Obituaries for Nov. 19, 2020

Gloria Ann Kellogg (May 27, 1961 — Nov. 8, 2020)

FARMINGTON — Gloria Ann Kellogg was born May 27, 1961, in Tuba City, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for ‘Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). She passed away Nov. 8, 2020, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, due to complications with COVID-19.

Gloria loved the time she spent with her grandparents in Bitter Springs, Arizona.

Gloria met her husband Mike at Window Rock High School. She studied three years at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, pursuing electrical engineering.

Gloria was a beautiful, compassionate woman who helped raise three children. She believed in the Lord’s teaching and treating everyone with respect. She was God’s light on earth and believed she could make it a better place.

Gloria was a Girl Scout leader in Muskogee and Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Lewiston, New York. It was important for her to help lift up the young girls in her community to achieve their goals and dreams. That spirit carried over into her time as a Montessori and Head Start teacher in Stillwater.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Michael Kellogg; children, Joshua Kellogg, Gabrielle Kellogg and Jillian Kellogg; mother, Freda Drake; stepfather, Elroy Drake; and siblings, Karen Lee, Kristine Begay-Jantzi and Benjamin Drake.

Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Begay; grandparents, Hilda and Harry Sloan Sr. and Helen and Andrew Begay; and grandmother, Helen Drake.

Gloria’s wishes were to be cremated and having her ashes spread at locations which brought her joy and happiness.

A celebration of life will take place sometime in 2021 when it’s safe to gather in groups in order to keep all her loved ones safe.

Melecio “Pat” Salazar Jr.

GRANTS, N.M. — Graveside service for Melecio “Pat” Salazar Jr., 44, will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. at the City of Grants Memorial Park in Grants, New Mexico. He will be honored with a police motorcade from Albuquerque to Grants, beginning at 8 a.m.

Melecio was born Oct. 18, 1976, to Melecio and Priscilla Salazar Sr., in Grants. He passed away Nov. 9, 2020.

Melecio graduated from Grants High School in 1994. He had worked for the Milan Police Department, Acoma Police Department, Gallup Police Department, and McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as chief of police after 24 years in law enforcement.

Melecio’s additional accomplishments while in law enforcement were Lt. Sgt. K9 certified and was on the McKinley County/Cibola County Narcotics Task Force. He recently worked for Dynamic Enterprises as a group dealer for the Northwest Region of New Mexico.

Melecio was a member of the Chief of Police Association and Municipal League. His other interests included: traveling, spending time with family and friends, cooking, grilling, riding motorcycles, flying drones, video games, poker, slot machines, and singing.

Melecio will be remembered for his years of service and dedication to law enforcement, as well as his positive impact among family, friends, and community members.

Melecio is survived by his wife, Amber M. Salazar; mother, Priscilla L. Salazar; sons, Ryan Salazar and Joshua Salazar; daughters, Kandra Blea, Lyric Thomas and Amora Salazar; sisters, Rita Salazar and Gloria Lopez; and brothers, Bobby Salazar, Ricki Duran and Tony Duran.

Melecio is preceded in death by his father, Melecio Salazar Sr.; and brother, Patrick Salazar.

Daniels Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. To view information or leave a condolence, visit www.danielsfuneral.com.

Orville Patrick Multine

TUBA CITY – Graveside service for Orville Patrick Multine, 68, of Tuba City, was held Nov. 18 at the Tuba City cemetery with Evelene Tweedy Navarrete officiating.

Orville was born Dec. 1, 1952, in Tuba City, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring); cheii is ‘Áshiihí (Salt People). He passed away Nov. 11, 2020, in Phoenix.

Orville attended Arizona State University and is a Sun Devil at heart. He was employed as a plumber and overall handyman.

Orville enjoyed archery, biking, hunting, walking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and was an overall outdoorsman.

Orville is survived by his wife, Brela Multine; sons, Patrick Multine and Wade Multine; daughters, Gwenlynn Multine and Ariane Willhoit; sisters, Trudy Multine-Haglund, Gerry Goldtooth, and Ivy Multine; and three grandchildren.

Orville is preceded in death by his parents, George Sr. and Ida Benard Multine; brother, George Multine Jr.; sister, Lolita Tsinnie; maternal grandparents, George Hunter and Asdzáán Tsoh; and paternal grandparents, Mary and Guy Multine Sr.

Pallbearers were Wade Multine, Patrick Multine, Danny Nez, Blaine Tsinnie, and Bow Henderson.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph E. Yazza Sr.

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Joseph E. Yazza Sr., 88, of Fort Defiance, was held Nov. 18 at the Fort Defiance cemetery with Rev. Canon Cathlena A. Plummer officiating.

