Obituaries for May 13, 2021

David James Willie Sr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for David James Willie Sr., 78, of Wildcat, New Mexico, were held May 10 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Jamie Wato officiating. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Gallup.

David was born May 14, 1942, in Wildcat, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away May 3, 2021, in Wildcat.

David attended Intermountain High School in Brigham City, Utah, and welding at Norris Industries in Los Angeles. He worked for Norris Industries, Inc., Bomb Site, Blacksmith Enterprise in Gallup, CDK Construction in Window Rock, and P&M Coalmine in Tse Bonito, New Mexico, as a dragline operator.

David enjoyed welding, playing pool and baseball, coalmining, ranching, drag racing, traveling, horseshoes, watching classic Western movies, and spending time with family.

David is survived by his wife, Sherry M. Willie; sons, Davidson Willie and Darrell Willie; daughters, Geraldine Willie, Karen Joe and Shirlene Mae Willie; parents, Lucille and James Willie; brothers, Charlie Willie, Harrison Willie, Nelson Willie, and Edison Willie; sisters, Susie Smith and Virgene Miller; and 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

David is preceded in death by Gary Joe; and sons, Frank Willie and David Willie Jr.

Pallbearers were Keenean Joe, Darius Willie, Ian Willie, Cody Bahe, and Damien Willie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Calvin Upshaw

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Calvin Upshaw, 62, of Goat Springs, Arizona, will be held Friday, May 14, at 9 a.m., at the Summit Funeral Home in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Pastor Milt Shirleson officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in St. Michaels.

Calvin was born June 17, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Tl’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away May 7, 2021, in St. Michaels.

Calvin attended Window Rock schools and was employed as a stonemason for over 35 years. He was a hardworking man with interests and hobbies that encompassed his gift in creating art from stone. He often said, “I’m a rock man!”

Calvin enjoyed making people laugh by acting out his jokes. He was also serious and warmhearted when those he loved were overwhelmed with life struggles. He will be dearly missed.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Clarice A. Upshaw; son, Taylor R. Upshaw; brothers, Frank Upshaw Sr., Benjamin Upshaw, Francis Upshaw, Wilford Upshaw, and Gerald Upshaw; and sister, Marie Enfield.

Calvin is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and John Upshaw; daughter, Sue Anna Upshaw; sister, Loretta Upshaw; and brothers, Raymond Upshaw Sr., Paul Upshaw and Melvin Upshaw.

Pallbearers will be Gerald Upshaw, Frank Upshaw Jr., Xavier Upshaw. Alejandro Upshaw, Darryl Begay, and Morena Ramirez.

A drive-thru reception will take place at Benjamin and Gina Upshaw’s residence in St. Michaels, following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Quinten Shaw

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Quinten Shaw, 55, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, May 14, at 10 a.m., at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

Quinten was born Oct. 15, 1965, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Táchii’nii/Naasht’ézhí dine’é (Red Running Into the Water People/Zuni Clan). He passed away May 9, 2021, in Window Rock.

Quinten received his GED in Yuma, Arizona, and was employed as an asbestos removal technician. He enjoyed watching sports, especially his favorite team, the Cardinals.

Quinten is survived by his son, Marlin E. Shaw of Sedona, Arizona; mother, Betty Shaw of Window Rock; brother, Paul Shaw Jr. of Indian Wells, Arizona; and sister, Beverly Shaw-Little of Albuquerque.

Quinten is preceded in death by Paula B. Jackson, Willie and Bertha Shaw, Sam B. Tsosie, and Alice Tsosie.

Pallbearers will be Paul Shaw Jr., Cody Shaw-Little, Jeremy Jackson. Marlin E. Shaw, Michael Manygoats, and Daryll Manygoats.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Jackson, Gabriel Jackson, Tyler Shaw-Little, Ezra Yazzie, Antonio Begay, and Tyson Begay.

A reception will take place at Betty Shaw’s residence (No. 15 on Shonto Blvd.) in Window Rock, following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Oscar Merrill Jr.

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. — Memorial services for Oscar Merrill Jr., 43, was held at St. Patrick’s Community Church, a private ceremony at the Merrill family plot, followed by a reception at the Merrill residence in Vanderwagen, New Mexico.

Oscar was born Aug. 2, 1977, in Gallup, into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arm Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He peacefully passed away April 6, 2021, in Mesa, Arizona.

Oscar was the youngest of five children, the only son of the family. He graduated from Gallup High School where he played football and was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors in 1995.

After graduation, Oscar attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he pledged Beta Sigma Epsilon and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in religion in 2010.

Oscar was known as a wonderful son, a great brother, a loving uncle, dedicated coworker, and loyal friend, whom everyone trusted and loved. He was selfless, humble and brave, and instilled inner peace, equality, love, and humanity within his family.

Oscar lived life to the fullest being able to travel the world, growing in the richness of knowledge and enjoyed and appreciated the simple moments of life. He will be missed by many, but we will remember him through his teachings and our many shared memories forever in our hearts.

Oscar is survived by his loving mother, Maxine Merrill of Vanderwagen; sisters, Clarice Merrill of Phoenix, Cheryl Sanchez of Albuquerque, Clorinda Merrill of North Bergen, New Jersey, and Carol “Sea” Persinger of Albuquerque; nieces, Sapphire Persinger, Malaysia Persinger and Brooklyn Persinger, all of Albuquerque; nephew, Renaissance Persinger of Albuquerque; and many other nephews and nieces.

Oscar is preceded in death by his father, Oscar Merrill Sr.

Brian Kee Sr.

GALLUP — Graveside service for Brian Kee Sr., 57, of Vanderwagen, New Mexico, will be held Monday, May 17, at 10 a.m., at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Gallup.

Brian was born April 20, 1964, in Murray, Utah, into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away May 7, 2021, in Gallup.

Brian attended Gallup High School and worked in masonry/construction. He liked cars and enjoyed reading and traveling.

Brian is survived by his son, Brian Kee Jr.; daughters, Brianna Kee, Kristen Kee and Kristy Kee; mother, Mardi Bitsue Shirley; sister, Marleen Kee; and grandparents, Maggie and Charley Bitsue, and Charlotte and Robertson Kee.

Brian is preceded in death by his father, Johnny Kee.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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