Obituaries for Nov. 12, 2015

Lloyd H. Joe

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Lloyd H. Joe, 48, of Steamboat, Ariz., will be held today, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Glory Temple Church in Ganado, Ariz.

Lloyd was born June 13, 1967, in Barstow, Calif., into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Mexican. He died Nov. 5, 2015, in Steamboat.

Lloyd attended Toyei Boarding School, Holbrook High School, TVI, and CNN. He was employed with the U.S. Army (24 year service) with three tours in Desert Storm, Kuwait/Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also employed as a diabetes health educator at a wellness center/physical therapy.

Lloyd was also president of Health Living Expo, medical support specialist, personal trainer, technician with rehabilitation services, and Isleta Security. He enjoyed woodworking, welding, traveling, exercising, maintaining his vehicle, and educating community members about healthy living.

Lloyd is survived by his son, Benedict RBJS Joe; daughter, Payton M. Joe; sisters, Margie A. Joe, Rosalind A. Bahe, Rachel M. Bahe, Jennifer R. Estupinan, and Renita J. Bahe; and one grandchild.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his mother, Marlene Joe; and grandmother, Emma Joe.

A reception will take place at Steamboat Chapter House following service.

Cope Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Arthur B. Chee

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Funeral services for Arthur B. Chee, 53, of Lukachukai, Ariz., will be held Friday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. at the St. Isabel Mission Church in Lukachukai, with Sister Rose Beck officiating. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Lukachukai.

Arthur was born June 15, 1962, in Lukachukai, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tachii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He died Nov. 8, 2015, in Lukachukai.

Arthur attended Lukachukai Boarding School and Many Farms High School. He worked in construction, as an ironworker, and as a cook at Diné College. He enjoyed playing cards, taking care of his livestock, and watching his favorite NFL team, the Patriots.

Arthur is survived by his sons, Carlos Chee of Farmington, and Arioll Joe of Lukachukai; daughters, Elvina Freeman and Alicia Mae Farley of Lukachukai; brothers, Alfred Curley of Wheatfields, Ariz., and Albert B. Chee Jr. of California; sisters, Delores Nez of Lukachukai, Treva Woody of Salt Lake City, Bertha Nez of Lukachukai, Cindy Chee of California, and Verna Curley of Tsaile, Ariz.; and 10 grandchildren.

Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, Albert B. and Alice Chee; maternal grandparents, James and Mary Smith; and paternal grandparents, Jerome and Dollie Chee.

Pallbearers will be Jerrison Nez, Dennis Begay Jr., Carlos Chee, Emery Freeman, Kevin Nez, and Robert Leonard.

A reception will take place at Lukachukai Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Tommy H. Montoya

PHOENIX – Funeral services for Tommy H. Montoya, 73, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (23029 North Cave Creek Road) in Phoenix. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. at the Messinger Mortuary (7601 East Indian School Road) in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Tommy was born Nov. 30, 1941, in Crownpoint, into the Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan), born for the Taos People. He passed away Nov. 6, 2015, in Scottsdale.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Linda Montoya; and daughters, Leandra Yazzie and Shanna Sloan.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Sarah Bass; sister, Rosie Davis; and brother, Ronnie Bass.

Military pallbearers will be present to escort Tommy to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Honorary pallbearers will be Emery Sloan, Lemont Yazzie and Jamal Begay.

Messinger Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Darlita J. Blanc

GALLUP — Funeral services for Darlita J. Blanc, 73, will be held Friday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gallup. Burial will take place at the El Reno Cemetery in El Reno, Okla.

Darlita was born Oct. 25, 1942. She died Nov. 5, 2015, in Gallup.

Darlita graduated from El Reno High School in 1960. She received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State university and a masterus degree in guidance and counseling in 1973. She lived and worked on the Navajo Reservation for nearly 40 years.

Darlita is survived by her son, Roger Taylor; and siblings, Curtis, Betty and Michelle.

Darlita is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara L. Douglas; and father, Darwin C. Blanc.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jimmie Daniel Chee

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jimmie Daniel Chee, 70, were held Nov. 9 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Rehoboth Mission Cemetery in Rehoboth, N.M.

Jimmie was born March 9, 1945, in Pine Haven, N.M., into the Kinyaa’áanii/Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tódichii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Nov. 5, 2015, in Gallup.

Jimmie graduated from Gallup High School. He worked and retired from the Fort Wingate Army Depot as an EOD tech/firefighter. He served as a sergeant in the u.S. Army before being honorably discharged.

Jimmie is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy Chee; son, Kendall Long; daughters, Flo Long, Florence Long and Yolanda Yazzie; brother, Phillip Chee; and 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jimmie is preceded in death by his parents, Pat Chee and Mae RBitisiS Livingston; sisters, Alice Hood and Ella Chee; and brother, Johnny Chee.

Pallbearers were Ana Baloo, Jeremy Baloo, Todd OuBrian Curley, Matias Curley, Alex Garcia, Kendall L. Long, Gregory Dodge, Tony Jaramillo, Phillip Chee, Alexei Jaramillo, and Dewayne Billie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Bertha A. James

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bertha A. James, 73, of Wide Ruins, Ariz., were held Nov. 5 at the Klagetoh Catholic Church, with Brother Charles officiating. Interment followed in Wide Ruins.

Bertha was born Dec. 23, 1941, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kin ł ichii’nii (Red House Clan). She died Oct. 31, 2015, in Phoenix.

Bertha attended Sherman Indian School and was a homemaker. She enjoyed staying home, sewing, taking care of her younger son, and watching WWE wrestling.

Bertha is survived by her sons, Myron James and Malcolm James; daughters, Sandra Notah and Brenda Begay; brothers, Richard Allison and Ernest Allison; sisters, Rita Nelson, Marita Benally, Louise Manuelito, Marcella Jones, and Lorinda Pete; and 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bertha is preceded in death by her father, John Allison; mother, Helen Allison; daughter, Cassandra James; son, Leander James; sister, Mary A. Tabaha; and brother, Freddie Allison.

Pallbearers were Myron James, Clayton Begay, Irvin Notah, Sheldon Notah, Andy Morgan, and Mervin Joe.

Honorary pallbearers were Brandon James and Jaimen Bennalley.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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