In Loving Memory — Manuel L. Ballesteros Jr.
Loving son, brother, father and friend, Manuel Lopez Ballesteros passed on to the hereafter on May 2, 2014 at his home in Payson, Ariz. as a result of a failed heart and other related complications, he was 65 years old.
Born in Miami, Ariz. on Jan. 18, 1949 to Alice Soto Ballesteros and Manuel Lopez Ballesteros Sr. Manuel is survived by his mother, Alice S. Ballesteros; sisters, Sarah Guerrero, Theresa Benson and Genevieve Duarte; brother, Henry De Luna; children, Rose Marie Linquist, Richard Ballesteros, Tyrone Ballesteros, Antoinette Ramirez, Esperanza Ballesteros and Gabrielle Ballesteros. Also surviving him are his 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his many nieces and nephews, and his three dogs, Sheba, Yager and Bella.
Manuel attended Burbank High School, shortly after he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War with the 1st cavalry infantry division. During his tour of service, Manuel received a Bronze Star with “V” device, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. Manuel was very proud of this country and his service to defend its freedom.
Manuel leaves behind many family and friends who will miss him dearly. In celebration of Manuel’s life, a memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2014 beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Philips Catholic Church in Payson, Ariz.

Bernice Elaine Haium Frazier
(The Ice Cream Lady)
Bernice was born to Ella and Grant Haium June 7, 1920, in Clayton, Wisc., and passed away May 17, 2014.
She lived her early years in Clear Lake, Wisc. She and her parents moved to St. Paul, Minn. in 1941, where she and her dad performed on the Sunset Valley Barn Dance at radio station KSTP. They also traveled by bus throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin entertaining audiences.
Her father passed away in 1953 and her mother died in 1966. During the last few years, Bernice was a member of a musical group called “Marvin & Friends” that entertained seniors and shut-ins. She was known as “The Yodelin’ Granny.”
She is probably best known in Payson, as “The Ice Cream Lady.” She owned and operated the “Ice Cream Igloo.” She was also a member of “The Little White Church” where she met and married Don Frazier. Don passed away in 1997.
Bernice was an active member of Payson Christian Church for many years and most recently a member of Christians Together.
A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel at the Majestic Rim Retirement Center, 310 E. Tyler Parkway.

Arthur Patrick Sechrest, athlete with a cane, Stetson aficionado, sharp shooter, and rock hound, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. He was 74.
Art’s personality was as large as the gorgeous oversized western buckles he wore when he dressed to impress. A lover of good silver, gemstones, and all things geological, he installed a lapidary workshop in his garage and painstakingly polished Arizona rocks into brilliant works of beauty.
Trained in the Marine Corps, Art kept his eye and hand coordination sharp at the Tonto Rim Sports Club. Despite a debilitating back injury, he spent hours at the club, making friends and working on his technique. In front of a target, he’d whisper, “now watch this” before taking a shot. Afterwards, in typical poker parlance, he’d grin and say, “read ’em and weep.”
Art had many careers in his life — policeman, boilermaker, welder — but his free time was spent in the great outdoors. Running, cycling and hiking all became passions. When he took up a sport, he threw himself into it with a gusto that seemed like lunacy to his admiring family. But the marathons and triple centuries ended when he suffered the injury that changed his life.
He never gave up the small pleasures, though. He loved sipping a fine whiskey on a beautiful evening while listening to mournful blues or country music. He was your go-to man for a juicy, barbecued turkey. His favorite movie was “Man on Fire.” Every morning he hiked the Rim country trails with his beloved dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, then later Blue and Radar. He read voraciously, acquiring a serious dedication to his Kindle. He played a mean game of cribbage and had a legendary skill at poker.
He is survived by his wife, Kathie; his three daughters, Laura, Colleen and Jennifer; his two sisters, Margot and Mindy; six grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; as well as dear friends, all of whom will miss him deeply.

