Obituaries

Jun 5, 2019

GOODYEAR VILLAGE - Joseph G. Mendoza Jr., 79, of Goodyear Village, Gila River Indian Community, died on June 5, 2019.Mr. Mendoza was born in Sacaton to Jose A. Mendoza and Amelia Gonzales. He was kind, caring, loving and hardworking and had unconditional love and dedication for his family.Survivors include six siblings, Phillip, Jovita, Helen, Lydia, Ernest and Albert; six sons,...

Jun 4, 2019

ARIZONA CITY - Richard E. "Rick" Villegas, 71, died on June 4, 2019, in Tucson.Mr. Villegas graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis in 1967 after winning two Marion County wrestling championships. He served honorably in the Navy, including in the Vietnam War. He was active in the American Legion, Patriot Guard Riders and Arizona City Moose Lodge, where...

Jun 3, 2019

CASA GRANDE - Wendell Ray Hayward, 72, died on June 3, 2019.Mr. Hayward was born on July 8, 1946, to Lawson and Gertrude Hayward in Lafayette, Indiana. He served in the Army, was a non-commissioned officer and retired after 27 years.He served seven months in Operation Desert Storm and was stationed in many places during his career, serving proudly.Survivors include...

Jun 3, 2019

CASA GRANDE - Dolores "Lola" Martinez, 57, of Casa Grande died on June 3, 2019.Ms. Martinez was born on Sept. 20, 1961, to Antonio and Amalia Martinez. She enjoyed spending time with her family and loved her lunch dates and shopping with her daughters. She also enjoyed spending time with all of her grandkids, nieces and nephews. She was known...

Jun 3, 2019

FLORENCE - Adrienne Felicia Guerin, 57, of Tohono O'odham Florence Village died on June 3, 2019, at Hospice of the Valley Lund Home in Gilbert.Mrs. Guerin was born on Sept. 28, 1961, in Los Angeles to Henry Francisco and Cecilia Ramon. She met her husband, Darryl R. Guerin, in California and married on Oct. 18, 1980, in Los Angeles. The...

Jun 3, 2019

ELOY - Teresa Arias, 78, of Eloy died on June 3, 2019.Mrs. Arias was a daughter of Jose and Zenida Reyna. She and her husband owned and operated Frontier Nursery & Landscaping in Eloy for 30 years and were longtime residents. They were very active in the community and sponsored several Little League teams.They helped build and landscape the surrounding...

Jun 2, 2019

Maria Jessie Flores, 81, passed away on June 2, 2019. She was born on January 7, 1938 to Zacarias Martinez and Teodora Duran in Mumford, Texas. Maria loved reading and watching T.V. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Maria will be dearly missed by her family.She is survived by her husband of 43 years: Raymond Flores;...

Jun 2, 2019

Rudy Salazar, age 77, of Casa Grande, AZ passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 2, 2019. He was born July 27, 1941 to Ray Sr. and Mercy Salazar. Rudy was married to his "Sugar", Freda Salazar, on November 16, 1963, and the proud father of two daughters, Lynn and Lori.Rudy loved going to...

Jun 2, 2019

ELOY - Maria Jessie Flores, 81, died on June 2, 2019.Mrs. Flores was born on Jan. 7, 1938, to Zacarias Martinez and Teodora Duran in Mumford, Texas. She loved reading and watching TV and was devoted to her family.Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Raymond; four adult children, Marcella Celaya of Casa Grande, Ray Archuleta of Eloy, Xavier Flores...

Jun 1, 2019

Daniel Cruz, 65, of Ak Chin Village, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona passed away June 1, 2019 at Archie Hendricks Senior Skilled Nursing Facility, Sells. He was born on May 4, 1954 in Ak Chin Village TO Nation, Arizona to Solana and Eliza (Lopez) Cruz.Today we lost another legend from the waila world, Mr. Daniel Cruz, who was a long time...

May 31, 2019

SANTAN - Cynthia Kay Vavages, 58, of Santan died on May 31, 2019.Ms. Vavages was born on Jan. 8, 1961, in Phoenix and was a daughter of Valerian F. Vavages and Cornelia M. Rhodes. She loved her family deeply. Her grandkids were very special to her, and there wasn't a moment when she wouldn't take time to be with them.She...

May 30, 2019

CASA GRANDE - James Wayne Fulton, 87, of Casa Grande died on May 30, 2019.Mr. Fulton was born on Aug. 19, 1931, to James and Francis Fulton. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling, listening to music and sporting events. He worked as a security guard for many years.He is survived by a daughter...

May 30, 2019

CASA GRANDE - Suzanne Koonce, 59, of Casa Grande died on May 30, 2019.Mrs. Koonce was born on Dec. 29, 1959, in Trenton, Missouri, to Norman and Mizella Pearson. She was a strong and loving wife and mother.She was adventurous and loved to ride rollercoasters. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Survivors include her loving husband of...

May 29, 2019

AK-CHIN - Tribuies Narcia, 76, of Ak-Chin died on May 29, 2019.Mr. Narcia was born on June 15, 1942, in Ak-Chin to Francis Narcia and Agnes Angelita Norris. He loved all his family and spending time with them. His now-deceased son Travis took care of him continually and held a special place in Mr. Narcia's heart.Survivors include two sons, Philbert...

May 27, 2019

Russell Lee Opitz, 72, of Arizona City, AZ, passed away Monday, May 27, 2019. Preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jacquelyn R. Opitz; son, Nicholas Opitz of Forestville, CA; and daughter, Noel Munchinski of Cumming, GA; also survived by the mother of his children, ex-wife, Maggie Opitz. Cherished grandfather of Aiden, Jackson and...

May 27, 2019

CASA GRANDE - Lorraine G. Harvey, 76, of Casa Grande died on May 27, 2019, under the care of Jaidon Manor.Mrs. Harvey was a daughter of David and Freeda Guymon. She was an expert embroiderer who won many prizes at the state fair and in many other events. She also created many plastic canvas pieces for her family and those...

May 24, 2019

BLACKWATER - Mitchell Gary Pino, 66, of Blackwater died on May 24, 2019.Mr. Pino was born on Oct. 21, 1952, in Sacaton to Frank Pino and Thelma Mae Enos. He served in the Army.He loved his family and especially his grandkids. He enjoyed going to their sporting events and loved listening to a variety of music.Survivors include his companion of...

May 23, 2019

May 23, 2019

CASA GRANDE - Ryan Cole, 43, died on May 23, 2019, in Casa Grande, surrounded by his family and loved ones after a 12-year battle with brain cancer.Much of Mr. Cole's life was devoted to service. He received an ROTC scholarship to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After his freshman year, he served a two-year mission for his...

May 23, 2019

MARICOPA - Lucy Cianciosi, 87, died on May 23, 2019, in Chandler.Mrs. Cianciosi was born on Feb. 1, 1932, to Cosmo and Ida Viapiano in Buffalo, New York. She was a woman of deep faith and very strong. She enjoyed making ceramics.Survivors include her husband, Robert; a daughter and son, Roberta and David Cianciosi of Maricopa; and a sister, Theresa...