Leita is preceded in death by Gloria Gilbert, Frank Benally Sr., Genevieve Benally, Duane Medicinecrow, and Ken Yellowhair.

Pallbearers were James Silversmith III, Jonathan Silversmith, Brandon Thompson, Isaac Leon, Joseph Silversmith, and Erik Gilbert.

Honorary pallbearers were James Silversmith III, Michael Gordon, Leland Benally, Jason Silversmith, and Emmanuel Gilbert Jr.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Harvey

HUNTERS POINT, Ariz. — A memorial service for Melvin Harvey, 56, originally of Window Rock, residing in Chichil’tah, New Mexico, will be held today, March 3, at 2 p.m., at the Chischilly residence in Hunters Point, Arizona, with Pastor Martin Haven officiating.

Melvin was born July 16, 1965, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away Feb. 27, 2022, in Chichil’tah.

Melvin attended Window Rock High School and worked for Chi Chil’tah Community School. He was a great chef and loved to listen to music, attend concerts, play the guitar, sing, spend time with family, celebrate special occasions, and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. He was outgoing and helpful. He will truly be missed.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Marcy Billy; daughter, Pia Harvey; son, Asa Harvey; sister, Cecelia Werito; stepfather, Paul Chischilly; and one granddaughter.

Melvin is preceded in death by his mother, Estella Chischilly; father, Johnny Harvey; brothers, Michael Harvey, Raymond Harvey and Franklin Harvey; and niece, Raenona Harvey.

A reception will follow service.

Travis S. Todacheene

SHIPROCK — Funeral services for Travis Stephen Todacheene, 38, of Albuquerque, were held Feb. 28 at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Shiprock, with Rev. Patrick Wedeking officiating. Interment followed at the Todacheene family plot in Sheep Springs, New Mexico.

Travis was born Oct. 20, 1983, in Shiprock, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Zuni-Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Feb. 21, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Travis attended Tsebitai Middle School and graduated from Northwest High School in Shiprock. He was employed by Dominos as a food service provider for 15 years before his illness.

Travis was in the History Club, 4-H Club, and USBC Junior Bowling. He received awards from the New Mexico state and San Juan County fairs, Shiprock fairs, and Navajo Nation for his 4-H projects. He also received a recognition award from Sen. John Pinto, USBC Junior Bowling League from Farmington.

Travis enjoyed restoring vintage cars, outdoor grilling, making delicious yeast bread, assisting family pets and livestock, and was an avid X-box gamer.

Travis is survived by his parents, Ronald and Bernadette Todacheene of Shiprock; brother, Douglas E. Todacheene; and sisters, Martha T. (Willis) Weaver and Bettina T. (DelVecchio) Begay.

Travis is preceded in death by his brother, Matthew S. Todacheene; maternal grandparents, Harriet Morgan Goodluck and Clement J. Goodluck Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Vina Peshlakai Todacheene and Carl L. Todacheene.

Pallbearers were Julius K. Morgan, Justin K. Morgan, DelVecchio Begay Sr., Gilbert Dale, Lyle Henderson, Doric Hayes, Darnell Hayes, and Kevin Begay.

Desert View Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Bitsilly

GALLUP — Funeral services for Dorothy Bitsilly, 93, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, were held March 2 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gallup, with President Eldred Nez officiating. Interment followed at the Tohatchi cemetery.

Dorothy was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Tohatchi, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away Feb. 23, 2022, in Gallup.

Dorothy served in several roles over 30 years in the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Ch’ooshgai Community School in Tohatchi; Tohatchi Advisory Committee, vice president of the Fort Defiance Agency Council on Aging, Navajo Nation representative to the New Mexico Aging Advisory Policy group, president of the Tohatchi Red Willow Farm Board, Miss Shí Masani of the Navajo Nation 2006-2007, recipient of the 2020 Community Lifetime Achievement in Excellence Award, and the Farm to Table 2020 Farmer of the Year.

Dorothy loved to support local sports teams, enjoyed watching old Western movies and the Wheel of Fortune, cheering for her Green Bay Packers, and sewing clothes.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Doris Clyde of Gallup, Virginia Harvey of Fort Wingate, New Mexico, JoAnn B. Jayne of Window Rock, Dianna Robinson of Lehi, Utah, Josephine Bitsilly of Farmington, and Delphine Bitsilly of Tohatchi; sons, Preston Bitsilly of Many Farms, Arizona, Elvis Guy Bitsilly of Tohatchi, Jules Bitsilly of Dolores, Colorado, and Daryl Bitsilly of Tohatchi; sister, Cora Joe of Tohatchi; and 21 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Guy Bitsilly Sr.; and son, Guy Bitsilly Jr.

Pallbearers were Duane Bitsilly, Marvin Begay, Michael Armijo, Cody Harvey, Denten Robinson, and Drew Robinson.

Honorary pallbearers were Daryl Bitsilly, Jules Bitsilly, Elvis Guy Bitsilly, Preston Bitsilly, David Robinson, Grant Muskett, Loren Bitsilly, and Delbert House.

Malia R. Gilchrist

LUPTON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Malia Rayn Gilchrist, newborn, of Lupton, Arizona, were held March 1 at the Tse Si Ani Baptist Church in Lupton, with Regan Hawhorne officiating. Interment followed in Lupton.

Malia was born Jan. 27, 2022, in Fort Defiance, into the Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). She passed away Feb. 20, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Malia is survived by her parents, Kara Gilchrist and Ryan Begay; sister, Kyrie Rayn Gilchrist; maternal grandparents, Donna Gilchrist and Frank Begay Jr.; and paternal grandparents, Rhoda and Milton Begay.

Pallbearers were Ryan Begay, Dustin Gilchrist, Bryant Begay, and Anthony Harris.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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