Joseph was born May 31, 1932, in Fort Defiance, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He passed away Nov. 16, 2020, in Phoenix.

Joseph attended Riverside Indian School in Riverside, California, and Fort Defiance Boarding School. He was a heavy equipment operator, mechanic, and diesel mechanic for Ben Damon Company.

Joseph enjoyed watching World Wrestling Entertainment and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joseph is survived by his sons, Curtis D. Yazza Sr. and Hoskie E. Yazza Sr., both of Fort Defiance; daughters, Yolanda L. Yazza of Window Rock, Colanda V. Benally of Farmington, and Jolena R. Yazza and Althea M. Cooke, both of Fort Defiance; brothers, Daniel Yazza and Peter Charles Yazza Jr.; sisters, Linda Little Elk and Charlotte Cayetineto; and 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Peter Yazza; brothers, Richard Yazza, Chester Yazza, Arthur Yazza, and Franklin Yazza; sons, Joseph Yazza Jr. and Cecil Yazza; and wife, Barbara Tapahonso Yazza.

Pallbearers were Clifford Little Elk, Hoskie E. Yazza Jr., Hoskie E. Yazza Sr., and Kaleb J. Alexander.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Cecil H. Yazza

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Cecil H. Yazza, 63, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, was held Nov. 4 at the Fort Defiance cemetery in Fort Defiance.

Cecil was born Jan. 25, 1957, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Oct. 27, 2020, in Albuquerque.

Cecil graduated from Window Rock High School in 1975 and enjoyed working on vehicles as a mechanic, taking walks with his dogs, playing the piano, making flutes, and most importantly, spending time with his wife Bernice.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Bernice Martin-Yazza; daughters, Sherell Felix and Sheena Yazza; brothers, Curtis D. Yazza Sr. and Hoskie E. Yazza Sr., both of Fort Defiance; sisters, Yolanda L. Yazza of Window Rock, Colanda V. Benally of Farmington, and Jolena R. Yazza and Althea M. Cooke, both of Fort Defiance; and three grandchildren.

Cecil is preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Tapahonso-Yazza; father, Joseph E. Yazza Sr.; brother, Joseph E. Yazza Jr.; uncles, Richard Yazza, Chester Yazza, Arthur Yazza, and Franklin Yazza; and grandparents, Hazel and Peter Yazza.

Pallbearers were Clifford Little Elk and Elroy Tso.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Sarah M. Kee

BLACK MESA, Ariz. — Graveside service for Sarah M. Kee, 82, of Black Mesa, Arizona, will be held Monday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m. in Black Mesa, with Melvin Bitsui officiating.

Sarah was born Feb. 28, 1938, in Black Mesa, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan). She passed away Nov. 14, 2020, in Chandler, Arizona.

Sarah is survived by her sons, Charles Kee Sr., Danny Kee and Ronald Kee; brother, Woody Anderson; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Sarah is preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Kee Sr.

Pallbearers will be Charles Kee Jr., Danny Kee, Darren Lance, Myles Lance, Myren Lance, and Mason Lance.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Matthew Cody Dixon

CHINLE — Memorial service for Matthew Cody Dixon, 48, of Chinle, was held Nov. 18 at the Chinle Potter’s House with Pastor Ardie Aragon officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.

Matthew was born June 23, 1972, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away Nov. 7, 2020, in Tucson.

Matthew attended Chinle Public Schools and received his high school diploma from Rough Rock Community School. He held various custodian and cook positions throughout his life, and was a Chinle Planting Hope volunteer.

Matthew enjoyed long-distance running, basketball, hiking, reading, caring for animals, was a talented cook, and a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a vibrant church member of Church on the Streets in Gallup, and loved God and sharing his faith with people on the streets.

Matthew loved his children, family and friends. He had a tremendous gift of encouragement and lifted people up, reminding them how valuable they were.

Matthew is survived by his son, Jericho M.M. Dixon; daughter, Angel Dixon; mother, Alice Dixon; brother, Darrell Dixon; sister, Deborah Lem; maternal grandparents, Bah and Kee Teller; paternal grandparents, Martha and Dean Dixon; and grandson, Rico Holyan.

Matthew is preceded in death by his wife, Christine Dixon; and father, Roland Dixon.

Pallbearers were Darrell Dixon, Zachary Dixon, Thomas Shebala, Evander Halwood, Milton Shirley, Roscoe Tsosie, and Survaughn Velesquez.

Honorary pallbearers were Jericho Dixon, Angel Dixon, Darren Badonie, Randall Teller, Geraldine Kee-Staley, Francis Teller, and Deborah Lem.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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