Obituaries for September 25, 2025
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Rose M. Foley Fredericks
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Rose Mary “Rosh” Foley Fredericks, 88, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance. Burial will follow at a later date.
Rose Mary “Rosh” Foley Fredericks, Oct. 11, 1936, – July 26, 2025
Rose was born Oct. 11, 1936, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Naaneesht’ézhí Clan, born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away July 26, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona.
Rose was employed with Indian Health Service for 40 years and eventually started running their scholarship program in Rockville, Maryland. She was active in her local Kateri Tekakwitha Circle.
Rose is survived by her husband, Lloyd Fredericks; daughters, Barbara Foley and Camille Foley-Denetclaw; sister, Jerilyn LeBeaux; and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Rose is preceded in death by her sons, Jason and Terrence Foley; and siblings, Vernon “Dee” Teller and Rena Teller.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Cardiel and Danny Foley.
A reception will take place at St. Dominic’s Hall following services.
Frances K. Big
FLAGSTAFF – Graveside service for Frances K. Big, 82, of Tuba City, will be held Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.
Frances K. Big, 82,
Frances was born in Chiiłchinbii’tó, Arizona, into the Nát’oh dine’e Táchii’nii (Tobacco People Clan/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). Her nálí is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge); cheii is Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People). She passed away in mid-September in Iowa.
Frances worked for the U.S. government, BIA, and the Navajo Nation. She enjoyed traveling with her children and grandchildren, visiting relatives, and supporting her grandchildren’s hobbies.
Frances is survived by her children, Elena, Sonjia and Roland Big; sisters, Marie Chischilly and Edna Mae Zhonnie; and 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Frances is preceded in death by Ronald Big.
A private reception will take place in Flagstaff, following service.
Mavis J. Yazzie
GALLUP – Funeral services for Mavis J. Yazzie, 59, of Nihodeeshgiizh, New Mexico, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Jonah High officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Nihodeeshgiizh.
Mavis J. Yazzie, Oct. 9, 1965 – Sept. 18, 2025
Mavis was born Oct. 9, 1965, in Crownpoint, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nálí is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together); cheii is Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People). She passed away Sept. 18, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho.
Mavis graduated from Crownpoint High School and enjoyed baking, cooking, and taking care of her grandchildren.
Mavis is survived by her brother, Darryl Yazzie; and sisters, Bernice Begay, Gloria Largo, Diane Yazzie, DeAnna Yazzie, and Dora Largo.
Mavis is preceded in death by her daughter, Mabeline Yazzie.
Pallbearers will be Shawn Yazzie, Steven Yazzie, Jaydan Largo, Corey Vandever and Wade Thompson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Darryl Yazzie, Robert Yazzie and Jerrickson Largo.
A reception will take place at the Nihodeeshgiizh Chapter House following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Jerald S. House
GALLUP – Funeral services for Jerald Scott House, 72, of Gallup, will be held today, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., at the Bethany Church in Gallup, with Pastor Daniel Devries officiating. Burial will follow in Naschitti, New Mexico.
Jerald Scott House, Aug. 18, 1953 – Sept. 19, 2025
Jerald was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Fort Defiance, into the Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Oneida (Turtle Clan), but was raised by Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan). He passed away Sept. 19, 2025, in Albuquerque.
Jerald graduated from the University of New Mexico and was employed with the Navajo Nation Division of Community Development. He enjoyed gardening, golfing, fishing, hunting, and was a longtime Green Bay Packers fan.
Jerald is survived by his wife, Ethel O. House; sons, Seneca House of Farmington, and Tecumseh House of Gallup; daughters, Winona House and Nicole House, both of Gallup; brothers, Darryl Cheschilly, Gordon House and Darryl House; sisters, Beverly Cheschilly, Katherine Johnson, Geraldine Cheschilly, Dora Cheschilly, Verla Cheschilly and Miranda Cheschilly; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Jerald is preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Richard Cheschilly Sr.; and brother, Richard Cheschilly Jr.
Pallbearers will be Marley Deschiney, Aristotle Jones, Aiden Holiday, Scott Cheschilly, Sylvester Spencer, Jaren Cheschilly, Craig Bitsilly and Tyrone Deschiney.
A reception will take place in Naschitti on Highway 491 at milepost 46.3 following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Leland A. Chee
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Leland Aaron Chee, 46, of Fort Defiance, were held Sept. 18 at the Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance community cemetery.
Leland Aaron Chee, Sept. 11, 1979 – Sept. 10, 2025
Leland was born Sept. 11, 1979, in Fort Defiance, into the Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). Her nálí is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water); cheii is Tódích’íi’nii. He passed away Sept. 10, 2025.
