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Obituaries for June 2, 2016

Franklin W. LaFave Jr.

Franklin LaFave, Jr.

Franklin LaFave, Jr.

MESA, Ariz. – A celebration of life for Franklin Wayne LaFave Jr. was held June 4 at Dobson’s Restaurant, located at the Dobson Ranch Golf Course, in Mesa, Ariz.

Frank, Cherokee and Walla Walla, was born Oct. 27, 1946, in Okmulgee, Okla., to Jessie Keys-LaFave and Franklin Wayne LaFave Sr. He died May 12, 2016, after a second bout with cancer. He passed peacefully with his family by his side in Mesa.

Frank attended Window Rock High School and went on to graduate from Arizona State University with a business degree in 1968. Throughout his career he worked for the Navajo Nation, as the president of American Indian Consultants, and he recently retired as the chief financial officer of the Phoenix Indian Center after 16 years of service.

Frank was passionate about music and played the trumpet in bands throughout school, including the Navajo Nation Band and the Arizona State University Concert Band. He loved his Sun Devil football and followed college games most weekends. He enjoyed taking his family on fishing trips and hunting with his son and close friends, though he disliked raccoons. His other interests included aviation, the culinary arts, and traveling. Hawaii, Las Vegas and San Francisco were some of his favorite destinations.

Frank will be remembered as the kindest, warmest person you have ever met. He was very intelligent and knowledgeable about so many things. He was slightly sarcastic and loved to laugh. He had the “gift of the gab” and enjoyed connecting with those around him. We are grateful for the minutes, hours and years we were blessed with his light and love. Although he is gone from our sight, he will forever be in our hearts.

Frank is survived by his daughters, Noel and Linnea; son, Franklin; sisters, Cheryl LaFave-Cordova of Gallup, and Anne LaFave-Garcia of Phoenix; and grandchildren, Ethan, Elijah and Sierra.

The LaFave family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the Window Rock High School family, the Phoenix Indian Center and the doctors and staff who cared for him in his final days.

Henry Greybear

Henry Greaybear

Henry Greaybear

FORT YATES, N.D. – Memorial services for Henry Greybear were held May 27 at the Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Fort Yates, N.D.

Henry was born March 20, 1944, in Fort Yates, to William and Mildred “Chapman” Greybear. He died April 23, 2016, in Dallas, Texas.

Henry married Annie Byjoe from Many Farms, Ariz., on Jan. 2, 1966, in Oakland, Calif. As a couple, they said “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” by the Four Tops was their song. Their love created four beautiful children.

As a husband and a father, Henry worked as a butcher and a mechanic to support his family. He considered himself as a self-educated man and traveled throughout the western United States. He would later settle in Dallas, where he worked over 25 years for Cosway. He had many trade skills, a master welder, bomb builder, assembly line worker, and a maintenance worker.

Henry enjoyed listening to Waylon Jennings and watching old western movies. He was a Minnesota Vikings fan and appreciated Mexican cuisine with Chile Relleno being his favorite dish. He also enjoyed the company of his friends and was a good storyteller.

Henry was a cancer survivor and had a favorite quote, “Never say goodbye, always says see you later”.

Henry is survived by his children, Curtis Greybear, Annette Greybear, Audie Greybear, Delayna Volk, and Ashley Tiger Juarez; sisters, Barbara Molash of Fort Yates, and Janet Archambault of Mandan, N.D.; brother, Gerald Greybear of Bismarck, N.D.; and 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, William Greybear and Mildred “Chapman” Greybear; son, Henry Jerome Greybear Jr.; sisters, Theresa Greybear and Margaret Leon; and brother, Delano Greybear.

Honorary pallbearers were Sandra Powers, Nora Benally, Francisco Morales, Dixie Escobar, Norman Treetop and other good friends from Arizona, North Dakota and Texas.

Edward C. Carlisle

REHOBOTH, N.M. – Funeral services for Edward C. Carlisle, 78, were held June 2 at the Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial Park.

Edward was born Dec. 25, 1938, in Pinehaven, N.M., into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He died May 27, 2016, in Gallup.

Edward graduated from Rehoboth Mission School in 1958 and the University of New Mexico in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate in political science. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964 and was employed with the Navajo Tribe for 11 years, retiring from the BIA after 32 years.

Edward was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Mexico Law School and McKinley County Soil and Water Conservation. He received numerous community service and education awards. He was an avid reader and avid fan of the Washington Redskins. He enjoyed fishing, watching western movies, singing in church and serving numerous church leadership roles.

Edward is survived by his wife, Dorothy A. Carlisle; children, LaDonna L. Carlisle, Danielle D. Slim and Donovan D. Carlisle; and nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Edward is preceded in death by his father, Edward Cowboy Sr.; mother, Marian Y. Cowboy; and brother, Homer Herbert.

Pallbearers were family members, nephews and grandsons.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Mickey Kee Bitsilly

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Mickey Kee Bitsilly, 53, of Navajo, N.M., were held June 3 at the Fort Defiance Church of Christ with Minister Terry Laurence officiating. Interment followed in Greasewood Springs, Ariz.

Mickey was born Nov. 18, 1952, in Fort Defiance, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died May 26, 2016, in Navajo.

Mickey received technical training in mechanics and construction at Haskell in Kansas. He worked in construction in Chandler, Ariz. He enjoyed reading and spending time with family and friends.

Mickey is survived by his brothers, Benjamin Bitsilly and Jonathan Bitsilly, both of Navajo; and sisters, Barbara Crawford and Sarah Bitsilly, both of Fort Defiance.

Mickey is preceded in death by his parents, Hoskie Sr. and Grace Bitsilly; brother, Hoskie Bitsilly Jr.; maternal grandparents, Johnson and Jessie Brown; and paternal grandparents, Natani and Louise Bitsilly.

Pallbearers were Nathan Crawford, Kallen Crawford, Jackson Tsosie, Carl Tsosie, Myron “Bubba” Sandoval, and Edison James.

Honorary pallbearers were Benjamin Bitsilly, Jonathan Bitsilly, Raymond James, Michael Brown, Harrison Spencer, Jack Keams Jr., and Francis Bitselley.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Olin Dean Joe

GALLUP – Funeral services for Olin Dean Joe, 36, were held May 28 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Twin Lakes, N.M.

Olin was born April 25, 1980, in Gallup, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Kinlichii’nii (Red House); chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). He died May 23, 2016, in Farmington.

Olin attended Tohatchi High School and was employed at Albertson’s grocery store.

Olin is survived by his parents, David and Pauline Joe; brothers, Hyland Joe, Alfred John and Curtis R. John; and sister, Rosandra Chavez.

Olin is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Mary Yazzie; and paternal grandparents, David Patrick and Nora Thompson.

Pallbearers were Hyland Joe, Rodney Nez, Hyron Gorman, Ottis Gorman, Joseph Pino, and Sherwin Woody.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.


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