Obituaries for Sept. 26, 2019

Astor Price

LEUPP, Ariz. — Funeral services for Astor (Nockideneh) Price, 74, of Cedar Ridge, Arizona, will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Leupp, Arizona. Burial will follow near Tolani Lake, Arizona.

Astor was born Dec. 30, 1944, in Tuba City, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Naasht’ézhí Tábaahá. She passed away Sept. 19, 2019, in Phoenix. Astor graduated from Phoenix Indian School and attended Ganado Community College. She was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family, watching movies and reading books when she was able to.

When she was younger, Astor could ride horses, took exercise classes, and enjoyed swimming, and shopping. She lived in Phoenix and treasured her trips to the reservation to visit family. Astor is survived by her husband, Eugene Price; sons, Gregory Gene Price and Code Gene Price; daughters, LavonDe Lavin and Stephanie Whitehair; and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Gregory Price, Cody Price, Jordan Lavin, Jeffrey Nockideneh, Bruce Nockideneh, and Danny Nockideneh. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Lavin, Jared Lavin, Ryan Manygoats, Todd Eli Tunney, and Sean Tee.

A reception will take place at the Tolani Lake Chapter House, following services.

Norvel Owens Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Della Mae Hill

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Della Mae Hill, 83, of Ganado, Arizona, will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Ganado Presbyterian Church with Rev. Calvin Yashie Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Ganado.

Della was born May 9, 1936, in Tselani Springs, Arizona, into the Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan).

She passed away Sept. 19, 2019, in Phoenix. Della attended Sherman High School in Riverside, California. She owned and operated Yashie Casket Company in Ganado. She loved horses and serving the Ganado community. Della is survived by her sons, Allen Hill Jr., Delvin Hill Sr., Rev. Calvin Y. Hill, and Melvin Hill; daughters, Lavine Hill, Charlene Hill and Zandra Hill; brothers, Rev. Roger E. Tsosie, Thomas Tsosie Jr., Eddie Tsosie, and Anthony Tsosie; sisters, Leta John, Annie Rose Scott, Eleanor Smiley, and Irene Bizaholani; and 69 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 37 great-great-grandchildren.

Della is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Allen Yashie Hill; parents, Thomas H. Tsosie Sr. and Helen H. Tsosie; and grandparents, Hosteen Tsei and Betsy Sai Begay.

Della is also preceded in death by Ellen Ruth Hill Damon, Aldrid Hill, David Lewis Tsosie, and Alta Clemet. Pallbearers will be Jubilee Hill, Delvin Hill Jr., Kevin Hill, Nikki Lee Hill, Marlon Hill, Evan Hill, Waylon Damon Jr., Harlando Damon, Issac Hill, Shay Storm Hill, Joseph Garcia, Mario Garcia, Joshua Jones, Briceson Dennis, Eric Dennis, and Jeremy Dennis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Roger E. Tsosie, Eddie Tsosie, Anthony Tsosie, Thomas Tsosie Jr., Rev. Calvin Hill, Allen Hill Jr., Delvin Hill Sr., and Melvin Hill. A reception will take place at the Hill residence following services.

Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie C. Begay

GALLUP — Funeral services for Lillie C. Begay, 77, were held Sept. 16 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Jones Ranch, New Mexico. Lillie was born April 10, 1942, in Lake Springs, New Mexico, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). She passed away Sept. 11, 2019, in Gallup.

Lillie was a cook for over 40 years, working at Holiday Inn and El Sombrero. She enjoyed family gatherings, going to song and dances, watching the Dallas Cowboys play, and putting everyone first and before herself. Lillie is survived by her husband, John E. Begay; daughters, Claresia Begay and Carol Begay; sisters, Elsie Parker and Elouise Benally; brother, Peter Benally; and nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Lillie is preceded in death by her parents, James and Anita Benally; sisters, Elsie Billie and Annie Borunda-Benally; and brother, Thomas Benally. Pallbearers were Charles Murphy, Chance Peterson, Brandon Watchman, Stephen Vinson, Darrell Benally, and Isaiah Watchman. Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Chester A. Johnson

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Chester A. Johnson, 58, were held Sept. 20 at the Chuska Word of Life Church in Tohatchi, New Mexico. Interment followed at the Tohatchi community cemetery.

Chester was born Feb. 28, 1961, in Rupert, Idaho, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tl’ógí (Weaver-Zia Clan). He passed away Sept. 14, 2019, in Twin Lakes, New Mexico. Chester attended Tohatchi High School and worked at Chevron Mine for 37 years as a heavy equipment operator.

