Obituaries for Nov. 5, 2015

Joe Nelson

We would like to extend our appreciation for all those that came and supported us during our grief for our departed brother, uncle, grandpa, and father, Joe Nelson. We thank you for all your contributions.

Joe passed peacefully from his illness on Sept. 18, 2015, in Payson, Ariz.

Joe was one of the first Wildcat Alumni from Chinle High School in the early 1960s.

We will miss him.

Totsoni family
Chinle, Ariz.

Benjamin B. Kinlicheeny

(June 20, 1954 – Oct. 16, 2015)

SAN CARLOS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Benjamin B. Kinlicheeny, 61, of Peridot, Ariz., were held Oct. 23 at St. Charles Catholic Church in San Carlos, Ariz. Interment followed at the Six Mile Cemetery in Peridot.

Benjamin was born June 20, 1954, in Phoenix, to Antoinette D. Thompson and Richard P. Kinlicheeny. He died Oct. 16, 2015, at his home in Peridot.

Ben’s family lived in Parker, Ariz., for a time before they returned to the Navajo Nation. He attended Low Mountain School, St. Michael’s Indian School and graduated from Window Rock High School. After high school he studied ironworker apprenticeship in Tucson, and there he completed and became a member of AZ Local 75 Union as journeyman ironworker and received his “Book”. Upon receiving his “Book” he traveled all over Arizona, the U.S. and worked as an ironworker and welder.

Ben was an adventurous man and loved nature, being with his family and having cookouts, fishing, mountain climbing, hunting, welding grills and other items, and eating out at his favorite restaurants in Globe, Ariz., and Gallup. He also owned a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which he rode in several runs, even to Sturgis, N.D., and made a few biker friends along the way. He was happy to give family members a ride on his bike too.

Ben did some farming on his John Deer tractor for his family, cleared land and fixed rough roads. He also did carpentry work and helped build his parents hogan and the old family home in Peridot, before receiving the home from San Carlos Housing. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Ben is survived by his wife, Jeanette (Bullis) Kinlicheeny; children, Kristina L. Kinlicheeny, Benita A. Kinlicheeny and Rachel J. Kinlicheeny; siblings, Sister Jeanette M. Kinlicheeny, Bernard Kinlicheeny Sr., and Patricia Paul; and one granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Antoinette Kinlicheeny; sister, Angela Kinlicheeny; and brothers, George and Ambrose Kinlicheeny Sr.

Lamont Mortuary of Globe was in charge of arrangements.

Joshua Charles Tate-Robbins

TS’AH BII KIN, Ariz. – The Celebration of Life service for Joshua (Josh) Tate of Ts’ah Bii Kin, Ariz., was held at the New Testament Indian Gospel Church in Ts’ah Bii Kin, with Pastor James Tunney officiating.

In attendance were Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez, Navajo Nation President’s Representative Leonard Chee, NOST Council Delegate Herman Daniels Jr., Robert K. Black Jr. of Navajo County Board of Supervisors, Shonto Chapter President Elizabeth Whitethorne-Benally, and gospel artists, Elizabeth Bryant and Virginia Graymountain, along with over 300 relatives, friends and family members.

Vice President Nez offered words of encouragement and comfort to the family of Joshua. On behalf of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President’s Office and from the Navajo Nation Speaker’s Office, presentations of the Navajo Nation Flag and a plaque were given to his mother, Martha Tate, and Josh’s fiancé, Calsey Richardson.

Joshua is the current Ts’ah Bii Kin Chapter secretary/treasurer.

Josh was born Sept. 17, 1985, at 9:22 p.m., the firstborn child and the only son of Martha Tate. He is of the Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). His chei is Yé’ii dine’é Táchii’nii; Nali is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House).

Josh’s biological father is Bobby B. Robbins of Tuba City. His maternal grandparents are Roy and Susan Tate of Ts’ah Bii Kin.

Josh was tragically taken from this world on Oct. 20, 2015, in Flagstaff.

Josh was promoted from 8th grade at Shonto Preparatory School in 1999. He attended Page High School, Monument Valley High School and graduated from Greyhills Academy High School in 2003. He went on to attend Phoenix College, Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute, and ITT Technical Institute in Tucson and Phoenix. He also attended Navajo Technical College and studied computer science at ITT and electrical trade at NTC. At each school he attended, he contributed to the schools by participating in the schools’ basketball teams, and at NTC he was on the coed volleyball team.

Joshua filed for the Ts’ah Bii Kin Chapter secretary/treasurer position in April of 2014. He took his Oath of Office on June 20, 2014.

Josh became actively involved in his community by taking his oath seriously. He visited the residences of his community to find out who lived in Ts’ah Bii Kin Chapter. He was committed to helping out the chapter administration by participating in the meetings and trainings for the staff and officials.

Josh enjoyed serving his community and was always ready to help those in need. He would cook for and feed people that needed food, especially the young and elders. He made food boxes from his mother’s pantry and delivered them to his community members that had little or no food.

“Keep God in your heart!” and “Smile like nobody’s business” were his daily mottos.

