Obituaries for June 16, 2016

Larry Etsitty

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Larry Etsitty, 66, of Hunters Point, Ariz., were held June 6 at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church with Lay Minister Marlene Neville of Iowa City, Iowa, officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Hunters Point.

Larry was born July 31, 1949, in Fort Defiance, into the Dziltl’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). His nali is Kin Yaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Tó’ Dich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died June 1, 2016, at the Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, from a brief illness.

Larry graduated from Window Rock High School in 1969 and attended Northern Arizona University, majoring in mathematics. He was employed with the College of Ganado, Ganado Unified School District, Navajo Nation Tax Department, Republic National and Globe Life Insurances as a life insurance representative, and the Navajo Nation’s Window Rock Training Center as an instructor. He retired from the Navajo Nation in 2005.

Larry and Dona Cole were united in marriage on Dec. 30, 1972, at the Andes Presbyterian Church in Andes, N.Y. Six weeks later on Feb. 10, 1973, they had a Navajo wedding performed by Larry’s grandfather, Ben Lee.

Larry and Dona loved to travel and spend their summers in their Catskill Mountains family farmhouse in upstate New York. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren.

Larry is survived by his wife, Dona Cole Etsitty; daughters, Jennifer Etsitty of Seattle, Wash., Julie Jansen of Auburn, Wash., and JaNelle Etsitty of Hunters Point; son-in-law, Mark Jansen; brothers, Tommy Lingruen of Tempe, Ariz., and Leon Etsitty of Hunters Point; sisters, Betty Yazzie of Hunters Point, and Darlene Watson of Hunters Point; and grandchildren, Taylor and Tyler Smith of Hunters Point.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, David and Nellie Etsitty; and brothers, Richard Chester and Alvin Chester.

Leo Edison Sr.

NATONI, Ariz. – Funeral services for Leo Edison Sr., 61, were held June 14 at the Black Falls Bible Church. Interment followed at the family plot in Natoni, Ariz.

Leo, a medicine man, was born Sept. 27, 1954, to Dale and Juanita Edison in Tolani Lake/Natoni area, into the Hashk’aa Hadzohó (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line Clan), born for ’Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). His nali is Tó Dich’íi’nii (Bitter Water); chei is Tl’ízí Laní (Many Goats). He died June 10, 2016, in Gilbert, Ariz.

Leo is survived by his children, Leola Edison of Tucson, Leander Edison of Oklahoma, Georgia Acothley, Nathan Edison, Raythan Edison, Leolyn Edison, Leo Edison Jr. and Elena Edison of Tuba City; brothers, Thomas Edison of Tolani Lake, and Alex Edison of Tuba City; sisters, Nona John of Oak Springs, Aria., Louise Dempsey, Dolly Williams of Tolani Lake, Ariz., Julia Begay of Flagstaff, and Arlene Willie of Tuba City; and 12 grandchildren.

Leo is preceded in death by his father, Dale Edison; and brothers, Emerson and Larry Edison.

Pallbearers were Travis Willie, Kevin Willie, Lyle John, Erik McCabe, Leo Edison Jr., Billy Dougi,
Daleshawn Etsitty and Orvid Bryant Sr.

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

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