Ruth S. Benally

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Ruth S. Benally, 89, of Fort Defiance, were held Nov. 19 at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Defiance, with Father Gilbert Schneider officiating. Interment followed in Sawmill, Ariz.

Ruth was born May 2, 1925, in Sawmill, into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for T—dich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died Nov. 16, 2014, in Fort Defiance.

Ruth attended Good Sheppard Mission in Fort Defiance, Fort Wingate Boarding School and adult education from BIA. She was employed as a nurse with Cornell University in Many Farms, Ariz., field health worker with the Navajo Tribe, administrative assistant with the Navajo Nation Aging Program, teacher’s aide with Navajo Head Start Program, and was a foster grandparent in Fort Defiance.

Ruth enjoyed traveling, crocheting, song and dances, sewing, caring for her animals, gardening and pinon picking.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Ron Harris and Vernon Anderson; daughter, Elouise Spencer; brother, Jimmy Tsosie; and 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Ruth is preceded in death by her son, Eddie “Ox” Anderson; grandsons, Robert Edison Anderson and Edison Anderson II; mother, Bah Tsosie; father, Etsitty Smith; sisters, Lillian Mitchell and Mable Bennett; and brothers, Lennie Reynolds Sr. and Edward Smith.

Pallbearers were Michael Spencer, Noland Spencer, Christopher Spencer, Craig Thompson, Bruino Gurrola, and Lennie Reynolds Jr.

Caroline Jean Watchman

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Caroline Jean Watchman, 53, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance, with James Bennett Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot (Route 7, one mile west of Fort Defiance Indian Hospital).

Caroline was born July 7, 1969, in Sells, Ariz., into the Tsi’naajiinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tohono O’odham (Southwest Desert People Clan). She died Nov. 10, 2014, in Ajo, Ariz.

Caroline attended elementary school in Fort Defiance with the Window Rock School District and received her GED in Roswell, N.M. She was a self-employed landscaper.

Caroline enjoyed taking walks, hiking, cooking out with family, reading books and the company of family and friends. She was a fun, loving and affectionate person.

Caroline is survived by her son, Alex Watchman of Bloomfield, N.M.; daughter, Anita Watchman of Bloomfield; father, Raymond Watchman of Fort Defiance; brother, James Watchman of Fort McDowell, Ariz.; sisters, Carol Watchman of Albuquerque, Verna Watchman of Fort Defiance, and Karen Jean Tom of Fort Defiance; and 31 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Caroline is preceded in death by her grandmother, Angelita Serapo; mother, Margaret F. Watchman; uncle, Jimmie Watchman; and Johnson Benallie.

Pallbearers will be Robert Barney, Arnold Barney, Eli Price Jr., Litzsol Price, Michealson Price, and James Watchman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Watchman, Henry McCabe, Alex Watchman, Craig Valdo, James Walker, Anita Watchman, and Devon Watchman.

A reception will take place at Fort Defiance Chapter House following services at 12 p.m.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jacqueline “Jackie” James

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Jacqueline “Jackie” James, 47, will be held today, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. at the family residence. Burial will follow at the Thoreau community cemetery in Thoreau, N.M.

Jacqueline was born July 21, 1967, in Crownpoint, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). Her nali is Folded Arms; chei is Chiricahuha Apache. She died Nov. 14, 2014, in Flagstaff.

Jacqueline attended Wingate High School and was employed as a manager at Burger King in Shiprock, and home care in Shiprock. She enjoyed silversmith work, arts and crafts, and her ministry work as a youth teacher to a song leader.

Jacqueline is survived by her daughter, Deidre A. Jim; goddaughter, Johnna Begaye; father, Kee James; brother, Jimson Edsitty; and sisters, Emma Edsitty, Mary Ann Gayton of Thoreau, Edith Saunders of Continental Divide, N.M., Virginia Dansforth, Annie Spencer, Loretta Billie, Flora James, Evelynn Sweeny of Prewitt, N.M., and Farrah Wilson of Borrego Pass, N.M.