Josh will greatly be missed by his family, friends and the community of Ts’ah Bii Kin Chapter.

Josh is survived by his sisters, Anastacia Tate-Russell and Christianna Tate-Laughter; mother, Martha Tate; his unborn child and his fiancée, Calsey Richardson; grandparents, Roy and Susan Tate; and many family members and relatives throughout the Navajo Nation and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

Joshua is preceded in death by his cousin, Benjamin J. Chee; uncle, Stanley K. Benally; great-grandparents, Paul A. and Anna M. Begay; and great nali, Dick Tate.

Marty Lewis

GALLUP — Funeral services for Marty Lewis, 46, were held Nov. 4 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Interment followed at the Rio Lobo Canyon Family Plot in Church Rock, N.M.

Marty was born Sept. 22, 1969, in Gallup, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Haltsooi (Meadow People Clan). He died Oct. 29, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Marty is survived by his mother, Mabel Sherman; sister, Madeline L. Charleston; brothers, Shawn J. Lewis Jr. and Cedric J. Lewis; and five nephews and three nieces.

Marty is preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Lewis; grandfather, Tom A. Lewis Sr.; grandmother, Jennie B. Lewis; and aunt, Shirlee Lewis.

Pallbearers were family and friends.

Fred Harvey

CHINLE — Funeral services for Fred Harvey, 87, of Chinle, were held Nov. 3 at the Chinle Catholic Church. Interment followed at the family plot in Chinle.

Fred was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Chinle, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died Oct. 30, 2015, in Chinle.

Fred was a rancher and livestock owner.

Fred is survived by his brother, Leroy Harvey; sisters, Louise Harvey, Fannie Leland and Lillian Jake; and 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Fred is preceded in death by his mother, Yitanibah Gorman; father, Lawrence Harvey; sisters, Laura Tsosie and Jane Harvey; and nephew, Emerson Jake.

Pallbearers were Elmer Jake, Everettson Jake, Ryan Hardy, and Ronald Yazzie.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Shannon Faith Nez

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Funeral services for Shannon Faith Nez, 22, of Lukachukai, Ariz., were held Nov. 3 at St. Isabels Catholic Church in Lukachukai, with Sister Rose Beck officiating. Interment followed in Lukachukai.

Shannon was born Aug. 15, 1993, in Chinle, into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tó’aheedliinii (Water Flow Together Clan). She died Oct. 25, 2015, in Phoenix.

Shannon loved her pets, Sophie and Pogo.

Shannon is survived by her mother, Faith Gregg; brothers, Adam Gregg, Austin Gregg, Kevin Gregg, and Kingston Begishe; sisters, Shanice Nez and Autumn Gregg; and grandparents, Kathleen Tulley Joe and Arnold Wayne Johnson.

Pallbearers were Viorel Joe, Orrin Johnson, Darrin Johnson, Arnold Johnson, Tyler Joe, and Everett Joe.

Honorary pallbearer was Veryl Joe.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Benson C. Johnson

GALLUP — Funeral services for Benson C. Johnson, 53, were held Nov. 2 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Benson was born June 20, 1962, in Gallup, into the Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan), born for Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan). His nali is Mabel Dick and Barney Johnson; chei is Willie and Helen Jim. He died Oct. 27, 2015, in Gallup.

Benson graduated from Gallup High School in 1980 and graduated from Universal Technical Institute for auto and diesel mechanic. He retired from Plains Electric and City of Gallup. His hobbies were landscaping, working on cars and watching his favorite football team, the Chicago Bears. He loved Chevelle SS cars and spending time with his grandson Uriah.

Benson is survived by his mother, Priscilla Johnson; daughter, Ursula Johnson; son, Ulrick Johnson; and brother, Clifford Johnson.

Benson is preceded in death by his father, Ben C. Johnson; and brother, Brodrick Johnson.

Pallbearers were Ulrick Johnson, Clifford Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Mitchell Jim, Jasper Davis, Derick Chavez, Patrick Begay, and Sonnie Hoskie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Darren Paul Arviso

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Darren Paul Arviso, 44, were held Nov. 2 at the Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church. Interment followed at the Rehoboth cemetery.

Darren was born Sept. 23, 1971, in Pascagoula, Miss., into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He died Oct. 21, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Darren graduated from Gallup High School in 1990 and studied information technology at the University of New Mexico-Gallup and Central New Mexico in Albuquerque. He enjoyed watching his favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Darren is survived by Gladys Arviso; sisters, Angela Arviso and Sherry Padilla; brother, Gary Arviso; and daughter, Chenyanne Arviso.

Darren is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bennie and Donna Arviso; maternal grandparents, John Roy and Mary J. Smith; uncles, Kee Roy, Henry Roy and Robert Smith; aunts, Nellie Taylor, Marlene Brodie and Charlene Smith; brother, Johnny Roy; and great-grandmother, Nellie J. Roy.

Pallbearers were Garrald Arviso, Bronson Jim, Joshua Joe, Paul Begaye Jr., Patrick Williams, and Ivan Brodie.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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