Jose Mariano,

MARICOPA - Jose Mariano Jr., 79, of Maricopa died May 16, 2009 at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center.


Visitation was from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel & Crematorium in Casa Grande. Funeral Mass was celebrated at 6 p.m. at the Lorentine home in Pisinimo Village, Tohono O'odham Nation, by the Rev. Tom Frost. The wake followed there. Burial was at 5 a.m. Saturday in Kupk Village Cemetery.

Mr. Mariano was born in Menager Dam and was a son of Antonia M. Moline and Jose Mariano Sr. He was a laborer. He enjoyed Pascola dance and performed many blessings on homes and new buildings. He told Native American stories to children at school.

Survivors include three sons, Manuel, Rick and Fredrick Mariano, all of Maricopa; three daughters, Judy Murrietta of Picacho, Joyce and Terry Mariano of Casa Grande; 21 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lydia; a daughter, Lorraine Pablo; and five grandchildren.