He was also a first responder for the mine and was an active union member of Local 1332 until the mine closed.

Chester enjoyed fishing, camping, riding horses, spending time with family, and watching his grandson play football. Chester is survived by his wife, Sophie (Maxine) Johnson; daughters, Victoria Johnson, Hope Lee, Rebekkah Lee, Kialah Lee, and Terri Yellowhorse; brothers, Tim A. Johnson Sr., Jonathan Tayah, Ervin Tayah, and Michael Benally; sisters, Lavern Lee, Lavon Sherman and Lee Ann Johnson; and grandson, Trent Gorman.

Chester is preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Charley A. Johnson. Pallbearers were Trent Gorman, Travis Fuller, Adam Manycow, Darnell Butts, Mangus Lee, Jonathan Tayah, and Ervin Tayah.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Quentin Lytefoot Sanisya

CHINLE — Funeral services for Quentin Lytefoot Sanisya, 19, of Del Muerto, Arizona, will be held Friday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Chinle LDS Church with Rudy Yellowhair Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Del Muerto.

Quentin was born Dec. 28, 1999, in Chinle, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away Sept. 19, 2019, in Phoenix.

Quentin was employed at Hard Rock Concrete and loved boxing, making everyone laugh, helping out everyone, and was a Pittsburgh fan. Quentin is survived by his mother, Veronica Gorman; father, Samuel Sanisya III; three sisters and one brother. Pallbearers will be Robertson Clark, Manuel Sanisya, Kody Segay, Daniel Tsosie Jr., Larry Tsosie, and Stanford Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers will be Samuel Sanisya III, Samuel Sanisya Jr., Nathan Sanisya, and Elmer Etsitty.

A reception will take place in Del Muerto, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ella R. Delgai

CORNFIELDS, Ariz. — Graveside service for Ella R. Delgai, 81, of Sunrise Springs, Arizona, were held Sept. 24 at the Cornfields community cemetery in Cornfields, Arizona, with Justin Johnson officiating.

Ella was born Aug. 16, 1938, in Sunrise Springs, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Kinlichíi’nii (Red House People Clan). She passed away Sept. 18, 2019, in Phoenix.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Jennifer F. Lee; brothers, Eugene Delgai, John Delgai Jr. and Wallace Delgai; sisters, Joan Delgai and Rosita Beyale; and three grandchildren. Ella is preceded in death by her daughter, Priscilla Lee; mother, Maude Nez; father, John Delgai Sr.; and sisters, Rosetta Beyale and Matilda Delgai.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Harvey Jr.

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Graveside services for Joseph Harvey Jr., 49, of Lukachukai, Arizona, were held Sept. 21 at the family plot in Lukachukai.

Joseph was born April 30, 1970, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away Sept. 17, 2019, in Albuquerque. Joseph attended Wingate High School and was employed as a diesel mechanic. He enjoyed carving and fishing. Joseph is survived by his sons, Joseph Harvey III and Jacob Turtle; daughters, Ariel Harvey, Erika Harvey and Andrea Harvey; mother, Anita Harvey; sister, Yolanda Gene; and brothers, Walter Harvey and Charles Harvey.

Joseph is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Harvey Sr. Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Terry Cook

BURNT CORN VALLEY, Ariz. — Graveside service for Terry Cook, 60, of Burnt Corn Valley, Arizona, were held Sept. 20 at the Cook’s family plot in Burnt Corn Valley, with Jackson Williams officiating.

Terry was born April 15, 1959, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, into the Hashk’aa hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away Sept. 17, 2019, in Burnt Corn Valley. Terry attended Many Farms High School, Navajo Technical College, Diné College, and Northern Arizona University. He was employed as a carpenter journeyman with Union 408.

Terry enjoyed training horses, horseback riding and teaching his grandchildren horsemanship. Terry is survived by his wife, Jean Cook; sons, Bobby Cook and Eric Ty Cook; daughters, Georgeett Cook, Jolene Cook and Terrilyn Small; brothers, Peter Cook, John Cook and Arthur Cook; sisters, Mary Natonie, Ceya Begay, Alice Brown, Melinda Mankowsky, Ella Jane Cook, and Selena Cook; and nine grandchildren. Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Tom Cook and Luke Cook Sr.; son, Baby Boy Cook; and brothers, Luke Cook Jr. and Richard Cook.

Pallbearers were Bobby Cook, Eric Ty Cook, Kevine Begay, Loren Cook, Randall Small, Chris Begay, and Ethan Begay. Honorary pallbearers were Arthur Cook, John Cook and Peter Cook.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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