Obituaries for Sept. 9, 2021

Irene R. Lewis

HOUCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Irene Rosalyn Lewis, 89, was held Sept. 4 at the Houck community cemetery in Houck, Arizona, with Father Edgardo Diaz officiating.

Irene was born Aug. 11, 1932, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). She passed away Aug. 30, 2021, in Window Rock.

Irene attended grade school at Fort Wingate and Sanders-Valley High School. She worked for the Navajo Tribe for 16 years and 25 years for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, retiring in 1998.

As a youngster, Irene enjoyed riding horses and herding sheep. She liked to travel and do word search puzzles.

Irene is survived by her son, Myron W. Eriacho; daughters, Rosalyn Roanhorse, Marlene Eriacho and Belinda Eriacho; and 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Irene is preceded in death by her sons, Tony Eriacho Jr. and Leo Eriacho; brother, Mark Lewis; sisters, Isabelle Lewis and Mildred Saltwater (Lewis); and parents, Lillian and Tom Lewis.

Pallbearers were Myron Eriacho, Shawn Peterson, Malcolm Roanhorse, Ramone Yazzie Jr., Austin Roanhorse, and Thomas Eriacho.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Frances Tilden

GALLUP — Funeral services for Betty Frances Tilden, 83, of Church Rock, New Mexico, were held Sept. 7 at the St. John Vianney Church in Gallup, with Father Isaac officiating. Interment followed at the Sunset Cemetery in Gallup.

Betty was born April 10, 1938, in Arizona. She passed away Aug. 31, 2021, in Gallup.

Betty graduated from Cathedral High School in 1958. She enjoyed going to Fire Rock Casino where she would see friends. It was her sense of humor and generosity that won her many friends wherever she went.

Betty loved her family and took every opportunity to tell people how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. She loved animals and always had a cat or dog around. Even though she never planted a flower, every year her front yard was full of beautiful wildflowers.

Betty is survived by her sons, Mark C. Tilden of Boulder, Colorado, Chip Tilden of New York City, and Mervyn C. Tilden of Albuquerque; daughters, Deborah Yellowhorse of Gallup, and Valencia C. Ruschmeier of Thoreau, New Mexico; and 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her sons, Michael Yellowhorse Sr., Marshal Tilden and Gabriel Tilden; and grandsons, Benjamin Clyde Shirley and Jace Greyeyes.

Pallbearers were Derrick Shirley, Anthony Shirley, Mervyn Tilden, Caleb Shirley, Mark Tilden, and Chip Tilden.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Marcella R. Lee

PINEDALE, N.M. — Graveside service for Marcella Rose Lee, 37, of Pinedale, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Pinedale, with Pastor Darrelson Begay officiating.

Marcella, a Gallup Central High School graduate, was born March 17, 1984, in Gallup, into the Dziłtł’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan), born for Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water Clan). She passed away Sept. 5, 2021, in Gallup.

Honorary pallbearers will be Myron Silversmith, Erwin Smith, Randy Lee, Coleton Lee, and Lyle Lee.

A reception will take place at Nancy and Harrington’s residence on 2nd Canyon Road, following service.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Robert “Bob” Orville Thompson (1928 — 2021)

OREM, Utah — Robert “Bob” Orville Thompson passed peacefully to his reward with his beloved Lord Jesus on Sept. 3, 2021, in Orem, Utah.

Bob was born Dec. 13, 1928, in Tomah, Wisconsin, to Orville and Nellie Thompson, who preceded him in death as did his brother Herbert and sister Wanda.

After moving to Kayenta, Bob started a job that would finish his career as a journeyman machinist: working 20 years at Peabody Energy’s Black Mesa Mine on the Navajo Nation. He lived the last 40-plus years of his life in Page, Arizona.

Although Bob had many titles, one he may have enjoyed the most was when his Navajo friends called him “Shicheii.”

Bob loved the guitar, hiking, tinkering with cars and machining projects, but mostly, he loved those things because they provided him with opportunities to uplift and counsel people (and make them groan at his unbelievably corny jokes).

Bob is fondly remembered by innumerable friends, including many clergy of differing denominational backgrounds. He encouraged them all to focus on the central uniting issues of kindness, humility and love for all of God’s children as taught in the Word.

Bob is survived by his wife, Alice Owen, of Church Wells, Utah. Although they only married last fall, they were close friends for years and Bob was finally able to convince Alice to say “yes” after numerous requests for her hand.

Bob was a father to, and survived by, Sandy Schulte (Darrell) of Phillipsburg, Kansas, and Linda Aki (Bill, deceased) of Arvada, Colorado.

