Obituaries

Jun 21, 2022

Robert "Bob" Duane Sanderson June 25, 1948 - June 21, 2022 Sacaton, AZ Robert "Bob" Sanderson, 73, born to Samuel Oliver Sanderson and Lillian Virginia Enos, peacefully rode on at The Caring House on June 21, 2022. Many knew him for his passion and love for the rodeo. Bob spent over 50 years as a cowboy and won many belt...

Jun 19, 2022

Rema Mae Thomas, 84, of Sacaton Flats, died June 19, 2022, at the Caring House in Sacaton. She was born February 28, 1938, in Sacaton to Vincent Patrick Thomas Sr. and Marian Frances Thomas. Rema was married to her love, Anthony for 45 plus years. She loved spending time with him and their family. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and dancing....

Jun 18, 2022

Ernesto Juarez Romero, 91, of Casa Grande died on June 18, 2022. Mr. Romero was born in Del Rio, Texas, on June 4, 1931, to Nicolas Romero and Rosa Juarez. He enjoyed life and was well loved, a hard worker and very supportive of his family. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed bowling, fishing, hiking, playing solitaire,...

Jun 17, 2022

Clara Luz Ventura, 81, of Casa Grande died on June 17, 2022. Mrs. Ventura was born on Dec. 7, 1940, in San Salvador, El Salvador, and was a daughter of Jose V. Castro and Elisa Castro-Ayala. She was a 25-year resident of Casa Grande. Survivors include her husband, Gilbert Ventura Sr.; six daughters and sons, Tracy Ventura and Brenda Ventura...

Jun 10, 2022

Jun 9, 2022

Javier Garibay Ochoa Sr., 72, of Sacaton died on June 9, 2022. Mr. Ochoa was born in Tecomatan, Michoacan, Mexico, on July 11, 1949, to Manuel Ochoa and Guadalupe Garibay. He lived on the Gila River Indian Community for many years with his family. He was a strong, loving, kindhearted man with a willingness to give. Prior to retirement he...

Jun 7, 2022

Brian Ray Johns, 32, of Casa Blanca, died June 7, 2022, in Chandler, Arizona. He was born June 7, 1990, in Phoenix, Arizona to Elwyn Johns Jr. and Justine Lopez. Brian enjoyed art and was amazing at drawing. He played the guitar and was a member of two bands, “Bacon” and “Seven”. He was a collector of many things, such...

Jun 6, 2022

John R. “Jack” Francois Jack Francois passed away June 6, 2022, at the age of 96. He was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1926 to August and Helen Francois. He met his wife, June, in 1946 when he hired her to sing in his big band. They married in 1948, raised seven children in Green Bay, and then decided...

Jun 6, 2022

Leland Rudolfo Lopez, 57, of Lower Santan, died at home June 6, 2022. He was born May 31, 1965, in Phoenix, Arizona to Peter L. Lopez and Darlene E. Whitman. Leland liked to help people, whether it was cleaning their yards or fixing their cars. He loved to ride his bike and listen to music. Especially Rock & Roll and...

Jun 5, 2022

Jay Darnell Denton was born December 17th, 1943 in Hays, Kansas to Henry and Hope Denton. He had three brothers; Jim, Rance, Craig, and one sister, Jan. Jay started his teaching and coaching career in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1968. He came to Eloy, Santa Cruz High School in 1969. He coached 27 cumulative years at Santa Cruz before moving to...

Jun 5, 2022

Zane Allen Miller, 23, of Sacaton, died June 5, 2022. He was born April 13, 1999, in Chandler, Arizona to John Miller and Alina Pablo. Zane was a good friend to many. He enjoyed music and played many instruments, such as the violin, keyboard. He loved cats and gaming with his friends and brothers. He enjoyed going to church services...

Jun 5, 2022

Wendy Sara Miller, 11, of Sacaton, died June 5, 2022. She was born March 6, 2011, in Casa Grande, to John Miller and Alina Pablo. Wendy was a sweet and thoughtful girl; she was always wanting to help. She was quiet and well mannered. Her smile was beautiful, and she had such a warm, soft welcoming spirit. She loved spending...

Jun 3, 2022

Danny Stevens, of, Casa Grande, AZ., April 29, 1956 – June 3, 2022 Danny Alan Stevens was born on April 29, 1956 in Oklahoma. He moved to Casa Grande where he owned his own business, “Special Angel Repairs” and was a member of Home Depot’s pro desk. He enjoyed fishing, watching B-rated horror movies and spending time with his grandchildren....

Jun 3, 2022

Arlene Lorees Johns, 84, of Casa Blanca, died June 3, 2022, in Sacaton, Arizona. She was born March 14, 1938, to William Justin and Adeline Jackson in Sacaton, Arizona. Arlene worked for 20 plus years for Gila River Indian Community, predominately in the health field. She attended Vah-Ki Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. Her faith in the Lord...

Jun 3, 2022

Kenneth Gabriel Thomas, 40, of Blackwater, died June 3, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona. He was born August 9, 1981, in Phoenix, Arizona to Kenneth W. Thomas and Carmen R. Pablo. Kenneth, known to all as “Gibby”, was a great man, father, son, brother, and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and would always stop and talk to them...

Jun 3, 2022

Germain Rodriguez, 31, of Casa Grande died on June 3, 2022. Mr. Rodriguez was born on Aug. 3, 1990, in Phoenix and was a son of Juan Rodriguez Estrada and Maria Sandoval. He was a hardworking man who loved his wife and kids very much; they were his life. He was always smiling and treated everyone he met with respect....

Jun 2, 2022

Born in Ames, Iowa, on July 23, 1936 at Mary Greeley Hospital. Parents were Steve and Lucille Brooks. Raised on a farm in the Napier Community where I graduated from Napier High School. I attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, before transferring to Eastern New Mexico University where I received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a Master...

Jun 1, 2022

Jennifer Apkaw Jones, 50, of Sacaton, died June 1, 2022, in Chandler, Arizona. She was born April 18, 1972, in Phoenix, Arizona to Daniel Jones and Clementine Apkaw. Jennifer enjoyed listening to chicken scratch and cumbia music. She loved to dance and was a basket dancer. She was a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed life. She is survived by her...

Jun 1, 2022

Ms. Thomas was born in Sacaton on Nov. 2, 1952, to Enoch and Rose Thomas. She loved to listen to Alan Jackson, and in her younger days loved to dance. She was a horsehair basket maker. She also loved to cook and be with her family. She had a big heart and cared for all around her. She worked as...

May 31, 2022

AK-CHIN — Rupert Marcus Stephens, 90, of the Ak-Chin Indian Community died on May 31, 2022. Mr. Stephens was born in Sacaton on April 17, 1932, to John and Amelia Stephens. He was a loving husband, hard worker and very supportive of his family. He was a musician who loved playing the violin and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. He liked...