Obituaries for Nov. 30, 2017

Vivian J. Tapahe

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Vivian “Kitty” Tapahe, 73, from Fort Defiance, Arizona, will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Fort Defiance. A rosary service will be held at 9 a.m. before the funeral service begins.

The burial will be held after the funeral service concludes and interment will be at the family plot in Old Coal Mine, New Mexico.

Vivian was born Sept. 14, 1944, in Toadlena, New Mexico, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kin Lichíi’nii (Red House Clan). She passed away Nov. 23, 2017.

Vivian was a valuable asset to every office she worked with – the Navajo Tribal Chairman’s office in the 1970s and 80s, DNA Legal Services, Navajo Nation WIC, and P&M Coal Mine.

After she retired from P&M Coal Mine, she went back to work for the Good Shepherd Mission and later at Hunters Point Boarding School. She received an associate’s degree from the University of New Mexico.

In addition to her own children, Vivian was “mom” to so many others. She found ways to help everywhere she could. Vivian taught quilting classes, helped at the senior centers, and did much more for her family, friends and community.

Vivian is survived by her brother, Loren Tapahe; sister, Emolind Tapahe; children, Emerson (Karen), Eugene (Sharon), Emery, and Evonne; her niece, Lauralene Tapahe, who she helped raise; and grandchildren, Deone, Dwayne, Tyler, Dexter, Erin, Carter, Sydney, Dion, Chloe, Eriona, Cara, Ethan, Seth, Cayden, Elaina and Evan.

Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, Susie and Thomas Tapahe; brothers, Tommy Tapahe, Melton Tapahe and Murvyn Tapahe; and sisters, Imogene Tapahe and Charlene Tapahe Herrera.

Pallbearers will be Loren Tapahe, Emerson Tapahe, Eugene Tapahe, Emery Tapahe, Dwayne Tapahe, Tyler Newell, Dexter Tapahe, Ethan Tapahe, and Seth Tapahe. Honorary pallbearers will be Peterson Zah, Edward Richards, Jeff Begay and James Manuelito.

A reception will be held at the St. Dominic’s Hall in Fort Defiance after the burial. All are invited to attend and celebrate Vivian’s life. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Judy Ann Singer

GRAY MOUNTAIN, Ariz. — Funeral services for Judy Ann Singer, 54, of Gray Mountain, Arizona, will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at the Gray Mountain Bible Church with Robert Dayzie officiating. Burial will follow at the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.

Judy was born July 15, 1963, in Tuba City, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Ashiihí (Salt People Clan). She died Nov. 25, 2017, in Phoenix.

Judy graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1982 and from Pima Community College in 2000. She was employed as a dental hygienist in Tucson, Phoenix, Verde Valley, and Flagstaff.

Judy enjoyed traveling the country, hiking, listening to live music, making jewelry and spending time with her daughter, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her ex-husband, Jonathan Thompson; daughter, Melissa Thompson; brothers, Ed Singer, Marvin Singer, Gary Singer and David Singer; sisters, Stella Webster, Cecilia Tanaka and Gloria Brown; and 16 grandchildren.

Judy is preceded in death by her father, Harry Singer; mother, Isabelle Singer; and brothers, Richard Phoenix, Donald Phoenix and Lee Phoenix.

Pallbearers will be Chris Singer, Monty Singer, Luke Singer, Harry Singer II, James Singer and Michael Lorona. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Singer, Marvin Singer, Gary Singer, David Singer, Jerrel Singer, Jeremy Singer, David Singer Jr., Bruce Webster, Bernie Webster and Michael Rodriguez.

A reception will take place at the Gray Mountain Bible Church following burial service. Norvel Owens Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Bertha Ann Barney

KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bertha Ann Barney, 87, of Kinlichee, Arizona, were held Nov. 29 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kinlichee, with Emilio “Chico” Gomez officiating. Interment followed in Kinlichee.

Bertha was born Jan. 2, 1930, in a hogan in Cross Canyon, Arizona, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died Nov. 23, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Bertha attended Phoenix Indian School and worked as a seamstress in Los Angeles after being employed at Chuska Boarding School as a dorm aide. She retired from the Navajo Nation in facilities maintenance.

Bertha enjoyed her grandchildren and helped raise them. She cared for her parents in Cross Canyon, until their passing. She was matriarch of the family and was always willing to help in any way she could.

