Obituaries for March 31, 2022

Don Juan Edd

DURANGO, Colo. – Surrounded by family, Don Juan Edd, beloved husband and father, passed away March 16, 2022.

Don, the second oldest of five children, was a kind and loving son of Joe and Evelyn Edd, born on Jan. 23, 1971, in Winslow, Arizona. His clans were Kinłichii’nii (Red House People Clan), Tł’ízí łání (Many Goats Clan), Hashtł’ishnii (Mud Clan), and Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan).

Don grew up in Farmington where he graduated from high school. He lived briefly in Salt Lake City before completing his associate’s degree in two- and three-dimensional art from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Don was an artist all his life and he loved talking to people about his artwork. He was well-known for his sculptures, but he was also a painter and jewelry maker. While in Santa Fe, he met Esther Belin and in 1994, they married in Los Angeles.

In 1997, they moved to Durango, so Don could attend Fort Lewis College. Durango became the place they made their home and raised their four daughters.

Don is remembered for his engaging storytelling, practicing cultural traditions, and participating in the Native community. People were drawn to his liveliness and sense of humor, and he picked up friends everywhere he went.

Don had a strong sense of generosity and responsibility for one’s family and community. One summer he and his brothers built a hogan for their mother at their family’s mountain land.

One of Don’s love languages was acts of service, and he gave 150% of himself, even to small tasks. He loved to cook for people and enjoyed large gatherings with friends and family.

Don loved to learn new skills and was passionate about doing things well. He was an excellent swimmer and loved working part-time as a lifeguard at the Sun Ute Recreation Center.

From the West Coast seas to Rocky’s steps in Philadelphia, Don liked to travel and explore new places. In 2018, he visited the East Coast for the first time, where he enjoyed seeing Lady Liberty and reenacting “The Butch” scene from “Lady and the Tramp” while eating spaghetti and a giant meatball at an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.

Don’s family members share his appreciation for the outdoors. Some of his favorite areas to hike were Dibé Nstaa, Chuska Mountains, Colorado trail, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Some of his joys were visiting Pagosa Hot Springs, eating chile stew and bread at Pueblo feast days, and learning about other cultures.

Don will be dearly missed by his friends at the River Church and his extended family and colleagues.

Don is lovingly remembered by his wife, Esther; daughters, Ruthie, Sierra, Chamisa, and Santana; mother, Evelyn; and siblings, June (Chloe and Zhoni), Nolan (Mitchell and Marshall), Duane (Joseph and Ruben), and Lionel.

Don is preceded in death by his father, Joe Edd.

Our family would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to all his doctors and nurses who cared for him at Mercy Hospital in Durango.

A Celebration of Life will take place later this year.

Brian B. Haudley

GALLUP — A memorial service for Brian Ben Haudley, 42, of Chinle, will be held Saturday, April 2, at 1:30 p.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Chinle.

Brian was born Aug. 7, 1979, in Gallup. He passed away March 16, 2022, in Gallup.

Brian attended Many Farms and Wingate School. He enjoyed cooking for his family, making jokes, playing video games, watching cooking shows and wrestling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Brian is survived by his wife, Denilia Leal; son, Emmanuel Haudley; daughters, Monique Haudley, Briana Haudley and Leah Haudley; mother, Patricia Pacheco; brother, Lineo Pacheco; sisters, Crystal Pacheco and Debilene Pacheco; and four grandchildren.

Brian is preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Haudley; and grandparents, Amelia and Johnny Begay.

Pallbearers will be Emmanuel Haudley, Aaron Lee and Patterson Cleveland.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Evelyn H. Yazzie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Evelyn Harriet Yazzie, 81, of Twin Lakes, New Mexico, were held March 30 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Harrison Mann officiating. Interment followed at the Twin Lakes family plot.

Evelyn was born Feb. 1, 1941, in Twin Lakes, into the Zia People Clan, born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away March 19, 2022.

Evelyn attended Chemawa Indian School, Inter Mountain Indian School and Relocation Program as a welder building naval ships for Ingalls Naval Shipyard. She worked for Armax in Mexican Springs, New Mexico, and a bakery in California, retiring from Ingalls Naval Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Evelyn enjoyed herding sheep, crocheting, sewing, and was involved in church revivals.

Evelyn is survived by her sons, Rudy Yazzie Sr., Dewayne Yazzie and Libby Yazzie; daughters, Angelina Hosteen and Angeline Moore; and 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Yazzie; mother, Alnabah Begay; father, Henry Yazzie; sisters, Marie Moore and Lena Yazzie Clark; brothers, Wilson Yazzie and Allison Yazzie; and grandson, Rudy Yazzie Jr.

Pallbearers were Royce Hosteen, Libby Yazzie, Isaih Yazzie, Terrell Mestas, Kaleb Moore, and Roy Derek Bizardi.

Honorary pallbearers were Rudy Yazzie Sr. and Jerin Yazzie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Calvin H. Curley

GALLUP — Funeral services for Calvin Henry Curley, 61, of Oak Springs, Arizona, will be held Friday, April 1, at 10 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot in Oak Springs.

Calvin was born Feb. 26, 1961, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away March 22, 2022, in Oak Springs.

Calvin graduated from Window Rock High in 1979 and attended Phoenix Community College and the Chicago Iron Worker School. He served in the U.S Army from May 1980 to 1984 and was employed as an ironworker nationwide.

Calvin was a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed listening to classic rock music and spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren.

Calvin is survived by his daughter, Cayla Cree Curley; parents, Alyce Silversmith and Clarence Curley; brothers, Calvert H. Curley and Clayton H. Curley; and three grandchildren.

Calvin is preceded in death by his brother, Clement Curley; maternal grandparents, Mary and Leo Silversmith; and paternal grandparents, Dolth and Naahgeebah Curley.

A reception will take place at Alyce Silversmith’s residence in south Oak Springs, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Tysen V. Benally

CROWNPOINT — Funeral services for Tysen V. Benally, 25, of Crownpoint, will be held today, March 31, at 2 p.m., at the LDS Church in Crownpoint. Burial will follow in Crownpoint.

Tysen was born into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). He passed away March 27, 2022, in Milan, New Mexico.

Tysen graduated from Crownpoint High and attended Tulsa Welding School. He was employed as a pipe welder at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

Tysen enjoyed welding, working on vehicles, going to concerts, and visiting family.

Tysen is survived by his brothers, Bensen Benally Jr., Benn Benally and Jasen Benally; and sisters, Wendi Platero and Andrea Platero.

Tysen is preceded in death by his parents, Debbrah Platero and Bensen Benally Sr.; and grandparents, Loretta C. Benally and Johnson Benally Sr., and Lillian Kellico and Tommy Mariano.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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