Mary Kathryn Lucek, also known as “Miss Kitty,” passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014 in Scottsdale, Ariz. at the age of 96.
Miss Kitty was a longtime resident of Payson. She began her life on Sept. 23, 1917 in Boonville, Ind. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, John Lucek.
Miss Kitty’s favorite hobbies included decorating, and buying and selling home goods. She enjoyed singing and entertaining, and was best known for her exuberant personality. She was an animal lover and, over the years, personally provided a home for many stray animals.
Kitty is survived by her four children: Susan Santellanes, John, Walter and Brad Lucek; seven grandchildren: Beverly Carey, Jennifer Howard, Leonard Burkland IV, Walter Lucek, Julie and Michael Lucek and Austin Lucek; nine great-grandchildren: Christopher, Cody and Gabriella Howard, Skylar and Mason Burkland, Matthew and Mitchell Carey, and Kevin and Caden Lucek.
Miss Kitty was proud to be named a Payson Pioneer and will be laid to rest in the Payson Pioneer Cemetery on Monday, June 2 at 11 a.m. Friends are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Payson Humane Society of Central Arizona in her name.

Maria Hunt Hancock passed away May 22, 2014, in Payson, Ariz., after a four-year battle with cancer. She was born in Provo, Utah, on March 19, 1969, to Dennis and Linda Hunt. When she was 5 years old, her family moved to Northern Arizona, where she grew up on her grandparents’ dairy farm and was the oldest of eight children. Maria attended and graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Joseph City High School, where she participated in many extracurricular activities, was a member of the National Honor Society and was a state representative at the national 4-H club congress.
Maria’s passion of caring for others led her to pursue a career in nursing. She worked at the Winslow and Payson hospitals as a Med/Surg nurse, OB nurse, and as an infection control and quality measures specialist. She was a dedicated caregiver who loved living in a small town, and enjoyed watching the babies she helped deliver grow up. Maria shared her love of nursing with her sweetheart, John Hancock, and their experiences brought them closer together.
Maria was generous with her time and energy as she served in her church and community. She loved working with the youth and held numerous callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked tirelessly to organize blood drives, Relay for Life teams, and a Climb to Conquer Cancer team.
Maria loved flowers, cupcakes, road trips, shopping, photography, calligraphy, scrapbooking, classic cars and car shows. Her favorite car was her own red Ford Mustang convertible.
She was a devoted wife and mother who loved to spend time with her family. Maria’s extended family enjoyed the family gatherings held in her home. She was proud of all of her children and loved attending music and dance recitals and sporting events. She was proud to be a “missionary mom” to Elder Ian Bloomfield, who is currently serving in the Washington Everett Mission.
Maria is survived by her husband, John Hancock; and their children, Aubrey Hancock, Bobby Hancock, Ian Bloomfield, Katie Hancock, Braden Hancock, Claire Hancock, Chloe Hancock; and six grandchildren. She is also survived by her parents, Dennis and Linda Hunt; six siblings, Duane Hunt, Allyson Hunt, Maren Hunt, Paul Hunt, Kirsten Rosser, and John Hunt. She was preceded in death by her sister, Celia Turley.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at the Payson Arizona Stake Center at 913 S. Ponderosa St. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will be on Saturday, May 31, at 12 Noon at the Winslow Desert View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, and brightpink .org.
Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

RUTH HUDSON, 90, passed away peacefully in Payson on May 21, 2014.
A native Arizonan, Mrs. Hudson was the daughter of the late Norman and Agnes Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy “8” Hudson, who died Dec. 24, 2004; and by a son, Jerry Kellogg. Mrs. Hudson is survived by a daughter, Mary Lou Kellogg; a son, Norman I. Kellogg (late Sueann); as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Contributions honoring Mrs. Hudson may be made to the Rim Country Hospice Foundation, P. O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547.

Hobie Herron passed away on May 22, 2014 at his home in Oregon. He was a resident of Payson for 26 years. He served on the Town Council in Payson and was one of the best council members Payson has ever had. He was not afraid to vote no. He touched the hearts and minds of many people here and will be missed.

