Obituaries for Sept. 29, 2022

Kenneth H. Mestes Jr.

CUBA, N.M. — Funeral services for Kenneth Harry Mestes Jr., 33, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., at the Tinian Indian Baptist Church in Cuba, New Mexico, with Antonio Chiquito officiating. Burial will follow in Tinian.

Kenneth was born March 24, 1989, in Gallup. He passed away on Sept. 17, 2022, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Kenneth graduated from Tse’ Yi’ Gai High School and attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and Job Corps in Albuquerque, majoring in masonry. He enjoyed riding and taming horses and designing cars, and he also enjoyed drawing where he painted a giant mural in his high school.

Kenneth loved to spend time with his parents and siblings but loved to be with his baby girl, and she was his world.

Kenneth was a very loving guy. He liked playing with his nieces and nephews and teasing his cousins, grandmothers, and aunts. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Kentana April Mestes; girlfriend, Shauntana Cleveland; parents, Jorena Mestes and Kenneth Harry Mestes Sr.; brothers, Kameron Mestes and wife Evita Sala and Jordan Mestes; sisters, Jolena Antonio and spouse Austin Petago; and grandmother, Rita Antonio.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his grandfather, Woody Antonio.

Pallbearers will be Fredrick Toledo, Shaun Antonio, Woodrow Antonio, Percy Negale Jr., Rick Velarde, and Ryan Velarde.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Mestes Sr., Kameron Mestes, Jordan Mestes, Aaron Hines, Brandon Chiquito, and Emerson T. Chiquito.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Douglas M. Yazzie

SANTA FE — Douglas Mick Yazzie’s, 32, funeral services are pending. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Douglas was born Oct. 25, 1989, in Gallup, into the Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan), and was born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away on Sept. 23, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Douglas graduated from Rehoboth High School and attended Phoenix University, majoring in business management from 2018 to 2019. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp. from May 2012 to May 2017 and was employed as a truck driver and owner/operator in 48 states from 2019 to 2022.

Douglas enjoyed car shows, cookouts, family time, country dancing, the outdoors, going to the gym and shooting range, and attending his daughter’s gymnastic class.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Keiesha Yazzie; sons, Aziah Yazzie, Treyvan Johnson, and Sammuel Yazzie; daughter, Scarlette Yazzie; mother, Sueann Yazzie; father, Michael Yazzie; brothers, Michaelson D. Yazzie, Isaac Yazzie, Zachary Yazzie, and Xavier Yazzie; and sisters, Jana Whiterock, Rachael Yazzie, Velma M. Keeto, Naomi M. Yazzie, Nizhoni L. Yazzie, and Christina Yazzie.

Douglas is preceded in death by his brother, Miguel D. Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Michaelson D. Yazzie, Michael Yazzie, Memphis C. Yazzie, Steve Simmons, and Chris Richardson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Aziah Yazzie and others to be announced.

A reception will follow services for immediate family only.

Rivera Family Funeral Home in Santa Fe oversees arrangements.

Helen Lee

GALLUP — Funeral services for Helen Lee, 88, of Gallup, were held Sept. 28 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Ron Yazzie officiating. Interment followed in Tsayatoh, New Mexico.

Helen was employed as a silversmith. She was born June 15, 1934, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He was born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away on Sept. 23, 2022, in Gallup.

Helen is survived by her sons, Lawrence Notah and Justin Dedman; daughters, Joann Jim and Geneva Harrison; sisters, Alice Begay and Bernice Slinkey; and nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Helen is preceded in death by her son, Paul Notah Sr.; mother, Grace Francisco; father, Ben Lee; and granddaughter, Arlendria Notah.

Anthony Jim, Chad Harrison, Paul Notah Jr., Elliott Notah, Lorenzo Notah, and Damian Aragon were pallbearers.

Lawrence Notah, Justin Dedman, Albert Jim, George Aragon, and Randy Amos were honorary pallbearers.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Mabel Watchman

SANDERS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Mabel Watchman, 57, of Houck, Arizona, will be held Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. (DST), Ted Goodluck Jr. officiated at the Sanders Valley Baptist Church in Sanders, Arizona. Burial will follow in Houck.

Mabel was born Feb. 19, 1965, in Gallup, into the Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), and was born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She passed away on Sept. 19, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Mabel enjoyed doing canvas work and jewelry beadwork.

Mabel is survived by her ex-husband, James Watchman Jr.; sons, Joshua Watchman, Jameson Watchman, Kevin Watchman, Matthew Watchman, and Shawnavan Watchman; daughters, Ashlee Watchman, and Jewel Watchman; brothers, Roland Gordon, Basil Gordon, Gilbert Gordon, and Delbert Gordon; sisters, Fannie Gordon and Janet Gordon; and 12 grandchildren.

Mabel is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Harold Gordon; son, Justin Ray Watchman; and siblings, Catherine Dale, Arlene Baldonado, and Edward Gordon.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Watchman, Jameson Watchman, Devin Desson, Kevin Watchman, Matthew Watchman, and Shawnavan Watchman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jared Watchman and Ashlee Watchman.

A reception will take place at the Sanders Valley Baptist Church, Lonnie Griffin Building, following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversees arrangements.

Guy Yazzie

SANDERS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Guy Yazzie, 91, of Sanders, Arizona, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Guy was born Sept. 12, 1931, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away on Sept. 26, 2022.

Guy was last employed with Dalton Motors.

Guy is survived by his sons, Alvin Yazzie, and Gene Yazzie; daughters, Marie Riggs and Idaline Dixon; brothers, John Yazzie and Robert Yazzie; and sisters, Ethel Long and Lillie Benally.

Guy is preceded in death by his wife, Alice Deal Yazzie; father, Todacheenie Yazzie; and brothers, Juan Tso, Wilmer Nez, and Beryl Monroe.

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