Obituaries for Nov. 18, 2021

Lyle M. Woodward

GALLUP — Funeral service for Lyle M. Woodward, 80, of Continental Divide, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Nov. 19, at 1:30 p.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Alvin Dorsey officiating.

Lyle was born July 29, 1941, in Walker River, Nevada. He passed away Nov. 14, 2021, in Albuquerque.

Lyle graduated from Socorro High School and attended Norwest Missouri State College and Western New Mexico University. He earned degrees in education and a master’s.

Lyle taught at various BIE schools, including Many Farms High School, Crownpoint, Wingate Elementary School, and McKinley County Schools at Thoreau Middle School and Navajo High School.

Lyle enjoyed teaching industrial arts and English classes. He enjoyed teaching students to build projects and see the results of their projects.

After retirement, Lyle enjoyed going to car/truck shows around nearby states. He was a member of Shriners International 4947 in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Nodeway Lodge 470 in Maryville, Missouri.

Lyle also served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged.

Lyle is survived by his wife, Bea Woodward; children, Tico R. Charlee, Byron Charlee, Alaric Woodward, LuVenia Dorsey, Lucereta Dorsey, and Serena Charlee; and 20 grandchildren.

Lyle is preceded in death by his mother, Adele Woodward; and father, Marshall Woodward.

Marvin L. Fuson

NASCHITTI, N.M. — Graveside service for Marvin Lee Fuson, 60, of Teesto, Arizona, will be held today, Nov. 18, at the Naschitti community cemetery in Naschitti, New Mexico.

Marvin was born June 12, 1961, in Teesto, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). His cheii is Naakai Dine’é (Mexican). He passed away Nov. 11, 2021, in Fort Defiance.

Marvin was employed as an IT at Diné College and enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, and reading.

Marvin is survived by his spouse, Diana King; children, Monica Fuson and Zack Colton; mother, Rose Fuson; siblings, Alvin Fuson, Arlene Watchman and Calvin Fuson; and three grandchildren.

Marvin is preceded in death by Quintin Ben Fuson, Lee Ann Fuson and Leon Fuson.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 

Ernest S. Reed (Feb. 13, 1950 — Oct. 27, 2021)

PAGE, Ariz. — It is with profound sadness that the family of Ernest S. Reed announces his peaceful passing on Oct. 27 at the age of 71. He was buried with full military honors on Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Page City Cemetery where his wife Lena Reed is also buried. His honorary funeral procession was led by the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders from Tuba City to Page, Arizona, for his final rest. His nephew, Pastor LeRoy Thinn, led the graveside service and his granddaughter, Durann Begay, delivered a heartfelt eulogy.

Ernest will be remembered for his honorable service during the Vietnam Era from 1971—1977 and his great respect for veterans. He achieved the rank of U.S. Army Corporal Specialist 4 and was assigned to 180th Aviation Company as an aviation repairman, specifically repairing and maintaining Army helicopters. He was an especially big fan of the Chinooks and took great pride in having worked on and flying them.

Upon his return to civilian life, Ernest was a wildlife resource officer for the Navajo Nation Game and Fish Department before starting his 38-year career at Navajo Generating Station and Salt River Project Corporation as a railroad specialist, track equipment operator and mechanic.

Upon his retirement, Ernest was recognized most for his safety consciousness and skillful operation of heavy equipment, cranes and the famous NGS coal train.

In his leisure and after retirement, Ernest will always be remembered most for having been an avid outdoorsman and family man. He loved hunting, scouting for hunts, camping, fishing, and being in the elements.

Ernest enjoyed spending time with family and helping whenever he was needed. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.

Ernest will be dearly missed by his daughters, Laverda Reed, Veronica Klain and Althea Gattis; sisters, Betty Crank and Rosalie Moore; and seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Ernest is preceded in death by his loving wife, Lena; daughter, Florene Reed; brothers, Robert Reed, Richard Reed, Raymond Reed Sr. and George Reed Jr.; sisters, Mary Lou Thinn and Garnett Yazzie; and parents, Florence Edwards Reed and George Reed Sr.