June Mary Gould of Payson, Ariz., passed from our sight and lives to be with her Lord and savior at the age of 75, Tuesday afternoon, May 27, 2014, the day after Memorial Day. She had a brief stay at Hospice Compassus of several days under their compassionate care and concern. She had undergone chemotherapy for pancreatic/liver cancer for nearly six months at the Ironwood Cancer and Research Center in Phoenix. What an amazing fighter for her life during this time!
She was born in the month of June in 1938, in Philadelphia, Pa. Her father, Warren Eichelberger, preceded her in death when she was 15. Her mother, Ruth, never remarried, raised her three daughters until they each married, and now resides in Phoenix at the age of 99!
June is survived by her mother; two younger sisters, Noel Freer and Joyce Young; four sons, Frank and Jeffery Broomall, Patrick Nixon and Christopher Gould; two stepsons, Patrick and Jason Gould; and one daughter, Caroline Fontanes. These sons and daughters have provided June with 13 grandchildren to love and cherish!
June’s first marriage was to Taylor Broomall, deceased. Her second marriage was to Gary Nixon, also deceased. Her third marriage of 29 years was to Jerold Gould. They met at a church singles group at a cabin retreat in East Verde Estates in 1985 on a Memorial Day weekend, exactly 29 years ago to the day of her passing!
She never attended college except for art classes where she had a talent for painting beautiful wildlife and landscapes. June also had a very sharp mind concerning theological subjects. She had an inquiring mindset about the Divine and spiritual truth. After many years, she found what she was seeking and remained a devout Christian for over three decades. She was a member of Ponderosa Bible Church in Payson.
Over the years she was involved with thoroughbred horse racing on the East Coast, a general manager for a fine dining facility, an executive secretary for a large legal firm in Scottsdale, a mid-level manager of a large Census staff, and a Weight Watchers hostess. But her favorite pastimes were keyed to homemaking, home decorating, fine art painting, shopping, flower gardening, and social card playing with her friends. She loved animals and always had horses, dogs and cats around her. They were lucky animals! And, trees — you didn’t want to cut one down within her hearing or sight! She loved trees and flowers.
During her lifetime she lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Phoenix and Payson. Then in 1998, June and her husband left the “dry heat” of Phoenix and moved to the cool pine country of Payson to live and raise their adopted grandson, Christopher, then a blue-eyed boy of three.
Please come and join us in the celebration of her life with the funeral service Friday, June 6, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ponderosa Bible Church at 1800 N. Beeline Highway (church phones, 928-468-2223 or 928-474-9279.) Following the service, brunch will be provided by the church. Later, the interment service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Hansen’s Desert Hills Memorial Park, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Phone (480) 991-5800.
Both services will be hosted by Dr. Joe Falkner, Senior Pastor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to:
Hospice Compassus, 511 S. Mud Springs Rd., Payson, AZ 85541
Condolences may be sent to:
Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Road, (928) 474-2800.

Douglas Dale Pendleton (Doug) left this earth in his own way at his home in Star Valley, Ariz., Friday, May 30, 2014. Doug was born June 10, 1954 in Tulsa, Okla.; he was the third son of Lula and the late William H. Pendleton.
Doug was a fine figure of a man; he loved baseball and played when he was younger. Doug literally moved mountains; Doug’s work model was “Build it once and build it right; rework is not an option.”
Preceded in death by his father, William H. Pendleton; his cousin, Kim Pendleton; and numerous other family and friends; Doug is survived by his friend and wife of 33 years, Sandy Pendleton; his mother, Lula; brothers, Richard and wife Kay (Houston, Texas), Robert and wife Cheryl (Tulsa, Okla.); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation is Friday, June 6, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Road, Payson, Ariz., (928) 474-2800. Memorial services will be Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m. at Messinger Payson Funeral Home. Interment after memorial service at Mountain Meadows Memorial Park, 335 W. Round Valley Road, Payson, Ariz. Memorials may be sent to Messinger Payson Funeral Home or to the Disabled Veterans of America.
Refreshments and time for remembering Doug (stories welcome) following interment at the Lamplighter RV Resort Clubhouse, 3933 E. Highway 260, Star Valley, Ariz.

Born March 15, 1943, in Joplin, Missouri.
Passed away from our lives, June 4, 2014, to be with his Lord & Savior.
Chuck is the love of my life, he was a sincere, caring, passionate, loving, strong, and funny man. I was lucky to have him in my life for 47 years, no, I was honored, to have him in my life for 47 years.
With his soul goes my heart. There are no words to express my sorrow, though I have the solace that he is now in a better place with the Lord watching after him.
His mother, Lorene King, and father, Lon S. King, are deceased.
His loving wife and soul mate, in loving memory till eternity, Mikkie King.

