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Obituaries for week of Oct. 23, 2014

Alice Frances Bryant

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Alice Frances Bryant, 80, of Window Rock, were held Oct. 22 at St. Mary’s Mission in Tohatchi, N.M. Interment followed in Naschitti, N.M.

Alice was born Feb. 7, 1934, in Naschitti, into the çshiihi (Salt People Clan). She died Oct. 16, 2014, in Phoenix.

Alice attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. She was a homemaker, seamstress and housekeeper. She enjoyed making jewelry, beading, sewing and doing crossword puzzles.

Alice is survived by her sons, Troy Chester, Dion Chester and Shane Chester; daughters, Leoma Chester and Arnie Sarracino; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Alice is preceded in death by her mother, Emily Johnson; and brother, Allison J. Bryant.

Pallbearers were Troy Chester, Shane Chester, Rexson Bryant Sr., Samson Bryant, Eric Bryant, and William Jones Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were Dion Chester, Orion Chester, Andrew Sarracino, Nikki Hill, Marlon Hill, and Simental Francisco.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Nathan W. Taylor

TSE BONITO, N.M. — Funeral services for Nathan W. Taylor, 69, of Crystal, N.M., will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Western Indian Ministry Church in Tse Bonito, N.M., with David Brian officiating. Burial will follow at the Taylor family plot in Crystal.

Nathan was born March 21, 1945, in Fort Defiance, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He died Oct. 20, 2014, in Fort Defiance.

Nathan graduated from Window Rock High School and was employed with the Navajo Nation and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute as a graphic arts instructor. He enjoyed printing, ranching with cattle and riding his ATV.

Nathan is survived by his son, Brian J. Taylor; sisters, Effie M. Curtis and Leah J. Beyal; and five grandchildren.

Nathan is preceded in death by Betty L. Taylor, Daniel N. Taylor, Mariam P. Same, Daniel and Anna Taylor, Mary A. Damon, and Doris R. Spinney.

Pallbearers will be JayCee D. Taylor, Jason L. Taylor, Joseph St. Ledger, Darrell D. Stewart, Scott Salazar, and Angel Santos.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brian J. Taylor, Alfred S. David, James J. Irving, Simon Damon III, Sam One Skunk, Jeff Hill, and Gordon Peywa.

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

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Helen L. Castillo

COUNSELOR, N.M. — Funeral services for Helen L. Castillo, 59, of Counselor, N.M., will be held Friday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Cedar Hill Church in Counselor, with John Trujillo officiating. Burial will follow in Counselor.

Helen was born into the Hashk’aa hadzohi (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). She died Oct. 14, 2014, at the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Helen attended Cuba High School and was a full-time mother. She enjoyed singing with her grandchildren, listening to music and sitting on the porch listening to the birds.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Latoya Castillo; sisters, Rose C. Yazzie, Rita Castillo and Dorothy B. Castillo; and grandparents, Mariano Herrera and Glopah Chiquito.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Edna H. Castillo; brothers, Johnny H. Castillo and Jones H. Castillo; sister, Annie Castillo; and grandson, Tyron J. Haines.

Pallbearers will be Mitchell H. Castillo, Michael Castillo, Kevin Chiquito, Travis Chiquito, Joey Bitsuie, Ely Bitsuie, Kyle Haines, and Kevin Haines Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wilbert Sala, Josiah Bitsuie, Cornelious Castillo, Jones Castillo, Jaylin Skinner, Jeremiah Sala, Theo Herrera, Matthew Martinez, Tierra M. Haines, Nevaeh Martinez, CJ Castillo, Darius Castillo, Michelle Castillo, Calvin Haines, Kevin Haines Jr., Nora Toledo, Jonathan Peshlakai, Delandria Bitsuie, Darian Castillo, Tashina Castillo, Sheldon Castillo, and Davina Castillo.

A reception will take place at the Cedar Hill Church following services.

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

Johnnie Williams Keeto Sr.

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Johnnie Williams Keeto Sr., 81, of St. Michaels, Ariz., were held Oct. 21 at the field/sundance ground in St. Michaels, with Brother Gardener officiating. Interment followed at the field/sundance ground.

Johnnie was born Dec. 25, 1932, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He died Oct. 13, 2014, in Phoenix.

Johnnie is survived by his sons, Larris Silver Rose, Johnnie W. Keeto Jr., Charlie J. Keeto, and Virgil J. Keeto; daughters, Ophelia G. Keeto and Oruebia A. Clement; sister, Ann Aquila; and 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Michael Nez

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Michael Nez, 53, of St. Michaels, Ariz., were held Oct. 17 at the St. Michael Catholic Church with Father Patrick officiating. Interment and a reception followed in St. Michaels.

