Obituaries for May 31, 2018

Florence M. “Flo” Barton

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Florence M. “Flo” Barton, 75, will be held Monday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at the Rehoboth Sports and Fitness Center in Rehoboth, New Mexico, with Pastor Tim Holwerzyl officiating. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth cemetery.

Visitation will take place Sunday, June 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup.

Florence was born May 12, 1943, in Fort Wingate, New Mexico, into the Áshiihí (Salt People Clan), born for Naasht’ézhí. She died May 26, 2018, in Fort Wingate.

Florence attended Rehoboth Mission School beginning in grade school through high school. She graduated from Rehoboth Mission High School and attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for one year. She began working at Gallup Indian Medical Center as a clerk typist. She returned to school on an Indian Health Services scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in medical records administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Florence retired from the business office at Gallup Indian Medical Center after 40.5 years working for the federal government. After retirement she worked as the alumni coordinator for a few years at Rehoboth Christian School.

Florence was a retired board member of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial after 30 years. She was an avid sports fan and was a professional spectator. She enjoyed traveling, visiting, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, attending their respective sporting and school activities.

Florence is survived by her mother, Mary Holtsoi of Gallup; son, Stewart (CB) Barton of Gallup; daughter, Trudi Barton of Fort Wingate; brothers, Raymond Holtsoi of Gallup, Gary Holtsoi of Gallup, Willie Holtsoi of Fort Defiance, Darryl Holtsoi of Sundance, New Mexico, and Jeffrey Holtsoi of Shiprock; and sisters, Louise Nez of Albuquerque, Sharon Toadlena of Chinle, Darlene Doka of Fort McDowell, Gloria James of Farmington, Kathy Holtsoi of Gallup, Patricia Holtsoi of Gallup, Donna Owens of Phoenix, Ramona Holtsoi of Gallup, and Terri Holtsoi of Gallup.

Florence is preceded in death by husband, Stewart C. Barton Jr.; daughter, Tammy Barton-Damon; stepfather, Billie Holtsoi; and granddaughter, Priscilla Barton.

Pallbearers will be Elijah Barton, Ethan Barton, William Damon, Raymond Holtsoi, Gary Holtsoi, Willie Holtsoi, Darryl Holtsoi, and Jeff Holtsoi.
A reception will follow the burial at the Rehoboth Fellowship Hall.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

Marvin Andrew McKenzie

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — A celebration of life (memorial) for Marvin Andrew McKenzie, 62, of Tsaile, Arizona, will be held today, May 31, at Lukachukai Chapter House at 12:30 p.m.
Marvin was born Nov. 14, 1955, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Kinlichíi’nii (Red House Clan). He passed away May 24, 2018.

Originally from Shiprock, Marvin spent many years living in Albuquerque, before returning to Navajo homelands in 2015.

Marvin attended Wheaton College, San Juan College and University of New Mexico, earning a degree in fine arts from Diné College.

After a career as an office technology specialist, Marvin returned home to the Navajo Nation to pursue his passion of being an artist.

Marvin will be remembered by his family, friends and anyone who met him as a kind, humble, generous, and calm soul who never missed an opportunity to help others. He lived life with a sense of adventure, zest for experiencing new things and places, and found great joy in traveling to visit friends and make new friends far and wide.

Marvin was a creative artist in several forms of media and loved making moccasins for family and friends. He always went out of his way to make life better for others. He was the best father a son could ever dream to have in his life.

Marvin is survived by his son, James McKenzie; mother, Betty McKenzie; sisters, Judith McKenzie, Claire McKenzie, and Kathleen McKenzie; and brothers, Patrick McKenzie, Gilbert McKenzie, Edward McKenzie, and Jeremy McKenzie.

Matthew J. Johnson

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — Funeral services for Matthew J. Johnson, 96, will be Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m. at Myers Mortuary (205 S.100 E.) in Brigham City, Utah. Viewing will take place prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Matthew was born June 16, 1921, in Leupp, Arizona, to Jim Lefthand and Helen Chee Riggs. He passed away May 20, 2018.

Matthew graduated from Shiprock High School and lived in Leupp, Arizona; Shiprock, New Mexico; Richmond, California; Wickenburg, Arizona; Aneth, Utah; Sanostee, New Mexico; and Brigham City.

Matthew married Marilyn Atcitty Nez on Dec. 12, 1944, in Carson City, Nevada, and enjoyed his time spent with his foster father, David Belen, and family on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in New Mexico.

