Obituaries for September 18, 2025
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Wanda Denetdele Mansell
MAGDALENA, N.M. – Funeral services for Wanda Denetdele Mansell, 90, of Magdalena, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at 9:30 a.m., in Magdalena. Burial will follow at the Magdalena New Mexico Cemetery.
Wanda Denetdele Mansell, Feb. 20, 1935 – Aug. 27, 2025
Wanda was born Feb. 20, 1935, in Tuba City, into the Choctaw Nation, born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). Her nálí is Choctaw; cheii is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). She passed away Aug. 27, 2025, in Magdalena.
Wanda attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, and St. Margaret’s Catholic School of Nursing. She worked at Socorro General Hospital, Magdalena Schools and Alamo Health Clinic.
Wanda was a photographer, potter, pianist and seamstress who enjoyed painting, bird watching and long country drives.
Wanda is survived by her children, Theresa Guerro (Rodey), Catherine Mansell, Phillip Mansell (Linda), Veronica Grantham, Victoria Lucero (Rick) and Brandon Mansell; sister, Shirley Denetdele Pettis of Williamston, Michigan; and 40 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, biological, and bonus, each held equally in her heart.
Wanda is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Mansell Jr.; and sons, James, Mark and Sean Mansell.
Pallbearers will be Phillip and Brandon Mansell.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
A reception will take place at the St. Mary Magdalene Church Parish Hall following services.
Daniels Family Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Henry W. Haven Sr.
CHINLE – Funeral services for Henry Wilfred Haven Sr., 97, of Chinle, will be held today, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m., at The Potters House in Chinle, with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating. Burial will follow in Kinlichee, Arizona.
Henry Wilfred Haven Sr., Jan. 1, 1928 – Sept. 11, 2025
Henry was born Jan. 1, 1928, in Cross Canyon, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass-Jemez Clan). He passed away Sept. 11, 2025, in Chinle.
Henry had six years of formal education and worked five years on the railroad, four years as a boilermaker, and 31 years for Navajo Nation and BIA. He was also a volunteer firefighter.
Henry enjoyed carpentry, family gatherings, and was a WrestleMania fanatic and Dallas Cowboys fan.
Henry is survived by his wife, Marie Haven; sons, Henry Haven Jr., Ronald Haven, Pastor Martin Haven, Shaun Haven and Alfonso Haven; daughters, Cecelia Benally, Henrietta Haven, Marietta Charley, Cheryl Harry, Roberta Suarez, Laberta Shirley and Ruth Ann Wauneka; and 47 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Henry is preceded in death by his parents, Becenti Haven and Achinihabah Stai; brother, Guy Haven; daughter, Della Morgan; granddaughter, Heather Benally; and grandsons, Alonzo Haven, Henry Haven III and Donovan Benally.
Pallbearers will be Elijah Haven, Micheal Suarez, Orlando “Chuck” Haven, Ethan Cook, Douglas Benally and Kale Haven.
Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Cook, Pastor Merle Yazzie, Pastor Miller Dedman, Vernon Etsitty, grandsons and great-grandsons.
A reception will take place at the Chinle Catholic Hall following services.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Earlene B. Yazzie
CROWNPOINT – Graveside service for Earlene Barton Yazzie, 58, of Crownpoint, will be held today, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m., in Crownpoint.
Earlene Barton Yazzie, April 1, 1967 – Sept. 9, 2025
Earlene was born April 1, 1967, in Littlewater, New Mexico, into the Naakaii dine’é (Mexican Clan). Her cheii is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). She passed away Sept. 9, 2025, in Littlewater.
Earlene worked as a caregiver, nurse and warehouse manager. She enjoyed listening to rock and roll, arts and crafts, gardening, teaching, hiking, fishing and spending time with her children.
Earlene is survived by her son, Jonathan Alexander Connell; daughter, Tammy Lee Connell; mother, Dixie Yazzie; brothers, Earle Yazzie Jr. and Darwin Yazzie; and sister, Kendra Yazzie.
Earlene is preceded in death by Earl Barton Yazzie Sr., Kendall Yazzie and John Connell.
Alice W. Jefferson
GALLUP – Funeral services for Alice W. Jefferson, 78, of Gallup, will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.
Alice was born Aug. 15, 1947, in Spencer Valley, New Mexico, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nálí is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle); cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). She passed away Sept. 9, 2025, in Gallup.
Alice attended junior high school and was employed at the Old Onion Factory. She gave much of her time to ndáá’, helping with the cooking and preparations, alongside her late sister Lorinda.
Alice is survived by her sons, Emmanuel Jim, Tom Jefferson Jr., Raymond Jefferson and Armondo Gruber; daughter, Amanda Gruber; and 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Tom Jefferson; parents, George and Lucy Whitegoat; brothers, Frank Spencer, Joe Spencer, Tom Ortiz and Archie Whitegoat Sr.; and sister, Lorinda “Noreen” Spencer.
Pallbearers will be Tom Jefferson Jr., Mescalero Jefferson, Arapaho Jefferson, Raymond Jefferson, Darrell Sandoval and Frank Joey.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Hansen R. Ahasteen
TOHATCHI, N.M. – Funeral services for Hansen Ross Ahasteen, 79, of Westfield, Indiana, will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tohatchi, New Mexico, with Father Dale officiating. Burial will follow at the New Mexico Veterans Cemetery in Gallup.
Hansen was born March 31, 1946, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Nát’oh Dine’é Táchii’nii (Tobacco People Clan). His nálí is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water People); cheii is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge). He passed away Sept. 6, 2025, in Indiana.
Hansen graduated from Chinle High School and attended Eastern Arizona University in Thatcher, Arizona. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as an illustrator and worked for the American Forces Vietnam Network during the Vietnam War.
