Obituaries for Sept. 1, 2016

Sharry (Mike) Yazzie

KAYENTA, Ariz. — Graveside service for Sharry M. Yazzie, 73, of Mesa, will be held Saturday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Kayenta Cemetery.

Sharry was born Oct. 14, 1942, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She died Aug. 24, 2016, in Mesa.

Sharry graduated from Flagstaff High School and Arizona State University with a Master’s in Special Education. She taught for over 30 years, missing only 10 days of school throughout her teaching career. She always challenged her students that if she can be at school, that they should also not miss school.

Sharry is survived by her husband, Vincent Yazzie; daughters, Zsa Zsa Begay (husband Johnny Begay) and Sugar Young (husband Emery Young); and grandchildren, Chandler Begay, Tukee Begay, and Cody Young.

Sharry is preceded in death by her parents, King and Patty Mike; brother, Francis Mike; and great-grandson, Koda Anaya.

A reception will take place following cemetery service.

Ben Clarence Lee Jr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Ben Clarence Lee Jr., 33, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle, with Father PJ officiating. Burial will follow at the Chinle community cemetery.

Ben was born Nov. 19, 1982, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Biih

bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She died Aug. 28, 2016, in Ganado.

Ben attended Many Farms High School in Many Farms, and AIA Trade School in Phoenix.

Ben is survived by his father, Ben C. Lee Sr.; brothers, Calvin Begay and Victor Begay; and sisters, Janice T. Begay, Michelle Tsosie-Robb, Jancita Johnson, and Lucinda Sam.

Ben is preceded in death by his mother, Marie A. Lee; and brother, Nathaniel C. Lee.

A reception will be held at the Chinle Catholic Hall following services.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ray Ross Toledo

CUBA, N.M. — Funeral services for Ray Ross Toledo, 86, of Cuba, New Mexico, will be held today, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. at the Cuba Baptist Church with Raymond Mullahon officiating. Burial will follow at the Cuba Baptist Cemetery.

Ray was born into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Naakai Dine’é (Mexican Clan). He died Aug. 28, 2016.

Ray attended adult education classes in the community under a tribal program. He was a rancher and worked for the railroad and carpenter in construction. He enjoyed caring for livestock and being outdoors.

Ray is survived by his sons, Larry, Roy, Harrison T. Jake, and Roy Jr.; daughters, Shirley Juan, Rena Lucero, and Arlene Keetso; and 30 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife Helen, and grandson, Leslie Toledo.

Pallbearers will be Jerron Juan, Leroy Pinto, Byron Toledo, Louie Lucero Jr., George Toledo, and Kenneth Cayaditto.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shirley Juan, Rena Lucero, Larry Toledo, Roy J. Toledo, Harrison T. Jake, Roy Toledo Jr., Arlene Keetso, Dustin Keetso, and Dave Keetso.

A reception will take place at the Ojo Encino Chapter House following services.

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

Brandon Max Chischilly

GALLUP — Funeral services for Brandon Max Chischilly, 34, will be held Friday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Brandon was born June 9, 1982, in Gallup, he was Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Aug. 30, 2016, in Sundance, New Mexico.

Brandon graduated from New Mexico High School in Albuquerque. He worked on various sites, learning the trade and skills for carpentry, landscaping, mechanic, and artistic projects.

Brandon loved art. His hobbies included skateboarding, which earned him a state recognition and sponsors. He was a loving and caring father to his children, he enjoyed playing with them whenever possible. Brandon was always willing to help family and friends in anyway he could.

Brandon is survived by his sons, Login and Evan Chischilly; daughters, Bree and Autumn Chischilly; brother, Brian Chischilly; and grandmother, Margaret Chischilly.

Brandon is preceded in death by his mother, Blanche Smith; and grandfather, Max Chischilly Sr.

Pallbearers will be Brian Chischilly, Christopher Chischilly, Marvin Chischilly, Max Chischilly Jr., Paul Byrum, and Paulino Acosta IV.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Winona Otero

TORREON, N.M. — Funeral services for Winona Otero, 42, of Na’neelzhiin, New Mexico, were held Aug. 30 at the Torreon Navajo Mission Church with Jason Carpenter officiating. Interment followed in Torreon.

Winona was Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). She died Aug. 25, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Winona attended Torreon Christian School, Cuba High School, and Central New Mexico Community College. She was employed as a phlebotomist in Albuquerque.

Winona enjoyed basketball, volleyball, and cross-country. She was a Dallas Cowboys fan and former Miss Eastern Navajo.

Winona is survived by her son, Keyeano Otero; daughters, Deizha and Delyzha Waquie; parents, Chester and Elsa Otero; brother, Joseph “JJ” Otero; and sisters, Cindy Ridge, Cleo Otero, and Chrissie Waquie.

Pallbearers were Brandon Ridge, Roy “Junior” Otero, Chester Otero II, Richard Waquie Jr., Eric Ignacio, and Larry Ignacio Jr.

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

Melvin Chavez

GALLUP — Funeral services for Melvin Chavez, 48, were held Aug. 23 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Mexican Springs.

Melvin was born Dec. 11, 1967, into the Ta’neeszahnii Tl’ógi (Tangle/Weaver-Zia Clan), born for Mexican. His nali is Mexican. He died Aug. 21, 2016.

Melvin is survived by his mother, Alice Chavez; sisters, LaRaine, Brenda, Winona, and Winora; and daughter, Nicole.

Melvin is preceded in death by his grandparents, Ella Barney Nez and Roy Nez; daughter, Melarie Chavez; Donald Chavez-Harrison; brother, Orlando Chavez; and father, Raymond Chavez.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Bill Lewis

SANTA FE — Funeral services for Bill Lewis, 75, were held Aug. 27.

He was born Aug. 4, 1943, and passed away Aug. 22, 2016, in Santa Fe.

Bill graduated from McPherson College in 1976 and served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was employed in the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office for 25-plus years and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation presented to him by Governor Susanna Martinez.

Bill was married for 26 years and loved watching football games and western movies. He enjoyed walking every morning and his cup of coffee afterwards. He always cared about all of his children and never forgot where he came from, the Navajo Reservation.

Bill is survived by his wife, Yvonne Herrera; sons, Tanner Lewis, Winter Blue Lewis, and Guy Lewis; daughters, Tami Lewis and Tina Lewis; stepdaughter Teena Talachy; stepson Brian Talachy; siblings, Herbert Lewis, Lucille Lewis, 9 Years Lewis, Wingo Lewis, Betty Chavez, Emma Lewis, and Edward Lewis Sr.; and 11 grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Pinto Lewis; father, Ignacio Lewis; sons, Shawn Michael Lewis and William Dakota Lewis; and brothers, Ben Lewis, Raymond Lewis, and David Lewis.

Pallbearers were 9 Years Lewis, Edward Lewis Sr., Tanner Lewis, Winter Blue Lewis, Guy Lewis, and Brandon Lewis.

Honorary pallbearers were J.J. Aguino and Estevan Talachy.

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

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