Matthew was proud to have worked on five ships while living in California during World War II and was a guard and then a dorm room manager at the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City. During the summers he would work at a local service station.

Matthew enjoyed working on cars, going to powwows, rodeos, selling at swap meets, camping, and helping family. He seemed rough around the edges but was a teddy bear at heart.

Matthew is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Yazzie (Gail Bird) of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, Kerry Allen (Vera) of Brigham City, Carol Ann of Brigham City, Linda Kay Montez of Prescott, Arizona, and Dale Kelly (ArLene) of Roy, Utah; brother, Johnny Lefthand of Leupp; sister, Louise Curley of Leupp; and11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Matthew is preceded in death by his parents, son David, granddaughter April, and great-granddaughter Cecillia.

Special thanks to the staff at Pioneer Care Center in Brigham City, and staff at Peach Tree Place, West Haven and Canyon Hospice.

Myers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.

Jacqueline Whitman

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jacqueline Whitman, 46, of Oak Springs, Arizona, will be held today, May 31, at 10 a.m. at the New Life Apostolic Church in Gallup, with Leo Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Springs.

Jacqueline was born June 10, 1971, in Gallup, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Dibélzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). She died May 23, 2018, in Gallup.

Jacqueline attended Valley High School in Sanders, Arizona, and worked at McDonald’s, Wash-n-Save Laundry, Payless Laundry, Rowdy’s, and LaFonda’s. She enjoyed fishing and was an advocate for missing murdered indigenous women.

Jacqueline is survived by her sons, Ryan Betonie, Delane Smith, Shandon Smith, and Octavio Chischilly; daughters, Valya Cisco and Alice D. Ann Whitman; parent, Jackie Chischilly; brothers, Anslem Chischilly and Duane Chischilly; sisters, Victoria Owens and Tilda Yazzie; and grandchildren, Rashon and Kelsie Cisco.

Jacqueline is preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Ann Chischilly; and daughter, Katezinzki Ariel Begay.

Pallbearers will be Anslem Chischilly, Duane Chischilly, Ryan Betonie, Shanden Smith, Vincent Spean, and Richard Cisco Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Delane Smith, Octavio Chischilly, David Yazzie, Tyrone Slim, and Eldridge Edsitty.

A reception will take place at Oak Springs Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Irvin Begay

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Irvin Begay, 51, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held Friday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at the Nazarene Church in St. Michaels, with Silver Creek Mortuary officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michaels.

Irvin was born Sept. 20, 1966, in St. Michaels, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). He died May 27, 2018, in Hopi, Arizona.

Irvin attended Window Rock High School and worked for BIA Forestry for over 20 years. He loved to train horses and play men’s fast-pitch softball.

Irvin is survived by his wife, Lucinda C. White; sons, Garrison and Merle Begay; daughters, Rocinda and Cerain Begay; parents, Chee and Helen Begay; sisters, Marie Brown and Marie Begay; and five grandchildren.

Irvin is preceded in death by his sister, Annie Williams.

A reception will take place at St. Michaels Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Carlton Davis Williams

FORT DEFIANCE — A memorial service for Carlton Davis Williams, 55, of Fort Defiance, will be held Saturday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Fort Defiance, with Pastor James Flores officiating.

Carlton was born Nov. 23, 1962, in Fort Defiance, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away April 26, 2018, in Fort Defiance.

Carlton graduated from Window Rock High School in 1982 and attended technical training at ABC Welding School in Phoenix, obtaining a commercial Class A license and LP3S classification in HAZ/MAT training.

Carlton was employed as a certified welder and CDL Class A HAZ/MAT operator. He worked for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in gas utility, as a welder at American Homesteaders, Inc., Nations Gas Technology as a gas technician, and most currently at Natural/Water Resources.

Carlton enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Carlton is survived by his mother, Laurita W. Jones; and sister, Dorothea Williams.

Carlton is preceded in death by his father, Douglas Williams Sr.; sister, Carla Williams; brother, Douglas Williams Jr.; maternal grandparents, David and Rhoda Watchman; and paternal grandparents, George and Kerry Williams.

Honorary pallbearers are Malcolm P. Dalton, Lupe Rosetta, James Etsitty, Jerry Antoine, Steve Milford, Lewis Watchman, and Aaron Rosetta.

A reception will take place at the Presbyterian Church, following the memorial service.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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