Pallbearers will be Jimson Edsitty, Ervin Lewis Jr., Tennyson Perdasofpy, Clayton Saunders, Reggie Danforth, and Ranaldin Saunders.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Dean “Toby” Ward

LOWER GREASEWOOD, Ariz. — Funeral services for Dean “Toby” Ward, 53, of Lower Greasewood, Ariz., will be held Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Mennonite Mission Church in Lower Greasewood. Burial will follow in Lower Greasewood.

Dean was born Dec. 7, 1960, in Schurz, Nev., into the Paiute Shoshone, born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He died Nov. 14, 2014, in Phoenix.

Dean attended Lower Greasewood Boarding School and Tuba City High School. He was a very likeable person and always greeted people with a smile.

Dean is survived by his brother, Ronnie Ward.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents, Laura Williams and Eugene Lawrence Ward; sister, Laura Jean Ward; and grandparents, Mattie and Woody Upshaw.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Benjamin Chiquito

TINIAN, N.M. — Funeral services for Benjamin Chiquito, 55, of Torreon, N.M., will be held today, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. at the Tinian Baptist Church in Tinian, N.M., with Kelvin McCasland officiating. Burial will follow in Torreon.

Benjamin was born into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died Nov. 11, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Benjamin attended Torreon Day School and Bernalillo All Tribes School. He was employed with Union Pacific Railroad and as a construction worker in the Cuba/Albuquerque area. He enjoyed leather crafts, working on vehicles and bull riding.

Benjamin is survived by his sons, Myron Chiquito, Patrick Chiquito, Preston Chiquito, and Brennon Chiquito; daughters, Benisha Chiquito and Benigna Chiquito; father, Phillip Chiquito; sisters, Phyllis Tsosie, Gloria Martinez and Sharon Otero; and 15 grandchildren.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his mother, Emma Jack Chiquito; brother, Preston Chiquito; and grandparents, Dorothy Maestas and Martin Jack.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Tsosie, Jerffino Martinez, Phillip Chiquito, Myron Chiquito, Patrick Chiquito, Preston Chiquito, and Brennon Chiquito.

A reception will take place at Torreon Chapter House following services.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ray Hosteen Sr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Ray Hosteen Sr., 82, of Cottonwood, Ariz., were held Nov. 15 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chinle, with Romero Brown officiating. Interment followed in Cottonwood.

Ray was born May 15, 1932, in Cottonwood, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). He died Nov. 12, 2014, in Farmington.

Ray was employed with BNSF Railway. He enjoyed tending to livestock and watching Dallas football games.

Ray is survived by his sons, Dannie Hosteen and Ray Hosteen Jr.; daughters, Bessie Hosteen, Rita Lee, Brenda Hosteen, Marcella Milton, and Aloretta Draper; and 25 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Hosteen; and daughter, Marie Castillo.

Pallbearers were Gilbert Tso, Troy Hosteen, Rodney Nez, Irvin Draper, and Jerry Lee.

Honorary pallbearers were Dannie Hosteen and Ray Hosteen Jr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Darlene Stewart Hale

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Darlene Stewart Hale, 65, of Oak Springs, Ariz., were held Nov. 15 at The Mother of Mankind Church in St. Michaels, Ariz., with Father Pio O’Connor officiating. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Darlene was born Aug. 14, 1949, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She died Nov. 12, 2014, in Fort Defiance.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Joe Hale of Oak Springs; sons, Darby Hale of Mesa, Ariz., and Scotman Hale of Oak Springs; daughters, Jolene Hale of Ignacio, Colo., Tazabah Hale of Oak Springs, and Bethaney Hale of Albuquerque; brother, Oscar Bia of Spider Rock, Ariz.; and three grandchildren.

Darlene is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Naznebah Stewart; and father, Benedict Stewart.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.