After Hansen was honorably discharged in 1971, he moved his family to Pascagoula, Mississippi, and worked with the Indian Service Center as an employment counselor. He also served as a deputy sheriff.
Hansen and his family returned to New Mexico where he worked with the Navajo Nation’s Water Resources Department and Division of Community Development, and for a limited time, he was a radio DJ with KTNN.
During Hansen’s rodeo career, he was a bull rider but gained recognition as a rodeo announcer and spent summers traveling to rodeos throughout the Navajo Nation.
Hansen was an artist and often gifted family and friends with paintings and leathercraft work. While living in Tohatchi, he was actively involved with St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he participated in church services and fundraising events and volunteered with the Tohatchi High School Booster Club.
Hansen enjoyed giving back to his community in Low Mountain, and supported initiatives focused on veterans, education, and chapter development programs.
In his retirement years, Hansen spent time with his family in Indiana, cheering on the sidelines at soccer games, basketball games, swim meets, gardening, and traveling throughout the Midwest attending sporting events such as the Indianapolis Colts football games, Indy 500 races, Cincinnati Reds baseball games, and an occasional PBR event.
Hansen is survived by his daughters, Felica Ahasteen-Bryant (Kenneth) and Hansenyta Ahasteen; sisters, Arletta Ahasteen and Delores Atene; brothers, Lowery Ahasteen and Gerald Ahasteen; and three granddaughters and two great-grandsons.
Hansen is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Becenti Ahasteen; son, Patrick Ahasteen; parents, Arlie and Julia Ahasteen; sister, Rosemary Lee; and brothers, Jimmie Ahasteen and Leroy Ahasteen.
Pallbearers will be nephews and grandsons, Benjamin Ahasteen Sr., Duane Ahasteen, Elroy Ahasteen, Cihlar Harvey, Alexander Yazzie and Cameron Yazzie.
A Celebration of Life reception will take place at the Gallup Community Service Center.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Wilson Anderson
GALLUP – Funeral services for Wilson Anderson, 75, were held Sept. 17 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Chaplain Kevin Ruthven officiating. Interment followed at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.
Wilson was born July 23, 1950, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away Sept. 5, 2025, in Gallup.
Wilson attended Window Rock High School.
Wilson is survived by his wife, Pauline Anderson; daughters, Karen A. Gorman and Sharon A. Yazzie; parents, Eddie B. and Elsie W. Anderson; sister, Charlotte L. Greenstone; and seven grandchildren.
Wilson is preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Anderson, Edwin Anderson, Nelson Anderson and Peter Catron; and sisters, Anna Mae Aspaas and Anna Ruth Bohanon.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Joseph L. Shunkamolah III
LAWTON, Okla. – Funeral services for Joseph Lee Shunkamolah III, 75, of Gallup, will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m., in Lawton, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at the KCA Mount Scott Cemetery.
Joseph was born Sept. 20, 1949, in Lawton. He passed away Sept. 12, 2025, in Gallup.
Joseph attended Shiprock High School, Cache High School, Cameron University and the University of Oklahoma. He was employed as a teacher and principal (Laguna, Sky City, Tohatchi, and Ch’óshgai, New Mexico) and (Elgin and Anadarko, Oklahoma).
Joseph enjoyed biking, fishing, reading, attending powwows, and spending time with family and friends.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Cleora Hubbard Shunkamolah; and children, William Shunkamolah (Sarayl), Matthew Shunkamolah (Valerie), Charles Shunkamolah and David Shunkamolah.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Gladys; sister, Sharon Jo; and brother, Fred.
A reception will take place at the Mount Scott Kiowa United Methodist Church following services.
Comanche Nation Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Cornelius T. Leonard
CHINLE – Funeral services for Cornelius Tom Leonard, 71, of Názlíní, Arizona, were held Sept. 11 at The Potter House in Chinle, with A. Aragon officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.
Cornelius was born Jan. 7, 1954, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tsénjíkiní (Cliff Dwellers People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away in Chandler, Arizona.
Cornelius graduated from Chinle High School and attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque. He worked for Navajo Communication Company, Navajo Nation Department of Workforce Development, Five Star Security Company,
Chinle Nursing Home, Inc. and Navajo Housing Authority. He was also a self-employed vendor at the Chinle and Window Rock flea markets for 25 years.
Cornelius was a member of the Native American Church and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, and going to rodeos and high school basketball games.
Cornelius is survived by his wife, Helen Marie Leonard; son, Lee Tom Leonard; daughters, Lucinda Leonard, Leonora Leonard, Lavina Leonard, Lawanda Leonard and Leila Leonard; brothers, Elmer Leonard and Leland Leonard; sister, Cornelia Begay; and 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Cornelius is preceded in death by his mother, Lola Begay.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Everette B. Begay Sr.
SWEETWATER, Ariz. – Graveside service for Everette Ben Begay Sr., 48, of Sweetwater, Arizona, will be held today, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m., in Sweetwater.
Everette was born Jan. 4, 1977, at the Fort Defiance Hospital, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Naakaii dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nálí is Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass-Jemez); cheii is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People).
Everette attended school to become a refrigeration specialist and was employed as a general laborer. He enjoyed building carpentry projects, firefighting, and making Kachina dolls.
Everette is survived by his brother, Ernest Ben Begay Jr. and sister, Marlana Poyer Begay.
Everette is preceded in death by Ernest Ben Begay Sr., Mamie Poyer, Elbert Begay and Sheryl Silversmith.
Honorary pallbearer will be Ernest Ben Begay Jr.
A reception will take place at the Immanuel Mission School gym in Sweetwater, following service.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow