Obituaries for week of Oct. 16, 2014

In response to requests from our readers, the Navajo Times will post obituaries as they are published in the print edition of the Navajo Times.

The Navajo Times does not receive all obituaries from border towns and reservation communities. Some mortuaries send them regularly, others ignore the Navajo Times in favor of local daily newspapers. Many obituary notices are brought in by families or friends. If you would like an obituary for a loved one or friend published in the Navajo Times and posted on the web page, send to obits@navajotimes.com.

---

Willie Natani Begay Sr.

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Funeral services for Willie Natani Begay Sr. will be held today, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. at Gillies Funeral Chapel (634 East 200 South) in Brigham City, Utah. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at the Brigham City Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by Utah Intertribal Veterans Association.

Willie, a longtime resident of Brigham City, was born in Toadlena, N.M., on Jan. 15, 1929 to Sarah Sherman and John Natani. He died Oct. 12, 2014.

Willie’s education was at Toadlena Boarding School in Toadlena, and Albuquerque Indian School. He was an accomplished long distance runner in high school and held many New Mexico state records, and was offered a scholarship to go to Georgetown University.

Willie was a corporal first class in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He continued his education with training courses at the University of Utah to become an alcohol and drug counselor.

Willie held employment at the Grand Canyon National Park, Union Pacific Railroad, Clearfield Job Corp Center and Intermountain Indian School for 31 years.

Willie enjoyed sharing his culture with Boy Scouts and being a coach for Intermountain Recreation, where he started the Blue Feather Indian Club. He dedicated the ground for the Ogden Nature Center in Ogden, Utah. He was a founder of the Native American Church A’shii-Be-To’ of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Willie had a love for singing and drumming his Navajo songs and religion. He had a passion for powwows, participating in Veterans Honor Color Guard, and performing song and dance. He loved working with young people and continued his traditional Navajo ways with Hozho early morning prayers. He loved to joke, laugh and reminisce with his family, friends and Intermountain students.

Willie is survived by his children, Loretta Begay of Brigham City; Willie (Alvina) Natani Begay Jr. of Vancouver, Wash.; Virgil (Selena) Natani of Brigham City; Gerald Begay of Brigham City; Marcella (Larry) Reitbauer of Brigham City; sister, Annie Mae (Bowen) Begay of Toadlena; brother, John (Grace) Begay Jr. of Toadlena; and 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Willie is also survived by his family adopted children, Herbert (Bertha) Begay of Grantsville; Glenn (Lena) Begay of Mexican Water; Joe Yazzie (Sun) Toddy of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Elizabeth Marshall of Shiprock; and Lucy Morris family of Naschitti, N.M.

Willie is preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Willeto Begay; brothers, Dana Begay, Felix Begay, Leo Natani, and Richard Begay Sr.; sister, Mae Harris; and great-granddaughter, Asia Cutfinger Natani.

The family would like to extend thanks to Gillies Funeral Chapel, Caregiver’s Support, Meals on Wheels, Salt Lake City Veterans Hospital, Willow Glen Health and Rehab, Brigham City LDS 2nd Ward, Main Street Church, Native American Church of North America, Native American Trading Post, Dru/Leslie Drury, Utah Intertribal Veterans Association and to all who have provided support and donations to the family.

Gillies Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gilliesfuneralchapel.com.

Davis Reynolds

SHIPROCK – Funeral services for Davis Reynolds, 76, of Shiprock, will be held Friday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Desert View Funeral Home Chapel in Shiprock. Burial will follow at the Shiprock community cemetery.

Davis was born Feb. 5, 1938, in Lukachukai, Ariz. He died Oct. 14, 2014, in Shiprock.

Davis is in the care of Desert View Funeral Home.

Montoya Trujillo

CUBA, N.M. — Funeral services for Montoya Trujillo, 95, of Torreon, N.M., will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cuba, N.M., with Pastor Willie Montoya officiating. Burial will follow at the Baptist Cemetery in Cuba.

Montoya was born into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He died Oct. 8, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Montoya attended Crownpoint Boarding School and Albuquerque Indian School. He was employed with Union Pacific Railroad, New Mexico Human Services as a caseworker, rancher/farmer, road construction from Torreon to Cuba, and Bureau of Land Management.