Elmer Andrew Brown, Sr. entered into Eternal Life on June 6, 2014. Elmer was born May 22, 1927 in Phoenix, Ariz. He first came to Payson in 1936. Then after his marriage to Bettye McHenry in 1951, the couple returned to live full-time in Payson in 1953.
Elmer worked as a plumber and owned his own company with branches in Pine and Payson. In 1961, Elmer and his family moved to the “R-C” (R BAR C) Boy Scout Ranch near Christopher Creek, where he was the ranch manager. He also worked for years in the forestry, logging and construction industries. He retired in 1988, but stayed busy with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always enjoyed his tractor and working in the garden.
On Jan. 23, 1972, Mr. Brown was baptized into the Church of Christ, Temple Lot. For more than 40 years, he opened his home for church services for members in the Northern Arizona Region. He was a faithful member until his passing.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his wife of 57 years, Bettye, who passed Nov. 22, 2008.
He is survived by his five children: Nancy (Wes) Girard of Camp Verde; Eddie (Sheri) of Bullhead City; Liz (Bob) Willig of Payson; Andy (Debbi) of Phoenix; and Cathy (Bill) Hawley of Payson. Elmer loved and enjoyed his 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Elmer was a true cowboy and pioneer in the Payson area and will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Friends are warmly invited to join Elmer’s family for the funeral service at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2014 in the Messinger’s Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Rd., with Hube and Joel Yates officiating. Burial alongside his wife will follow at Mountain Meadows Memorial Park in Upper Round Valley.

George B. Greensfelder, of Pine, age 84, passed away peacefully June 6, 2014. He was born April 29, 1930 in Evanston, Ill. to the late Henry and Erna (Conrady) Greensfelder.
He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
As a mechanical and structural engineer, he was in research and development. The focus areas of his work included conveyors, farming equipment and even a part for the space shuttle.
On Feb. 19, 1965, George married the love of his life, Dolores Johnson. Along with Dolores and their family, George visited every state in the country and Canada. The entire family enjoyed camping and fishing adventures. George loved animals, especially his wolf hybrid, Lykos.
In addition to Dolores, those who will miss George include his children, Bill (Becky) Johnson, Leslie (Stan) Pryor, Bob (Doreen) Johnson and Kim (Wim) Montfoort; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Carol (Doyle) Akey; several nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Hank, and a nephew, Jack.
The family wishes to extend their heart-felt gratitude to the professional staff from both Rim Country Health Care Center and Hospice Compassus for their compassionate care and concern for George.
Friends are warmly invited to his memorial service at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Pine-Strawberry Senior Dining Room, 3916 N. Highway 87 in Pine. Instead of flowers, please consider honoring George by contributing to Rim Country Hospice Foundation, P. O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547, or Rim Country Friends of Ferals, 610 S. McLane Rd., Payson, AZ 85541.

Please join in a Celebration of the Life of Roxanne Charley at 4 p.m., Friday, June 13 at The Rim Club, Payson, Ariz.
She died April 24, 2014 following an accident. She was born June 2, 1950.

Jane Mikkelson, 87, of Pine, Ariz., passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 6, 2014. She was born in Mason City, Iowa on Feb. 13, 1927.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Victor; children, Victoria Graham, Christine (Daniel) Saldivar, Elizabeth Stewart, Ronald Mikkelson, Richard (Carolyn) Mikkelson, Wesley Mikkelson; and two sisters.  Survivors include 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. 
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 14 at Messinger’s Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Rd., Payson.  If you wish, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Central Arizona, P.O. Box 242, Payson, AZ 85547.