Leland attended Tse Ho Tso Elementary School, Chinle School District, and Grand Mesa High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He worked for Oakland Construction Company, G&C Construction Company, PGI Pipeline, Precision Pipeline, Quality Int Service and C&J Equipment.
Leland enjoyed fishing, kayaking, basketball, scenic walks, Native storytelling, and collecting baseball cards.
Leland is survived by his children, Nala and Lucy; and siblings, Lynette Chee-Stash, Ellison Chee and Loren Chee.
Leland is preceded in death by his mother, Linda Rose Benally-Chee; and father, Leonard Leroy Chee.
Pallbearers were Ellison Chee, Loren Wacey Chee, Leron Lyle Chee, Lyman Davis, Duane Johnson, and Kyle Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers were Sheldon Bia, Benjamin Yazzie, Ron Ivy, Tony Seldat, Paul Jean, and Jeff Pate.
Farmington Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
Paul Notah Jr.
GALLUP – Funeral services for Paul Notah Jr., 33, of Albuquerque, will be held Monday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Ron Yazzie officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.
Paul Notah Jr., March 19, 1992 – Sept. 13, 2025
Paul was born March 19, 1992, in Albuquerque, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Sept. 13, 2025, in Albuquerque.
Paul attended Van Buren Elementary School, Emerson Middle School, and graduated from Highland High School in 2010. He attended ATI and worked for the University of New Mexico and at Vitality Works.
Paul was quite the artist and was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan.
Paul is survived by his son, Dallas Notah; daughters, Sunny Faye Notah and Kataleigha Lynn Lee Notah; mother, Arlene Yazzie; stepfather, Sam Begay; brothers, Elliot Notah and Eric Notah; and sister, Camisha Begay.
Paul is preceded in death by his grandfather, Freddie Nelson; grandmother, Martha Marie Nelson; aunts, Priscilla Guerrero and Geneva Harrison; uncle, Paul Begaye Jr.; sister, Arlendria Notah; father, Paul Notah Sr.; nálí, Helen Lee; and cousin, Margaret Notah.
Pallbearers will be Raul Molina, Tyson Begaye, Marcus Murphy, Lorenzo Notah, Damian Aragon and Nathaniel Harrison.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Begay, Dale Vallo, Ricky Murphy, Elliot Notah, Eric Notah and Curtis Murphy.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Gerald Whitesinger
CHINLE – Funeral services for Gerald Whitesinger, 52, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle, with Father PJey officiating. Burial will follow in Chinle.
Gerald was born Sept. 2, 1973, in Chinle, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Sept. 16, 2025, in Phoenix.
In 1995, Gerald worked in Texas for two years and traveled with his wife throughout the years working during their travel.
Gerald was a very loving, caring, and humble person. He always had a smile and was never angry. He loved to help everyone and anyone in need.
Gerald enjoyed drawing, painting, arts and crafts, beadwork, silversmith work, making cradle boards and working on vehicles for family and friends.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Lorraine Yazzie; brothers, Elory W., Don Whitesinger, Alvin Ayze and Gabe Whitesinger; and sisters, Marie Dennison, Ophelia, Eileen and Eleanor.
Gerald is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Yazzie; father, John Whitesinger Sr.; brothers, John Whitesinger Jr., Ronald Whitesinger and Calvin Ayze; maternal grandparents, Ned and Elizabeth Yazzie; and paternal grandparents, Hataałii Łigai Biye’ Whitesinger and Ason Whitesinger.
A reception will take place at Marie Dennison’s residence (2.5 miles northwest of the Chinle Park Service) following services.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Michael R. Spencer
GALLUP – Funeral services for Michael Ray Spencer, 47, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Evangelist Francis L. Begay officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
Michael was born Sept. 19, 1977, in Gallup, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Seneca (Cayuga Tribe) in Oklahoma. He passed away Sept. 18, 2025, in Gallup.
Michael graduated from Gallup High School in 1997 and worked at Amigo Toyota, Rico’s Automotive, and Jiffy Lube.
Michael is survived by her wife, Sharon Spencer; sons, Nathaniel and Zackery Spencer; daughter, Raquel Spencer; mother, Ruth Ann Spencer; brother, Michael Ray Bitsie Jr.; grandfather, Richard Smith Sr.; and two grandchildren.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Cornelius T. Leonard
CHINLE – Funeral services for Cornelius Tom Leonard, 71, of Názlíní, Arizona, were held Sept. 17 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 Tséńjíkiní (Cliff Dwellers People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Sept. 11, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona.
Cornelius graduated from Chinle High School and attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque. He worked for the Navajo Communication Company, Navajo Nation Department of Workforce Development, Five Star Security Company, Chinle Nursing Home, Inc. and Navajo Housing Authority.
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.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow