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Obituaries for March 24, 2016

Raymond Watchman

Raymond Watchman

Raymond Watchman

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Raymond Watchman, 79, of Fort Defiance, were held March 23 at the Family Church Assembly of God in Fort Defiance, with Pastor Ken Delaney officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Fort Defiance.

Raymond was born April 29, 1936, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Áshiihi (Salt People Clan). He died March 19, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Raymond attended high school at Phoenix Indian School and was employed as a Navajo Nation police officer, emergency medical technician, security guard at Navajo Housing Authority, and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority.

Raymond enjoyed bull riding, saddle bronc, calf roping, silversmith work, playing basketball and softball, watching his grandchildren, and was a member of the Assembly of God Church.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Loretta Watchman; stepsons, Stephen Nozie and Vern Nozie; daughters, Carol Walker, Verna Price and Karen Tom; stepdaughters, Roberta Harris, Alberta Nozie and Michelle Sleuth; sisters, Doris Benally, Marie Ayze and Della James; grandfather, Louis Watchman; and 34 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Raymond is preceded in death by his mother, Sadie Tahe; father, Johnson Watchman; brothers, Charlie John and Jimmy Watchman; and daughter, Caroline Watchman.

Pallbearers were Henry McCabe, Johnson Benally, Daven Tagaban, Eric Sleuth, Aaron Harris, Gary Lewis, Robert Barney, and Arnold Barney.

Honorary pallbearers were Carlo Lonjose, Oscencio Tom, Edward Sleuth, Edison Dahozy, Jimmy Jones, Lynn Harris, Robert Billie, and Leslie Cleveland.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Allen Bennett

FORT DEFIANCE – A celebration of life memorial service for Thomas Allen Bennett, 57, of Eagle Butte, S.D., was held March 20 at the Fort Defiance Chapter House.

Thomas was born April 25, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People), born for Tábaahá (Waters Edge Clan). He died March 6, 2016, in Bismarck, N.D.

Thomas attended Window Rock High School and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, where he obtained his GED. He worked for Empire Glass, Safelite Auto Glass, American Glass, and Roy Engle Paint/Body in Phoenix. He loved to cook, joke around, do crossword puzzles, fishing, camping, watching football, and being around family and friends. In Eagle Butte, he was the lead cook at On the Tree Sun Dances.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Lydia K. Bennett of Fort Defiance; sons, Allen T. Bennett of Gilbert, Ariz., Phillip R. Bennett, Jean-Michael Bennett, and Jacob R. Bennett, all of Flagstaff; daughters, Camille Morua of Gallup, and Talia Bennett of Flagstaff; mother, Laura Bennett of Fort Defiance; sisters, Beverly Sarmiento of Albuquerque, Teresa Bennett of Fort Defiance, Cecille Bennett of Belen, N.M., Margaret Mike of Window Rock; brothers, Darrell Bennett and Ernie Michael Bennett of Fort Defiance, Robert L. Bennett of Phoenix, and Anthony Ashley of Gallup; and eight grandchildren and would have been a great-grandfather within the next few weeks.

Thomas is preceded in death by his father, Lafie N. Bennett; grandmother, Miriam B. Thomas; grandfather, Stanley Thomas Sr.; sister, Barbara A. Norris; and grandson, John Morua Jr.

Thomas’ family thanks everyone who helped set up, who brought food, who shared their funny stories, who came to pay their respects, and who cleaned up afterwards. Your presence was very much appreciated.

Angie Yazzie

ROCKY POINT, N.M. – Funeral services for Angie Yazzie, 63, were held March 22 at the Lighthouse Church. Interment followed in Rocky Point, N.M.

Angie was born Dec. 23, 1952, in Rocky Point, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Haltsooi (Meadow People Clan). She died March 16, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz.

Angie is survived by her daughter, Ralina Yazzie; sons, Randy Yazzie and Anderson Yazzie; and four grandchildren.

Angie is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Yazzie; mother, Helen Yazzie; stepfather, Andrew Yazzie; and brothers, Ronnie Tsosie, Leonard Yazzie and Donson Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Randy Yazzie, Anderson Yazzie, Bernie Tsosie, Robert Yazzie, Laymond Yazzie, and Joshua Joe.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Roger Begay

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Roger Begay, 71, of Phoenix, were held March 19 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, with Father Gilbert Schneider officiating. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery in St. Michaels, Ariz.

Roger was born June 12, 1944, in Lukachukai, Ariz., into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tó’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together). He died March 14, 2016, in Phoenix.

Roger was employed as a draftsman. He enjoyed silversmith and leather work.

Roger is survived by his wife, Marilyn T. Begay; son, Christopher Begay; daughters, Rhonda McPhetridge and Alexandra Brown; sister, Katherine Brown; and 13 grandchildren.

Roger is preceded in death by Evelyn Stewart.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Harven “Bam” Touchine

GALLUP – Funeral services for Harven “Bam” Touchine, 28, were held March 18 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Harven was born March 31, 1987, into the Haltsooi (Meadow People Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nali is Haltsooi; chei is Naakai dine’é. He died March 11, 2016.

Harven, commonly known as “Bam”, attended Gallup High School and moved to Albuquerque, where he worked for Blockbuster and Sandia Casino and Resort. He then moved back to Church Rock. His passion was being a mechanic. He also enjoyed traveling, being around children, cooking, watching fireworks, and was a baseball fan of the Boston Red Sox.

Harven is survived by his mother, Gloria J. Touchine of Church Rock, N.M.; father, Harvey Touchine of Iyanbito, N.M.; stepmother, Veronica Scott of Iyanbito; and siblings, Rosanna Kay, Hilary Touchine, Mike Touchine, Travis Touchine, Hannah Touchine, Tyson Tsosie, Twyla Tsosie, and Vincent Tsosie.

Harven is preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Ned and Mae Johnson; grandmother, Lena Brolon; aunt, Beulah J. Jones; uncle, Devin Jones; paternal great-grandfather, George Touchine Sr.; grandmother, La Rose Touchine; and grandfather, Herman Touchine Sr.

Pallbearers were Vincent Tsosie, Vidal Brown, Delbert Brown, Dewayne Jones, Justin Byers, and Mike Henderson.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.


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