Garwood Gillette Baybrook, a resident of Payson, Ariz. since 1974, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2014 at Rim Country Health in Payson at the age of 97. He and his wife, Eleanor Waite Baybrook, had moved to Payson from Phoenix when they retired.
Gar was born in Clymer, N.Y. Feb. 4, 1917, and spent all his growing years in western New York State. He graduated from high school in 1934, finishing as salutatorian of his class in just three years. Times were tough, so he worked at various odd jobs including one on a maple syrup farm for a dollar a day and a stint with the CCC Program for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
He and Eleanor met in Jamestown, N.Y. when he came to visit a cousin who ran the boarding house where she was staying while going to business college. That was on Jan. 31, 1939. He asked her to marry him in Valentine’s Day two weeks later, and they were married in Napoli, N.Y. on May 13, 1939. This whirlwind courtship resulted in a marriage that lasted 69 years.
He continued his education with night school classes and correspondence courses, with a focus on aeronautical engineering. He got a job with Bell Aircraft as a tool designer, and was the plant layout manager when he left. They moved to Arizona in 1959, having fallen in love with the desert on two previous visits. He worked as a designer for a couple of different rocket engineering firms in the Phoenix area until his retirement in 1974. During their marriage they both enjoyed traveling, and saw 49 of the 50 states, most of Canada, as well as taking several trips to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Gar and Eleanor were instrumental in starting the Payson Seventh-day Adventist Church, making the trip from Phoenix every weekend until they finally retired and moved to Payson. He and his wife Eleanor also founded a mail-order religious book business while in Phoenix, Leaves of Autumn Books, and continued to run it from Payson until the death of his wife in 2008 and his declining health in 2012 forced a move to a long-term care facility.
Garwood is survived by their daughter, Sherry McDonald (husband Don); son, Wayne (wife Sharon); two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Payson Seventh-day Adventist Church at 700 E. Wade Lane, Payson, Ariz., at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014.

Marilyn Kontz, a longtime resident of Payson, Ariz., passed away on June 7, 2014.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Edward; and is survived by her sons, Larry and Dennis. Marilyn also leaves behind seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; and her brother, Donovan.
Ed and Marilyn were partners and operators of McLane Self-Storage from 1985 until 2001. They were active members of the Elks and Marilyn was known for her love of dancing. She spent many happy years wintering on the beach in Mexico.
At her request, no memorial services will be held at this time. A private memorial will be held for family members on a future date.
Mom, we will all miss you greatly.

Raymond Norton, 70, passed away on May 31, 2014. Ray was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Charles and Gloria Norton, and moved to Dover, Del. in his teens. Upon graduating from Dover High School in 1962, Ray began his long career in the military, first with 20 years of service with the U.S. Navy, followed by his work in Civil Service.
His love of travel and new places is also evidenced by years spent in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and then in Mexico. His route to a settled life in Payson, Ariz. was eventful and exciting.
Ray leaves behind many caring and loving family members and friends. Cherishing his memory are his wife, Deanne; his daughter, Jill McCarn and her husband Dennis; his son, Paul Norton and his wife Heather; and four grandchildren, Zachery and Luke Norton, and Sarah and Abigail McCarn. He is also survived by his parents, Charles and Gloria Norton, as well as his brothers, Steven and Wayne Norton and their families. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy. He also leaves behind many friends in Payson, especially Karen Albrecht and Mike McCannon, who have been a strong support throughout his illness.

Louis Henry Eggemeyer was born June 28, 1913 in Walsh, Ill. and passed away on May 10, 2014 in Mesa, Ariz.
Louis is survived by son, Ron Eggemeyer (wife Jill); stepsons, Scott Hagmaier and Brad Hagmaier (wife Jeanne).
A memorial service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1844 E. Dana Ave., Mesa, Ariz. at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014.

Pamela Ann Bumbalow, 66, passed away unexpectedly June 6, 2014. Born in Phoenix, Pam was one of nine children and grew up in Yuma. In November 1976, Pam married the love of her life, Lee Bumbalow.
She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996 and the past 10 years, she and Lee’s lives revolved around her illness. In 2001, the couple moved to Payson. Pam loved life, and more than anything, she enjoyed time spent with her family.
Those who will miss Pam include her husband, Lee; a son, Clint Mielke of Temecula, Calif.; two daughters, Kim (Mike) Burch of Mesa and Alinda Bumbalow (Tommy Holdren) of Payson; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters, Joan Delano of Glendale, Ariz., Lynn Hoskins of Yuma, and Janice Wiebe; two brothers, Don (Sandi) Delano of Shelton, Wash. and Terry (Carolyn) Delano of Apple Valley, Calif.
There will be a celebration of Pam’s life on Saturday, June 21, 2014 where her family will welcome friends from noon until 4 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 801 N. Beeline Highway, Payson.
Instead of flowers, Pam’s family has encouraged contributions be made, for those desiring, to Rim Country Hospice Foundation, P. O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547.

A Ceremony of Life will be held for Carolyn Nettie Wall starting at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 22, 2014 at Mount Cross Lutheran Church, 601 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541.