Jefferson D. Joe Jr.

RABBITBRUSH, N.M. — Graveside service for Jefferson Dee Joe Jr., 37, of Coyote Canyon, New Mexico, will be held today, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Rabbitbrush, New Mexico, with Rev. Cathlena Plummer officiating.

Jefferson was born Feb. 29, 1984, in Gallup, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He passed away Nov. 8, 2021, in Raton, New Mexico.

Jefferson graduated from Crownpoint High School in 2002 and from Western New Mexico University in 2008. He was employed as a certified nursing assistant at Miners Colfax Hospital since 2010. He enjoyed working, traveling and spending time with family.

Jefferson is survived by his parents, Katie and Jefferson Joe Sr.; brothers, Erwin Joe Sr., Dervin Joe Sr. and Darwin Joe; sisters, Guanita Cindy Joe, Karen Joe-Hicks and April Simpson; and grandmother, Irene Scott.

Jefferson is preceded in death by Jeffery Joe, Elta Shipley, Eddie Scott, and Charlie Joe.

Pallbearers will be Jefferson Joe Sr., Erwin Joe Sr., Dervin Joe Sr., Darwin Joe, Deshawn Tahe, and Harrison Sam.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jodie Joe, Jackson Joe, Kristie Cordova, Ed Scott, Raymond Scott, and Delray Joe.

A reception will take place at Irene Scott’s residence in Rabbitbrush, following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Franco A. Begaye

TORREON, N.M. — Funeral services for Franco Al Begaye were held Nov. 17 at the Torreon Navajo Mission in Torreon, New Mexico. Interment followed in Rincon Marquez, New Mexico.

On Aug. 5, 1991, mid-morning in Gallup, Franco was blessed to the late Albert Begay and Sherry Begaye of Torreon. He was one of three children and was raised in Torreon, and the remote community of Rincon Marquez. He slipped peaceful into eternal life on Nov. 4, 2021, in Flagstaff.

Franco graduated from Cuba High School in 2009 and a year later attended Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, where he attained his associate in environmental science and natural resource. He earned a certificate in industrial maintenance and welding. He would have earned his bachelor’s in environmental science and engineering in the winter of 2021.

Franco completed his internship as a principal researcher at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He was a university student at time of his untimely death.

Franco was a grass dancer in the powwow circuit; an artist (freestyle); expert shooter (pistol, rifle); an Archer-Hoyt bare bow “Robin Hood” status (New Mexico Games Champion 2019 Men’s Division); a welder; a bird whisperer (hummingbirds come to him); and wonderful beautiful son and brother.

Franco was an avid Cowboys fan, loved to travel, loved animals, and spending time with family at social events like pueblo feasts, powwows, fairs, and community volunteering outreach.

Franco exemplified commitment, integrity, dedication, conviction, and compassion, which he applied to everyday life. He was a caring, reserved, private, intelligent, humble, overprotective, and a very spiritual person. He was a blessing if you got to know Franco.

Franco was blessed with friendship from prominent Native American actors/actresses such as Robert “Tree” Cody (stepson of Iron Eyes Cody); late Eugene Blackbear (Last of the Dogmen); Elaine Miles (Smoke Signals); and Wes Studi (Geronimo). Growing up, he was rubbing elbows with Native American celebrities and didn’t know it, but friendship bonded immediately.

Franco is survived by his sisters, Brittany and Cherona; brothers-in-law, Raymond Strange and Exavair Shorty; significant other, Kendra Yazzie; and mother, Sherry Begaye.

Franco is preceded in death by his father, Albert H. Begay; maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles, Herman Willeto, Lawrence Willeto, Raymond Begaye, Len Sandoval, and Eddie Sandoval; and brothers, Cowan Sandoval and Lionel “Jake” Sandoval.

The family extends their sincerest gratitude for the numerous thoughts, prayers, donations expressed to the immediate family, significant other, and extended family and friends during this untimely and difficult time.

You were blessed if Franco let you into his life, draw from his inspiration and his legacy will live on.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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