Bennett Baptisto,

AK-CHIN - Bennett "Chopper" Baptisto Sr., 50, died March 11, 2008.


Visitation will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the Rosalie Thomas Narcia home, with rosary recited at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Catholic Mission by the Rev. Ed Meulemans. Burial will be in Sacate Cemetery.

Mr. Baptisto was born Aug. 3, 1957 in Sacaton. He was a construction laborer and a member of St. Francis Mission.

Survivors include three sons, Michael Pedro of Lehi, Thomas and Bennett Baptisto Jr. of Salt River; three daughters, Becky Baptisto of Stevens Mesa, Lonita A. Pedro of Lehi and Mernetta Ray of Salt River; a stepdaughter, Helena Baptisto Pesis of Salt River; six sisters, Consuella Narcia of Maricopa, Genevieve Kisto Honie of Sacaton, Phyllis Baptisto Lewis of Ak-Chin, Rosalie Thomas Narcia of Ak-Chin, Laverne Bolden of Kearny and Betty Lou Bolden of Maricopa; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Raphael Baptisto and Leo Bolden; three sisters, Caroline Baptisto Webster, Flora Baptisto Phillips and Mary Baptisto King; and his parents, Phillip Baptisto and Rebecca Thomas.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.