Montoya was a traditionalist in the Navajo culture. He enjoyed movies with Gene Autry and Charles Bronson, and music by Marty Robbins. He also enjoyed watching football and reading newspapers, books and magazines.

Montoya is survived by his daughters, Bessie Masten and Johnelle Trujillo-Montoya; and 16 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Montoya is preceded in death by his wife, Alice W. Trujillo; and daughter, Bertha Big.

Pallbearers will be Micheal Soto Sr., Micheal Soto Jr., Robert Soto, Matthew Soto, Joe Ramirez, and Christian Walters.

Honorary pallbearers will be Calvin Walters, Isaiah Soto, Uriah Soto, Damian Soto, Richard Montoya, Chee Julian, and Leo Sandoval.

A reception will take place at the Immaculate Conception Church following services.

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

Janet Joe

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Janet Joe, 61, will be held today, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at The Light House Church. Burial will follow in Rehoboth, N.M.

Janet was born May 11, 1953, in Rehoboth, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died Oct. 10, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Janet graduated in 1973 from Gallup High School and was employed at McKinley Manor for 10 years. She was a member of the Flames of Fire Church. She was a Sunday school teacher, Navajo bible teacher and song leader. She loved arts and crafts and enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Vera J. Joe; and sisters, Joann Tso of Twin Lakes, N.M., and Caroline Kee and Ella Mae Joe, both of Sundance, N.M.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Verona Livingston and Frank Joe Sr.

Pallbearers will be Knijel Castillo, Matthias Castillo, Joshua Joe, Tony Horal, Phillip Horal, Patrick Williams, Gavin Smith, Tom L. Kee, and Buford Ben.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Gerald Gorman

NAZLINI, Ariz. — Funeral services for Gerald Gorman, 53, of Fort Defiance, were held Oct. 14 at the Nazarene Church in Nazlini, Ariz., with Pastor Cecil Lewis Jr. officiating. Interment followed at the private family plot.

Gerald was born Nov. 20, 1960, in Rehoboth, N.M. He died Oct. 8, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Gerald attended Window Rock High School, Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz., and New Mexico Central Community College in Albuquerque. He was employed as an electronic repair technician. He enjoyed playing acoustic and electric guitar, fishing, camping and audiovisual recording.

Gerald is survived by his father, Lawrence Gorman Sr. of Fort Defiance; and brothers, Terry Gorman of Gallup, and Lawrence Gorman Jr. of Phoenix.

Gerald is preceded in death by his mother, Elise Gorman.

Pallbearers were Brian Gorman, Neil Gorman, Delbert Platero, Garrett Platero, Walter Harvey, and James Smith.

Honorary pallbearers were Terry Gorman, Lawrence Gorman Jr., Tom Platero, and Harold Brown.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Tyron Jay Haines

COUNSELOR, N.M. — Funeral services for Tyron Jay Haines, 27, of Counselor, N.M., were held Oct. 10 at the Cedar Hill Church in Counselor, with Harrison Mann of Kaibeto, Ariz., officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Counselor.

Tyron passed away Oct. 4, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Tyron attended Cuba High School from 2002-2006 and Central New Mexico Community College in 2012. He was employed with Anchor Built Construction in Albuquerque. He enjoyed football, basketball and drawing.

Tyron is survived by his girlfriend, Lernisha R. Fragua; son, Tydelle Haines; daughter, Taylene N. Haines; parents, Kevin and Theresa Haines; brothers, Calvin Haines, Kyle Haines and Kevin Haines Jr.; sister, Tierra M. Haines; and grandmothers, Mary Haines and Nora Castillo.

Tyron is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Willie Haines Jr. and Johnny H. Castillo; and great-grandmother, Edna Castillo.

Pallbearers were Calvin Haines, Kyle Haines, William Haines Jr., Galvin Fragua, Mitchell Castillo, Steven Manwell, Adrian Harrison, and Brian Hoskie.

Honorary pallbearers were Freddy Frausto, Kevin Haines Jr., Jim Yazzie, Brian Ohmasatte, Gilbert Fragua, and Cornelius Castillo.

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