Bertha enjoyed silversmith and seamstress work, joking, laughing, reading, weaving, caring for her livestock, traveling, gambling and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bertha is survived by her son, Jimmie Watson; sisters, Cornelia Mego and Rose Shorty; and 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Bertha is preceded in death by her father, James John; mother, Irene John; brothers, Carlos John, Joseph Begay and Mathias John; sisters, Lorretta Peters and Delores Big; daughter, Letitia Barney; grandson, Brandon King; and great-granddaughter, Jesalyn Mink. Pallbearers were Craig Watson, Troy Watson, Mehkya Mink, Carlos John Jr., Darell John, Clarence Smith and Gabriel Begay.

Honorary pallbearers were Jimmie Watson, Fred Pettigrew, Josiah Mink, Shawn King and Robertson Shorty. Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Yazzie Sr.

CHINLE — Graveside service for Leonard Yazzie Sr., 67, of Lupton, Arizona, were held Nov. 25 at the family plot in Chinle. A reception followed at the Tsé Sí Aní Baptist Church in Lupton.

Leonard was born March 18, 1950, in Chinle, into the Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan), born for Tl’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He died Nov. 21, 2017, in Lupton.

Leonard served in the U.S. Navy and was employed with A.S. Horner and Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority for 25 years. He was a silversmith, bull rider and was a member of the Native American Church.

He loved horses, watching the 49ers play, enjoyed traveling and listening to country music.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Sherry L. Yazzie of Lupton; sons, Leonard Yazzie Jr., Mervin Yazzie, Elroy Yazzie, Erwin Yazzie, Edwin Yazzie and Tyrone Woods; daughters, Nancita Padilla and TyAnn Nakai; brothers, Jones Yazzie, Mike Yazzie, Rudy Yazzie, Felix Yazzie, Charley Yazzie and Myron Yazzie; sisters, Leta Begaye, Ruth Becenti and Rita Yazzie; grandparents, Ashiihi and Annie Nez; and 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Charlie Yazzie; and sister, Stella Sleuth.

Pallbearers were TyAnn Nakai, Leonard Yazzie Jr., Mervin Yazzie, Elroy Yazzie, Edwin Yazzie and Tyrone Woods. Honorary pallbearers were Jones Yazzie, Mike Yazzie, Rudy Yazzie, Felix Yazzie and Charley Yazzie.

Andrew Jim

HOSPAH, N.M. — Funeral services for Andrew Jim, 60, will be held today, Nov. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Hospah Holiness Church in Hospah, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the Hospah Holiness Church burial site.

Andrew was born Dec. 22, 1956, in Torreon, New Mexico, into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nali is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People); chei is Kinlichii’nii (Red House People). He died Nov. 23, 2017, in Crownpoint.

Andrew is survived by his mother, Rose Jim; daughters, Richelle Sandoval and Denice Gordo; and son, Waylon Jim. Andrew is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Jim; and father, Charlie Jim. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean Begay

CHINLE — Graveside service for Betty Jean Begay, 71, of Many Farms, Arizona, were held Nov. 25 at the Chinle community cemetery in Chinle, with Father P.J. officiating. A reception followed at Many Farms Chapter House.

Betty was born Nov. 4, 1946, in Many Farms, into the Ashiihí (Salt People Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She died Nov. 19, 2017, in Tempe, Arizona.

Betty received an associate’s degree in education and was employed at Chinle Boarding School.

Betty is survived by her husband, Willie Begay; son, Michael Begay; daughters, Karletta Dennis, Wilhemina Glenn, Beatrice Begay, Karla Begay and Michaela Begay; brother, Alfred Tabaha Jr.; sisters, Isabel Gillwood, Shirley Tabaha, Loretta Thomas, Alta Woody and Laura Tabaha; and eight grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and brother.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dan Shepherd

HARDROCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Dan Shepherd, 72, of Hardrock, Arizona, were held Nov. 25 in Hardrock. Interment followed in Hardrock.

Dan was born Feb. 26, 1945, in Hardrock, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). He died Nov. 20, 2017, in Winslow, Arizona.

Dan is survived by his sons, Daniel Sheppard, Dean Shepherd Sr. and Elroy Shepherd; daughters, Shirlinda Sheppard and Diana Shepherd; and eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents. Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

---