Michael was born Feb. 18, 1961, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died Oct. 13, 2014, in St. Michaels.

Michael attended Chuska Boarding School and Window Rock High School. He was employed with Union Pacific Railroad and Mountain Shadow Apartments in Salt Lake City. He enjoyed woodcarving, wood hauling, watching football and the outdoors whether it was work or just having fun.

Michael is survived by his son, Rodgerick Nez of Alaska; daughters, Rochelle Nez of Phoenix, Mikayla King of Hunters Point, Ariz., and Dianna King of Holbrook, Ariz.; parents, Tom and Mary Nez of St. Michaels; brothers, Frank Benally Sr., Thomas Nez and Marvin Nez, all of St. Michaels; sister, Gloria Begay of Twin Buttes; and seven grandchildren.

Michael is preceded in death by his sisters, Marilyn Nez and Lucy Nez; brother, Morgan Owen Nez; and grandparents, Jack and Alice John, and Nakai and Hasbah Saez.

Pallbearers were Frank Benally Sr., Thomas Nez, Marvin Nez, Andrew Begay, Jason Etcitty, and Franklin Benally.

Honorary pallbearers were Gilbert Yazzie and Emerson Bordy.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Gary Benally

LEUPP, Ariz. – Funeral services for Gary Benally, 52, were held Oct. 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Leupp, Ariz. Interment followed at the family plot in Birdsprings, Ariz.

Gary was born Oct. 27, 1961, in Winslow, Ariz., into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan). His nali is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Tsé njikini (Honey Combed Rock People). He died Oct. 8, 2014, in Clinton, Okla.

Gary attended Leupp Boarding School, Coconino High School and vocational training in Burns Flat, Okla. He was a member of the LDS church and enjoyed auto mechanics and traveling for bowling tournaments.

Gary is survived by his wife, Barbara Benally; son, Garrison Benally; stepson, Nick; daughters, Jenille Benally, Andrea Benally and Gherribird Benally; sisters, Marylou Benally, Bettylou Martinez, Loretta Benally, and Antoinette Nez; brothers, Benny Benally, Justin Benally, Milton Benally, Jasper Benally, Anthony Benally, Arnold Benally, and Steven Benally; and 14 grandchildren.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Ben Benally; mother, Modesta Charlie Benally; and maternal grandparents, Bonnie Charly and Little Charly.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

Betty Lee

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral services for Betty Lee, 83, of Wide Ruins, Ariz., were held Oct. 17 at St. Anne Mission in Klagetoh, Ariz., with Brother Paul officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Wide Ruins.

Betty was born May 21, 1931, in Wide Ruins, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She died Oct. 12, 2014, in Flagstaff.

Betty was a homemaker. She enjoyed rug weaving and herding sheep.

Betty is survived by her son, Bobby Lee of Coalmine; brothers, Paul Lee and Jimmy Lee, both of Wide Ruins; and eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her daughter, Louise Chee; mother, Mabel Lee; grandsons, Chris Chee and Micheal Chee; and granddaughter, Michelle Chee.

Honorary pallbearers were Dwayne Lee, Melvin Bia, Gauge Lee, Leonard L. Jones, and Marvin McCoo.

Tse Bonito Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Jean Rhonda Yazzie

FLAGSTAFF — A memorial service for Jean Rhonda Yazzie, 77, will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. (MST) at The Life Church (2586 E. 7th Avenue) in Flagstaff.

Jean was born March 9, 1937, in Pinon, Ariz. She went to be with the Lord on Sept. 26, 2014 in Colton, Calif., with her family by her side.

Following service, family will gather at the west side Sizzlers. Attendees will have to provide own meal.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help the family with expenses to: Michael Ratcliff, 21000 West View Drive, Bend, OR 97702 (541-410-2374) or call Bank of the Cascades, Michael Ratcliff, Donation Account for Jean Rhonda Yazzie, Route No. 123206024 (877-617-3400).

Sandria Renaye Fuson

LEUPP, Ariz. — A memorial service for Sandria Renaye Fuson, 40, were held Oct. 18 at Leupp Presbyterian Church.

Sandria was born Jan. 28, 1974, in Gallup. She died Oct. 13, 2014, in Phoenix.

Sandria enjoyed road trips, fishing, camping, shopping, arts and crafts, and was a member of the Leupp Presbyterian Church.

Sandria is survived by her son, Benjamin Strong Bear Fuson; father, Carl Talayumptewa Jr.; and grandparents, George and Emma Jean Willie, Carl Talayumptewa Sr. and Leulla Joseph.

Sandria is preceded in death by her grandmother, Marie Luna; mother, Josephine Talayumptewa; and grandfather, Sam Luna.

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.


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.

 

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