Bob was also much more than a stepfather to (and survived by) Lou Sharpe of Fort Collins, Colorado; Nancy Kaiser (Herbert) of Collinsville, Illinois; Raymond Sharpe (Christine) of Centralia, Illinois; Jim Sharpe (Karen) of Phoenix; and Amy Ham (Mike) of Franklin, Tennessee.

Bob was a grandfather to 21 and great-grandfather to 17. All of his “greats” and “grands” occupied his thoughts and prayers.

Bob is also preceded in death by his two wives, Joan and Maxine.

A Celebration of Life service, to be held in Page, will be announced at a later date to allow the most number of friends and family to gather and remember Bob together.

Satya D. Misra

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A memorial service for Satya Deb Misra will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m., at the Horizon Park Community Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Deb was born Jan. 23, 1942, in West Bengal, India. He passed away from complications of pulmonary fibrosis on Aug. 11, 2021, at Sherman Hospice Home in Phoenix.

Deb was a multidisciplinary engineer with a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from Bengal Engineering College, master’s degree in mining engineering from Columbia University, and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Over the years, Deb worked for Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Resources, Southern Illinois University’s Mining Technology Program, United Nuclear Corporation in New Mexico, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Mechanical Engineering Department.

Deb was a longtime resident of Gallup. After 25 years of meritorious service with various departments of the Navajo Nation, he retired in 2009 and relocated to Scottsdale.

Deb was a humanitarian, world traveler, amateur magician, SERVAS host, and friend to many. He impacted the lives of countless individuals who cherished, admired, and respected him.

In line with his generous wishes, Deb’s body was donated to Science Care. Deb will continue to help others, even after his passing.

Deb is survived by his wife, Dr. Rachel G. Misra; children, Ronnie (Valerie) and Sheila (Jacob); and sister, Shanti.

Deb is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic for Deb’s outstanding medical care over the last 30 years.

A special thanks goes out to the nurses and staff of Sherman Home for the loving care with which they blessed the entire family during the last two days of Deb’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made in Deb’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation.

William H. Huffman

FLAGSTAFF — William H. (Bill) Huffman died March 22, 2021.

Born in Charleston, West Virginia, on Dec. 19, 1949, Bill was the son of Robert Lee Huffman Sr. and Marion Lamb Huffman.

Because Bill’s father served in the military, the family moved around the U.S. and Europe. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Carolina University.

Bill began as an elementary school guidance counselor and then earned his Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Duke University. He served in numerous roles at academic institutions, including Texas A&M University, University of Ryukyus, University of Maryland, Boston University, University of Mount Olive, and most recently, Northern Arizona University.

One of Bill’s favorite jobs was delivering the first graduate school counseling classes in Tuba City, in which he had the opportunity to learn more about the Native American culture through teaching Native American graduate students for NAU’s College of Education. He was beloved by his students throughout his career.

Bill possessed a love for culture and history, having lived and worked in Germany, England, and Japan. He and his wife, Ann, shared many wonderful adventures traveling around the world, but were also happy staying at home playing games, being with friends, cooking new dishes, and just hanging out.

Bill was a gentle and kind soul who loved to travel, tend plants, cook, read comics, root for Duke basketball, and enjoy life with his wife, family, friends, and pups (Bandit, Honey, Binkki). His humor, love of life, and caring soul will be dearly missed.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Ann Hergatt Huffman; sister, Linda Greenly; father-in-law, Keith Hergatt; sisters-in-law, Liz Hergatt and Laura Oscarson; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Lee Huffman Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Flagstaff Family Food Center (hotfood.org) in Bill’s honor.

Bill’s celebration of life will be will be held Sunday, Sept 19 (http://www.eventcreate.com/e/billscelebration).

Ryan J. Brown

LUPTON, Ariz. — Graveside service for Ryan Justin Brown, 35, of Holbrook, Arizona, will be held Friday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., at the family plot in Lupton, Arizona.

Ryan was born May 2, 1986, in Fort Defiance, into the Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). His nalí is Naakai dine’é (Mexican); cheii is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around). He passed away Aug. 31, 2021, in Santa Fe.

Ryan graduated from Holbrook High School in 2004 and was a talented guitar player, artist and singer. He enjoyed music, any kind of artwork, and spending time with his daughters. He was loved deeply and will be missed greatly.

Ryan is survived by his daughters, Keira Brown and Kayden Brown; father, Justin Brown; and sisters, Justina Nez, Tyreta Brown, Tashina Brown, and Tara Brown.

Ryan is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Brown; and grandparents, Emma and Jimmy Silversmith, and Alice and Louie Jim.

Pallbearers will be Seth Morris, Branon Leonard, Darius Nez, Alejandro Dayea, James Walls, and Herschel Slivers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Brown, Nelson Nez and Darnell Nez.

A drive-thru reception will follow service.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements.

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